Boxer vs German Shepherd vs Tosa Ken Comparison - Dog breed selector: Deutscher Boxer or Alsatian wolf dog or Japanese Fighting Dog? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Boxer vs German Shepherd vs Tosa Ken" Compare Boxer and German Shepherd. Which is better: Boxer or German Shepherd or Tosa Ken?

Size and Weight Price and Availability Trainability and Intelligence Personality and Temperament Activity and Playfulness Adaptability and Independence Bite Characteristics Health and Lifespan Energy and Activity Diet and Weight Management Allergies and Grooming Good With As a Working Dog Reproducibility Recognition Show differences only

Name	Boxer	German Shepherd	Tosa Ken
Origins	Germany	Germany	Japan
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Working Dogs	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Guard Dogs
Popularity Rank	11	2	352
Reviews	8	21	0
User Ratings

Common Names & Aliases Compare alternative names and nicknames used for Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken breeds.	Deutscher Boxer German Boxer	Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian	Japanese Fighting Dog Japanese Mastiff Japanese Tosa Tosa Fighting Dog Tosa Ken Tosa Tōken Tosa Inu
Breed Classification How do breed classifications differ between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken? Compare their breeding categories.	Purebred	Purebred	Cross Breed

Boxer vs German Shepherd vs Tosa Ken Size and Weight Comparison

Size Classification Compare size differences between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which breed is the largest?	Medium	Large	Large Giant
Weight Statistics How do weights compare between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken? Compare adult weight ranges.	Male: 60-70 pounds (27-32 kg), Female: 53-65 pounds (24-29 kg)	Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg)	Male: 88-176 lbs (40-80 kg), Female: 84-120 lbs (38-54 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Male: 65 pounds (29.5 kg), Female: 59 pounds (26.5 kg)	Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg)	Male: 132 pounds (60 kg), Female: 102 pounds (46 kg)
Height Which is taller, Boxer or German Shepherd or Tosa Ken? Boxer vs German Shepherd vs Tosa Ken height comparison:	Male: 22-25 inches (56-63 cm), Female: 21-24 inches (53-61 cm)	Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm)	Male: 22-24 inches (55-62 cm), Female: 21-24 inches (54-60 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 23.5 inches (59.5 cm), Female: 22.5 inches (57 cm)	Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm)	Male: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 22.5 inches (57 cm)

Boxer vs German Shepherd vs Tosa Ken Price and Availability Comparison

Price Range Compare puppy costs for Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Find price differences between these breeds.	$600-$1200	$800-$2000	$600-$1000
Availability Which is easier to get, Boxer or German Shepherd or Tosa Ken?	Very frequent: The Boxer is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.	Average: The Tosa Ken is a commonly available dog breed.

Boxer vs German Shepherd vs Tosa Ken Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligence Rating Compare intelligence levels between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which breed ranks highest?	Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. See more.	Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Training Difficulty Compare training difficulty levels between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which is easiest to train?	Boxer dogs are quite easy to train. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. See more.	A slightly harder to train than average. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Rating Compare watchdog abilities of Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which breed is most alert?	Boxer dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	Tosa Ken dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.
Territorial Protection Compare territorial instincts between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which breed is most protective?	Boxer dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	Tosa Ken dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

Boxer vs German Shepherd vs Tosa Ken Personality and Temperament Comparison

Personality Traits How do personalities differ between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken? Compare temperaments.	Playful Energetic Intelligent Confident Friendly Loyal Fearless Brave Bright	Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful	Sensitive Intelligent Aggressive Fearless Brave Suspicious
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.	Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Boxer vs German Shepherd vs Tosa Ken?	High: Boxer dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	Average: Tosa Ken dogs are average dogs regarding their affection level. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Boxer vs German Shepherd vs Tosa Ken social needs comparison:	Boxer dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.	German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	Tosa Ken dogs are a social breed. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	Boxer dogs have average wanderlust potential. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.	The wanderlust potential of the Tosa Ken is strong enough to escape from home. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?	Boxer dogs 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. See more.	German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	Tosa Ken dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

