Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Boston Terrier | Rottweiler |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $31,211 | $37,854 |
| First year | $5,751 | $6,984 |
| Monthly average | $220 | $298 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,277 | $3,110 |
| Documented conditions | 20 | 18 |
| Median lifespan | 11.8 yrs | 10.6 yrs |
| Adult weight | 12 to 25 lb | 80 to 135 lb |
| Daily food | 1.5 cups | 5.4 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $184 | $250 |
| Risk profile | High, early onset | High, mid life |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Digestive 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 12%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Skin disease | 11%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Cancer | 8%1-yr clinical | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Ear disease | 6%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Cruciate disease | 5%owner survey | $2,468–$5,640 |
| Arthritis | 4%owner survey | $281–$756 |
| Lipoma | 4%owner survey | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 3%owner survey | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 3%owner survey | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Hip dysplasia | 3%owner survey | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 2%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Otitis externa | 2%owner survey | $100–$270 |
| Bone cancer/tumor | 2%owner survey | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Patellar luxation | 1%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 0%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 0%screened dogs | not priced |
| Bloat | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
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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 Rottweiler. 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 Rottweiler more expensive?
The Boston Terrier is cheaper by about $6,643 over a lifetime. Boston Terrier: $31,211. Rottweiler: $37,854. 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 Rottweiler?
The Boston Terrier has the longer typical lifespan. Boston Terrier: 11.8 years. Rottweiler: 10.6 years.
Which is healthier, a Boston Terrier or a Rottweiler?
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 Rottweiler it is digestive disease, at 30%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.