Boston Terrier vs Boxer vs Labrador Retriever – Which one is a better dog breed for you?
"Find similarities and differences between Boston Terrier vs Boxer vs Labrador Retriever"
Compare Boston Terrier and Boxer. Which is better: Boston Terrier or Boxer or Labrador Retriever?
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Name | Boston Terrier | Boxer | Labrador Retriever |
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Origins | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() ![]() |
Group | Companion Dogs | Working Dogs | Gun Dog |
Popularity Rank | 21 | 11 | 1 |
Reviews | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Rate |
Other Names | Boston Bull, Boston Bull Terrier, Boxwood, American Gentlemen | German Boxer, Deutscher Boxer | Labrador, Lab |
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Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred | Purebred |
AKC Group | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1893 as a Non-Sporting breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1904 as a Working breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1917 as a Sporting breed. |
FCI Group | Recognized by FCI in the Companion and Toy Dogs group, in the Small Molossian type Dogs section. | Recognized by FCI in the Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Molossian type section. | Recognized by FCI in the Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs group, in the Retrievers section. |
Breed Recognition | American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club | American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Canadian Canine Registry | American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Canadian Canine Registry |
Price | $600-$800 | $600-$1200 | $1000-$2000 |
General Appearance - Boston Terrier vs Boxer vs Labrador Retriever
Size | Small | Medium | Large |
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Weight | 10-25 pounds (6-11kg) | Male: 60-70 pounds (27-32 kg), Female: 53-65 pounds (24-29 kg) | Male: 60-75 pounds (27-34kg), Female: 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg) |
Avg. Weight | 17.5 pounds (8.5 kg) | Male: 65 pounds (29.5 kg), Female: 59 pounds (26.5 kg) | Male: 67.5 pounds (30.5 kg), Female: 62.5 pounds (28.5 kg) |
Height | 15-17 inches (38-43 cm) | Male: 22-25 inches (56-63 cm), Female: 21-24 inches (53-61 cm) | Male: 22-24 inches (56-61cm), Female: 21-23 inches (53-58 cm) |
Avg. Height | 16 inches (40.5 cm) | Male: 23.5 inches (59.5 cm), Female: 22.5 inches (57 cm) | Male: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 22 inches (55.5 cm) |
Hair & Care - Boston Terrier vs Boxer vs Labrador Retriever
Coat | Fine | Waterproof | Dense Waterproof Hard Short |
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Colors | White Brindle Seal Black | Brindle White Fawn | Yellow Chocolate Black |
Grooming | Effortless: The Boston Terrier requires minimal grooming. | Effortless: The Boxer requires minimal grooming. | Effortless: The Labrador Retriever requires minimal grooming. |
Shedding Level | Boston Terriers shed moderately. | Boxers shed moderately. | Labrador Retrievers shed moderately. |
Characteristics - Boston Terrier vs Boxer vs Labrador Retriever
Temperament | Affectionate Friendly Intelligent Playful Aggressive Gentle Lively | Brave Confident Fearless Intelligent Playful Bright Energetic Friendly Loyal | Affectionate Cheerful Friendly Intelligent Loyal Playful Social Alert Energetic Gentle Loving Going Responsive |
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Intelligent Rank | Average: Boston Terrier's has average obedience intelligence. | Average: Boxer's has average obedience intelligence. | Outstanding: Labrador Retriever is one of the brightest dog breeds. |
Trainability | Boston Terriers are quite easy to train. | Boxers are quite easy to train. | Labrador Retrievers are very easy to train. |
Playfulness | Boston Terriers, like any other dog breed, like playing. | The Boxer is a playful breed. | The Labrador Retriever is a highly playful breed. |
Sensitivity Level | Boston Terriers don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household and frequent guest visits. | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. | Labrador Retrievers don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household and frequent guest visits. |
Affection Level | Boston Terriers are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Boxers are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Labrador Retrievers may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence. |
Social Needs | Boston Terriers are a social breed. | Boxers need a lot of social interaction. | Labrador Retrievers need a lot of social interaction. |
Barking | Low to Average: The Boston Terrier rarely barks. | Low to Average: The Boxer rarely barks. | Average: The Labrador Retriever barks occasionally. |
Watchdog Ability | Boston Terriers are average watchdogs. | Boxers are one of the best watchdogs. | Labrador Retrievers are average watchdogs. |
Territorial | Boston Terriers are average defenders. | Boxers are extremely protective guard dogs. | Labrador Retrievers are average defenders. |
Biting Potential |
Moderate The Boston Terrier has an average chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Boxer has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Moderate The Labrador Retriever has an average chance of biting somebody. |
Mouthiness | Boston Terriers have lower than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Boxers have lower than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Labrador Retrievers have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. |
Impulse to Wander or Roam | Boston Terriers have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world. | Boxers have average wanderlust potential. | Labrador Retrievers have average wanderlust potential. |
