Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Boston Terrier | Bulldog |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $31,211 | $30,410 |
| First year | $5,751 | $6,979 |
| Monthly average | $220 | $259 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,500 to $4,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,277 | $2,605 |
| Documented conditions | 20 | 21 |
| Median lifespan | 11.8 yrs | 9.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 12 to 25 lb | 40 to 50 lb |
| Daily food | 1.5 cups | 2.8 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $184 | $214 |
| Risk profile | High, early onset | High, early onset |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Overweight/obesity |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Overweight/obesity | 9%1-yr clinical | $168–$452 |
| Otitis externa | 13%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 40%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Cutaneous disorder | 29%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Ophthalmological disorder | 18%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Prolapsed third eyelid gland (Cherry eye) | 14%owner survey | $662–$1,782 |
| Aural disorder | 13%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Upper respiratory tract disorder | 11%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Patellar luxation | 6%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Distichiasis | 5%owner survey | $662–$1,782 |
| Entropion | 4%owner survey | $449–$1,209 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 4%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 4%owner survey | not priced |
| Dermatitis | 3%owner survey | $252–$679 |
| Alopecia/Baldness | 3%owner survey | not priced |
| Pyoderma | 3%owner survey | $252–$679 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 1%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 1%screened dogs | not priced |
| Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome | n/a | $1,784–$4,802 |
| Skin fold dermatitis | n/a | $252–$679 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $1,200–$3,500 |
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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 $394 for the Bulldog. 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 Bulldog more expensive?
The Bulldog is cheaper by about $801 over a lifetime. Boston Terrier: $31,211. Bulldog: $30,410. 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 Bulldog?
The Boston Terrier has the longer typical lifespan. Boston Terrier: 11.8 years. Bulldog: 9.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Boston Terrier or a Bulldog?
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 Bulldog it is overweight/obesity, at 9%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.