Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Boston Terrier | Boxer |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $31,211 | $35,927 |
| First year | $5,751 | $6,245 |
| Monthly average | $220 | $265 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,277 | $2,771 |
| Documented conditions | 20 | 33 |
| Median lifespan | 11.8 yrs | 11.3 yrs |
| Adult weight | 12 to 25 lb | 50 to 80 lb |
| Daily food | 1.5 cups | 3.7 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $184 | $250 |
| Risk profile | High, early onset | High, late onset |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Otitis externa |
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 |
| 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 |
| Condition | Measured result | Treatment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Otitis externa | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Epulis | 6%1-yr clinical | $400–$1,800 |
| Corneal ulceration | 5%1-yr clinical | $469–$1,264 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 50%screened dogs | not priced |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Skin disorder | 18%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Neoplasia | 14%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 14%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 13%screened dogs | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Dog bite (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 11%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Ear disorder | 10%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Torn or broken toenail (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Bordetella and/or parainfluenza (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Seasonal allergies (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Murmur (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Skin cancer/tumor | 6%owner survey | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 6%owner survey | not priced |
| Ear Infection (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Giardia (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Osteoarthritis (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dental calculus (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 5%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Lipoma | 5%owner survey | not priced |
| Corneal Ulcer | 5%owner survey | $469–$1,264 |
| Skin lump | 5%owner survey | not priced |
| Arthritis | 4%owner survey | $281–$756 |
| Colitis | 4%owner survey | $354–$954 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 1%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 1%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Patellar luxation | 1%screened dogs | $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 |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the Boston Terrier and $231 for the Boxer. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a Boston Terrier or a Boxer more expensive?
The Boston Terrier is cheaper by about $4,716 over a lifetime. Boston Terrier: $31,211. Boxer: $35,927. Health costs are not inside either figure. They are documented separately below, in the units each study used.
Which lives longer, a Boston Terrier or a Boxer?
The Boston Terrier has the longer typical lifespan. Boston Terrier: 11.8 years. Boxer: 11.3 years.
Which is healthier, a Boston Terrier or a Boxer?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Boston Terrier's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the Boxer it is otitis externa, at 7%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.