Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Bernese Mountain Dog | Boston Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $37,669 | $31,211 |
| First year | $7,489 | $5,751 |
| Monthly average | $311 | $220 |
| Puppy price | $1,800 to $4,000 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,215 | $2,277 |
| Documented conditions | 12 | 20 |
| Median lifespan | 10.1 yrs | 11.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 70 to 115 lb | 12 to 25 lb |
| Daily food | 4.9 cups | 1.5 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $470 | $184 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | High, early onset |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Skin disease |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| Condition | Measured result | Treatment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 27%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Hip dysplasia | 16%screened dogs | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 11%screened dogs | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Patellar luxation | 0%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Cancer | n/a | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Hip and elbow dysplasia | n/a | $2,291–$6,169 |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Condition | Measured result | Treatment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 18%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Giardia (US) | 13%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Hip dysplasia | 13%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Dental calculus (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Cataracts (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dog bite (US) | 10%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Seasonal allergies (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Patellar luxation (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear Infection (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Torn or broken toenail (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Murmur (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 5%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 3%screened dogs | not priced |
| Congenital heart disease | 1%screened dogs | $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 |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Bernese Mountain Dog and $0 for the Boston Terrier. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a Bernese Mountain Dog or a Boston Terrier more expensive?
The Boston Terrier is cheaper by about $6,458 over a lifetime. Bernese Mountain Dog: $37,669. Boston Terrier: $31,211. Health costs are not inside either figure. They are documented separately below, in the units each study used.
Which lives longer, a Bernese Mountain Dog or a Boston Terrier?
The Boston Terrier has the longer typical lifespan. Bernese Mountain Dog: 10.1 years. Boston Terrier: 11.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Bernese Mountain Dog or a Boston Terrier?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Bernese Mountain Dog's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the Boston Terrier 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.