Boxer vs Labrador Retriever
Compare the Boxer to the Labrador Retriever. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between Boxers and Labrador Retrievers.
Quick Summary
- Owner Experience - The Labrador Retriever is a good choice for new owners, whereas the Boxer is not recommended for new/inexperienced owners.
- Children - Both the Boxer and Labrador Retriever are great with children.
- Grooming - Both breeds have low maintenance coats, but the Labrador Retriever is easier to groom.
- Barking - Both the Boxer and Labrador Retriever are very vocal and will bark/howl frequently.
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| Breed Name | Boxer | Labrador Retriever |
| General Details | ||
| Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred |
| Is Hypoallergenic | No | No |
| Lifespan | 10-12 yrs. | 10-12 yrs. |
| Height | 21-25 in. | 21-24 in. |
| Weight | 53-70 lb | 55-80 lb |
| Intelligence | Average | High |
| History | ||
| Origin Country | Germany | Canada |
| Origin Year | 1894 AD | 1700 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Medium Yard | Yes | Yes |
| Large Yard | No | Yes |
| Temperature Tolerance ¹ | 60°F to 80°F | 30°F to 90°F |
| Barks/Howls | ||
| Exercise Needs | ||
| Energy Level | High | High |
| Exercise Required | High | High |
| Top Running Speed | 27 mph | 20 mph |
| Strength | High | High |
| Grooming Needs | ||
| Coat Maintenance | Medium | Medium |
| Shedding | High | High |
| Dander | Low | Medium |
| Drool Amount | None | Medium |
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 | Boxer | Labrador Retriever |
| Breed Mentality | ||
| Dominant/Alpha | No | No |
| Family/Pack | Yes | Yes |
| Independent | No | No |
| Breed Focus | ||
| Distracted Easily | Yes | No |
| Average | No | No |
| Focused & Patient | No | Yes |
| Breed Instincts | ||
| Aggression | Average | Below Average |
| Burrow/Digging | Very Low | Below Average |
| Chasing | Average | Below Average |
| Follow Commands | Below Average | Average |
| Fighting | Average | Very Low |
| Guarding | High | Very Low |
| Herding | Very Low | Very Low |
| Hunting | Average | High |
| Protection | Average | Very Low |
| Remove Vermin | Very Low | Below Average |
| Sledding | Very Low | Below Average |
| Watch | Average | Below Average |
| Breed Name | Boxer | Labrador Retriever |
| Lifespan | ||
| Lifespan | 10-12 yrs. | 10-12 yrs. |
| Common Health Issues | ||
| Acute Moist Dermatitis | No | Yes |
| Allergies | Yes | No |
| Aortic Stenosis | Yes | No |
| Bloat | Yes | Yes |
| Boxer Cardiomyopathy | Yes | No |
| Cancer | Yes | No |
| Cataracts | No | Yes |
| Cold Tail | No | Yes |
| Corneal Dystrophy | Yes | No |
| Deafness | Yes | No |
| Demodectic Mange | Yes | No |
| Ear Infections | No | Yes |
| Elbow Dysplasia | No | Yes |
| Epilepsy | No | Yes |
| Hip Dysplasia | Yes | Yes |
| Hypothyroidism | Yes | No |
| Myopathy | No | Yes |
| Osteochondrosis Dissecans | No | Yes |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy | No | Yes |
| Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia | No | Yes |
| Breed Name | Boxer | Labrador Retriever |
| Coat | ||
| Fur | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Type | ||
| Single Coat | Yes | No |
| Double Coat | No | Yes |
| Coat Texture | ||
| Straight | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Length(s) | ||
| Short | Yes | Yes |
| Coat Color(s) | ||
| Brindle | Yes | No |
| Fawn | Yes | No |
| White | Yes | No |
| Black | No | Yes |
| Chocolate | No | Yes |
| Yellow | No | Yes |