Dog health

Boxer health problems and costs

The health issues a real source ties to the Boxer, what each one is, and what it tends to cost, so you can plan ahead.

Last updated: October 2026 · 25 sources · see sources

Quick answerThe breed club and AKC point to 7 health issues to plan for: hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, dilated cardiomyopathy, subvalvular aortic stenosis, hypothyroidism, degenerative myelopathy and cancer. A typical vet bill for a medium dog runs $239 – $1,107.

Health problems linked to the Boxer

Conditions and what they can cost
ConditionWhat it isRelated costs
Hip dysplasiaNamed by: AKC breed page, breed club screening [1]The hip joint forms loosely, so the ball and socket rub and wear. Over time this usually leads to arthritis and pain. [2]Hip surgery (owner bills): $2,500–$5,500 (estimate) [3]
Ongoing arthritis care: $500–$2,500 total [4]
Elbow dysplasiaNamed by: breed club screening [6]The bones of the elbow don't grow together quite right, which causes lameness in the front legs and early arthritis. [5]Dog X-rays (owner bills): $130–$300 [7]
Surgery, median invoice: $1,284 (typical $578–$3,229) [8]
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)Named by: AKC breed page, breed club screening [1]The heart muscle weakens and the heart gets bigger, so it pumps poorly. Some dogs show no signs until heart failure. [9]Dog ultrasound (owner bills): $80–$500 [10]
Subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS)Named by: AKC breed page, breed club screening [1]A narrowing below a heart valve makes the heart work harder. It is usually picked up as a murmur in a young dog. [11]Dog ultrasound (owner bills): $80–$500 [10]
HypothyroidismNamed by: AKC breed page, breed club screening [1]The thyroid gland makes too little hormone, which can cause weight gain, low energy and skin problems. A daily pill usually controls it. [12]Dog blood work (owner bills): $60–$190 [13]
Degenerative myelopathyNamed by: AKC breed page, breed club screening [1]A slow, painless disease of the spinal cord that weakens the back legs in older dogs. There's no cure, but rehab can help. [14]Dog MRI (owner bills): $900–$2,900 [15]
CancerNamed by: AKC breed page [1]Some breeds have higher rates of cancers such as lymphoma, bone cancer or hemangiosarcoma. Catching a new lump early gives the most options. [16]Cancer treatment (owner bills): $3,000–$10,000 total [17]
Biopsy (owner bills): $170–$400 [18]

Costs are national figures from our sourced cost guides, not breed-specific prices. Being on this list doesn't mean a pet will get the condition.

Here is how the AKC breed page puts it: Responsible breeders screen their stock for health conditions such as hip dysplasia, heart conditions such as aortic stenosis and cardiomyopathy, thyroid deficiency, degenerative myelopathy, and certain cancers. [1]

Health screening

The national breed club recommends these health tests for breeding dogs: Hip Evaluation, Elbow Evaluation, Thyroid Evaluation, AS/SAS Cardio, Aortic Valve Disease, Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) - DNA Test, Holter Monitor Testing for Boxer Cardiomyopathy, Annually, Degenerative Myelopathy (Common Variant) (DM) - DNA Test. [1][6] If you are buying a puppy, it is fair to ask the breeder for the parents' results. OFA keeps a public database of many of them.

The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory lists 2 DNA health tests for the Boxer, including Hemophilia A/Factor VIII Deficiency (HEMA) in Boxers; Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd). [19] One health test costs $58 there, and its breed health panel is $80. [20]

What to budget

For a medium dog like the Boxer, a typical vet bill runs $239 – $1,107 (median $482), and surgery, when needed, runs $264 – $2,106. [21]

Lifetime cost, roughly. Our yearly estimate for an adult Boxer at US-average prices, before insurance, is $880–$1,400. Multiply that by a life expectancy of 10–12 years and you get roughly $8,800–$16,300 over a lifetime, before inflation and before any major illness. The low end is the ASPCA's yearly cost of care; the high end adds one typical vet bill a year. [21][22] It's simple math on sourced figures, not a quote.

Insurance and savings

The average accident and illness policy cost $836 a year for a dog in the US in 2025. [23] Timing matters more than the price. A condition that shows up before you enroll is usually treated as pre-existing and isn't covered. [24] Many plans also have a 6 to 12 month waiting period for orthopedic problems like knees and hips. [25]

Prefer saving instead? Putting money aside each month works too; see insurance vs a savings fund.

Common questions

What health problems are common in the Boxer?

Based on the AKC breed page and the national breed club's screening list, the conditions to know about are hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, dilated cardiomyopathy, subvalvular aortic stenosis, hypothyroidism, degenerative myelopathy and cancer. That doesn't mean every Boxer will get them.

How much are vet bills for a Boxer?

Breed-specific bills are rare, so VetReceipt groups dogs by size. For medium dogs, a typical vet bill runs $239 – $1,107 (median $482).

Should I get pet insurance for a Boxer?

It's a personal call. The average accident and illness policy was $836 a year in 2025 (NAPHIA). If you want it, enroll while your pet is young and healthy, because conditions found before enrollment are usually excluded.

What health tests should a Boxer breeder do?

The national breed club recommends: Hip Evaluation, Elbow Evaluation, Thyroid Evaluation, AS/SAS Cardio, Aortic Valve Disease, Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) - DNA Test, Holter Monitor Testing for Boxer Cardiomyopathy, Annually, Degenerative Myelopathy (Common Variant) (DM) - DNA Test. Ask to see the parents' results.

How long does a Boxer live?

The AKC lists a life expectancy of 10–12 years.

Boxer breed guideHip dysplasia in dogsElbow dysplasia surgery cost for dogsCarprofen (Rimadyl)Dog ACL (TPLO) surgery costArthritis treatment cost

This page is general information for planning, not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own pet.

Sources (25) — tap to show
  1. AKC – Boxer breed page (with the national breed club)
  2. VCA – Hip dysplasia in dogs
  3. VetReceipt – Dog Hip Surgery Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  4. VetReceipt – Dog Arthritis Treatment Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  5. OFA – Elbow dysplasia
  6. OFA – CHIC program: breed-specific health screening requirements
  7. VetReceipt – Dog X-Ray Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  8. VetReceipt – Vet care cost by category (2026)
  9. VCA – Dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs
  10. VetReceipt – Dog Ultrasound Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  11. VCA – Aortic stenosis in dogs
  12. VCA – Hypothyroidism in dogs
  13. VetReceipt – Dog Blood Work Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  14. VCA – Degenerative myelopathy in dogs
  15. VetReceipt – Dog MRI Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  16. VCA – Lymphoma in dogs
  17. VetReceipt – Dog Cancer Treatment Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  18. VetReceipt – Dog Biopsy Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  19. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Boxer DNA tests
  20. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Dog DNA test prices (effective Aug 3, 2026)
  21. VetReceipt – Dog breed vet costs by size
  22. ASPCA – Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021 table)
  23. NAPHIA – State of the Industry 2026 report highlights (2025 premiums)
  24. RealVetCost – Feline diabetes treatment cost
  25. VetReceipt – Dog TPLO Surgery Cost (owner bills, 2026)