Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Boston Terrier | German Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $30,787 | $40,121 |
| First year | $5,715 | $6,525 |
| Monthly average | $217 | $296 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,000 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,241 | $3,151 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 10 | 14 |
| Median lifespan | 11.8 yrs | 11.3 yrs |
| Adult weight | 12 to 25 lb | 65 to 90 lb |
| Daily food | 1.5 cups | 4.3 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $180 | $300 |
| Risk profile | High, early onset | High, mid life |
| 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 | 19% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 5% | not priced |
| Arthritis | 3% | $281–$756 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3% | $629–$1,694 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 3% | $169–$455 |
| Lipoma | 3% | not priced |
| Chronic Itching | 2% | $629–$1,694 |
| Otitis externa | 2% | $100–$270 |
| Umbilical hernia | 2% | $621–$1,671 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Gastric dilatation volvulus | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | n/a | not priced |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Placement reserved — insurance-primary
Common questions
Is a Boston Terrier or a German Shepherd more expensive?
The Boston Terrier is cheaper by about $9,334 over a lifetime. Boston Terrier: $30,787. German Shepherd: $40,121. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Boston Terrier or a German Shepherd?
The Boston Terrier has the longer typical lifespan. Boston Terrier: 11.8 years. German Shepherd: 11.3 years.
Which is healthier, a Boston Terrier or a German Shepherd?
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 German Shepherd 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.