Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Boston Terrier | German Shorthaired Pointer |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $31,211 | $40,905 |
| First year | $5,751 | $5,830 |
| Monthly average | $220 | $254 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,277 | $2,706 |
| Documented conditions | 20 | 17 |
| Median lifespan | 11.8 yrs | 13.4 yrs |
| Adult weight | 12 to 25 lb | 45 to 70 lb |
| Daily food | 1.5 cups | 3.4 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $184 | $250 |
| Risk profile | High, early onset | Low |
| 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 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Lipoma | 11%owner survey | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 6%owner survey | not priced |
| Arthritis | 3%owner survey | $281–$756 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Skin lump | 2%owner survey | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 1%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Epilepsy | 1%owner survey | $1,485–$3,999 |
| Spondylosis | 1%owner survey | not priced |
| Cruciate disease | 1%owner survey | $2,468–$5,640 |
| Heart (cardiac) murmur | 1%owner survey | $534–$1,438 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0%screened dogs | not priced |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
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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 $0 for the German Shorthaired Pointer. 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 German Shorthaired Pointer more expensive?
The Boston Terrier is cheaper by about $9,694 over a lifetime. Boston Terrier: $31,211. German Shorthaired Pointer: $40,905. 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 German Shorthaired Pointer?
The German Shorthaired Pointer has the longer typical lifespan. Boston Terrier: 11.8 years. German Shorthaired Pointer: 13.4 years.
Which is healthier, a Boston Terrier or a German Shorthaired Pointer?
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 German Shorthaired Pointer 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.