Which is Better Between the Boxer and the Maremma Sheepdog?

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Boxer Versus Maremma Sheepdog: Introduction

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

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

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 Maremma Sheepdog.

Boxer versus Maremma Sheepdog: Overview

A very important difference between the Boxer and the Maremma Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Boxer is a medium-sized dog while the Maremma Sheepdog is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Boxer and the Maremma Sheepdog are Working Dogs. This means both the Boxer and the Maremma Sheepdog 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 Maremma Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Boxer to the Maremma Sheepdog 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 Maremma Sheepdog

Factor Boxer Maremma Sheepdog
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 11 to 13 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 3/5
General Health 2/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Height 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder 23.5 to 28.5 inches
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 1/5
Easy To Train 4/5 1/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 2/5
Weight 60 to 70 pounds 65 to 100 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1620 $1220
Price Range $1200 – $2000 $675 – $1500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Shoulders
  • 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 Maremma Sheepdog. 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 Maremma Sheepdog is 68 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Boxer is a better pet than the Maremma Sheepdog. 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 Maremma Sheepdog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Boxer and the Maremma Sheepdog

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

    • Boxers have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Maremma Sheepdogs 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, Maremma Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Boxers are very friendly towards strangers. However, Maremma Sheepdogs are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Boxers are very easy to train. However, Maremma Sheepdogs are not easy to train.
    • Boxers are very easy to groom. However, Maremma Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
    • Boxers are very playful. However, Maremma Sheepdogs not very playful.

    The Similarities Between the Boxer and the Maremma Sheepdog

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

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

    Size Comparison of Boxer versus Maremma Sheepdog

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

    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, Maremma Sheepdogs weigh 65 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Maremma Sheepdogs are 23.5 to 28.5 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Boxer versus Maremma Sheepdog

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

    The lifespan of Maremma Sheepdogs is between 11 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Maremma Sheepdogs is 12.0 years.

    Maremma Sheepdogs live longer than Boxers.

    Price of Boxer versus Price of Maremma Sheepdog

    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 Maremma Sheepdog puppy is $1220. The price of the Maremma Sheepdog typically ranges from $675 – $1500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 31 Maremma Sheepdog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Boxer is more expensive than the Maremma Sheepdog.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Boxer and Maremma Sheepdog. For different price points, the charts show how many Boxer puppies or how many Maremma Sheepdog 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 Maremma Sheepdogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Maremma Sheepdogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Boxer puppy or the Maremma Sheepdog 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Boxer versus Maremma Sheepdog

    Boxers do not like to be left alone.

    Maremma Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Boxers shed more than Maremma Sheepdogs?

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Boxer or the Maremma Sheepdog

    Boxers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Maremma Sheepdogs drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Boxer or the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Boxers are very easy to groom.

    Maremma Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Boxer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maremma Sheepdog?

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs 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 Maremma Sheepdogs?

    Boxers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Maremma Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Boxers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Maremma Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Boxer vs. Maremma Sheepdog

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs 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 Maremma Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Boxers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Maremma Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Boxers good family dogs? What about Maremma Sheepdogs?

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Boxers and Maremma Sheepdogs?

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

    Maremma Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Boxer Easier to Train than the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Boxers are very easy to train.

    Maremma Sheepdogs are not easy to train.

    Is the Boxer Better for Apartment Owners than the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Boxers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Maremma Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Boxers are OK for new dog owners.

    Maremma Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Boxer versus Maremma Sheepdog. 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 Maremma Sheepdog better suits you and your family.