Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Are Boxers Aggressive Towards Strangers?
- Are Boxers Aggressive Towards their Owners?
- Are Boxers Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
- Are Boxers Afraid of Strangers?
- Are Boxers Afraid of Other Dogs?
- Do Boxers Have Non-Social Fears?
- Do Boxers Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
- Are Boxers Easy to Train?
- Do Boxers Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
- Do Boxers Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
- Do Boxers have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
- Are Boxers Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
- Are Boxers Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
- Are Boxers Playful? What is the Energy Level of Boxers
- Conclusion on Boxer Temperament
Introduction to the Temperament of the Boxer
The are many descriptions of the temperament of the Boxer out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.
In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the Boxer based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the Boxer breed.
We obtained our description of the temperament of Boxer by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.
The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.
Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the Boxer.
The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.
The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.
The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:
- Aggression towards stranger
- Aggression towards its owner
- Aggression towards other dogs
- How well they get along with other dogs
- Fear of strangers
- Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
- Fear of other dogs
- Separation anxiety
- Clinginess
- Trainability/ Stubbornness
- Prey drive
- Excitability
- Touch sensitivity
- Energy level
In this article, we will discuss the score of the Boxer for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the Boxer.
The summary table below shows the score of the Boxer for the different behavioral characteristics.
High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.
| Behavior | Score |
|---|---|
| Owner Directed Aggression | 8.5 percent |
| Energy Level | 75.4 percent |
| Dog Directed Aggression | 68.6 percent |
| Excitability | 61.8 percent |
| Attachment Attention Seeking | 55.2 percent |
| Prey Drive | 48.3 percent |
| Stranger Directed Aggression | 41.8 percent |
| Separation Related Behavior | 40.3 percent |
| Nonsocial Fear | 34.5 percent |
| Dog Rivalry | 32.8 percent |
| Stubbornness | 27.7 percent |
| Dog Directed Fear | 27.5 percent |
| Stranger Directed Fear | 27.1 percent |
| Touch Sensitivity | 15.4 percent |
Note that with proper training, you can better your Boxer`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your Boxer, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Boxer.
See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.
Are Boxers Aggressive Towards Strangers?
Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.
Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.
Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.
Boxers are quite a bit aggressive towards strangers.
This is because the Boxer ranks high for aggression towards strangers.
The Boxer ranks number 39 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.
This information is based on what 145 Boxer owners reported on the temperament of their Boxer in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Boxer has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 41.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit aggressive towards strangers just like the Boxer are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Giant Schnauzer | 42.3 % |
| 37 | Bichon Frise | 42.3 % |
| 38 | Weimaraner | 42.2 % |
| 39 | Boxer | 41.8 % |
| 40 | Dalmatian | 41.5 % |
| 41 | Belgian Tervuren | 40.9 % |
| 42 | Poodle (Miniature) | 40.7 % |
The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Boxers Aggressive Towards their Owners?
Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.
Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.
A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.
Boxers are a little bit aggressive towards their owners.
This is because the Boxer ranks low for aggression towards its owner.
The Boxer ranks number 93 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.
This information is based on what 145 Boxer owners reported on the temperament of their Boxer in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Boxer has an owner-directed-aggression score of 8.5 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit owner-aggressive just like the Boxer are listed in the table below
| Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Owner-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 90 | Ibizan Hound | 8.7 % |
| 91 | Gordon Setter | 8.6 % |
| 92 | American Bulldog | 8.6 % |
| 93 | Boxer | 8.5 % |
| 94 | Treeing Walker Coonhound | 8.4 % |
| 95 | American Staffordshire Terrier | 8.3 % |
| 96 | Eurasier | 8.3 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Boxers Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.
A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs
A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.
Boxers are very much aggressive towards other dogs.
This is because the Boxer ranks very high for aggression towards other dogs.
The Boxer ranks number 21 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.
This information is based on what 145 Boxer owners reported on the temperament of their Boxer in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Boxer has a dog-directed aggression score of 68.6 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much dog-aggressive just like the Boxer are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Australian Kelpie | 69.2 % |
| 19 | Old English Sheepdog | 68.9 % |
| 20 | Bullmastiff | 68.7 % |
| 21 | Boxer | 68.6 % |
| 22 | Rat Terrier | 68.0 % |
| 23 | Treeing Walker Coonhound | 67.9 % |
| 24 | Australian Cattle Dog | 67.1 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Boxers Afraid of Strangers?
Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.
Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.
Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.
Boxers are somewhat fearful of strangers.
This is because the Boxer ranks average for fear of strangers.
The Boxer ranks number 68 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.
