Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Boston Terrier | Rottweiler |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $30,787 | $39,348 |
| First year | $5,715 | $7,125 |
| Monthly average | $217 | $309 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,241 | $3,251 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 10 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 11.8 yrs | 10.6 yrs |
| Adult weight | 12 to 25 lb | 80 to 135 lb |
| Daily food | 1.5 cups | 5.4 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $180 | $250 |
| Risk profile | High, early onset | High, mid life |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Digestive 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 12% | $281–$756 |
| Skin disease | 11% | $252–$679 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Cancer | 8% | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Ear disease | 6% | $100–$270 |
| Cruciate disease | 5% | $2,468–$5,640 |
| Arthritis | 4% | $281–$756 |
| Lipoma | 4% | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3% | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 3% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Hip dysplasia | 3% | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2% | $169–$455 |
| Otitis externa | 2% | $100–$270 |
| Bone cancer/tumour | 2% | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0% | not priced |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Common questions
Is a Boston Terrier or a Rottweiler more expensive?
The Boston Terrier is cheaper by about $8,562 over a lifetime. Boston Terrier: $30,787. Rottweiler: $39,348. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Boston Terrier or a Rottweiler?
The Boston Terrier has the longer typical lifespan. Boston Terrier: 11.8 years. Rottweiler: 10.6 years.
Which is healthier, a Boston Terrier or a Rottweiler?
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 Rottweiler it is digestive disease, at 30%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.