Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Bernese Mountain Dog | Boxer |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $42,173 | $36,605 |
| First year | $7,935 | $6,305 |
| Monthly average | $348 | $270 |
| Puppy price | $1,800 to $4,000 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,661 | $2,831 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 12 | 19 |
| Median lifespan | 10.1 yrs | 11.3 yrs |
| Adult weight | 70 to 115 lb | 50 to 80 lb |
| Daily food | 4.9 cups | 3.7 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $540 | $200 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | High, late onset |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Degenerative myelopathy |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 27% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Hip dysplasia | 16% | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 11% | not priced |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2% | $169–$455 |
| Patellar luxation | 0% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Cancer | n/a | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Hip and elbow dysplasia | n/a | $2,291–$6,169 |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Degenerative myelopathy | 50% | not priced |
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Hip dysplasia | 13% | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 11% | $169–$455 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Skin cancer/tumour | 6% | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 6% | not priced |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 5% | $629–$1,694 |
| Lipoma | 5% | not priced |
| Corneal Ulcer | 5% | $469–$1,264 |
| Skin lump | 5% | not priced |
| Arthritis | 4% | $281–$756 |
| Colitis | 4% | $354–$954 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 1% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 1% | $534–$1,438 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Cancer | n/a | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Aortic stenosis | n/a | $534–$1,438 |
| Brachycephalic airway signs | n/a | $1,784–$4,802 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Expected vet costs are $0 for the Bernese Mountain Dog and $0 for the Boxer. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
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Common questions
Is a Bernese Mountain Dog or a Boxer more expensive?
The Boxer is cheaper by about $5,569 over a lifetime. Bernese Mountain Dog: $42,173. Boxer: $36,605. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Bernese Mountain Dog or a Boxer?
The Boxer has the longer typical lifespan. Bernese Mountain Dog: 10.1 years. Boxer: 11.3 years.
Which is healthier, a Bernese Mountain Dog or a Boxer?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Bernese Mountain Dog's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the Boxer it is degenerative myelopathy, at 50%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.