If you’re looking for a dog who is very intelligent, loyal and easy to train, then you’ll probably love either an Australian Shepherd or a Boxer.
But what if the two were mixed together to produce one dog?
Welcome to the world of the Australian Shepherd Boxer Mix, also affectionately known as the Boxer Aussie Mix or Boxherd!
The Australian Shepherd Boxer Mix is yet another designer dog or hybrid dog. This new crossbreed attempts to get the best qualities of each purebred dog while avoiding the numerous negative traits that are known with each purebred dog.
That’s why in this post, we’ll talk about the Boxer Aussie Mix, their pictures, appearance, temperament, health issues, what you can expect from this crossbreed and much more.
So keep reading!
Table of Contents
Few Facts About the Chihuahua Poodle Mix:
| Weight: | 40 to 80 pounds |
| Height: | 18 to 25 inches |
| Lifespan: | 13 to 15 years |
| Coat: | Short and smooth coat/ Medium-length straight and wavy coat. |
| Coat colors: | Black and white, spotted, speckled, merle, golden, brindle, brown and chocolate. |
| Hypoallergenic: | No |
| Level of shedding: | Moderate to High |
| Temperament: | loyal, protective, intelligent, wary of strangers, energetic, curious, strong herding instincts. |
| Cat friendly: | They have strong prey drive, early socialization is required. |
| Exercise needs: | High |
| Dog-friendly: | Yes |
| Kids friendly: | Yes, but needs socialization |
| Price: | 600 – 1500 USD |
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What is a Boxherd?
The Boxer Aussie Mix or Boxherd is a medium to large dog and a cross between the Australian Shepherd and the Boxer.
Defining physical characteristics of this designer dog include a strong, muscular body, a short but dense coat, and a short or medium length tail.
However, little is known about the history of the Aussie Boxer Mix. So, let’s take a look at the origins of the parent breeds.
The History of the Australian Shepherd
Also known as the Aussie, this sheepdog previously had several other names, including the Spanish Shepherd and the New Mexican Shepherd. Despite its name, this breed did not originate in Australia.
The Australian Shepherd hails from somewhere between Spain and France. The Basque shepherds who owned these dogs moved to Australia and then later moved to western America sometime in the 19th century.
Aussies were originally used as herding dogs. They are agile and rugged dogs with alert eyes with a penetrating look.
Although the Australian Shepherd is incredibly smart and is known to be hard working, they are not the right breed for everyone, especially first time dog owners. As herding dogs, Aussies may try to herd children and other animals, including dogs, cats and birds.
The History of the Boxer
The Boxer is believed to have originated in Germany in the 1800’s, but the breed’s ancestors go as far back as 2500 B.C. The ancestors were capable of hunting big game, including wild boar, bison and bears.
Over time, the Boxer has been reduced in size, but they are just as imposing. Like the Australian Shepherd, the Boxer is also a hard working dog.
Known for their ability to herd and protect cattle, Boxers have also been used for police and military work around the world.
The Boxer is currently among America’s top 10 most popular dog breeds.
While no one knows exactly when the Boxer Aussie Mix was first developed, we can confidently say that this mixed breed dog is here to stay.
The General Appearance of the Boxherd
Since both parent dogs are quite different in physical appearance, it can be difficult to predict exactly how your Australian Shepherd Boxer Mix puppy will look like.
However, they are usually large and muscular dogs. Here are some important physical characteristics of the Boxer Aussie Mix.
Size
So, how big will an Australian Shepherd Boxer Mix get?
Well, you can expect the Boxherd to almost always be a large-sized dog.
Both parent dogs (the Boxer and the Australian Shepherd) are large sized dogs.
Height & Weight
The average weight of a full grown Australian Shepherd Boxer Mix is around 40 to 80 pounds.
But how tall does a Boxherd get?
These dogs typically grow to reach a height of around 18 to 25 inches.
For a more accurate estimate of how heavy or tall your Boxer Aussie Mix puppy will get, ask your breeder about the weight and height of both parent dogs.
Other Characteristics of the Boxer Aussie Mix
If you like both the Boxer and the Australian Shepherd, you’ll get a wonderful combination of both.
Other features of the Australian Shepherd Boxer Mix will vary, depending on which parent breed they take after most.
