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Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Border Collie Versus Boxer: Introduction
- Border Collie versus Boxer: Overview
- Border Collie versus Boxer: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Border Collie and the Boxer
- The Similarities Between the Border Collie and the Boxer
- Size Comparison of the Border Collie versus Boxer
- Lifespan of Border Collie versus Boxer
- Temperament of the Border Collie Versus the Boxer
- Price of Border Collie versus Price of Boxer
- Adopting the Border Collie versus Adopting the Boxer
- The Intelligence of the Border Collie versus the Intelligence of the Boxer
- The Popularity of Border Collie versus Popularity of Boxer
- Tolerates Being Alone: Border Collie versus Boxer
- Do Border Collies shed more than Boxers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Border Collie or the Boxer?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Border Collie or the Boxer?
- Are Border Collies good family dogs? What about Boxers?
- Is the Border Collie Easier to Train than the Boxer?
- Which one drools more, the Border Collie or the Boxer
- How Kid-friendly are Border Collies and Boxers?
- Does the Border Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Boxer?
- Do Border Collies Bark and Howl? What about Boxers?
- Can Border Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Boxers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Border Collie vs. Boxer
- Can Border Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Boxers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Border Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Border Collie versus Boxer. Which One is a Better Pet?
Border Collie Versus Boxer: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Border Collie 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 Border Collie 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 Border Collie and the Boxer.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Border Collie 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 Border Collie 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 Border Collie 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 Border Collie or the Boxer.
Note that the border collie breed comes in two varieties based on coat texture. There is the smooth-coat border collie and the rough-coat border collie. Read our article on rough-coat border collie versus smooth-coat border collie.
Furthermore, the border collie dog breed is very different from the collie dog breed. Learn about the differences between these two dog breeds in our border collie versus collie article.
Finally, just like the border collie, the collie also comes in two varieties. There is the rough collie and the smooth collie. To learn about the differences and similarities between them, check out our article on rough collie versus smooth collie.
Border Collie versus Boxer: Overview
Both the Border Collie and the Boxer are similar in size. The Border Collie and the Boxer are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Border Collie belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
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.
Border Collie versus Boxer: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Border Collie 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 Border Collie and the Boxer
| Factor | Border Collie | Boxer |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Height | 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder | 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 30 to 45 pounds | 60 to 70 pounds |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $1000 | $1530 |
| Price Range | $600 – $1250 | $1000 – $1800 |
| Temperament Score | 82.4 percent | 83.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 36 | 11 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 1 | 48 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Border Collie 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 Border Collie is 80 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Boxer is 73 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Border Collie is a better pet than the Boxer. So, you should get a Border Collie!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Border Collie and the Boxer
Below is a list of where the Border Collie and the Boxer are most different:
The Similarities Between the Border Collie and the Boxer
The Border Collie and the Boxer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Border Collie and the Boxer are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Border Collie versus Boxer
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Border Collie and the Boxer.
The Border Collie weighs 30 to 45 pounds when fully grown. The Border Collie is 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Boxer weighs 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The Boxer is 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.
Here is our article on Border Collie size, Border Collie growth, and Border Collie weight.
Lifespan of Border Collie versus Boxer
The lifespan of the Border Collie is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Border Collie is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of the Boxer is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Boxer is 11.0 years.
The Border Collie lives longer than the Boxer.
Go to this article to learn more about Border Collie lifespan and how long Border Collie live.
Temperament of the Border Collie Versus the Boxer
The Boxer has a better temperament than the Border Collie.
This is because the temperament score for the Boxer is 83.9 percent while the temperament score for the Border Collie is 82.4 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 82.4 percent, the Border Collie has a below-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 Border Collie and the Boxer by measuring the temperaments of 312 Border Collies and 472 Boxers.
