Last Updated: Jun 16, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Boxer Versus Basenji: Introduction
- Boxer versus Basenji: Overview
- Boxer versus Basenji: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Boxer and the Basenji
- The Similarities Between the Boxer and the Basenji
- Size Comparison of the Boxer versus Basenji
- Appearance (Colors) of the Boxer and the Basenji
- Lifespan of Boxer versus Basenji
- Temperament of the Basenji Versus the Boxer
- Price of Boxer versus Price of Basenji
- The Intelligence of the Boxer versus the Intelligence of the Basenji
- The Popularity of Boxer versus Popularity of Basenji
- Tolerates Being Alone: Boxer versus Basenji
- Do Boxers shed more than Basenjis?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Boxer or the Basenji?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Boxer or the Basenji?
- Are Boxers good family dogs? What about Basenjis?
- Is the Boxer Easier to Train than the Basenji?
- Which one drools more, the Boxer or the Basenji
- How Kid-friendly are Boxers and Basenjis?
- Does the Boxer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Basenji?
- Do Boxers Bark and Howl? What about Basenjis?
- Can Boxers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Basenjis Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Boxer vs. Basenji
- Can Boxers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Basenjis Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Boxer Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Boxer versus Basenji. Which One is a Better Pet?
Boxer Versus Basenji: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Boxer and the Basenji? 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 Boxer and the Basenji 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 Boxer and the Basenji.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Boxer and the Basenji 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 Boxer and for the Basenji. 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 Boxer and the Basenji.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Boxer or the Basenji.
Boxer versus Basenji: Overview
A very important difference between the Boxer and the Basenji is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Boxer is a medium-sized dog while the Basenji is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, 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.
On the other hand, the Basenji belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
Boxer versus Basenji: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Boxer to the Basenji 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 Boxer and the Basenji
| Factor | Boxer | Basenji |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Height | 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder | 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 60 to 70 pounds | 22 to 24 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $1530 | $1980 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | $1450 – $1700 |
| Temperament Score | 83.9 percent | 68.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 11 | 86 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 48 | 78 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Boxer 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 Basenji. 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 Boxer is 73 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Basenji is 83 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Basenji, we still believe that the Boxer is a better pet than the Basenji.
This is because Boxers are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Boxer will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Boxer :-). We are for the Boxer. So get a Boxer!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Boxer and the Basenji
Below is a list of where the Boxer and the Basenji are most different:
The Similarities Between the Boxer and the Basenji
The Boxer and the Basenji are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Boxer and the Basenji are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Boxer versus Basenji
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Boxer and the Basenji.
The Boxer weighs 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The Boxer is 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Basenji weighs 22 to 24 pounds when fully grown. The Basenji is 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Boxer and the Basenji
Boxer Colors
The Boxer comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Brindle
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Black
- Bicolor
- Brown / Chocolate
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
The Boxer comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- Black
- White / Cream
- Brown / Chocolate
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Brindle
Basenji Colors
The Basenji comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Black
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Golden
- White / Cream
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
The Basenji comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
Lifespan of Boxer versus Basenji
The lifespan of the Boxer is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Boxer is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of the Basenji is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Basenji is 11.0 years.
The Basenji live as long as the Boxer.
Temperament of the Basenji Versus the Boxer
The Boxer has a better temperament than the Basenji.
This is because the temperament score for the Boxer is 83.9 percent while the temperament score for the Basenji is 68.9 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 83.9 percent, the Boxer has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 68.9 percent, the Basenji has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Boxer and the Basenji by measuring the temperaments of 472 Boxers and 177 Basenjis.
Price of Boxer versus Price of Basenji
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 reviewing the prices of 1292 Boxer puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Basenji puppy is $1980. The price of the Basenji typically ranges from $1450 – $1700. However, the price of the Basenji can be as low as $1000 and as high as $11920. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 49 Basenji puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Basenji is more expensive than the Boxer.
| Boxer | Basenji | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1530 | $1980 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1800 | $1450 to $1700 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Boxer and Basenji. For different price points, the charts show how many Boxer puppies or how many Basenji puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Boxers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Basenjis
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Boxer puppy or the Basenji 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.
The Intelligence of the Boxer versus the Intelligence of the Basenji
| Boxer | Basenji | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 48 out of 130 dog breeds | 78 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! |
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 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 Basenji has an obedience intelligence rank of 78 out of 130 dog breeds. The Basenji belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Basenjis tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
The Boxer is more intelligent than the Basenji.
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 Boxer versus Popularity of Basenji
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 Boxer and the Basenji over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Boxer is more popular with dog owners than the Basenji. 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 Basenji is 86 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Boxer
Popularity of Basenji
| Year | Boxer Popularity Rank | Basenji Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 7 | 85 |
| 2014 | 8 | 86 |
| 2015 | 10 | 87 |
| 2016 | 10 | 88 |
| 2017 | 11 | 84 |
| 2018 | 11 | 87 |
| 2019 | 14 | 87 |
| 2020 | 14 | 86 |
| 2021 | 14 | 87 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Boxer versus Basenji
Boxers do not like to be left alone.
Basenjis can be left alone for some time without problems.
Do Boxers shed more than Basenjis?
Boxers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Basenjis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Boxer or the Basenji?
Boxers are very easy to groom.
Basenjis are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Boxer or the Basenji?
Boxers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Basenjis get along very well with other dogs.
Are Boxers good family dogs? What about Basenjis?
Boxers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Basenjis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Boxer Easier to Train than the Basenji?
Boxers are very easy to train.
Basenjis are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Boxer or the Basenji
Boxers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Basenjis do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Boxers and Basenjis?
Boxers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Basenjis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Boxer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Basenji?
Boxers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Basenjis have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do Boxers Bark and Howl? What about Basenjis?
Boxers bark and howl, but not very much.
Basenjis are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Boxers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Basenjis Tolerate Cold Weather?
Boxers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Basenjis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Boxer vs. Basenji
Boxers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Basenjis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Boxers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Basenjis Tolerate Hot Weather?
Boxers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Basenjis can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Boxer Better for Apartment Owners than the Basenji?
Boxers adapt very well to apartment living.
Basenjis adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Boxer or the Basenji?
Boxers are OK for new dog owners.
Basenjis are very good for new dog owners.
Boxer Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Boxer compares to other breeds aside from the Basenji. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Boxer to other breeds:
Boxer versus Peek A Poo Boxer versus Saluki Boxer versus Toy Fox Terrier Boxer versus Yorkshire Terrier Boxer versus Papipoo Boxer versus Labrador Retriever Boxer versus Dogue de Bordeaux Boxer versus Bull Terrier Boxer versus Schipperke Boxer versus Puli Boxer versus Finnish Spitz Boxer versus Kai Ken Boxer versus Maremma Sheepdog Boxer versus Coton de Tulear Boxer versus Boerboel Boxer versus Maltese Boxer versus Airedale Terrier Boxer versus Pug
Conclusion: Boxer versus Basenji. 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 Boxer and the Basenji better suits you and your family.