Guide on Deciding Betweeen the Boxer and the Chinese Shar-Pei.

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Boxer Versus Chinese Shar-Pei: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Boxer and the Chinese Shar-Pei? 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Boxer and the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei. 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 Chinese Shar-Pei.

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 Chinese Shar-Pei.

Boxer versus Chinese Shar-Pei: Overview

Both the Boxer and the Chinese Shar-Pei are similar in size. The Boxer and the Chinese Shar-Pei are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Boxer and the Chinese Shar-Pei are Working Dogs. This means both the Boxer and the Chinese Shar-Pei 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.

Boxer versus Chinese Shar-Pei: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Boxer to the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei

FactorBoxerChinese Shar-Pei
Tolerates Being Alone1/54/5
Tolerates Hot Weather1/51/5
Life Span10 to 12 years8 to 12 years
Tolerates Cold Weather2/52/5
Does NOT Drool4/54/5
General Health2/51/5
Does NOT chew on things4/51/5
Height21 to 25 inches at the shoulder18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners3/52/5
Dog Friendly3/51/5
Low Prey Drive3/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/51/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/54/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/54/5
Easygoing2/54/5
Kid-Friendly4/52/5
Friendly Toward Strangers4/52/5
Does NOT Shed2/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/52/5
Easy To Train4/53/5
Intelligence4/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/52/5
Easy To Groom5/55/5
NOT Rambunctious1/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor1/55/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/53/5
Potential For Playfulness5/51/5
Weight60 to 70 pounds40 to 55 pounds
Average Lifespan11.0 years10.0 years
Average Price$1620$1590
Price Range$1200 – $2000$1100 – $2000
Temperament Score83.9 percent71.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health TestsNo Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)4851

    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 Chinese Shar-Pei. 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 Chinese Shar-Pei is 68 out of 125.

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

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Boxer and the Chinese Shar-Pei so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Boxer and the Chinese Shar-Pei

    Below is a list of where the Boxer and the Chinese Shar-Pei are most different:

    • Boxers do not like to be left alone. However, Chinese Shar-Peis can be left alone for some time without problems.
    • Boxers are not prone to nip and chew at things. However, Chinese Shar-Peis are prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Boxers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family. However, Chinese Shar-Peis are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.
    • Boxers have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy. However, Chinese Shar-Peis have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
    • Boxers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Chinese Shar-Peis do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
    • Boxers are very playful. However, Chinese Shar-Peis not very playful.

    The Similarities Between the Boxer and the Chinese Shar-Pei

    The Boxer and the Chinese Shar-Pei are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Boxer and the Chinese Shar-Pei are most similar:

    • Both the Boxer and the Chinese Shar-Pei cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
    • Both the Boxer and the Chinese Shar-Pei cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
    • Both the Boxer and the Chinese Shar-Pei do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Boxer and the Chinese Shar-Pei have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
    • Both the Boxer and the Chinese Shar-Pei adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Boxer and the Chinese Shar-Pei gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Boxer and the Chinese Shar-Pei are very easy to train.
    • Both the Boxer and the Chinese Shar-Pei are very easy to groom.

    Size Comparison of Boxer versus Chinese Shar-Pei

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Boxer and the Chinese Shar-Pei.

    Boxers weigh 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Boxers are 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Chinese Shar-Peis weigh 40 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Chinese Shar-Peis are 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Boxer versus Chinese Shar-Pei

    The lifespan of Boxers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Boxers is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Chinese Shar-Peis is between 8 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Chinese Shar-Peis is 10.0 years.

    Boxers live longer than Chinese Shar-Peis.

    Temperament of the Chinese Shar-Pei Versus the Boxer

    The Boxer has a better temperament than the Chinese Shar-Pei.

    This is because the temperament score for the Boxer is 83.9 percent while the temperament score for the Chinese Shar-Pei is 71.0 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 71.0 percent, the Chinese Shar-Pei has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Boxer and the Chinese Shar-Pei by measuring the temperaments of 472 Boxers and 214 Chinese Shar-Peis.

    Price of Boxer versus Price of Chinese Shar-Pei

    The average price of the Boxer puppy is $1620. The price of the Boxer typically ranges from $1200 – $2000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 636 Boxer puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Chinese Shar-Pei puppy is $1590. The price of the Chinese Shar-Pei typically ranges from $1100 – $2000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 125 Chinese Shar-Pei puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Boxer is more expensive than the Chinese Shar-Pei.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Boxer and Chinese Shar-Pei. For different price points, the charts show how many Boxer puppies or how many Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Peis

    A breakdown of the prices of Chinese Shar-Peis

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Boxer puppy or the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei

    `
    Boxer Chinese Shar-Pei
    Intelligence Rank 48 out of 130 dog breeds 51 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 Chinese Shar-Pei has an obedience intelligence rank of 51 out of 130 dog breeds. The Chinese Shar-Pei belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Chinese Shar-Peis tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Boxer is more intelligent than the Chinese Shar-Pei.

    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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Boxer versus Chinese Shar-Pei

    Boxers do not like to be left alone.

    Chinese Shar-Peis can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Do Boxers shed more than Chinese Shar-Peis?

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

    Chinese Shar-Peis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Boxer or the Chinese Shar-Pei

    Boxers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Chinese Shar-Peis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Boxer or the Chinese Shar-Pei?

    Boxers are very easy to groom.

    Chinese Shar-Peis are very easy to groom.

    Does the Boxer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Chinese Shar-Pei?

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

    Chinese Shar-Peis 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 Chinese Shar-Peis?

    Boxers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Chinese Shar-Peis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Boxers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Chinese Shar-Peis Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Chinese Shar-Peis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Boxer vs. Chinese Shar-Pei

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

    Chinese Shar-Peis 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 Chinese Shar-Peis Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Chinese Shar-Peis cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Boxer or the Chinese Shar-Pei?

    Boxers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Chinese Shar-Peis do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Boxers good family dogs? What about Chinese Shar-Peis?

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

    Chinese Shar-Peis are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.

    How Kid-friendly are Boxers and Chinese Shar-Peis?

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

    Chinese Shar-Peis do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Is the Boxer Easier to Train than the Chinese Shar-Pei?

    Boxers are very easy to train.

    Chinese Shar-Peis are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Boxer Better for Apartment Owners than the Chinese Shar-Pei?

    Boxers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Chinese Shar-Peis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Boxer or the Chinese Shar-Pei?

    Boxers are OK for new dog owners.

    Chinese Shar-Peis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Boxer versus Chinese Shar-Pei. 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 Chinese Shar-Pei better suits you and your family.