Boxer vs German Shepherd vs Tosa Ken Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Barking Frequency Compare barking frequencies of Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which breed is most vocal?	Low to Average: The Boxer rarely barks. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. See more.	Low to Average: The Tosa Ken rarely barks. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Playful Nature Compare playfulness levels between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which breed is most playful?	The Boxer is a playful breed. See more.	Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	Average: Tosa Kens, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Apartment Adaptability Compare apartment suitability of Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which adapts best to small spaces?	Apartment-friendly dog the Boxer breed.	It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep German Shepherd indoors.	Not an apartment-friendly dog the Tosa Ken breed.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Boxer vs German Shepherd vs Tosa Ken Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Lifestyle Adaptability Compare adaptability between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which breed is most flexible?	Boxer dogs adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments.	German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Tosa Ken dogs don't adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments.
Alone Time Tolerance Which dog can be left alone: Boxer or German Shepherd or Tosa Ken?	Boxer dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.	Tosa Ken dogs 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.

Boxer vs German Shepherd vs Tosa Ken Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Risk Assessment Compare biting potential between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which has lowest bite risk?	Low 🔽 The Boxer has a low chance of biting somebody.	High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Tosa Ken has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthing Tendency Compare mouthing tendencies between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which uses mouth most during play?	Boxer dogs have a lower than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	Tosa Ken dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.
Bite Strength Rating Compare bite forces between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which has the strongest bite?	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Boxer bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.	Above 400 PSI 🔼 Tosa Ken bite force: The Strongest.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force

Boxer vs German Shepherd vs Tosa Ken Health and Lifespan Comparison

Average Lifespan Compare life expectancies of Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which breed lives longest?	10-12 years The average lifespan of Boxer: 11 years	9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years	10-12 years The average lifespan of Tosa Ken: 11 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Climate Tolerance Compare weather adaptability between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which handles climate changes best?	Prefers average to warm weather conditions Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. See more.	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.
Health Concerns Compare health problems common in Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which has fewer health issues?	The Boxer is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.	Tosa Kens tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Vet Care Frequency Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?	Average The Boxer should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).	Frequent The Tosa Ken should have a complete physical check-up at least once (but preferably twice) per year.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Boxer vs German Shepherd vs Tosa Ken? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Boxer vs German Shepherd vs Tosa Ken health problems comparison:	Hip Dysplasia Allergies Cancer Hypothyroidism Bloat Deafness Demodectic Mange Aortic Stenosis Boxer Cardiomyopathy Corneal Dystrophy	Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Cancer Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Von Willebrand's Disease Bloat Epilepsy Blindness Cherry Eye Elbow Dysplasia Diabetes Heart Disease Retinal Dysplasia Demodectic Mange Degenerative Myelopathy Wobbler's Syndrome Panosteitis Hemophilia B Megaesophagus Cushing's Syndrome Lens Luxation Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Chronic Diarrhea Cruciate Ligament Rupture Digestive Problems Hemophilia A Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Lupus Myasthenia Gravis Nail Bed Disease Osteochondrosis Pannus Paralysis Perianal Fistula Seborrhea Vitiligo	Bloat

Boxer vs German Shepherd vs Tosa Ken Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Rating Compare energy levels between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which breed is most active?	Boxer dogs are high-energy dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.	Tosa Ken dogs have a lower energy level than other dogs.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Boxer vs German Shepherd vs Tosa Ken exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Boxer or German Shepherd or Tosa Ken? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	Boxer dogs need quite a lot of exercise.	German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise.	Tosa Ken dogs exercise need is minimal.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Boxer or German Shepherd or Tosa Ken?	Boxer dogs don't need too much sleep.	German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.	Tosa Ken dogs like sleeping so they do sleep a lot.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

Boxer vs German Shepherd vs Tosa Ken Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Obesity Tendency Compare weight gain tendencies between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which is most prone to obesity?	Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Boxer's weight, he can easily gain weight. See more.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.	High: The Tosa Ken breed has a strong tendency to be overweight. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity
Food Consumption Compare food requirements between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which needs most food?	Recommended daily amount: 2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	4 to 7 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot

Boxer vs German Shepherd vs Tosa Ken Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Allergy Friendliness Compare hypoallergenic qualities of Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which is best for allergy sufferers?	No See more.	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Coat Colors Compare color variations between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. What colors are available?	White Fawn Brindle	Black Tan Red Silver	Black Brown Fawn Yellow Brindle
Grooming Requirements Compare grooming needs between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which requires most maintenance?	Effortless: The Boxer requires minimal grooming. See more.	Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.	Effortless: The Tosa Ken requires minimal grooming. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Drooling Tendency Compare drooling tendencies between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which drools least?	The Boxer is a perfect example of a low drooling tendency. See more.	The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Tosa Ken is an average drooler. See more.
Stinkiness Rating Compare odor levels between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which has least natural smell?	High 🔼 The Boxer has a high chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Tosa Ken has an average chance of bad smell.
Coat Characteristics Compare coat types between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. How do their fur characteristics differ?	Waterproof	Fuzzy	Dense Hard
Bathing Needs Compare bathing needs between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which requires most frequent baths?	3-4 weeks More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. See more.	8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.
Shedding Level Who sheds more Boxer or German Shepherd or Tosa Ken? Boxer or German Shepherd or {name3 shedding:	Boxer dogs shed moderately. See more.	German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. See more.	Tosa Ken dogs shed moderately. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most

Boxer vs German Shepherd vs Tosa Ken Good With Comparison

Child Compatibility Compare child-friendliness between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which is best with kids?	Boxer dogs are kid-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Tosa Ken dogs are average friendly dogs towards children.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Pet Compatibility Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	Boxer dogs are generally with other pets.	German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.	Tosa Ken dogs usually don’t get on well with other pets.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Boxer or German Shepherd or Tosa Ken? Which dog is more friendly?	Boxer dogs are average friendly towards strangers.	German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.	Tosa Ken dogs are not stranger friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly Boxer or German Shepherd or Tosa Ken?	Boxer dogs are average friendly towards cats.	German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Tosa Ken dogs are not the most cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly Boxer or German Shepherd or Tosa Ken?	Boxer dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.	German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.	Tosa Ken dogs are not dog-friendly.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is good for the first-time owners: Boxer vs German Shepherd vs Tosa Ken?	Yes Boxer dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	No Tosa Ken dogs are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.
Office Friendly Which one fits better in the office?	No Boxer is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Tosa Ken is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly Which dog is good for elderly people?	Boxers are usually recommended for elderly people.	German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Tosa Kens are commonly okay with elderly people.

Boxer vs German Shepherd vs Tosa Ken As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Capability Compare service dog potential between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which is best suited for service work?	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Work Suitability Compare therapy dog potential between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which excels in therapy work?	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.
Therapy Dog Breeds
Scent Detection Ability Compare detection capabilities between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which has best nose work ability?	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.	Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.
Search & Rescue Potential Compare search and rescue potential between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which is best for SAR work?	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.	Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.
Maritime Work Ability Compare boating aptitude between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which is best suited for water work?	Not really Boxer breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Tosa Ken breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.
Draft Work Capability Compare cart pulling abilities between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which is best for draft work?	Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.
Military Service Background Compare military service history of Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which has most military use?	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.

Boxer vs German Shepherd vs Tosa Ken Reproducibility Comparison

Puppy Litter Size Compare typical litter sizes of Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which has most puppies?	2-10 puppies, average 6	6-10 puppies	6-8 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy
Pregnancy Duration Compare gestation periods of Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Any breeding differences?	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.
Breeding Frequency Compare breeding intervals between Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. What's recommended?	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.

Boxer vs German Shepherd vs Tosa Ken Recognition Comparison

AKC Classification Compare AKC groups for Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. How are they classified?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1904 as a Working breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed.	Not recognized by the American Kennel Club.
FCI Classification Compare FCI groups for Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. How are they classified internationally?	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 Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.	Not recognized by FCI.
Kennel Club Recognition Compare breed recognition status of Boxer, German Shepherd, and Tosa Ken. Which has most 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 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 German Shepherd Dog Club Of America	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service

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