Price of Border Collie versus Price of Boxer
The average price of the Border Collie puppy is $1000. The price of the Border Collie typically ranges from $600 – $1250. However, the price of a Border Collie can be as low as $100 and as high as $5500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1009 Border Collie puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Boxer puppy is $1530. The price of the Boxer typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of the 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 Boxer is more expensive than the Border Collie.
| Border Collie | Boxer | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1000 | $1530 |
| Price Range | $600 to $1250 | $1000 to $1800 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Border Collie and Boxer. For different price points, the charts show how many Border Collie puppies or how many Boxer puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Border Collies. 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 Border Collie 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Go to this article to learn more about Border Collie cost and price.
Check out our list of best Border Collie breeders here
Adopting the Border Collie versus Adopting the Boxer
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Border Collies 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 Border Collie named Moses that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Border Collies like Moses on pefinder.com.
Also, like Border Collies, Boxers are also available for adoption. For example, Sleepy is a Male Boxer that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Boxers like Sleepy that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Sammy is the name of another Border Collie (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Grumpy is an adorable Male Boxer on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Border Collies and Boxers that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Border Collie versus the Intelligence of the Boxer
| Border Collie | Boxer | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 1 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 Border Collie has an obedience intelligence rank of 1 out of 130 dog breeds. The Border Collie belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Border Collies 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 Border Collie 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 Border Collie 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 Border Collie and the Boxer over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Boxer is more popular with dog owners than the Border Collie. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Boxer is 11 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Border Collie is 36 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Border Collie
Popularity of Boxer
| Year | Border Collie Popularity Rank | Boxer Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 44 | 7 |
| 2014 | 40 | 8 |
| 2015 | 38 | 10 |
| 2016 | 38 | 10 |
| 2017 | 38 | 11 |
| 2018 | 35 | 11 |
| 2019 | 33 | 14 |
| 2020 | 32 | 14 |
| 2021 | 31 | 14 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Border Collie versus Boxer
Border Collies do not like to be left alone.
Boxers do not like to be left alone.
Do Border Collies shed more than Boxers?
Border Collies shed moderately.
Check out our articles to learn more on how to minimize shedding in Border Collies, and on how to groom a Border Collie
Boxers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Border Collie or the Boxer?
Border Collies are moderately easy to groom.
To learn more about how to properly groom a Border Collie, check out our article on how to groom a Border Collie.
Learn more on how to take care of a Border Collie here.
Boxers are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Border Collie or the Boxer?
Border Collies get along fairly well with other dogs.
Boxers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Border Collies good family dogs? What about Boxers?
Border Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Border Collie make a good addition to a family. They love kids and kids love them.
Learn about Border Collie temperament here.
Boxers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Border Collie Easier to Train than the Boxer?
Border Collies are very easy to train.
Boxers are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Border Collie or the Boxer
Border Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Boxers do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Border Collies and Boxers?
Border Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Boxers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Border Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Boxer?
Border Collies have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Boxers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Border Collies Bark and Howl? What about Boxers?
Border Collies are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Boxers bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Border Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Boxers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Border Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Boxers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Border Collie vs. Boxer
Border Collies 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 Border Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Boxers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Border Collies can tolerate hot weather.
Boxers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Border Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Boxer?
Border Collies do not adapt well to apartment living.
Boxers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Border Collie or the Boxer?
Border Collies are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Boxers are OK for new dog owners.
Border Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Border Collie compares to other breeds aside from the Boxer. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Border Collie to other breeds:
Border Collie versus Norwegian Buhund Border Collie versus Cavapoo Border Collie versus English Toy Spaniel Border Collie versus Pug Border Collie versus Bolognese Border Collie versus Doberman Pinscher Border Collie versus Goldendoodle Border Collie versus Cockalier Border Collie versus Maremma Sheepdog Border Collie versus Chow Chow Border Collie versus Lhasa Apso Border Collie versus Great Pyrenees Border Collie versus Bordoodle Border Collie versus German Pinscher Border Collie versus Australian Shepherd Border Collie versus Irish Water Spaniel Border Collie versus Lancashire HeelerConclusion: Border Collie 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 Border Collie and the Boxer better suits you and your family.
