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Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Poodle Versus Boxer: Introduction
- Poodle versus Boxer: Overview
- Poodle versus Boxer: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Poodle and the Boxer
- The Similarities Between the Poodle and the Boxer
- Temperament of the Boxer Versus the Poodle
- Price of Poodle versus Price of Boxer
- Adopting the Poodle versus Adopting the Boxer
- The Intelligence of the Poodle versus the Intelligence of the Boxer
- The Popularity of Poodle versus Popularity of Boxer
- Tolerates Being Alone: Poodle versus Boxer
- Do Poodles shed more than Boxers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Poodle or the Boxer?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Poodle or the Boxer?
- Are Poodles good family dogs? What about Boxers?
- Is the Poodle Easier to Train than the Boxer?
- Which one drools more, the Poodle or the Boxer
- How Kid-friendly are Poodles and Boxers?
- Does the Poodle Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Boxer?
- Do Poodles Bark and Howl? What about Boxers?
- Can Poodles Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Boxers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Poodle vs. Boxer
- Can Poodles Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Boxers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Poodle Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Poodle versus Boxer. Which One is a Better Pet?
Poodle Versus Boxer: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Poodle and the Boxer? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Poodle and the Boxer better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Poodle and the Boxer.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Poodle and the Boxer is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Poodle and for the Boxer. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Poodle and the Boxer.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Poodle or the Boxer.
Note that there are 3 types of Poodles:
However, these 3 poodle `types` are basically the same. The only difference between them is size. Standard Poodles are big, toy poodles are small, and miniature poodles are medium-sized.
Read more about the subtle differences between the standard poodle vs. miniature poodle here and the toy poodle versus miniature poodle here.
In addition, we have articles on the detailed comparisons of the poodle to every other dog breed. Check out our articles on poodle versus other dog breeds here.
Poodle versus Boxer: Overview
A very important difference between the Poodle and the Boxer is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Poodle is a large-sized dog while the Boxer is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Poodle belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
On the other hand, the Boxer belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
Poodle versus Boxer: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Poodle to the Boxer based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Poodle and the Boxer
| Factor | Poodle | Boxer |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 12 years |
| General Health | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 60 to 70 pounds | |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder | |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $1530 | |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | |
| Temperament Score | 87.2 percent | 83.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 6 | 11 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 2 | 48 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Poodle in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Boxer. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Poodle is 88 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Boxer is 73 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Poodle is a better pet than the Boxer. So, you should get a Poodle!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Poodle and the Boxer
Below is a list of where the Poodle and the Boxer are most different:
The Similarities Between the Poodle and the Boxer
The Poodle and the Boxer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Poodle and the Boxer are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Poodle versus Boxer
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Poodle and the Boxer.
Poodles come in three main size categories. These three size categories are referred to as the three varieties of the poodle. Poodles of different varieties are basically the same except for their size differences. The poodle varieties based on size categorization are:
There is another variety of poodle that is not recognized in the USA but is recognized in Europe. This poodle size variety is called the Moyen Poodle. In size, the Moyen Poodle is smaller than the Standard poodle but bigger than the miniature poodle.
See below the figure that compares the different poodle sizes:
On the other hand, Boxers weigh 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Boxers are 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.
Temperament of the Boxer Versus the Poodle
The Poodle has a better temperament than the Boxer.
This is because the temperament score for the Poodle is 87.2 percent while the temperament score for the Boxer is 83.9 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 87.2 percent, the Poodle has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 83.9 percent, the Boxer has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Poodle and the Boxer by measuring the temperaments of 266 Poodles and 472 Boxers.
Price of Poodle versus Price of Boxer
The average price of the Standard Poodle puppy is $1980. The price of the Standard Poodle typically ranges from $1400 – $2500. However, the price of a Standard Poodle can be as low as $200 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2524 Standard Poodle puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Miniature Poodle puppy is $2500. The price of the Miniature Poodle typically ranges from $1500 – $3000. However, the price of a Miniature Poodle can be as low as $350 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1190 Miniature Poodle puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Toy Poodle puppy is $2760. The price of the Toy Poodle typically ranges from $1894 – $3500. However, the price of a Toy Poodle can be as low as $450 and as high as $9835. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 872 Toy Poodle puppies listed for sale from various sources.
To know about standard poodle prices and standard poodle buying advice, check out our article on standard poodle cost.
To know about miniature poodle prices, check out this article on miniature poodle price.
To learn more about toy poodle price and for toy poodle buying advice, check out this article on toy poodle price.
The average price of the Boxer puppy is $1530. The price of the Boxer typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of a Boxer can be as low as $100 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1292 Boxer puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Poodle is more expensive than the Boxer.
| Poodle | Boxer | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2260 | $1530 |
| Price Range | $1500 to $2800 | $1000 to $1800 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Poodle and Boxer. For different price points, the charts show how many Poodle puppies or how many Boxer puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Poodles. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Boxers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Poodle puppy or the Boxer puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Adopting the Poodle versus Adopting the Boxer
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Poodles and many Boxers are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Poodle named Dodger that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Poodles like Dodger on pefinder.com.