This information is based on what 145 Boxer owners reported on the temperament of their Boxer in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Boxer has a stranger-directed-fear score of 27.1 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat stranger-fearful just like the Boxer are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 65 | Irish Water Spaniel | 27.6 % |
| 66 | Doberman Pinscher | 27.3 % |
| 67 | German Shepherd | 27.3 % |
| 68 | Boxer | 27.1 % |
| 69 | Bernese Mountain Dog | 25.3 % |
| 70 | Bullmastiff | 24.8 % |
| 71 | Eurasier | 24.2 % |
The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:
Are Boxers Afraid of Other Dogs?
Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.
A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.
Boxers are a little bit fearful of other dogs.
This is because the Boxer ranks low for fear of other dogs.
The Boxer ranks number 81 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.
This information is based on what 145 Boxer owners reported on the temperament of their Boxer in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Boxer has a dog-directed-fear score of 27.5 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit other-dog-fearful just like the Boxer are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 78 | Golden Retriever | 29.4 % |
| 79 | Labrador Retriever | 27.9 % |
| 80 | Doberman Pinscher | 27.7 % |
| 81 | Boxer | 27.5 % |
| 82 | Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier | 27.5 % |
| 83 | Belgian Sheepdog | 27.4 % |
| 84 | American Staffordshire Terrier | 27.3 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:
Do Boxers Have Non-Social Fears?
Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.
Boxers are somewhat fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.
This is because the Boxer ranks average for non-social fear.
The Boxer ranks number 56 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.
This information is based on what 145 Boxer owners reported on the temperament of their Boxer in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Boxer has a nonsocial-fear score of 34.5 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat nonsocial-fearful just like the Boxer are listed in the table below
| Nonsocial-Fear Rank | Breed | Nonsocial-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 53 | Miniature Schnauzer | 35.5 % |
| 54 | Newfoundland | 35.3 % |
| 55 | Samoyed | 34.9 % |
| 56 | Boxer | 34.5 % |
| 57 | Bullmastiff | 33.2 % |
| 58 | Alaskan Malamute | 32.8 % |
| 59 | Australian Shepherd | 32.6 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
Do Boxers Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.
These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.
Boxers are a little bit competitive when dealing with other dogs.
This is because the Boxer ranks low on dog rivalry.
The Boxer ranks number 79 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.
This information is based on what 145 Boxer owners reported on the temperament of their Boxer in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Boxer has a dog-rivalry score of 32.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit competition-driven just like the Boxer are listed in the table below
| Dog-Rivalry Rank | Breed | Dog-Rivalry Score |
|---|---|---|
| 76 | Chow Chow | 33.4 % |
| 77 | Belgian Tervuren | 33.3 % |
| 78 | Doberman Pinscher | 33.1 % |
| 79 | Boxer | 32.8 % |
| 80 | Miniature Schnauzer | 32.6 % |
| 81 | Newfoundland | 32.6 % |
| 82 | West Highland White Terrier | 32.5 % |
The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.
Are Boxers Easy to Train?
Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.
Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.
Boxers are quite a bit easy to train.
This is because the Boxer ranks high for trainability.
The Boxer ranks number 47 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.
This information is based on what 145 Boxer owners reported on the trainability of their Boxer in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Boxer has a trainability score of 72.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit easy to train just like the Boxer are listed in the table below
| Trainability Rank | Breed | Trainability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | Airedale Terrier | 73.5 % |
| 45 | American Pit Bull Terrier | 73.3 % |
| 46 | Rat Terrier | 72.6 % |
| 47 | Boxer | 72.3 % |
| 48 | Poodle (Toy) | 72.2 % |
| 49 | Dalmatian | 71.9 % |
| 50 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 71.4 % |
The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:
The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:
Learn more about how intelligent the Boxer is and how the intelligence of the Boxer affects its trainability in this article on how smart the Boxer is.
Do Boxers Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.
Boxers are somewhat into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.
This is because the Boxer ranks average for small-pet-chasing.
The Boxer ranks number 61 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.
This information is based on what 145 Boxer owners reported on the temperament of their Boxer in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Boxer has a chasing score of 48.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat into chasing after smaller pets just like the Boxer are listed in the table below
| Chasing Rank | Breed | Chasing Score |
|---|---|---|
| 58 | Boston Terrier | 50.7 % |
| 59 | Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever | 50.2 % |
| 60 | Newfoundland | 48.4 % |
| 61 | Boxer | 48.3 % |
| 62 | Belgian Tervuren | 48.2 % |
| 63 | Cocker Spaniel (American) | 48.0 % |
| 64 | Australian Shepherd | 47.3 % |
The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:
The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.
Do Boxers Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.
These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.
Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.
Boxers are somewhat attachment/attention-seeking.
