Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Boston Terrier | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $31,211 | $38,107 |
| First year | $5,751 | $5,775 |
| Monthly average | $220 | $248 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,277 | $2,651 |
| Documented conditions | 20 | 28 |
| Median lifespan | 11.8 yrs | 12.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 12 to 25 lb | 9 to 16 lb |
| Daily food | 1.5 cups | 1.1 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $184 | $668 |
| 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 | 10%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 27%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 22%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Dental calculus (US) | 18%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Cutaneous disorder | 17%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) (US) | 16%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Cataracts (US) | 14%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dental disorder | 13%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Ear Infection (US) | 13%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Seasonal allergies (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Corneal ulcer (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Umbilical hernia | 12%owner survey | $621–$1,671 |
| Murmur (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ophthalmological disorder | 12%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Elbow dysplasia | 11%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Pruritis (US) | 10%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Underbite (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear disease | 6%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 5%owner survey | not priced |
| Anal gland/sac impaction/blockage | 3%owner survey | $84–$226 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Lipoma | 2%owner survey | not priced |
| Patellar luxation | 2%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Chronic Itching | 2%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Unspecified Eye | 2%owner survey | $224–$604 |
| Intervertebral disc disorder | 2%owner survey | $3,776–$10,168 |
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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 $590 for the Shih Tzu. 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 Shih Tzu more expensive?
The Boston Terrier is cheaper by about $6,896 over a lifetime. Boston Terrier: $31,211. Shih Tzu: $38,107. 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 Shih Tzu?
The Shih Tzu has the longer typical lifespan. Boston Terrier: 11.8 years. Shih Tzu: 12.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Boston Terrier or a Shih Tzu?
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 Shih Tzu it is periodontal disease, at 10%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.