Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | Boxer | German Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $35,927 | $39,988 |
| First year | $6,245 | $6,969 |
| Monthly average | $265 | $295 |
| Puppy price | $1,200 to $3,000 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Routine care, yearly | $2,771 | $3,095 |
| Documented conditions | 33 | 31 |
| Median lifespan | 11.3 yrs | 11.3 yrs |
| Adult weight | 50 to 80 lb | 65 to 90 lb |
| Daily food | 3.7 cups | 4.3 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $250 | $470 |
| Risk profile | High, late onset | High, mid life |
| Biggest single risk | Otitis externa | Diarrhea |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Diarrhea | 5%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Osteoarthritis | 6%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Overweight/obesity | 5%1-yr clinical | $168–$452 |
| Skin disease | 36%1-yr clinical | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30%1-yr clinical | $354–$954 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 19%screened dogs | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disorder | 15%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15%1-yr clinical | $281–$756 |
| Cutaneous disorder | 14%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Periodontal disease | 13%1-yr clinical | $246–$663 |
| Aural disorder | 11%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Seasonal allergies (US) | 10%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Gastroenteropathy | 10%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Ear infection (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Giardia (US) | 9%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Dog bite (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Hip dysplasia (US) | 8%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Ear infection | 7%1-yr clinical | $100–$270 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7%1-yr clinical | $84–$226 |
| Osteoarthritis (US) | 7%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Fractured teeth (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Behavioral disorder | 6%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Pruritis (US) | 6%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Sebaceous cysts (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Torn or broken toenail (US) | 5%lifetime, owner | not priced |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 5%owner survey | not priced |
| Aggression | 5%1-yr clinical | not priced |
| Arthritis | 3%owner survey | $281–$756 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 3%screened dogs | $169–$455 |
| Lipoma | 3%owner survey | not priced |
| Chronic Itching | 2%owner survey | $629–$1,694 |
| Otitis externa | 2%owner survey | $100–$270 |
| Umbilical hernia | 2%owner survey | $621–$1,671 |
| Patellar luxation | 1%screened dogs | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Gastric dilatation volvulus | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | n/a | not priced |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $231 for the Boxer and $735 for the German Shepherd. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Common questions
Is a Boxer or a German Shepherd more expensive?
The Boxer is cheaper by about $4,061 over a lifetime. Boxer: $35,927. German Shepherd: $39,988. 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 German Shepherd?
The Boxer has the longer typical lifespan. Boxer: 11.3 years. German Shepherd: 11.3 years.
Which is healthier, a Boxer or a German Shepherd?
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 German Shepherd it is diarrhea, at 5%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.
Prices are US national averages from a 50-state cost study. Not veterinary advice.