Boxer vs Great Dane: full comparison
| Trait | Boxer | Great Dane |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Large | Giant |
| Energy level | High | Medium |
| Trainability | Medium | Medium |
| Friendliness | Very High | Very High |
| Good with children | Very High | Very High |
| Grooming needs | Very Low | Very Low |
| Shedding | Medium | Medium |
| Barking | Medium | Low |
| Protectiveness | Medium | Low |
| Adaptability | High | Medium |
| Typical lifespan | 11 years | 8 years |
| Hypoallergenic | No | No |
Key differences at a glance
- The Great Dane is a larger dog than the Boxer, which affects space, food and exercise needs.
Size and living space
The Boxer is a large and powerful breed that is happiest with space indoors and regular access to a yard. By comparison, the Great Dane is one of the true giant breeds that demands a large home, and everything about keeping it costs more. If space, transport or budget are tight, the smaller of the two is the more practical choice.
Exercise and energy needs
The Boxer needs a good deal of daily exercise — long walks, running or vigorous play. The Great Dane needs a solid walk or two a day plus some active play. If you have a busy schedule, the lower-energy of the two will be easier to keep satisfied; if you are active and want a dog to keep up, the higher-energy breed is the better match.
Grooming and shedding
The Boxer is about as low-effort to groom as dogs get and sheds a moderate amount, with heavier seasonal moults. The Great Dane is about as low-effort to groom as dogs get and sheds a moderate amount, with heavier seasonal moults. Grooming upkeep is similar for both.
Temperament, training and family life
The Boxer is reasonably trainable with regular, positive sessions, barks a fair amount, usually for a reason and has a reputation for being wonderfully tolerant with kids. The Great Dane is reasonably trainable with regular, positive sessions, speaks up only now and then and has a reputation for being wonderfully tolerant with kids. On guarding instinct, Boxer announces visitors but stops short of guarding, whereas Great Dane shows limited protectiveness and is friendly to callers.
Which is better for…
- For apartment or apartment living, Great Dane has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.
- For families with young children, Boxer and Great Dane are an even match — either can work well.
- For first-time dog owners, Boxer and Great Dane are an even match — either can work well.
- For being left alone during the workday, Great Dane has the edge, coping better with independence and being quieter when unsupervised.
- For allergy sufferers, Boxer and Great Dane are an even match — either can work well.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Boxer if you want a longer-lived breed, you want a more protective, watchful guardian, or you want a more adaptable dog.
Choose the Great Dane if you want a calmer, lower-energy companion, you prefer a quieter dog, or you want a bigger, more substantial dog.
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Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- Is the Boxer or the Great Dane better for families with children?
- Both the Boxer and the Great Dane are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
- Which sheds more, the Boxer or the Great Dane?
- The Boxer and Great Dane shed a similar amount (medium).
- Which is easier to train, the Boxer or the Great Dane?
- Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.
- Is Boxer or Great Dane bigger?
- Great Dane is the larger breed; Boxer is smaller and more compact.
- Which barks more, Boxer or Great Dane?
- Boxer tends to be the more vocal of the two, so Great Dane is the quieter choice.
- Which is better for apartment living, Boxer or Great Dane?
- For apartment or apartment living, Great Dane has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.