Also, like Poodles, Boxers are also available for adoption. For example, Boxer is a Male Boxer that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Boxers like Boxer that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Bougie is the name of another Poodle (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Peanut is an adorable Male Boxer on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Poodles and Boxers that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Poodle versus the Intelligence of the Boxer
| Poodle | Boxer | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 2 out of 130 dog breeds | 48 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Poodle has an obedience intelligence rank of 2 out of 130 dog breeds. The Poodle belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Poodles tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.
The Boxer has an obedience intelligence rank of 48 out of 130 dog breeds. The Boxer belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Boxers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Poodle is more intelligent than the Boxer.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Poodle versus Popularity of Boxer
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Poodle and the Boxer over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Poodle is more popular with dog owners than the Boxer. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Poodle is 6 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Boxer is 11 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Poodle
Popularity of Boxer
| Year | Standard Poodle Popularity Rank | Boxer Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 8 | 7 |
| 2014 | 7 | 8 |
| 2015 | 8 | 10 |
| 2016 | 7 | 10 |
| 2017 | 7 | 11 |
| 2018 | 7 | 11 |
| 2019 | 6 | 14 |
| 2020 | 6 | 14 |
| 2021 | 5 | 14 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Poodle versus Boxer
Poodles do not like to be left alone.
Poodles, by nature, are companion dogs. They like and thrive on human companionship more than most dog breeds. Poodles do not like to be left alone. Leaving a poodle alone for more than 4 hours day after day will cause separation anxiety and isolation distress in a poodle. If you plan to get a poodle, make sure you can be around your poodle most of the time, or arrange for a dog walker.
See our article on how long you can leave a poodle alone.
Boxers do not like to be left alone.
Do Poodles shed more than Boxers?
Poodles do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Although all dogs shed, and poodles are no different in this regard. But poodles shed less than many other breeds of dogs. However, if you own a poodle, you will not have the problem of having balls of dog hair on your couch and over your house. This is because the curly coat of the poodle traps the hair and other things that the poodle sheds. Therefore, people that are allergic to dogs tend to tolerate poodles better.
Check out our articles to learn more on why poodles do not shed, and on standard poodle shedding, and on shedding in toy poodles
Boxers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Poodle or the Boxer?
Poodles require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
To learn more about how to properly groom a poodle, check out our article on how to groom a poodle.
Learn more on how to take care of a poodle here.
Boxers are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Poodle or the Boxer?
Poodles get along very well with other dogs.
Poodles get along very well with other dogs. Poodles are very friendly. However, it is up to the other dog to reciprocate the friendliness. Some dog breeds are just unfriendly and aggressive.
Read this article to learn about the dog breeds that get along well with poodle and the dog breeds that do not along with poodles.
Boxers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Poodles good family dogs? What about Boxers?
Poodles are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Poodles make a good addition to a family. They love kids and kids love them.
Learn about standard poodles as family dogs here, and about how family-friendly are toy poodles here..
Boxers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Poodle Easier to Train than the Boxer?
Poodles are very easy to train.
Poodles are easy to train because they are intelligent and eager to please their owners. However, it is important that you begin training a poodle to make the most out of their natural intelligence. Moreover, training your Poodle should be based on positive reinforcement and repetition. Be sure to give your Poodle praise when he obeys a command and ignores your poodle`s bad behavior.
To learn more, check out our article on how to train a poodle.
Boxers are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Poodle or the Boxer
Poodles do have a very low tendency to drool.
Boxers do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Poodles and Boxers?
Poodles get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Boxers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Poodle Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Boxer?
Poodles have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Boxers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Poodles Bark and Howl? What about Boxers?
Poodles are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Boxers bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Poodles Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Boxers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Poodles can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Boxers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Poodle vs. Boxer
Poodles have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Boxers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Poodles Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Boxers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Poodles can tolerate hot weather.
Boxers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Poodle Better for Apartment Owners than the Boxer?
Poodles adapt very well to apartment living.
Boxers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Poodle or the Boxer?
Poodles are very good for new dog owners.
Boxers are OK for new dog owners.
Poodle Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the poodle compares to other breeds aside from the Boxer. So, see below the links to the comparison of the poodle to other breeds:
poodle versus Affenhuahua poodle versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog poodle versus Chinook poodle versus Dachshund poodle versus Black Mouth Cur poodle versus Bearded Collie poodle versus Irish Setter poodle versus Tibetan Terrier poodle versus Chinese Shar-Pei poodle versus Boykin SpanielConclusion: Poodle versus Boxer. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Poodle and the Boxer better suits you and your family.
