Which is Better between the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel?

Last Updated: Jun 16, 2022

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Boxer Versus Boykin Spaniel: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel? 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 Boykin Spaniel 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 Boykin Spaniel.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel 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 Boykin Spaniel. 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 Boykin Spaniel.

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 Boykin Spaniel.

Boxer versus Boykin Spaniel

Boxer versus Boykin Spaniel: Overview

Both the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel are similar in size. The Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel are both medium-sized dogs.

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 Boykin Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Boxer versus Boykin Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Boxer to the Boykin Spaniel 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 Boykin Spaniel

FactorBoxerBoykin Spaniel
Tolerates Being Alone1/53/5
Tolerates Hot Weather1/54/5
Life Span10 to 12 years10 to 12 years
Tolerates Cold Weather2/53/5
Does NOT Drool4/55/5
General Health2/52/5
Does NOT chew on things4/52/5
Height21 to 25 inches at the shoulder14 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners3/53/5
Dog Friendly3/54/5
Low Prey Drive3/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/52/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/51/5
Easygoing2/52/5
Kid-Friendly4/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers4/53/5
Does NOT Shed2/52/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/52/5
Easy To Train4/54/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Easy To Groom5/51/5
NOT Rambunctious1/51/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor1/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/51/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Weight60 to 70 pounds25 to 40 pounds
Average Lifespan11.0 years11.0 years
Average Price$1530$1160
Price Range$1000 – $1800$988 – $1500
Temperament Score83.9 percent100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health TestsNo Data
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds11101
    *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

    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 Boykin Spaniel. 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 Boykin Spaniel is 71 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Boxer is a better pet than the Boykin Spaniel. So, you should get a Boxer!

    Boxer versus Boykin Spaniel

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel are most different:

  • Boxers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments. However, Boykin Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
  • Boxers adapt well to apartment living. However, Boykin Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Boxers are very easy to groom. However, Boykin Spaniels require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel

    The Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel are most similar:

  • Both the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel are very easy to train.
  • Both the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Boxer versus Boykin Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel.

    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 Boykin Spaniel weighs 25 to 40 pounds when fully grown. The Boykin Spaniel is 14 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Boxer versus Size of Boykin Spaniel

    Appearance (Colors) of the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel

    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

    Boykin Spaniel Colors

    The Boykin Spaniel comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Black
    • Merle (Blue)

    The Boykin Spaniel comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

      Lifespan of Boxer versus Boykin Spaniel

      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 Boykin Spaniel is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Boykin Spaniel is 11.0 years.

      The Boykin Spaniel live as long as the Boxer.

      Boxer versus Boykin Spaniel

      Temperament of the Boykin Spaniel Versus the Boxer

      The Boykin Spaniel has a better temperament than the Boxer.

      This is because the temperament score for the Boykin Spaniel is 100.0 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 83.9 percent, the Boxer has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

      With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Boykin Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

      The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 472 Boxers and 2 Boykin Spaniels.

      Price of Boxer versus Price of Boykin Spaniel

      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 Boykin Spaniel puppy is $1160. The price of the Boykin Spaniel typically ranges from $988 – $1500. However, the price of the Boykin Spaniel can be as low as $100 and as high as $2000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 108 Boykin Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.

      The Boxer is more expensive than the Boykin Spaniel.

      Boxer Boykin Spaniel
      Average Price $1530 $1160
      Price Range $1000 to $1800 $988 to $1500

      The charts below show the price distribution for the Boxer and Boykin Spaniel. For different price points, the charts show how many Boxer puppies or how many Boykin Spaniel 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 Boxers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

      A breakdown of the prices of Boykin Spaniels

      A breakdown of the prices of Boykin Spaniels

      Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Boxer puppy or the Boykin Spaniel 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.

      Boxer versus Boykin Spaniel

      Adopting the Boxer versus Adopting the Boykin Spaniel

      You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Boxers and many Boykin Spaniels 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 Boxer named Murphy Ii that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Boxers like Murphy Ii on pefinder.com.

      Also, like Boxers, Boykin Spaniels are also available for adoption. For example, Cody is a Male Boykin Spaniel that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Boykin Spaniels like Cody that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

      The Boxer and the Boykin Spaniel can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

      Pete is the name of another Boxer (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

      Also, Jake is an adorable Male Boykin Spaniel on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

      Boxers and Boykin Spaniels are always available for adoption. Images and image labels from petfinder.com

      You can find more Boxers and Boykin Spaniels that are available for adoption on petfinder.

      The Popularity of Boxer versus Popularity of Boykin Spaniel

      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 Boykin Spaniel over the years.

      Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Boxer is more popular with dog owners than the Boykin Spaniel. 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 Boykin Spaniel is 101 out of about 200 dog breeds.

      Popularity of Boxer

      Popularity of Boxer

      Popularity of Boykin Spaniel

      Popularity of Boykin Spaniel

      Year Boxer Popularity Rank Boykin Spaniel Popularity Rank
      2013 7 121
      2014 8 108
      2015 10 107
      2016 10 110
      2017 11 98
      2018 11 100
      2019 14 89
      2020 14 87
      2021 14 90

      Tolerates Being Alone: Boxer versus Boykin Spaniel

      Boxers do not like to be left alone.

      Boykin Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.

      Do Boxers shed more than Boykin Spaniels?

      Boxers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

      Boykin Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

      Which is Easier to Groom, the Boxer or the Boykin Spaniel?

      Boxers are very easy to groom.

      Boykin Spaniels require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

      Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Boxer or the Boykin Spaniel?

      Boxers get along fairly well with other dogs.

      Boykin Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

      Are Boxers good family dogs? What about Boykin Spaniels?

      Boxers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

      Boykin Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

      Is the Boxer Easier to Train than the Boykin Spaniel?

      Boxers are very easy to train.

      Boykin Spaniels are very easy to train.

      Which one drools more, the Boxer or the Boykin Spaniel

      Boxers do have a very low tendency to drool.

      Boykin Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

      How Kid-friendly are Boxers and Boykin Spaniels?

      Boxers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

      Boykin Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

      Does the Boxer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Boykin Spaniel?

      Boxers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

      Boykin Spaniels 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.

      Do Boxers Bark and Howl? What about Boykin Spaniels?

      Boxers bark and howl, but not very much.

      Boykin Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

      Can Boxers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Boykin Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

      Boxers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

      Boykin Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

      Wanderlust Potential: Boxer vs. Boykin Spaniel

      Boxers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

      Boykin Spaniels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

      Can Boxers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Boykin Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

      Boxers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

      Boykin Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

      Is the Boxer Better for Apartment Owners than the Boykin Spaniel?

      Boxers adapt very well to apartment living.

      Boykin Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

      Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Boxer or the Boykin Spaniel?

      Boxers are OK for new dog owners.

      Boykin Spaniels are OK 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 Boykin Spaniel. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Boxer to other breeds:

      Boxer versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Boxer versus Mudi     Boxer versus Sealyham Terrier     Boxer versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Boxer versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Boxer versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Boxer versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Boxer versus Havanese     Boxer versus Bedlington Terrier     Boxer versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Boxer versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Boxer versus Portuguese Pointer     Boxer versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Boxer versus American Hairless Terrier     Boxer versus Shetland Sheepdog     

      Conclusion: Boxer versus Boykin Spaniel. 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 Boykin Spaniel better suits you and your family.