Breed Comparison: Boxer Versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Last Updated: Jun 16, 2022

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Boxer Versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Boxer and the Cavalier King Charles 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 Cavalier King Charles 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 Cavalier King Charles 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Boxer versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Boxer versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Boxer and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Boxer is a medium-sized dog while the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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.

Boxer versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Boxer to the Cavalier King Charles 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

FactorBoxerCavalier King Charles Spaniel
Tolerates Being Alone1/51/5
Tolerates Hot Weather1/52/5
Life Span10 to 12 years9 to 15 years
Tolerates Cold Weather2/53/5
Does NOT Drool4/55/5
General Health2/54/5
Does NOT chew on things4/53/5
Height21 to 25 inches at the shoulder12 to 13 inches at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners3/55/5
Dog Friendly3/55/5
Low Prey Drive3/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/54/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/54/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/55/5
Easygoing2/51/5
Kid-Friendly4/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers4/55/5
Does NOT Shed2/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/52/5
Easy To Train4/54/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Easy To Groom5/54/5
NOT Rambunctious1/53/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor1/54/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/52/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Weight60 to 70 pounds13 to 18 pounds
Average Lifespan11.0 years12.0 years
Average Price$1530$2410
Price Range$1000 – $1800$1800 – $3000
Temperament Score83.9 percent85.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health TestsNo Data
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination;
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds1117
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)4844
    *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 Cavalier King Charles 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 91 out of 125.

    Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, we still believe that the Boxer is a better pet than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

    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!

    Boxer versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Boxer and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Boxer and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are most different:

  • Boxers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • The Similarities Between the Boxer and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

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

  • Both the Boxer and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Boxer and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Boxer and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Boxer and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Boxer and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Boxer and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Boxer and the Cavalier King Charles 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Boxer and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Boxer and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Boxer and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Boxer and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are very easy to train.
  • Both the Boxer and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Boxer and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Boxer and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Boxer and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Boxer and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Boxer versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Boxer and the Cavalier King Charles 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel weighs 13 to 18 pounds when fully grown. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 12 to 13 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Boxer versus Size of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Appearance (Colors) of the Boxer and the Cavalier King Charles 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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Colors

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Bicolor
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Apricot / Beige
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • White / Cream
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Black

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Brown / Chocolate

    Lifespan of Boxer versus Cavalier King Charles 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is between 9 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 12.0 years.

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel live longer than the Boxer.

    Boxer versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Temperament of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus the Boxer

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a better temperament than the Boxer.

    This is because the temperament score for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 85.5 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 85.5 percent, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Boxer and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 472 Boxers and 62 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

    Price of Boxer versus Price of Cavalier King Charles 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy is $2410. The price of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel typically ranges from $1800 – $3000. However, the price of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can be as low as $300 and as high as $7995. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1216 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is more expensive than the Boxer.

    Boxer Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
    Average Price $1530 $2410
    Price Range $1000 to $1800 $1800 to $3000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Boxer and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. For different price points, the charts show how many Boxer puppies or how many Cavalier King Charles 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

    A breakdown of the prices of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

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

    Adopting the Boxer versus Adopting the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Boxers and many Cavalier King Charles 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 Pete that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Boxers like Pete on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Boxers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are also available for adoption. For example, Bordeaux Adoption Pending is a Male Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Cavalier King Charles Spaniels like Bordeaux Adoption Pending that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Boxer and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

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

    Also, Winston is an adorable Male Cavalier King Charles Spaniel on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Boxers and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are always available for adoption. Images and image labels from petfinder.com

    You can find more Boxers and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Boxer versus the Intelligence of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Boxer Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
    Intelligence Rank 48 out of 130 dog breeds 44 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

  • 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 44 out of 130 dog breeds. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Boxer versus Popularity of Cavalier King Charles 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Boxer is more popular with dog owners than the Cavalier King Charles 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 17 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Boxer

    Popularity of Boxer

    Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Year Boxer Popularity Rank Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 7 18
    2014 8 19
    2015 10 18
    2016 10 19
    2017 11 19
    2018 11 18
    2019 14 16
    2020 14 17
    2021 14 15

    Tolerates Being Alone: Boxer versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Boxers do not like to be left alone.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Boxers shed more than Cavalier King Charles Spaniels?

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Boxer or the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

    Boxers are very easy to groom.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Boxer or the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

    Boxers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Boxers good family dogs? What about Cavalier King Charles Spaniels?

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Boxer Easier to Train than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

    Boxers are very easy to train.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Boxer or the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Boxers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Boxers and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels?

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Boxer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Boxers Bark and Howl? What about Cavalier King Charles Spaniels?

    Boxers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Boxers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Boxer vs. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Boxers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Is the Boxer Better for Apartment Owners than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

    Boxers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Boxer or the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

    Boxers are OK for new dog owners.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Boxer to other breeds:

    Boxer versus Scottish Terrier     Boxer versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Boxer versus Azawakh     Boxer versus Belgian Malinois     Boxer versus Akbash     Boxer versus Boxerdoodle     Boxer versus Silky Terrier     Boxer versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Boxer versus Westiepoo     Boxer versus Kooikerhondje     Boxer versus Norwegian Lundehund     Boxer versus Cockalier     Boxer versus Beagle     Boxer versus Pug     Boxer versus Kai Ken     Boxer versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Boxer versus Coton de Tulear     Boxer versus Afghan Hound     

    Conclusion: Boxer versus Cavalier King Charles 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel better suits you and your family.