Maeve

Boxers may seem serious, but their looks are deceptive. Behind that long face is a playful, clownish pup that wants to be the family's best friend. They’ll often follow you wherever you may roam, waiting for any opportunity to fetch a ball, gobble up a treat, or give you a big, wet kiss. Full-grown, they typically weigh 65-80 pounds and stand 21-25 inches tall.

Boxers are generally excellent with children of all ages. Boxers love human companionship and get along well with kids and other pets. However, they’re naturally inclined to protect you, so they may be aggressive toward foreign dogs and strangers. They're moderate barkers — they'll alert you when something's up but aren't excessive.

Boxers need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. They love long walks every day and space to run around. These dogs also enjoy playing fetch or other games. Overall, their exercise needs are high.

Boxers have a short, shiny coat that’s smooth to the touch. Their most common colors are fawn (light tan, yellow, or light reddish), brindle (light or dark stripes), and red. Most Boxers have a black mask around their noses and jaws. Grooming-wise, this breed is low-maintenance.

Boxers are best suited for apartments and smaller homes. These dogs aren’t fans of extreme weather (either hot or cold), so they should live indoors with you and your family. They are fairly easy to train.

Nothing is small about Bullmastiffs. Along with their immense size and dominant personalities, they have big hearts and are loyal protectors. They make great guard dogs, but their stubbornness can cause challenges with training and obedience. Show them who’s boss, and they’ll stay by your side through thick and thin. Full-grown, they typically weigh 100-130 pounds and stand 24-27 inches tall.

Bullmastiffs are generally okay with older children who know how to handle dogs. Bullmastiffs can be somewhat dominant toward other dogs in their breed, especially if both Bullmastiffs are male. However, they are good around kids and can get along with pets if they’re socialized at a young age. They're relatively quiet and don't bark much.

Although Bullmastiffs are big, they don’t require as much exercise as other large working breeds. A moderate amount of exercise, like a long walk or run, should do the trick to keep them fit and happy. Bullmastiffs walk well on a leash, but their size can make them hard to manage. Overall, their exercise needs are low.

Bullmastiffs have short coats that are red, light tan (“fawn”), or reddish-brown (“brindle”) with distinctive dark areas on the muzzle, ears, and eyes. Some dogs also have white fur on their chest. This breed doesn’t shed a lot, so their grooming needs are minimal. Grooming-wise, this breed is low-maintenance.

Bullmastiffs are best suited for a home with a yard, though they can adapt to apartment life with enough exercise. Bullmastiffs don’t do well in the heat or when they’re apart from their families, so it’s better to keep them in a cool indoor setting with a soft bed nearby. They are fairly easy to train.