Boston Terrier vs Boxer
Compare the Boston Terrier to the Boxer. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between Boston Terriers and Boxers.
Quick Summary
- Owner Experience - The Boston Terrier is an excellent choice for new/inexperienced owners. The Boxer is not recommended for new owners.
- Children - Both the Boston Terrier and Boxer are great with children.
- Grooming - Both breeds have low maintenance coats, but the Boston Terrier is easier to groom.
- Barking - Both breeds will bark frequently, but the Boxer has the highest tendency to bark between the two.
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| Breed Name | Boston Terrier | Boxer |
| General Details | ||
| Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred |
| Is Hypoallergenic | No | No |
| Lifespan | 13-15 yrs. | 10-12 yrs. |
| Height | 13-15 in. | 21-25 in. |
| Weight | 10-25 lb | 53-70 lb |
| Intelligence | Average | Average |
| History | ||
| Origin Country | United States | Germany |
| Origin Year | 1870 AD | 1894 AD |
| Temperament | ||
| Overall Friendliness | ||
| Family Friendly | ||
| Kid Friendly | ||
| Pet Friendly | ||
| Stranger Friendly | ||
| Personality | ||
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| Living Environment | ||
| Apartment | Yes | Yes |
| Indoor | Yes | Yes |
| Small Yard | No | Yes |
| Medium Yard | No | Yes |
| Large Yard | No | No |
| Temperature Tolerance ¹ | 55°F to 80°F | 60°F to 80°F |
| Barks/Howls | ||
| Exercise Needs | ||
| Energy Level | High | High |
| Exercise Required | Medium | High |
| Top Running Speed | 15 mph | 27 mph |
| Strength | Medium | High |
| Grooming Needs | ||
| Coat Maintenance | Low | Medium |
| Shedding | Low | High |
| Dander | Low | Low |
| Drool Amount | Low | None |
¹This is estimated min/max temperature range for a healthy adult dog. Dogs that live indoors, puppies, seniors, unwell dogs, and/or dogs with improperly groomed coats may overheat sooner and get cold more quickly.
| Breed Name | Boston Terrier | Boxer |
| Breed Mentality | ||
| Dominant/Alpha | No | No |
| Family/Pack | Yes | Yes |
| Independent | No | No |
| Breed Focus | ||
| Distracted Easily | No | Yes |
| Average | Yes | No |
| Focused & Patient | No | No |
| Breed Instincts | ||
| Aggression | Average | Average |
| Burrow/Digging | Very Low | Very Low |
| Chasing | Below Average | Average |
| Follow Commands | Below Average | Below Average |
| Fighting | Below Average | Average |
| Guarding | Average | High |
| Herding | Below Average | Very Low |
| Hunting | Below Average | Average |
| Protection | Below Average | Average |
| Remove Vermin | Average | Very Low |
| Sledding | Below Average | Very Low |
| Watch | Average | Average |
| Breed Name | Boston Terrier | Boxer |
| Lifespan | ||
| Lifespan | 13-15 yrs. | 10-12 yrs. |
| Common Health Issues | ||
| Allergies | Yes | Yes |
| Aortic Stenosis | No | Yes |
| Bloat | No | Yes |
| Boxer Cardiomyopathy | No | Yes |
| Brain Tumors | Yes | No |
| Cancer | No | Yes |
| Cataracts | Yes | No |
| Cherry Eye | Yes | No |
| Corneal Dystrophy | No | Yes |
| Deafness | Yes | Yes |
| Demodectic Mange | No | Yes |
| Heart Murmurs | Yes | No |
| Hip Dysplasia | No | Yes |
| Hypothyroidism | No | Yes |
| Megaesophagus | Yes | No |
| Patellar Luxation | Yes | No |
| Reverse Sneezing | Yes | No |
| Breed Name | Boston Terrier | Boxer |
| Coat | ||
| Fur | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Type | ||
| Single Coat | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Texture | ||
| Straight | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Length(s) | ||
| Short | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Color(s) | ||
| Black & White | Yes | No |
| Black Brindle, & White | Yes | No |
| Brindle & White | Yes | No |
| Seal & White | Yes | No |
| Seal Brindle & White | Yes | No |
| Brindle | No | Yes |
| Fawn | No | Yes |
| White | No | Yes |