| Akita | Boxer | |
|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 10-14 years | 10-12 years |
| Size | Large | Large |
| Weight | 70-130 lb | 65-80 lb |
| Energy | Moderate | High |
| Grooming | High | Low |
| Shedding | High | Moderate |
| With kids | Not ideal for young kids | With supervision |
The AKC's own breed standard warns that Akitas 'may be intolerant of other dogs, particularly of the same sex' — that's not a rare temperament quirk, it's written into the official standard, and it's a major reason the breed is refused or surcharged by roughly 4 in 5 home-insurance breed-restriction lists.
Boxers have a breed-specific heart disease — arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, informally called 'Boxer cardiomyopathy' — that can cause fainting or sudden death with no other warning, and UK veterinary data found Boxers have the highest breed-specific rate of mast cell tumors of any breed studied, so an unremarkable-looking skin lump should always go to a vet rather than get watched at home.