Prey Drive | Boston Terriers have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals. | Boxers have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. | Labrador Retrievers have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals. |
Apartment Friendly | Boston Terriers are very apartment-friendly dogs. | Boxers are apartment-friendly dogs. | Labrador Retrievers are not recommended for an apartment lifestyle. |
Adaptability | Boston Terriers adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Boxers adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments. | Labrador Retrievers adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. |
Tolerates Being Left Alone | Boston Terriers do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work. | Boxers tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. | Labrador Retrievers tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. |
Fighting Dog |
Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dog. |
Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dog. |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Good With - Boston Terrier vs Boxer vs Labrador Retriever
Stranger Friendly | Boston Terriers are stranger friendly dogs. | Boxers are average friendly towards strangers. | Labrador Retrievers are very stranger friendly dogs. |
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Child Friendly | Boston Terriers are very kid-friendly dogs. | Boxers are kid-friendly dogs. | Labrador Retrievers are very kid-friendly dogs. |
Cat Friendly | Boston Terriers are very cat-friendly dogs. | Boxers are average friendly towards cats. | Labrador Retrievers are cat-friendly dogs. |
Dog Friendly | Boston Terriers are very dog-friendly dogs. | Boxers are not the most dog-friendly dogs. | Labrador Retrievers are very dog-friendly dogs. |
Office Friendly |
No Boston Terrier is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Boxer is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Labrador Retriever is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
Senior Citizens Friendly | Boston Terriers are one of the best breeds for elderly people. | Boxers are usually recommended for elderly people. | Labrador Retrievers are one of the best breeds for elderly people. |
Pet Friendly | Boston Terriers are one of the friendliest dog breeds. | Boxers are generally with other pets. | Labrador Retrievers are usually friendly towards other pets. |
Good For First Time Owners |
No Boston Terriers are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
No Boxers are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
No Labrador Retrievers are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
Service Dog |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. |
Therapy Dog |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. |
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Yes A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Yes The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Boat Dog |
Not really Boston Terrier breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Not really Boxer breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Yes Labrador Retriever breed usually likes being on a boat. |
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Health Factors - Boston Terrier vs Boxer vs Labrador Retriever
Health Issues | The Boston Terrier is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | The Boxer is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | The Labrador Retriever is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. |
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Health Problems | Allergies Brain Tumors Cataracts Cherry Eye Deafness Heart Murmurs Megaesophagus Patellar Luxation Reverse Sneezing | Allergies Aortic Stenosis Bloat Boxer Cardiomyopathy Cancer Corneal Dystrophy Deafness Demodectic Mange Hip Dysplasia Hypothyroidism | Acute Moist Dermatitis Bloat Cataracts Cold Tail Ear Infections Elbow Dysplasia Epilepsy Hip Dysplasia Myopathy Osteochondrosis Dissecans Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia |
Life Expectancy | 12-15 years | 10-12 years | 10-12 years |
Hypoallergenic | No | No | No |
Energy Level | Boston Terriers have a higher energy level than other dog breeds. | Boxers are high energy dogs. | Labrador Retrievers are high energy dogs. |
Exercise Need | Boston Terriers have an average exercise need. | Boxers need quite a lot of exercise. | Labrador Retrievers need a lot of exercises. |
Sleeping Need | Boston Terriers are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend to much time with sleeping. | Boxers don't need too much sleep. | Labrador Retrievers don't need too much sleep. |
Avg. daily food consumption | 0.5 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | Recommended daily amount: 2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | Recommended daily amount: 2.5 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
Weight Gain Potential | Average. | Average to High. | High: The Labrador Retriever breed has a strong tendency to overweight. |
Weather & Climate | Tolerates warm and cold weather. | Prefers average to warm weather conditions | Tolerates warm and cold weather. |
Stinkiness |
Medium The Boston Terrier has an average chance of bad smell. |
High The Boxer has a high chance of bad smell. |
High The Labrador Retriever has a high chance of bad smell. |
Drooling tendency | The Boston Terrier is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. | The Boxer is a perfect example for low drooling tendency. | The Labrador Retriever is an average drooler. |
Reproducibility - Boston Terrier vs Boxer vs Labrador Retriever
Gestation Length | 60-64 days | 60-64 days | 60-64 days |
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How often can the have a litter? |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Litter Size | 3-5 puppies | 2-10 puppies, average 6 | 5-10 puppies |
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