Australian Shepherd Care Guide: The Cowboy’s Favorite Breed
Breeds / 2024
German Shepherd Boxer Mix: The Greatest Guard Dog?
The German Shepherd Boxer mix is an energetic and hardworking dog.
They are a protective pooch that will quickly become the loyal guardian of your household.
With this mix the Boxer’s mischievous personality counteracts the serious nature of a working German Shepherd.
The result is a working dog with a real sense of humor.
This dog is born to be a loyal friend to your family as well as to protect it at all costs.
Do you think your home needs a German Shepherd Boxer mix? Read on to learn more…
Contents and Quick Navigation
- What is a German Shepherd Boxer Mix? (Overview)
- Pros and Cons
- German Shepherd Boxer Mix Appearance
- 5 Fun Facts About Boxer Shepherds
- German Shepherd Boxer Mix Personality and Temperament
- Caring for a German Shepherd Boxer Mix
- How to Train a Boxer Shepherd Mix
- Quick Breed Summary Table
- Summary
What is a German Shepherd Boxer Mix? (Overview)
A German Shepherd Boxer mix, also known as a Boxer Shepherd, is a cross between two very popular large dogs (the German Shepherd and the Boxer).
Whilst they are classified as hybrids they are typically used as working dogs.
They were breed to be the perfect guard dog.
However due to their Boxer parent, they are more family oriented than typical guard dogs.
This is a large dog with an always alert expression. They are always looking after their people and can appear quite intimidating when standing guard outside. However, their imposing appearance is betrayed by the clownish nature that Boxers are known for – a German Shepherd Boxer mix loves to play just as much as it loves to work.
They are a high maintenance breed and will need a patient and dedicated owner to manage their many needs.
- Overview: Hybrid (German Shepherd/Boxer).
- Purpose: Guard Dog.
- Weight: 65-95 pounds.
- Size: 23-27 inches.
- Temperament: Alert, protective and reliable.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Very protective of their family.
- Energetic and fun to be around.
- Rarely aggressive.
- Devoted and dedicated when working.
- Will quickly become your best friend.
Cons:
- Very suspicious of strangers.
- High maintenance and easily bored.
- Does not like to be away from their owner.
- May be pushy and dominant.
German Shepherd Boxer Mix Appearance
As no true breed standard exists, this breed can take the appearance of either a German Shepherd or Boxer.
However you will certainly get a tall dog with a very muscular build.
To see one standing on the front porch and guarding its home is quite a sight. They have a large, broad muzzle and very strong jawbones.
Do not expect a big goofy grin – this dog’s facial expression often reflects its serious nature.
Their eyes are dark and its floppy ears can stand erect or fold over at the tips.
Height and Weight
Both male and females stand between 23-27 inches tall, however females are usually a bit shorter.
Females will weigh between 65-75 pounds, will males weighing up to 95 pounds.
Breed Colors and Coat
Brown is the typical base fur color for this breed – it can be anything from chocolate brown to a light tan.
Black can appear in large patches or as a mask over their face and muzzle. In some cases, you may see white or light grey patches. If they inherit a coat from the German Shepherd parent it will be a short, fluffy double coat. Whereas a coat from a Boxer will be smooth and closely cropped to the skin.
Mixes will a double coat will shed moderately and those with single coats even less.
They will need to be brushed once a week and daily during shedding season.
5 Fun Facts About Boxer Shepherds
- This hybrid’s hardworking nature makes it a perfect service dog. Both parent breeds are commonly employed in this type of work.
- What makes the Boxer Shepherd so unique is its mischievous, playful attitude in addition to being a hard worker.
- This breed’s keen senses come from its parent’s history as herding dogs.
- Both German Shepherds and Boxers have an unfair reputation for being aggressive. In reality, a well trained Shepherd, Boxer, or mix is extremely even tempered and friendly.
- The Boxer is the 11th most popular dog breed in the United States, as of 2018. The German Shepherd is the 2nd most popular breed.
German Shepherd Boxer Mix Personality and Temperament
The German Shepherd Boxer mix is a protector with a playful streak.
You can expect them to be a bit of a goofball as well as a loyal guard dog.
These dogs are not aggressive by nature, but they will bite if they are provoked. This breed’s powerful jaws make a bite especially dangerous.
Your relationship with them should be one of mutual respect and understanding. Be aware of your dog’s boundaries and never get pushy or forceful with them (even stubborn pups). You need to keep in mind that working dogs always want something to do and will have high energy levels – so you will need to keep them as active as possible throughout the day.
A well trained dog will be very quiet and only bark when something is wrong. However it will take time to train a puppy out of their natural suspicion of strangers.
Expect a bit of barking here and there as your puppy learns who they can and cannot trust.
Since these pups are so suspicious of other people, early socialization is a must. Even socialized puppies will remain distant to people outside of their home.
Finally, you should know that this dog does not like to be left alone – so you should find a good dog sitter if you are away from home often.
Is The German Shepherd Boxer Mix A Good Family Dog?
A German Shepherd Boxer Mix makes a great family dog for the right type of family.
They thrive in active families that have the time to keep up with this dog’s high energy and daily demands.
