Boxer versus Harrier. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Boxer Versus Harrier: Introduction

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

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

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 Harrier.

Boxer versus Harrier: Overview

Both the Boxer and the Harrier are similar in size. The Boxer and the Harrier 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 Harrier belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Boxer versus Harrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Boxer to the Harrier 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 Harrier

Factor Boxer Harrier
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 12 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Height 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
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 4/5
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 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 60 to 70 pounds 45 to 60 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1620 No Data
Price Range $1200 – $2000 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•

    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 Harrier. 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 Harrier is 81 out of 125.

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

    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 Harrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Boxer and the Harrier

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

    • Boxers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments. However, Harriers can tolerate hot weather.
    • Boxers have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Harriers are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Boxers adapt well to apartment living. However, Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    The Similarities Between the Boxer and the Harrier

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

    • Both the Boxer and the Harrier cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
    • Both the Boxer and the Harrier do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Boxer and the Harrier are not prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Boxer and the Harrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Boxer and the Harrier are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Boxer and the Harrier shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Boxer and the Harrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Boxer and the Harrier are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Boxer and the Harrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Boxer and the Harrier are very easy to groom.
    • Both the Boxer and the Harrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Boxer and the Harrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Boxer and the Harrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Boxer and the Harrier are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Boxer versus Harrier

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

    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, Harriers weigh 45 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Harriers are 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Boxer versus Harrier

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

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Boxer versus Harrier

    Boxers do not like to be left alone.

    Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Boxers shed more than Harriers?

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

    Harriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Boxer or the Harrier

    Boxers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Boxer or the Harrier?

    Boxers are very easy to groom.

    Harriers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Boxer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?

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

    Harriers 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 Harriers?

    Boxers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Harriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Boxers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Boxer vs. Harrier

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

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

    Can Boxers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Harriers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Boxers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Harriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Boxers good family dogs? What about Harriers?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Boxers and Harriers?

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

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

    Is the Boxer Easier to Train than the Harrier?

    Boxers are very easy to train.

    Harriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Boxer Better for Apartment Owners than the Harrier?

    Boxers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Boxers are OK for new dog owners.

    Harriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Boxer versus Harrier. 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 Harrier better suits you and your family.