Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Boxer | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $36,605 | $39,131 |
| First year | $6,305 | $5,855 |
| Monthly average | $270 | $255 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,831 | $2,731 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $590 |
| Documented conditions | 19 | 15 |
| Median lifespan | 11.3 yrs | 12.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 50 to 80 lb | 9 to 16 lb |
| Daily food | 3.7 cups | 1.1 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $200 | $720 |
| Risk profile | High, late onset | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Degenerative myelopathy | Periodontal 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Periodontal disease | 10% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Hip dysplasia | 22% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Umbilical hernia | 12% | $621–$1,671 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 11% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Ear disease | 6% | $100–$270 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 5% | not priced |
| Anal gland/sac impaction/blockage | 3% | $84–$226 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3% | $629–$1,694 |
| Lipoma | 2% | not priced |
| Patellar luxation | 2% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Chronic Itching | 2% | $629–$1,694 |
| Unspecified Eye | 2% | $224–$604 |
| Intervertebral disc disorder | 2% | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Expected total | $590 | |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Boxer and $590 for the Shih Tzu. 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 Shih Tzu more expensive?
The Boxer is cheaper by about $2,526 over a lifetime. Boxer: $36,605. Shih Tzu: $39,131. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a Boxer or a Shih Tzu?
The Shih Tzu has the longer typical lifespan. Boxer: 11.3 years. Shih Tzu: 12.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Boxer or a Shih Tzu?
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 Shih Tzu it is periodontal disease, at 10%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.