Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Boxer | French Bulldog |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $35,927 | $29,367 |
| First year | $6,245 | $7,995 |
| Monthly average | $265 | $250 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $2,000 to $6,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,771 | $2,371 |
| Documented conditions | 33 | 19 |
| Median lifespan | 11.3 yrs | 9.8 yrs |
| Adult weight | 50 to 80 lb | 20 to 28 lb |
| Daily food | 3.7 cups | 1.8 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $250 | $184 |
| Risk profile | High, late onset | High, early onset |
| Biggest single risk | Otitis externa | Hip dysplasia |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | 33%screened dogs | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Skin disease | 18%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 17%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Ear disease | 16%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Upper respiratory disease, including BOAS | 13%1-yr clinical | $422–$1,136 |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Eye disease | 11%1-yr clinical | $449–$1,209 |
| Intervertebral disc disease (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 8%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Patellar luxation | 7%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (BAOS) | 5%owner survey | $1,784–$4,802 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 5%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Otitis media | 4%owner survey | $100–$270 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | 4%screened dogs | not priced |
| Persistent vomiting | 3%owner survey | not priced |
| Food Allergy | 3%owner survey | $378–$1,017 |
| Intervertebral disc disorder | 3%owner survey | $3,776–$10,168 |
| Patellar luxation/Slipping kneecap | 3%owner survey | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Chronic Itching | 2%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 0%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Spinal disease including IVDD | n/a | $3,776–$10,168 |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $231 for the Boxer and $0 for the French Bulldog. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a Boxer or a French Bulldog more expensive?
The French Bulldog is cheaper by about $6,560 over a lifetime. Boxer: $35,927. French Bulldog: $29,367. 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 French Bulldog?
The Boxer has the longer typical lifespan. Boxer: 11.3 years. French Bulldog: 9.8 years.
Which is healthier, a Boxer or a French Bulldog?
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 French Bulldog it is hip dysplasia, at 33%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.