Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Boston Terrier | Boxer |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $30,787 | $36,605 |
| First year | $5,715 | $6,305 |
| Monthly average | $217 | $270 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,241 | $2,831 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 10 | 19 |
| Median lifespan | 11.8 yrs | 11.3 yrs |
| Adult weight | 12 to 25 lb | 50 to 80 lb |
| Daily food | 1.5 cups | 3.7 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $180 | $200 |
| Risk profile | High, early onset | 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 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Hip dysplasia | 13% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 5% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 3% | not priced |
| Congenital heart disease | 1% | $534–$1,438 |
| Brachycephalic airway signs | n/a | $1,784–$4,802 |
| Corneal ulceration | n/a | $469–$1,264 |
| Patellar luxation | n/a | $1,000–$5,000 |
| 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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Common questions
Is a Boston Terrier or a Boxer more expensive?
The Boston Terrier is cheaper by about $5,818 over a lifetime. Boston Terrier: $30,787. Boxer: $36,605. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Boston Terrier or a Boxer?
The Boston Terrier has the longer typical lifespan. Boston Terrier: 11.8 years. Boxer: 11.3 years.
Which is healthier, a Boston Terrier or a Boxer?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Boston Terrier'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.