For example, the Boxer has a squashed but more compact muzzle while the Australian Shepherd’s muzzle is well-defined.
Moreover, Boxer Aussie Mix dogs can inherit the Boxer’s black facemask and their tail may be short or medium in length.
A Boxer Aussie Mix has a short and smooth coat just like the Boxer or he may inherit the medium-length straight and wavy coat of his Australian Shepherd parent.
The Boxherd comes in many different colors, including black and white, spotted, speckled, merle, golden, brindle, brown and chocolate.
Overall, what the Boxherd will look like a combination of his parent’s genes.
Australian Shepherd Boxer Mix Temperament and Personality
You already know that both parent dogs’ genes will determine how your Australian Shepherd Boxer Mix dog will look like.
But do the parents’ genes also influence their behavior?
Let’s find out.
Here’s what you can expect from your new Boxherd when it comes to temperament and personality traits.
Intelligence
Both Australian Shepherds and Boxers are very intelligent dogs. This means that the Boxer Aussie Mix can be trained easily. However, due to their high intelligence levels, they will also need to be trained and socialized regularly.
A Boxherd will get bored quite easily if they don’t get enough attention from their owner.
Loyalty
Boxherds are very loyal and protective of their family. They will always act to protect their owners if they perceive danger.
While they are naturally wary of strangers, they can be socialized and trained early to become friendly to unfamiliar people while still maintaining their guardian instincts. This personality trait makes them an excellent choice for a guard dog.
ALSO READ: The Boxer Lab Mix – Meet the Playful Boxador
Energetic
A Boxherd is an energetic dog that inherits its muscular frame and high energy levels from both parents.
They also have strong herding instincts. Therefore, they need to learn appropriate and acceptable behavior from an early stage. Otherwise, they will try to herd family members, including small kids.
The Aussie also has a strong prey drive. Although this means playing fetch can be a great activity for them, they may also try to chase small kids or other household pets.
They are also skilled escape artists. Therefore, they need a secure, fenced-in yard to help keep them out of trouble.
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Behavior with Kids
Boxers are great family dogs who get along well with kids. Not only are Boxherds loving and protective, but they also seem to understand the needs of young children.
However, you need to keep in mind that they also have a herding background, so they may want to chase after moving things.
Some may even be aggressive and overprotective. Such behavior might be very problematic especially when the canine grows bigger. Therefore, it is important to socialize at a young age.
If you have young children, make sure to supervise their interactions with the Boxer Aussie Mix to ensure your puppy behaves well around people of all ages. Moreover, be sure to teach your kids the right way to handle and play with dogs.
Does the Boxherd Get Along With Cats and Other Pets?
Boxherds are generally good with other dogs because they consider it an opportunity to spend time and play together.
They can also live harmoniously with cats and other household pets, but this is easier if they are introduced to each other at a young age.
Moreover, the size and energy of the Boxherd can be quite intimidating for cats and other smaller pets.
Those that aren’t socialized and trained properly will sometimes try and herd other household pets. You should monitor your dog’s interactions with cats and other small animals that don’t like being chased or herded.
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Training
Not only can Boxer Aussie Mixes herd or be protective of their family, they are also naturally curious. That’s why training is extremely important for your new Boxherd puppy.
Early socialization and training will also help create a peaceful environment with children and other household pets.
Housetraining and obedience training should be done by an experienced dog trainer. If you’re experienced in handling dogs with a herding or working background, then this might be a good pet for you.
Since the Australian Shepherd and the Boxer are smart, their offspring should also be intelligent and easy to train.
They are also curious and eager to please. All you need to do is to start training early and use positive reinforcement. If in doubt, you should hire an experienced dog trainer.
Exercise Needs
Both the Boxer and the Australian Shepherd are high-energy dogs and the Boxer Aussie Mix is no exception.
They will need plenty of exercise each day to remain happy.
Adults will need one to two hours of exercise each day, including daily walks, running, and playing fetch. Puppies will need shorter play times since their bones are still developing.
A secure, fenced-in yard is a great place for your Boxherd to play and burn off some energy.
Since the Boxherd is super smart, he has a tendency to get bored if left alone for long periods of time. Therefore, provide your pooch with interactive dog toys to help improve their mental stimulation when you’re away from home.
