Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Boxer | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $35,927 | $36,847 |
| First year | $6,245 | $6,732 |
| Monthly average | $265 | $260 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,800 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,771 | $2,708 |
| Documented conditions | 33 | 26 |
| Median lifespan | 11.3 yrs | 11.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 50 to 80 lb | 13 to 18 lb |
| Daily food | 3.7 cups | 1.3 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $250 | $668 |
| Risk profile | High, late onset | High, mid life |
| Biggest single risk | Otitis externa | Heart murmur and mitral valve 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Otitis externa | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Epulis | 6%1-yr clinical | $400–$1,800 |
| Corneal ulceration | 5%1-yr clinical | $469–$1,264 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 50%screened dogs | not priced |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Skin disorder | 18%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Neoplasia | 14%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 14%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 13%screened dogs | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Dog bite (US) | 12%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 11%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Ear disorder | 10%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Torn or broken toenail (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Bordetella and/or parainfluenza (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Seasonal allergies (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Murmur (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Skin cancer/tumor | 6%owner survey | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 6%owner survey | not priced |
| Ear Infection (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Giardia (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Osteoarthritis (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dental calculus (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 5%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Lipoma | 5%owner survey | not priced |
| Corneal Ulcer | 5%owner survey | $469–$1,264 |
| Skin lump | 5%owner survey | not priced |
| Arthritis | 4%owner survey | $281–$756 |
| Colitis | 4%owner survey | $354–$954 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 1%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 1%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Patellar luxation | 1%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Cancer | n/a | $3,415–$9,194 |
| Aortic stenosis | n/a | $534–$1,438 |
| Brachycephalic airway signs | n/a | $1,784–$4,802 |
| Condition | Measured result | Treatment cost |
|---|---|---|
| Heart murmur and mitral valve disease | 31%1-yr clinical | $534–$1,438 |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Murmur (US) | 36%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Extracted teeth (US) | 35%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dental calculus (US) | 26%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 23%screened dogs | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia | 16%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Digestive disease | 11%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Deafness (US) | 11%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Heart (cardiac) murmur | 10%owner survey | $534–$1,438 |
| Dental disease | 10%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Ear Infection (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Anal sac impaction (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Mitral valve disease (MVD) | 7%owner survey | $534–$1,438 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Hearing loss (incompletely deaf) (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Seasonal allergies (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Chocolate (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Gingivitis (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Umbilical hernia | 6%owner survey | $621–$1,671 |
| Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS Dry Eye) | 4%owner survey | $224–$604 |
| Patellar luxation/Slipping kneecap | 3%owner survey | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Anal gland/sac impaction/blockage | 3%owner survey | $84–$226 |
| Arthritis | 3%owner survey | $281–$756 |
| Patellar luxation | 2%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 2%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Congenital heart disease | 2%screened dogs | $534–$1,438 |
| Syringomyelia | n/a | $1,485–$3,999 |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $231 for the Boxer and $2,986 for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a Boxer or a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel more expensive?
The Boxer is cheaper by about $920 over a lifetime. Boxer: $35,927. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: $36,847. Health costs are not inside either figure. They are documented separately below, in the units each study used.
Which lives longer, a Boxer or a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has the longer typical lifespan. Boxer: 11.3 years. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: 11.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Boxer or a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The Boxer's biggest single risk is otitis externa, seen in 7% of the breed. For the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel it is heart murmur and mitral valve disease, at 31%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.