Which is Better between the Pomeranian and the Boxer?

Last Updated: Apr 12, 2022

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Pomeranian Versus Boxer: Introduction

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

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

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Pomeranian or the Boxer.

Pomeranian versus Boxer

Pomeranian versus Boxer: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Pomeranian belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

On the other hand, 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.

Pomeranian versus Boxer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pomeranian to the Boxer 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 Pomeranian and the Boxer

FactorPomeranianBoxer
Tolerates Being Alone1/51/5
Does NOT Drool5/54/5
Tendency NOT to Wander5/53/5
Life Span12 to 16 years10 to 12 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/51/5
Kid-Friendly2/54/5
Dog Friendly2/53/5
Easy To Groom2/55/5
Does NOT chew on things4/54/5
Low Prey Drive4/53/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs4/51/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/54/5
General Health3/52/5
NOT Rambunctious3/51/5
Potential For Playfulness3/55/5
Weight3 to 7 pounds60 to 70 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/54/5
Good For Novice Owners4/53/5
Easygoing2/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/52/5
Does NOT Shed2/52/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/52/5
Easy To Train4/54/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl1/53/5
Height7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder21 to 25 inches at the shoulder
Average Lifespan14.0 years11.0 years
Average Price$2150$1530
Price Range$1500 – $2500$1000 – $1800
Temperament Score77.8 percent83.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds2211
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)2348

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Pomeranian 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 Boxer. 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 Pomeranian is 79 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Boxer is 73 out of 125.

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

    Pomeranian versus Boxer

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pomeranian and the Boxer

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

  • Pomeranians require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Boxers are very easy to groom.
  • Pomeranians do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Boxers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Pomeranians have low exercise needs. However, Boxers require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • The Similarities Between the Pomeranian and the Boxer

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

  • Both the Pomeranian and the Boxer do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Boxer do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Boxer cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Boxer do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Boxer are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Boxer have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Boxer adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Boxer are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Boxer 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 Pomeranian and the Boxer shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Boxer gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Boxer are very easy to train.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Boxer are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Pomeranian and the Boxer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size Comparison of the Pomeranian versus Boxer

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

    The Pomeranian weighs 3 to 7 pounds when fully grown. The Pomeranian is 7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the Boxer weighs 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The Boxer is 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Pomeranian versus Size of Boxer

    Appearance (Colors) of the Pomeranian and the Boxer

    Pomeranian Colors

    The Pomeranian comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • White / Cream
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Black
    • Apricot / Beige
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Merle (Blue)
    • Sable
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Bicolor
    • Golden
    • Brindle

    The Pomeranian comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • Black
    • White / Cream
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Brindle
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Apricot / Beige

    Boxer Colors

    The Boxer comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Brindle
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Black
    • Bicolor
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange

    The Boxer comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • Black
    • White / Cream
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Brindle

    Lifespan of Pomeranian versus Boxer

    The lifespan of the Pomeranian is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of the Pomeranian is 14.0 years.

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

    The Pomeranian live longer than the Boxer.

    Pomeranian versus Boxer

    Temperament of the Pomeranian Versus the Boxer

    The Boxer has a better temperament than the Pomeranian.

    This is because the temperament score for the Boxer is 83.9 percent while the temperament score for the Pomeranian is 77.8 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 77.8 percent, the Pomeranian has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 83.9 percent, the Boxer has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Pomeranian and the Boxer by measuring the temperaments of 36 Pomeranians and 472 Boxers.

    Price of Pomeranian versus Price of Boxer

    The average price of the Pomeranian puppy is $2150. The price of the Pomeranian typically ranges from $1500 – $2500. However, the price of a Pomeranian can be as low as $150 and as high as $10000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1412 Pomeranian puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Boxer puppy is $1530. The price of the Boxer typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of the Boxer can be as low as $100 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1292 Boxer puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Pomeranian is more expensive than the Boxer.

    Pomeranian Boxer
    Average Price $2150 $1530
    Price Range $1500 to $2500 $1000 to $1800

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Pomeranian and Boxer. For different price points, the charts show how many Pomeranian puppies or how many Boxer puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Pomeranians. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Pomeranians. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Boxers

    A breakdown of the prices of Boxers

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

    Pomeranian versus Boxer

    Adopting the Pomeranian versus Adopting the Boxer

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Pomeranians and many Boxers are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Pomeranian named Buddy that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Pomeranians like Buddy on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Pomeranians, Boxers are also available for adoption. For example, Max is a Male Boxer that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Boxers like Max that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Pomeranian and the Boxer can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Leo (Formerly Boston) is the name of another Pomeranian (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Zetie is an adorable Male Boxer on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Pomeranians and Boxers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Pomeranians and Boxers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Pomeranian versus the Intelligence of the Boxer

    Pomeranian Boxer
    Intelligence Rank 23 out of 130 dog breeds 48 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 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 Pomeranian has an obedience intelligence rank of 23 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pomeranian belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Pomeranians tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.

    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 Pomeranian is more intelligent than the Boxer.

    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.

    The Popularity of Pomeranian versus Popularity of Boxer

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Pomeranian and the Boxer over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Boxer is more popular with dog owners than the Pomeranian. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Boxer is 11 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Pomeranian is 22 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Pomeranian

    Popularity of Pomeranian

    Popularity of Boxer

    Popularity of Boxer

    Year Pomeranian Popularity Rank Boxer Popularity Rank
    2013 19 7
    2014 20 8
    2015 21 10
    2016 22 10
    2017 22 11
    2018 23 11
    2019 24 14
    2020 23 14
    2021 24 14

    Tolerates Being Alone: Pomeranian versus Boxer

    Pomeranians do not like to be left alone.

    Boxers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Pomeranians shed more than Boxers?

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

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

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

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

    Boxers are very easy to groom.

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

    Pomeranians do not get along well with other dogs.

    Boxers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Pomeranians good family dogs? What about Boxers?

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

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

    Is the Pomeranian Easier to Train than the Boxer?

    Pomeranians are very easy to train.

    Boxers are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Pomeranian or the Boxer

    Pomeranians do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Boxers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Pomeranians and Boxers?

    Pomeranians do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

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

    Pomeranians 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.

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

    Do Pomeranians Bark and Howl? What about Boxers?

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

    Boxers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Pomeranians can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Pomeranian vs. Boxer

    Pomeranians do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

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

    Can Pomeranians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Boxers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

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

    Is the Pomeranian Better for Apartment Owners than the Boxer?

    Pomeranians adapt very well to apartment living.

    Boxers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Pomeranians are very good for new dog owners.

    Boxers are OK for new dog owners.

    Pomeranian Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Pomeranian compares to other breeds aside from the Boxer. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Pomeranian to other breeds:

    Pomeranian versus Fila Brasileiro     Pomeranian versus American Water Spaniel     Pomeranian versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Pomeranian versus Tibetan Mastiff     Pomeranian versus Mountain Cur     Pomeranian versus Goldendoodle     Pomeranian versus American Hairless Terrier     Pomeranian versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Pomeranian versus Barbet     Pomeranian versus Afghan Hound     Pomeranian versus Bracco Italiano     Pomeranian versus Scottish Deerhound     Pomeranian versus Karelian Bear Dog     Pomeranian versus Whippet     

    Conclusion: Pomeranian versus Boxer. 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 Pomeranian and the Boxer better suits you and your family.