👉 Some Boxer Aussie Mixes have flat faces, so avoid too much exercise. Flat-faced dogs have a shortened skull, which makes it more difficult for them to breathe – a condition known as brachycephalic airway syndrome.
Therefore, avoid overexerting your Boxherd, especially in hot conditions. If you have not yet adopted one, avoid any Boxer Aussie Mixes with flat faces.
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Grooming
When it comes to shedding, the Boxer dog has a shorter coat that is easy to maintain, whereas the Aussie sheds a lot.
Being a mixed breed, the Boxherd may inherit the appearance of either parent breed, which will determine their grooming requirements.
Boxer Aussie Mixes that take after the Australian Shepherd side will require brushing on a regular basis.
Although it’s important to bathe your dog to keep them clean, you should do it only when absolutely necessary.
Frequent bathing can lead to skin dryness, irritation and itchiness. Therefore, it’s prudent to invest in the best deodorizing wipes for dogs to help keep your dog’s coat clean and fresh when you’re not bathing them.
Caring for your Boxherd also means brushing their teeth at least twice a week and trimming their nails when they get too long.
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Diet and Feeding Requirements
Your vet should advise you on the best food for your new dog, but there are a few guidelines to keep in mind.
Young puppies may need to be fed around three times per day with high quality dog food.
Adults should eat two meals per day, so make sure to invest in an automatic dog feeder to make meal times easier and more convenient for you. Your dog will also require fresh water to stay cool and hydrated.
We also recommend adding canine probiotics with Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil to your dog’s food to help promote gastrointestinal function and boost the overall health of your pet.
Also, always make sure your pup has a healthy weight. Once they begin to look overweight, reduce the amount of food you feed them.
Boxherd Life Expectancy
The average lifespan of a healthy Boxer Aussie Mix is around 13 to 15 years.
Australian Shepherd Boxer Mix Health Problems
The good news is that the Australian Shepherd Boxer Mix is known for not suffering from a large number of health issues.
It is said that when mixing the DNA of two purebred dogs, the offspring will be a healthier dog. While this is true to some extent, it is important to check out the common health problems among their parent breeds in order to take the right preventive measures.
Australian Shepherds are prone to elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia and congenital eye disorders. On the other hand, Boxers are known to suffer from hereditary heart disorders, hypothyroidism, degenerative myelopathy and hip dysplasia.
All of these health conditions should be screened for before the breeding process. Reputable breeders will provide evidence showing that their parent dogs were tested for various ailments before they mated.
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Finding a Australian Shepherd Boxer Mix Puppy
If you are searching for a healthy Boxer Aussie Mix puppy for sale, look for a reputable breeder.
Avoid puppy mills or buying puppies from any backyard breeder. You should know the background of the puppies to ensure they are healthy and of good temperament.
A good breeder will also allow you to visit the dog’s parents in their living environment so you can see exactly what you are getting.
You may need to wait or travel far to find Boxherd puppies, but it will be truly worth the effort once you finally bring your new pup home.
The Price of Australian Shepherd Boxer Mix Puppies for Sale
The cost of Boxer Aussie Mix puppies for sale is anywhere between $600 and $1,500.
Again, you should meet the parent dogs as well as the puppy before you buy. Familiar personality traits are often inherited, but individual qualities are more important than the overall breed qualities.
ALSO READ: All About the Border Collie Australian Shepherd Mix
Finding a Boxer Aussie Mix for Adoption
If you want to adopt your Boxherd, you’ll need to exercise patience and take the time to learn as much as you can about the background of the dog. This includes the past and current health issues, their behavior, and why they are in the animal shelter or rescue center in the first place.
Once you finally decide to adopt a dog, you’ll be asked a number of questions regarding your current home environment to ensure you can take proper care of him.
This is also to ensure the dog goes to a loving home where he can live happily for the rest of his life.
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Conclusion
Loyal, super smart and easy to train, it’s no surprise that the Boxer Aussie Mix is becoming more and more popular with families.
Just make sure you are prepared to handle a dog who is curious, confident and highly active.
Don’t let your pup get bored or else he will develop behavioral problems. They require physical and mental stimulation and a family that will keep them active and happy.