Caring for a German Shepherd Boxer Mix
A German Shepherd Boxer mix is a fun friend to have around but they are not for everyone.
Apartments and urban areas do not make the best home for one. Your dog will need their own outdoor space to let out all of their energy.
If you have ever owned a German Shepherd or a Boxer, a mix will not be too much more difficult to manage. Keeping this pup active and entertained is the biggest challenge for the breed.
They are not for owners with inactive lifestyles.
Exercise Requirements
This very active dog will want to be on its feet for most of the day.
If you are a born outdoorsman, your furry friend will be eager to join you on all of your adventures.
They need at least 90 minutes of exercise each day. This could be with a 30 minute walk and then an hour of play. Your dog will be up for just about anything, but running is their very favorite thing to do. Try a game of tag with your pooch, or a game of hide and seek. You can also cater to their love of agility with an exciting backyard hurdle course.
If you live on a farm then they will help you tend your livestock just like their Shepherd ancestors would do.
- Number of Walks Per Day: 1-2.
- Total Exercise Needed Per Day: Minimum 90 minutes.
Grooming and Shedding
Their short coat makes grooming fairly easy.
Once a week brushing is fine for most of the year, but you will have to brush them daily during these shedding seasons.
As tempting as it may be to stick a dirty dog right in the tub, you should only bathe them once every 3 months. Too much bathing will wash out the oils in their skin.
You can use damp cloths and dog friendly cleansing wipes to clear away the dirt and grime from your dog’s daily adventures.
Also make sure to get between those big floppy ears.
Feeding and Diet
When you have an energetic dog it is important to fuel their day the right way.
This breed will do well with a raw or whole meat diet.
Protein should make up most of your their diet. Carbs and fats should be derived from natural sources such as fruits and veggies.
The fillers in many commercial dog foods are nothing but empty calories.
| Calories Per Day: | Cups of Kibble Per Day: |
|---|---|
| 1200 | ~3 |
Known Health Problems
- Hip Dysplasia: This is one of the most pressing health concerns for this breed. It is very common for large dogs and causes pain and impaired mobility. Physical therapy and pain medication can treat mild to moderate cases of hip dysplasia, while surgery may be needed for more severe cases.
- Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency: This is a pancreatic disorder that affects the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food. EPI is a chronic condition that requires lifelong treatment and dogs with EPI must be given enzyme supplements.
How Long Does A German Shepherd Boxer Mix Live?
Unfortunately large breed dogs typically have shorter lifespans than smaller breeds.
So your German Shepherd Boxer mix will have a lifespan of 10-12 years.
How Much Does A German Shepherd Boxer Mix Cost?
Expect to pay around $750 for a puppy. However you can adopt an adult for around $200.
How to Train a Boxer Shepherd Mix
Training a Boxer Shepherd mix is a double edged sword:
- Their high intelligence means that they will learn quickly.
- But they have low patience for being dominated by their owners.
You may find yourself locked in a battle for control with a stubborn pup – pushing back will only create resentment and aggressive behavior.
Clicker training works very well for this type of dog.
The clicker emits a stimulating sound that can only be picked up by your dog’s keen ears. Use the clicker to mark the exact moment your dog obeys a command or completes a task, then follow up with a reward. Your pup will learn to associate the sound of the clicker with their treat.
As mentioned early, early socialization will be needed to counteract a German Shepherd Boxer mix’s natural suspicion around strangers.
In a good socialization class they will be placed with other dogs of a similar size and breed. They will learn to get along with one another through a series of fun games and programs.
This will also teach your puppy not to chase and bully other dogs.
As a working dog they will need to be set to tasks throughout the day.
You can give them small bundles to fetch and carry, things to find, or mechanical toys to herd around the house.
Your pup will be very unhappy if left alone with nothing to do. An under stimulated dog is likely to find their own way to amuse themselves, even if it means destroying the house and furniture.
Quick Breed Summary Table
| Breed Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Size: | 23-27 inches. |
| Weight: | 65-95lb. |
| Lifespan: | 10-12 years. |
| Coat: | Short double or single coat. |
| Color: | Brown, tan and black. |
| Do They Shed: | Yes. |
| Temperament: | Watchful, hardworking, serious, protective and energetic. |
| Intelligence: | Very high. |
| Socialization: | Distrustful of those outside of their family. |
| Destructive Behavior: | Yes when under stimulated. |
| People Skills: | Very attached to their family but anxious around strangers. |
| Good with Children: | Yes (10+ old). |
| Activity Levels: | Very high. |
Summary
If you are looking for a guard dog and a fun loving friend then the German Shepherd Boxer mix is the breed for you.
They are best for dedicated owners who have experience with working dogs.
Days with a Boxer Shepherd are never dull – from running and hiking to games of tag, you and your new friend will always have an exciting way to spend each day.
They will not tolerate boredom for very long.
So whoever gets one of these dogs must be able to keep up with their huge energy levels and give them plenty of space to run free.
Bringing one of these dogs home is not a decision to take lightly.
It is a major commitment but your efforts will be rewarded by the undying devotion of your home’s new guardian.
Let us know your questions below in the comments section…
