Adult weight45–80 lbs
Lifespan10–12 yrs
Monthly run-rate$257
First-year total (acquisition + setup + care)$5,529
Level with Gordon SetterAnnual recurring run-rate$3,084 / year≈ $257 / month steady state
Emergency reserve
Lifetime financial exposure, clinical risk tiers, and routine veterinary spend for the English Setter and the Gordon Setter, audited line by line against the US national baseline.
Over their full lifetimes the English Setter runs $36,369 ($3,306 / yr amortized) against the Gordon Setter's $36,369 ($3,306 / yr). The English Setter's premium is led by vet & insurance.
One-time onboarding capital and steady-state maintenance, line by line.
| Expense category & rationale | English Setter | Gordon Setter | Variance (English Setter delta) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 · Initial Acquisition & Onboarding Capital | |||
Purchase / Adoption Fee Varies by breeder vs rescue | $1,100 | $1,100 | $0 (Parity) |
Initial Vet Visit & Vaccinations Spay/neuter, microchip, health check | $700 | $700 | $0 (Parity) |
Starter Supplies Bed, crate, collar, bowls, toys | $546 | $546 | $0 (Parity) |
Training Classes Basic obedience recommended | $260 | $260 | $0 (Parity) |
| Subtotal · One-time onboarding capital | $2,606 | $2,606 | $0 (Parity) |
| Phase 2 · Annual Recurring Operations (Year 2+) | |||
Food | $691 | $691 | $0 (Parity) |
Vet Care | $770 | $770 | $0 (Parity) |
Grooming | $507 | $507 | $0 (Parity) |
Pet Insurance | $955 | $955 | $0 (Parity) |
Supplies & Toys | $161 | $161 | $0 (Parity) |
| Subtotal · Annual recurring | $3,084 | $3,084 | $0 (Parity) |
| Total annual run-rate (steady state) | $3,084 / yr | $3,084 / yr | $0 (Parity) / yr |
| Lifetime actuarial total | $36,369 | $36,369 | $0 (Parity) |
English Setter: 11 yrs · Gordon Setter: 11 yrs
Why the underwriting tiers diverge, and the liquid buffer each breed warrants before acquisition.
A joint condition needing surgery, a breed-linked deafness risk, and an elevated cancer rate combine into recurring, sometimes major, veterinary spend.
A malformed hip joint common in larger sporting breeds that can cause lameness and lead to costly orthopedic surgery.
English Setters carry piebald genetics linked to a higher rate of congenital deafness, which some owners screen for with BAER testing.
An underactive thyroid that shows up in middle age and requires lifelong daily medication and periodic bloodwork.
The breed shows an elevated lifetime rate of lymphoma and other cancers, which drives up late-life diagnostic and treatment costs.
Coat load, energy, and temperament shape boarding, grooming, and handling costs beyond the medical ledger.
Adjust the compounded annual CPI. Veterinary clinical services have trailed near +7.8% YoY; the pet-care basket sits lower.
Tune your metro ZIP, daily-care schedule, nutrition grade, and insurance deductible in the live actuarial engine.
Primary cost driver: Vet & insurance
Primary cost driver: Vet & insurance
Bloat risk from the deep chest plus a recurring hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism burden push routine and emergency spend above breed average.
A malformed hip joint common in large, active sporting breeds that can require lifelong management or surgery.
A life-threatening stomach twist that deep-chested breeds like the Gordon Setter are prone to and that always requires emergency surgery.
An inherited, gradual loss of vision that has no cure but is manageable and screenable through genetic testing.
An underactive thyroid that shows up in middle age and needs daily medication and periodic bloodwork for the rest of the dog's life.