Last Updated: Jun 16, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Boxer Versus English Setter: Introduction
- Boxer versus English Setter: Overview
- Boxer versus English Setter: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Boxer and the English Setter
- The Similarities Between the Boxer and the English Setter
- Size Comparison of the Boxer versus English Setter
- Appearance (Colors) of the Boxer and the English Setter
- Lifespan of Boxer versus English Setter
- Temperament of the Boxer Versus the English Setter
- Price of Boxer versus Price of English Setter
- Adopting the Boxer versus Adopting the English Setter
- The Intelligence of the Boxer versus the Intelligence of the English Setter
- The Popularity of Boxer versus Popularity of English Setter
- Tolerates Being Alone: Boxer versus English Setter
- Do Boxers shed more than English Setters?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Boxer or the English Setter?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Boxer or the English Setter?
- Are Boxers good family dogs? What about English Setters?
- Is the Boxer Easier to Train than the English Setter?
- Which one drools more, the Boxer or the English Setter
- How Kid-friendly are Boxers and English Setters?
- Does the Boxer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the English Setter?
- Do Boxers Bark and Howl? What about English Setters?
- Can Boxers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can English Setters Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Boxer vs. English Setter
- Can Boxers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can English Setters Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Boxer Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Boxer versus English Setter. Which One is a Better Pet?
Boxer Versus English Setter: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Boxer and the English Setter? 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 English Setter 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 English Setter.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Boxer and the English Setter 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 English Setter. 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 English Setter.
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 English Setter.
Boxer versus English Setter: Overview
Both the Boxer and the English Setter are similar in size. The Boxer and the English Setter 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 English Setter 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 English Setter: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Boxer to the English Setter 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 English Setter
| Factor | Boxer | English Setter |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 11 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder | 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 60 to 70 pounds | 45 to 80 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1530 | $1020 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | $800 – $1200 |
| Temperament Score | 83.9 percent | 81.3 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 11 | 96 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 48 | 37 |
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 English Setter. 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 English Setter is 74 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the English Setter, we still believe that the Boxer is a better pet than the English Setter.
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 English Setter
Below is a list of where the Boxer and the English Setter are most different:
The Similarities Between the Boxer and the English Setter
The Boxer and the English Setter are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Boxer and the English Setter are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Boxer versus English Setter
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Boxer and the English Setter.
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 English Setter weighs 45 to 80 pounds when fully grown. The English Setter is 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Boxer and the English Setter
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
English Setter Colors
The English Setter comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Brown / Chocolate
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Black
- Bicolor
- Merle (Blue)
- Apricot / Beige
The English Setter comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Black
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Apricot / Beige
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Bicolor
Lifespan of Boxer versus English Setter
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 English Setter is between 11 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the English Setter is 13.0 years.
The English Setter live longer than the Boxer.
Temperament of the Boxer Versus the English Setter
The Boxer has a better temperament than the English Setter.
This is because the temperament score for the Boxer is 83.9 percent while the temperament score for the English Setter is 81.3 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 81.3 percent, the English Setter has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Boxer and the English Setter by measuring the temperaments of 472 Boxers and 32 English Setters.
Price of Boxer versus Price of English Setter
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 English Setter puppy is $1020. The price of the English Setter typically ranges from $800 – $1200. However, the price of the English Setter can be as low as $450 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 135 English Setter puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Boxer is more expensive than the English Setter.
| Boxer | English Setter | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1530 | $1020 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1800 | $800 to $1200 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Boxer and English Setter. For different price points, the charts show how many Boxer puppies or how many English Setter 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 English Setters
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Boxer puppy or the English Setter 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.
Adopting the Boxer versus Adopting the English Setter
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Boxers and many English Setters 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, English Setters are also available for adoption. For example, Grimm- Urgent!! is a Male English Setter that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more English Setters like Grimm- Urgent!! that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Max is the name of another Boxer (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Chief is an adorable Male English Setter on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Boxers and English Setters that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Boxer versus the Intelligence of the English Setter
| Boxer | English Setter | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 48 out of 130 dog breeds | 37 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 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 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 English Setter has an obedience intelligence rank of 37 out of 130 dog breeds. The English Setter belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that English Setters tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The English Setter 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 English Setter
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 English Setter over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Boxer is more popular with dog owners than the English Setter. 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 English Setter is 96 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Boxer
Popularity of English Setter
| Year | Boxer Popularity Rank | English Setter Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 7 | 91 |
| 2014 | 8 | 89 |
| 2015 | 10 | 96 |
| 2016 | 10 | 102 |
| 2017 | 11 | 95 |
| 2018 | 11 | 94 |
| 2019 | 14 | 98 |
| 2020 | 14 | 101 |
| 2021 | 14 | 98 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Boxer versus English Setter
Boxers do not like to be left alone.
English Setters do not like to be left alone.
Do Boxers shed more than English Setters?
Boxers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
English Setters shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Boxer or the English Setter?
Boxers are very easy to groom.
English Setters are moderately easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Boxer or the English Setter?
Boxers get along fairly well with other dogs.
English Setters get along very well with other dogs.
Are Boxers good family dogs? What about English Setters?
Boxers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
English Setters are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Boxer Easier to Train than the English Setter?
Boxers are very easy to train.
English Setters are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Boxer or the English Setter
Boxers do have a very low tendency to drool.
English Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Boxers and English Setters?
Boxers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
English Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Boxer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the English Setter?
Boxers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
English Setters 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 English Setters?
Boxers bark and howl, but not very much.
English Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Boxers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can English Setters Tolerate Cold Weather?
Boxers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
English Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Boxer vs. English Setter
Boxers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
English Setters have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Boxers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can English Setters Tolerate Hot Weather?
Boxers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
English Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Boxer Better for Apartment Owners than the English Setter?
Boxers adapt very well to apartment living.
English Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Boxer or the English Setter?
Boxers are OK for new dog owners.
English Setters 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 English Setter. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Boxer to other breeds:
Boxer versus Pomchi Boxer versus Alaskan Klee Kai Boxer versus Schnoodle Boxer versus Rottweiler Boxer versus Newfoundland Boxer versus Clumber Spaniel Boxer versus Lancashire Heeler Boxer versus Maltese Boxer versus Peek A Poo Boxer versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Boxer versus Norwich Terrier Boxer versus Lagotto Romagnolo Boxer versus Spinone Italiano Boxer versus Goldador Boxer versus Lakeland Terrier Boxer versus Norfolk Terrier Boxer versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Boxer versus Irish Wolfhound Boxer versus Siberian Husky
Conclusion: Boxer versus English Setter. 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 English Setter better suits you and your family.