Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Boxer | Cane Corso |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $36,605 | $31,747 |
| First year | $6,305 | $7,465 |
| Monthly average | $270 | $327 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,500 to $4,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,831 | $3,341 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 19 | 10 |
| Median lifespan | 11.3 yrs | 8.1 yrs |
| Adult weight | 50 to 80 lb | 88 to 120 lb |
| Daily food | 3.7 cups | 5.3 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $200 | $220 |
| Risk profile | High, late onset | High, mid life |
| Biggest single risk | Degenerative myelopathy | Skin disease |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| 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 | |
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 21% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 7% | $169–$455 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0% | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Eyelid abnormalities | n/a | $662–$1,782 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Boxer and $0 for the Cane Corso. 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 Boxer or a Cane Corso more expensive?
The Cane Corso is cheaper by about $4,857 over a lifetime. Boxer: $36,605. Cane Corso: $31,747. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Boxer or a Cane Corso?
The Boxer has the longer typical lifespan. Boxer: 11.3 years. Cane Corso: 8.1 years.
Which is healthier, a Boxer or a Cane Corso?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Boxer's biggest single risk is degenerative myelopathy, seen in 50% of the breed. For the Cane Corso 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.