Breed comparison

Boxer or Dogue de Bordeaux: Which breed should you choose?

Boxer and Dogue de Bordeaux are two dog breeds often compared by prospective owners. Here’s a point-by-point comparison to help you decide: size, temperament, purchase price, monthly budget, and compatibility with your lifestyle.

Boxer

Boxer

Large25–35 kg€800 – €1,400
+13
Dogue de Bordeaux

Dogue de Bordeaux

Giant45–52 kg€1,000 – €1,500
+3

Key takeaways

  • Dogue de Bordeaux is larger: 45–52 kg compared with 25–35 kg for Boxer.
  • Boxer costs less to buy: €800 – €1,400 compared with €1,000 – €1,500 for Dogue de Bordeaux.
  • Boxer costs less day to day: about €170 per month compared with €221 for Dogue de Bordeaux.
  • Dogue de Bordeaux needs less daily activity (3/5 compared with 4/5 for Boxer).
  • For “Families and children,” both breeds are tied (5/5).
  • For “Apartment living,” both breeds are tied (3/5).
  • Boxer scores higher for “First-time owners”: 3/5 compared with 1/5 for Dogue de Bordeaux.
  • Both breeds have a similar life expectancy: 10–12 years.

Our verdict

Choose Boxer if you’re looking for…

  • Active owner: They can offer it long walks, games and shared activities every day.
  • Family with children: Its affectionate, protective and playful temperament fits well with family life.
  • Present and involved household: It greatly appreciates human closeness and consistent training.
  • House with outdoor space: Secure access to the outdoors makes its daily exercise easier without replacing walks.

Choose Dogue de Bordeaux if you’re looking for…

  • Experienced people: The breed is better suited to an owner capable of handling a large, powerful dog with calmness and consistency.
  • Families often at home: It thrives in a stable home where it can share the daily life of its loved ones.
  • House with outdoor space: Its size and living comfort are generally better suited to a spacious home.

Detailed comparison

General information
Origin GermanyFrance
FCI group 22
Build LargeGiant
Height at the withers 53–63 cm58–68 cm
Weight 25–35 kg45–52 kg
Coat Short, close and smoothShort, fine
Life expectancy 10–12 years10–12 years
Average price €800 – €1,400€1,000 – €1,500
Monthly budget ≈ €170≈ €221
Compatibility
Families and children
Excellent
Excellent
Daily exercise needs
High
Moderate
Apartment living
Good
Good
First-time owners
Good
Limited
Other pets
Good
Limited
Tolerance of being alone
Fair
Limited
Guarding instinct
Very good
Excellent
Strengths and weaknesses
  • Obedient
  • Low risk of running away
  • Good health
  • Easy to care for
  • Sheds very little
  • High exercise needs
  • Not very adaptable
  • Prone to destructive behavior
  • Barks a lot
  • Drools a lot
  • Unlikely to run away
  • Rarely barks
  • Good health
  • Easy to care for
  • Not very obedient
  • High exercise needs
  • Not very adaptable
  • Prone to destructive behavior
  • Sheds a lot
  • Drools a lot