This is because the Boxer ranks average for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
The Boxer ranks number 53 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
This information is based on what 145 Boxer owners reported on the temperament of their Boxer in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Boxer has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 55.2 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat attachment/attention-seeking just like the Boxer are listed in the table below
| Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank | Breed | Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | Boston Terrier | 56.3 % |
| 51 | Australian Kelpie | 55.9 % |
| 52 | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 55.5 % |
| 53 | Boxer | 55.2 % |
| 54 | Border Collie | 55.0 % |
| 55 | German Shepherd | 54.9 % |
| 56 | Basenji | 54.7 % |
The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are aloof are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.
Do Boxers have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.
These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.
They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.
Boxers are somewhat prone to developing separation anxiety.
This is because the Boxer ranks average for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.
The Boxer ranks number 61 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.
This information is based on what 145 Boxer owners reported on the temperament of their Boxer in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Boxer has a separation anxiety score of 40.3 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat prone to develop separation anxiety just like the Boxer are listed in the table below
| Separation-Related-Behavior Rank | Breed | Separation-Related-Behavior Score |
|---|---|---|
| 58 | Pointer | 41.3 % |
| 59 | Brittany | 40.9 % |
| 60 | Staffordshire Bull Terrier | 40.4 % |
| 61 | Boxer | 40.3 % |
| 62 | Dingo | 38.6 % |
| 63 | Afghan Hound | 37.8 % |
| 64 | Boston Terrier | 37.1 % |
The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:
- Treeing Walker Coonhound
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- Chinese Crested
- Miniature Pinscher
- Australian Silky Terrier
The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.
Are Boxers Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.
These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.
Boxers are not touch-sensitive.
This is because the Boxer ranks very low for touch sensitivity.
The Boxer ranks number 112 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.
This information is based on what 145 Boxer owners reported on the temperament of their Boxer in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Boxer has a touch-sensitivity score of 15.4 %.
Other dog breeds that are not touch-sensitive just like the Boxer are listed in the table below
| Touch-Sensitivity Rank | Breed | Touch-Sensitivity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 109 | Akita | 16.4 % |
| 110 | Airedale Terrier | 16.2 % |
| 111 | Chinook | 15.8 % |
| 112 | Boxer | 15.4 % |
| 113 | Poodle (Standard) | 15.4 % |
| 114 | English Setter | 15.1 % |
| 115 | Golden Retriever | 14.5 % |
The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:
The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.
Are Boxers Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:
- going for walks
- car trips
- sound of the doorbell
- arrival of visitors, and
- the owner arriving home
Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.
Boxers are very much hyper (excitable).
This is because the Boxer ranks very high for excitability.
The Boxer ranks number 15 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.
This information is based on what 145 Boxer owners reported on the temperament of their Boxer in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Boxer has an excitability score of 61.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much excitable just like the Boxer are listed in the table below
| Excitability Rank | Breed | Excitability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Vizsla | 62.7 % |
| 13 | Miniature Pinscher | 62.3 % |
| 14 | Boston Terrier | 61.9 % |
| 15 | Boxer | 61.8 % |
| 16 | Maltese | 61.1 % |
| 17 | Pit Bull mix | 60.6 % |
| 18 | Belgian Malinois | 60.1 % |
The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:
- Australian Silky Terrier
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- American Eskimo Dog
- Parson Russell Terrier
- Miniature Schnauzer
The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.
Are Boxers Playful? What is the Energy Level of Boxers
Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.
Boxers are very much energetic.
This is because the Boxer ranks very high for energy level.
The Boxer ranks number 21 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.
This information is based on what 145 Boxer owners reported on the temperament of their Boxer in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Boxer has an energy-level score of 75.4 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much energetic just like the Boxer are listed in the table below
| Energy-Level Rank | Breed | Energy-Level Score |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Australian Kelpie | 76.2 % |
| 19 | Gordon Setter | 76.0 % |
| 20 | Parson Russell Terrier | 75.5 % |
| 21 | Boxer | 75.4 % |
| 22 | English Bulldog | 75.0 % |
| 23 | Giant Schnauzer | 74.3 % |
| 24 | Flat-Coated Retriever | 73.2 % |
The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:
The dog breeds that are laziest are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.
Conclusion on Boxer Temperament
The temperament of your Boxer comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your Boxer is exposed to.
You cannot change your Boxer`s gene but you can change the things you expose your Boxer to.
Exposing your Boxer to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your Boxer to what you desire.
Again, with proper training, you can better your Boxer`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Boxer.
If you think the Boxer is the right dog breed for you, see our article on how much Boxers cost and Boxer puppy buying guide.
Also, see our list of reputable Boxer breeders in the United States and the prices of their Boxer puppies.