Last Updated: May 01, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Miniature Schnauzer Versus Boxer: Introduction
- Miniature Schnauzer versus Boxer: Overview
- Miniature Schnauzer versus Boxer: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Boxer
- The Similarities Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Boxer
- Size Comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer versus Boxer
- Appearance (Colors) of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Boxer
- Lifespan of Miniature Schnauzer versus Boxer
- Temperament of the Boxer Versus the Miniature Schnauzer
- Price of Miniature Schnauzer versus Price of Boxer
- Adopting the Miniature Schnauzer versus Adopting the Boxer
- The Intelligence of the Miniature Schnauzer versus the Intelligence of the Boxer
- The Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer versus Popularity of Boxer
- Tolerates Being Alone: Miniature Schnauzer versus Boxer
- Do Miniature Schnauzers shed more than Boxers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Boxer?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Boxer?
- Are Miniature Schnauzers good family dogs? What about Boxers?
- Is the Miniature Schnauzer Easier to Train than the Boxer?
- Which one drools more, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Boxer
- How Kid-friendly are Miniature Schnauzers and Boxers?
- Does the Miniature Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Boxer?
- Do Miniature Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about Boxers?
- Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Boxers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Miniature Schnauzer vs. Boxer
- Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Boxers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Miniature Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Miniature Schnauzer versus Boxer. Which One is a Better Pet?
Miniature Schnauzer Versus Boxer: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Miniature Schnauzer and the Boxer? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Boxer better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Boxer.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Boxer is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Miniature Schnauzer and for the Boxer. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Boxer.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Miniature Schnauzer or the Boxer.

Miniature Schnauzer versus Boxer: Overview
A very important difference between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Boxer is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Miniature Schnauzer is a small-sized dog while the Boxer is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Miniature Schnauzer belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.
On the other hand, the Boxer belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
Miniature Schnauzer versus Boxer: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Miniature Schnauzer to the Boxer based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Miniature Schnauzer and the Boxer
| Factor | Miniature Schnauzer | Boxer |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 11 to 20 pounds | 60 to 70 pounds |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Height | 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder | 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $1950 | $1530 |
| Price Range | $1400 – $2500 | $1000 – $1800 |
| Temperament Score | 79.3 percent | 83.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 17 | 11 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 12 | 48 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Miniature Schnauzer in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Boxer. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Miniature Schnauzer is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Boxer is 73 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Miniature Schnauzer is a better pet than the Boxer. So, you should get a Miniature Schnauzer!

The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Boxer
Below is a list of where the Miniature Schnauzer and the Boxer are most different:
The Similarities Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Boxer
The Miniature Schnauzer and the Boxer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Miniature Schnauzer and the Boxer are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer versus Boxer
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Boxer.
The Miniature Schnauzer weighs 11 to 20 pounds when fully grown. The Miniature Schnauzer is 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Boxer weighs 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The Boxer is 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.

Appearance (Colors) of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Boxer
Miniature Schnauzer Colors
The Miniature Schnauzer comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Bicolor
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Brown / Chocolate
- Black
- White / Cream
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
The Miniature Schnauzer comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Black
- Gray / Blue / Silver
Boxer Colors
The Boxer comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Brindle
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Black
- Bicolor
- Brown / Chocolate
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
The Boxer comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- Black
- White / Cream
- Brown / Chocolate
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Brindle
Lifespan of Miniature Schnauzer versus Boxer
The lifespan of the Miniature Schnauzer is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Miniature Schnauzer is 13.0 years.
The lifespan of the Boxer is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Boxer is 11.0 years.
The Miniature Schnauzer live longer than the Boxer.

Temperament of the Boxer Versus the Miniature Schnauzer
The Boxer has a better temperament than the Miniature Schnauzer.
This is because the temperament score for the Boxer is 83.9 percent while the temperament score for the Miniature Schnauzer is 79.3 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 79.3 percent, the Miniature Schnauzer has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 83.9 percent, the Boxer has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Boxer by measuring the temperaments of 116 Miniature Schnauzers and 472 Boxers.
Price of Miniature Schnauzer versus Price of Boxer
The average price of the Miniature Schnauzer puppy is $1950. The price of the Miniature Schnauzer typically ranges from $1400 – $2500. However, the price of a Miniature Schnauzer can be as low as $500 and as high as $8500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 913 Miniature Schnauzer puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Boxer puppy is $1530. The price of the Boxer typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of the Boxer can be as low as $100 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1292 Boxer puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Miniature Schnauzer is more expensive than the Boxer.
| Miniature Schnauzer | Boxer | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1950 | $1530 |
| Price Range | $1400 to $2500 | $1000 to $1800 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Miniature Schnauzer and Boxer. For different price points, the charts show how many Miniature Schnauzer puppies or how many Boxer puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

