Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Boston Terrier | English Springer Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $30,787 | $42,789 |
| First year | $5,715 | $5,975 |
| Monthly average | $217 | $264 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,241 | $2,851 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 10 | 16 |
| Median lifespan | 11.8 yrs | 13.5 yrs |
| Adult weight | 12 to 25 lb | 40 to 50 lb |
| Daily food | 1.5 cups | 2.8 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $180 | $480 |
| Risk profile | High, early onset | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Skin disease |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 16% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Lipoma | 6% | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3% | not priced |
| Arthritis | 3% | $281–$756 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 3% | not priced |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2% | $169–$455 |
| Cruciate disease | 2% | $2,468–$5,640 |
| Skin lump | 2% | not priced |
| Otitis externa | 1% | $100–$270 |
| Umbilical hernia | 1% | $621–$1,671 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Ear disease | n/a | $100–$270 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Common questions
Is a Boston Terrier or a English Springer Spaniel more expensive?
The Boston Terrier is cheaper by about $12,002 over a lifetime. Boston Terrier: $30,787. English Springer Spaniel: $42,789. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Boston Terrier or a English Springer Spaniel?
The English Springer Spaniel has the longer typical lifespan. Boston Terrier: 11.8 years. English Springer Spaniel: 13.5 years.
Which is healthier, a Boston Terrier or a English Springer Spaniel?
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 English Springer Spaniel it is skin disease, at 36%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.