Labrador Retriever vs Rat Terrier Cost Comparison 2026
Labrador Retriever costs $2,100/yr vs $1,120/yr for Rat Terrier. Over a lifetime: $27,800 vs $19,320. Here's where the money goes.
Labrador Retriever
$27,800
lifetime (12 yrs)
Lifetime Difference
$8,480
Rat Terrier costs less
Rat Terrier
$19,320
lifetime (16 yrs)
Cost Breakdown
| Category | Labrador Retriever | Rat Terrier | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | $800–$2,000 | $300–$800 | Rat Terrier |
| Annual Food | $660 | $200 | Rat Terrier |
| Routine Vet Care | $550 | $380 | Rat Terrier |
| Grooming | $60 | $40 | Rat Terrier |
| Pet Insurance | $35–$65/mo | $18–$42/mo | Rat Terrier |
| Supplies & Training | $350 | $220 | Rat Terrier |
| Total Annual Cost | $2,100 | $1,120 | Rat Terrier |
| Lifetime Cost | $27,800 | $19,320 | Rat Terrier |
Labrador Retriever Cost Profile
- Size
- large
- Lifespan
- 12 years
- Purchase Price
- $800–$2,000
- Annual Cost
- $2,100/yr
- Lifetime Total
- $27,800
Rat Terrier Cost Profile
- Size
- small
- Lifespan
- 16 years
- Purchase Price
- $300–$800
- Annual Cost
- $1,120/yr
- Lifetime Total
- $19,320
Bottom Line
Rat Terrier costs $980/yr less than Labrador Retriever ($1,120 vs $2,100). Over a lifetime, that gap compounds to a $8,480 difference.