A breakdown of the prices of Miniature Schnauzers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

A breakdown of the prices of Boxers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Miniature Schnauzer puppy or the Boxer puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

Adopting the Miniature Schnauzer versus Adopting the Boxer
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Miniature Schnauzers and many Boxers are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Miniature Schnauzer named Pending — Rowdy that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Miniature Schnauzers like Pending — Rowdy on pefinder.com.
Also, like Miniature Schnauzers, Boxers are also available for adoption. For example, Dennis is a Male Boxer that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Boxers like Dennis that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

Max is the name of another Miniature Schnauzer (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Milo is an adorable Male Boxer on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

You can find more Miniature Schnauzers and Boxers that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Miniature Schnauzer versus the Intelligence of the Boxer
| Miniature Schnauzer | Boxer | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 12 out of 130 dog breeds | 48 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Miniature Schnauzer has an obedience intelligence rank of 12 out of 130 dog breeds. The Miniature Schnauzer belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Miniature Schnauzers tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.
The Boxer has an obedience intelligence rank of 48 out of 130 dog breeds. The Boxer belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Boxers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Miniature Schnauzer is more intelligent than the Boxer.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer versus Popularity of Boxer
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Boxer over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Boxer is more popular with dog owners than the Miniature Schnauzer. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Boxer is 11 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Miniature Schnauzer is 17 out of about 200 dog breeds.

Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer

Popularity of Boxer
| Year | Miniature Schnauzer Popularity Rank | Boxer Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 17 | 7 |
| 2014 | 16 | 8 |
| 2015 | 16 | 10 |
| 2016 | 17 | 10 |
| 2017 | 18 | 11 |
| 2018 | 19 | 11 |
| 2019 | 18 | 14 |
| 2020 | 19 | 14 |
| 2021 | 18 | 14 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Miniature Schnauzer versus Boxer
Miniature Schnauzers can be left alone for some time without problems.
Boxers do not like to be left alone.
Do Miniature Schnauzers shed more than Boxers?
Miniature Schnauzers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Boxers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Boxer?
Miniature Schnauzers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Boxers are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Boxer?
Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Boxers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Miniature Schnauzers good family dogs? What about Boxers?
Miniature Schnauzers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Boxers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Miniature Schnauzer Easier to Train than the Boxer?
Miniature Schnauzers are very easy to train.
Boxers are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Boxer
Miniature Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Boxers do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Miniature Schnauzers and Boxers?
Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Boxers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Miniature Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Boxer?
Miniature Schnauzers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Boxers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Miniature Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about Boxers?
Miniature Schnauzers bark and howl, but not very much.
Boxers bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Boxers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Miniature Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Boxers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Miniature Schnauzer vs. Boxer
Miniature Schnauzers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Boxers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Boxers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Miniature Schnauzers can tolerate hot weather.
Boxers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Miniature Schnauzer Better for Apartment Owners than the Boxer?
Miniature Schnauzers adapt very well to apartment living.
Boxers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Boxer?
Miniature Schnauzers are OK for new dog owners.
Boxers are OK for new dog owners.
Miniature Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Miniature Schnauzer compares to other breeds aside from the Boxer. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer to other breeds:
Miniature Schnauzer versus Kishu Ken Miniature Schnauzer versus Pomsky Miniature Schnauzer versus Mastiff Miniature Schnauzer versus Border Collie Miniature Schnauzer versus Biewer Terrier Miniature Schnauzer versus Standard Schnauzer Miniature Schnauzer versus Coton de Tulear Miniature Schnauzer versus Shih Tzu Miniature Schnauzer versus Plott Miniature Schnauzer versus Saluki Miniature Schnauzer versus Keeshond Miniature Schnauzer versus Fila Brasileiro Miniature Schnauzer versus Afghan Hound Miniature Schnauzer versus Aussiedoodle Miniature Schnauzer versus Dalmatian Miniature Schnauzer versus Italian Greyhound Miniature Schnauzer versus Bernese Mountain Dog Miniature Schnauzer versus Spanish Mastiff
Conclusion: Miniature Schnauzer versus Boxer. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Boxer better suits you and your family.