Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Boston Terrier | Chihuahua |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $31,211 | $27,184 |
| First year | $5,751 | $4,769 |
| Monthly average | $220 | $192 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $800 to $2,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,277 | $1,995 |
| Documented conditions | 20 | 22 |
| Median lifespan | 11.8 yrs | 11.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 12 to 25 lb | 3 to 6 lb |
| Daily food | 1.5 cups | 0.5 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $184 | $184 |
| Risk profile | High, early onset | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Periodontal 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 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Periodontal disease | 14%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Obesity | 6%1-yr clinical | $168–$452 |
| Retained deciduous dentition | 6%1-yr clinical | $150–$800 |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 48%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Dental calculus (US) | 34%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Murmur (US) | 19%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Patellar luxation (US) | 17%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Gingivitis (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Cataracts (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Anal sac impaction (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Dog bite (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Retained deciduous teeth (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 6%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Tracheal collapse (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Aggression | 4%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0%screened dogs | not priced |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Dental disease | n/a | $246–$663 |
| Patellar luxation | n/a | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Tracheal collapse | n/a | $484–$1,302 |
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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 $808 for the Chihuahua. 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 Chihuahua more expensive?
The Chihuahua is cheaper by about $4,027 over a lifetime. Boston Terrier: $31,211. Chihuahua: $27,184. 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 Chihuahua?
The Boston Terrier has the longer typical lifespan. Boston Terrier: 11.8 years. Chihuahua: 11.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Boston Terrier or a Chihuahua?
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 Chihuahua it is periodontal disease, at 14%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.