Curly-Coated Retriever vs Labrador Retriever

Side-by-side comparison — size, temperament, traits, costs, and health

Curly-Coated Retriever
Category
Labrador Retriever

📏 Physical Stats

60 - 95
Weight (lbs)
55 - 80
23 - 27
Height (inches)
21.5 - 24.5
10 - 12 years
Life Expectancy
10 - 13 years
Sporting
Breed Group
Sporting
England
Origin
Canada
Retrieving game from water and land
Bred For
Water retrieving

⚡ Temperament & Traits

Scores are 1–5 from breed data. Higher = more of that trait. Barking: lower is quieter.

4/5
Energy Level
4/5
4/5
Trainability
4/5
4/5
Good with Children
5/5
Better
4/5
Good with Other Dogs
5/5
Better
2/5
Better
Grooming Needs
4/5

💰 Cost of Ownership

Based on breed-specific cost data at a moderate care level — quality food, routine vet, occasional grooming, standard insurance. Actual costs vary by location and provider.

Annual Cost
$2,950
Curly-Coated Retriever
vs
Annual Cost
$2,668
Labrador Retriever
Curly-Coated Retriever
Expense
Labrador Retriever
$2,950
Annual Cost
$2,668
Lower ✓
$3,670
First Year
$3,388
Lower ✓
$33,170
Lifetime Total
$31,402
Lower ✓
$780
Food (annual)
$780
$735
Vet Care (annual)
$735
$330
Grooming (annual)
$264
Lower ✓
$1,080
Insurance (annual)
$864
Lower ✓
$90
Insurance (monthly)
$72
Lower ✓

Over their lifetimes, a Labrador Retriever (~12 yrs) costs approximately $1,768 less than a Curly-Coated Retriever (~11 yrs) in total.

🏥 Health Considerations

Health conditions listed are common concerns for these breeds or breed groups. Not every dog will develop these conditions. Regular vet check-ups are the best prevention.

🐾 Temperament

Curly-Coated Retriever

Confident, Proud, Intelligent, Wickedly Smart, Active, Loyal, Gentle, Trainable, Alert, Wickedly Smart

Labrador Retriever

Kind, Outgoing, Agile, Gentle, Intelligent, Trusting, Even Tempered, Affectionate, Playful, Friendly, Loyal, Independent