Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Boxer | Chihuahua |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $36,605 | $27,727 |
| First year | $6,305 | $4,815 |
| Monthly average | $270 | $196 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $800 to $2,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,831 | $2,041 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 19 | 8 |
| Median lifespan | 11.3 yrs | 11.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 50 to 80 lb | 3 to 6 lb |
| Daily food | 3.7 cups | 0.5 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $200 | $180 |
| Risk profile | High, late onset | Moderate |
| 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 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Hip dysplasia | 6% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0% | not priced |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Dental disease | n/a | $246–$663 |
| Patellar luxation | n/a | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Tracheal collapse | n/a | $484–$1,302 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Common questions
Is a Boxer or a Chihuahua more expensive?
The Chihuahua is cheaper by about $8,878 over a lifetime. Boxer: $36,605. Chihuahua: $27,727. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Boxer or a Chihuahua?
The Chihuahua has the longer typical lifespan. Boxer: 11.3 years. Chihuahua: 11.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Boxer or a Chihuahua?
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 Chihuahua 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.