Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Boxer | Golden Retriever |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $36,605 | $48,931 |
| First year | $6,305 | $7,175 |
| Monthly average | $270 | $309 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,831 | $3,301 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $0 |
| Documented conditions | 19 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 11.3 yrs | 13.2 yrs |
| Adult weight | 50 to 80 lb | 55 to 75 lb |
| Daily food | 3.7 cups | 3.7 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $200 | $600 |
| Risk profile | High, late onset | High, late onset |
| Biggest single risk | Degenerative myelopathy | Dental 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dental disease | 70% | $246–$663 |
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 12% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 6% | $169–$455 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3% | not priced |
| Arthritis | 3% | $281–$756 |
| Lipoma | 3% | not priced |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3% | $629–$1,694 |
| Skin cancer/tumour | 3% | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Cruciate disease | 3% | $2,468–$5,640 |
| Acute moist dermatitis | 1% | $252–$679 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0% | $534–$1,438 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0% | not priced |
| Cancer | n/a | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Expected total | $0 | |
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Common questions
Is a Boxer or a Golden Retriever more expensive?
The Boxer is cheaper by about $12,327 over a lifetime. Boxer: $36,605. Golden Retriever: $48,931. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Boxer or a Golden Retriever?
The Golden Retriever has the longer typical lifespan. Boxer: 11.3 years. Golden Retriever: 13.2 years.
Which is healthier, a Boxer or a Golden Retriever?
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 Golden Retriever it is dental disease, at 70%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.