Boxer vs Bulldog

A Boxer
Photo: Mostafameraji
A Bulldog
Photo: Pleple2000

Side by side

Boxer
Bulldog
Adult weight
Males 27.6–38.4 kg (61–85 lb); females 23–32.1 kg (51–71 lb) (measured in UK vet records, n = 3,219, mean ±1 SD)1
Males 23–32.2 kg (51–71 lb); females 20.2–28.4 kg (45–63 lb) (measured in UK vet records, n = 1,621, mean ±1 SD)1
Height
No sourced figure
Males 35.6–38.1 cm; females 35.6–38.1 cm (breed club figure)2
Lifespan
Median 11.3 years3
Median 9.8 years3
Fully grown
12 months, both sexes4
11 months, both sexes4
Group
Pinschers & molossoids5
Pinschers & molossoids6
Coat
Short coat5
Short coat6
Shedding
Sheds through the year
Grooming
A brush once a week
Exercise
A moderate amount
Health
Mast cell tumour (far more likely); Corneal ulcers (far more likely)7,8
Breathing obstruction from a short muzzle (far more likely); Cherry eye (far more likely)9,10
Class
Family
Companion

Which suits you

Size
The Boxer is a little larger on average: about 30 kg (67 lb) as an adult, against 26 kg (57 lb) for the Bulldog.
Lifespan
In UK vet records the Boxer lives longer: a median of 11.3 years, against 9.8 for the Bulldog.
Temperament
They differ most on independence (Boxer: cooperative, with its own ideas; Bulldog: decides for itself) and on loyalty (Boxer: bonded to its family; Bulldog: friendly with everyone).
Alike
Both are rated the same on affection: a lap or leaning dog.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Boxer
Pinschers & molossoids · Medium

In temperament the Boxer is bright, playful and energetic, alert and watchful by nature. It is often said to keep a puppyish exuberance well into adulthood.

Bulldog
Pinschers & molossoids · Medium

In temperament the modern Bulldog is calm, affectionate and good-natured, steady rather than lively, though often determined and somewhat stubborn.

The Boxer page →The Bulldog page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Boxer
Bulldog
Activity
Differs
Needs lots of exercise
Happy with modest walks
Intelligence
Differs
Learns readily, likes games
Easy-going, simple routines
Handler demand
Differs
Needs steady training
Suits a first-time owner
With people
Boxer
Bulldog
Affection
A lap or leaning dog
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Differs
Bonded to its family
Friendly with everyone
Independence
Differs
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Decides for itself
Around the home
Boxer
Bulldog
Sensitivity
Differs
Average
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Voice
Differs
Barks to alert, then settles
Quiet
Prey drive
Differs
Chases; needs managing
Usually fine with small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour11. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home12,13.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Boxer grows to the heavier adult, about 31 kg against the Bulldog's 26 kg.
Boxer
Bulldog
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More comparisons

Compare the Boxer with
Bulldog vs French BulldogAmerican Pit Bull Terrier vs BulldogAmerican Bulldog vs BulldogBulldog vs PugBulldog vs Entlebucher Mountain DogAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·