Model review, 14 October 2026: the examples below now come directly from the current calculator. They replace older incomplete totals and unsupported national rankings. Underlying price inputs are illustrative starting assumptions, not measured current market ranges; internal agreement is not market validation.
Compare Labrador and Golden Retriever budgets using the same source, state and spending settings. Their coat-care allocations differ in the model; that is not a universal grooming requirement or a prediction of health costs.
Current calculator examples
AUD · VIC · breeder purchase · mid-range spending · insurance included · professional grooming allocation · basic training for dogs, indoor living for cats · no boarding, walking or daycare. Reserve: $0, separate from spending. These are model scenarios, not verified national prices or individual quotes.
Swipe the table sideways if needed. Monthly figures spread ongoing spending over 12 months; first-year setup is separate.
| Breed | Monthly ongoing | First year | Annual ongoing | Lifetime spending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labrador Retriever | $286 | $8,475 | $3,432 | $46,227 |
| Golden Retriever | $294 | $9,821 | $3,528 | $45,101 |
Lifetime spending uses each profile's rounded midpoint lifespan at constant prices, without inflation or age-related premium changes. Unexpected treatment and dental procedures are excluded; no health-probability allowance is added. A reserve is money set aside, shown separately in the calculator.
Generated from the same inputs and engine as the calculator, so these examples update with the model. Inspect sources and assumptions or edit your own scenario.
Inspect the Categories Behind the Difference
The profiles use large-dog food allocations and different professional-grooming assumptions. Ask about the actual dog’s care and the services you plan to buy. A zero professional-grooming allocation does not mean no coat care is needed. Food, insurance and service quotes can differ even where the model uses matching amounts.
First-Year Costs and Adoption
Acquisition ranges are unverified model inputs. Get a current quote or the individual rescue fee and check what procedures it includes. In the calculator you can uncheck each adoption inclusion and enter a separately payable cost. Keep once-only registration distinct from annual permits or renewals.
No Clinical Cost Ranking
The earlier cancer percentages and breed-risk verdicts were unsupported and have been removed. Listed health topics do not affect calculated spending or establish which animal will have higher bills. Ask a vet about the individual animal and compare insurance terms separately.
Lifetime Means a Stated Horizon
Each profile uses its rounded midpoint lifespan for the central lifetime total. Different horizons can change a lifetime comparison even when annual costs match. Figures use constant prices and exclude unexpected treatment. A user-entered reserve is shown separately, starting in year one; it does not change the spending chart.
Use the comparison tool, inspect the Labrador and Golden Retriever profiles, then enter your own quotes.