A beloved dog breed, the recognizable boxer made the American Kennel Club's most popular dog breeds 2020 list. Boxers tend to be vibrant and fun but not overly rambunctious. While both male and female boxer puppies can become excellent pets, there are significant differences between the sexes.
The differences between a male boxer puppy and a female boxer puppy might make one or the other more appealing for your home, and understanding those differences can help you make a good choice. For starters, the female boxer is a noticeably smaller dog than the male, but that's not all — affection level, maturity rate, and sociability level can also differ.
Video of the Day
Size of the female and male boxer
There is a significant size difference between male and female boxers when they become adults. Before adopting a boxer puppy, consider which size is more attractive to you. Males grow to a height between 22.5 and 25 inches and weigh between 65 and 80 pounds. Female boxers will grow to a height between 21 and 23.5 inches and weigh between 50 and 65 pounds.
Because boxers are medium-size dogs, it's important not to overexercise them until their growth plates — areas of new bone growth — are fully closed. Wait until 18 months old for both sexes just to be safe. Start with slow, gentle walks and increase as the puppies age.
Affection level of boxer dogs
The male boxer puppy tends to be more affectionate and loving than the female boxer puppy. Males are extroverted and love to interact with their owners, and they are sometimes exuberant about showing their affection. While a female boxer is no less loyal or attached to her owner, she can be more reserved and subtle about showing affection.
However, this is a generalization and not a set rule. Breed is not a guarantee of particular personality traits and neither is gender. A boxer of either sex is known for being great with kids, a good family dog thanks to a patient and protective nature, and very playful to the point of sometimes being silly.
Moodiness of a female boxer dog
Female boxers are noted for possibly being more temperamental than males as well as having less predictable moods. This does not mean that the female boxer puppy is inclined toward violence or poor behavior. It might simply mean that the female boxer can be sweet and playful one day and withdrawn and cautious the next.
Maturity rate of the female and male boxer
The boxer generally reaches adult height and weight between 18 and 24 months — a female boxer generally sooner than a male boxer, but she will likely not be as big. A boxer is still considered a puppy, however, until about 2 years old thanks to a playful nature and a muscular body that will begin to build out after the dog reaches adult size.
Generally, the male boxer puppy will keep his puppylike temperament longer than a female boxer puppy. Female boxer puppies often mature more quickly than male boxer puppies, while male boxers tend to be energetic and mischievous even when they are adolescents and adults.
Sociability of the female and male boxer
Both male and female boxer puppies do better with dogs of the opposite sex, but in general, male dogs tend to do better with other dogs than female boxers. Female boxers might have problems living with other female dogs. However, male boxers can be more prone to battles for dominance than female boxers, especially as they are growing up.