Germany has given us some of the most iconic dog breeds of all time. One of the most popular of these is the German Shepherd that is celebrated for its intelligence, versatility, and strong aesthetics. Another hit breed from Germany is the Boxer that is considered one of the most confident and loyal breeds. Now just imagine how epic and strong a mix of these two German favorites would be.
The Boxer Shepherd is a mixed breed dog that is the result of breeding between a German Shepherd and Boxer breeds. Due to the major differences when it comes to aesthetics between the two contributing breeds, it may be difficult to predict the appearance of the resulting mix. However, the personality traits are similar to those from both parents, including intelligence, confidence, and intense loyalty.
The Boxer Shepherd is not a dog for the faint of heart, nor for the unprepared. Here is all you need to know before getting yourself one of these unique pups.
What Does A Boxer German Shepherd Look Like?
A German Shepherd Boxer mix is referred to as a Boxer Shepherd.
This is a truly unique mix that combines some of the best physical and personality traits of two very iconic dog breeds.
German Shepherds and Boxers are quite different in terms of aesthetics, from their coats to their facial features. Considering that Boxer Shepherd puppies take after features from both parents, it can be challenging to pinpoint a standard set of features to describe the mixed doggies.
To help you better understand what you can expect in terms of appearance from your Boxer Shepherd, here are some of the possible features.
Size And Built
How big a German Shepherd Boxer mix will get depends on the size of the parents themselves. The mixed dog ranges in weight from 55 to 85 lbs and height from 22 to 25 inches.
This is quite close to both parents whose weight and height ranges are pretty much the same, give or take a few pounds and inches.
Facial And Skull Features
The snout on a Boxer Shepherd may either be long and narrow like the German Shepherd or short and wide like the Boxer. It usually falls somewhere between where it is shorter than that of a GSD but longer than a Boxer’s.
Another set of features that vary greatly is the ears. More often than not, the Boxer Shepherd will take after the Boxer and end up with large, floppy ears.
They sometimes take after the German Shepherd with the ears upright. In very rare scenarios, they can have a bit of both with partially upright ears where the ends fold forward.
Finally, the Boxer Shepherds usually, but not always, have forehead folds.
Coat Type
The coat type for a Boxer Shepherd also varies greatly based on genetics and chance. It could be straight and medium-length or long like the GSD or straight and short like Boxers. These Boxer Shepherd mixes are usually double coated.
Colors
Finally, you can expect just as many possibilities when it comes to the possible colors, mainly due to the eclectic nature of the GSD in this regard.
Some of the possibilities include plain brown like Boxers, black and tan like common GSDs, and rare colors and patterns including brindle and sable.
How Long Does A German Shepherd Boxer Mix Live?
A German Shepherd Boxer mix has a lifespan of 9 to 11 years.
This is more or less what you can expect from both German Shepherds and Boxers. The length and quality of life are determined by how healthy the dog is. Here are some of the common health problems facing Boxer Shepherds that you may have to prepare for.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a musculoskeletal condition that affects the weight-bearing joints of large dogs like the German Shepherd. This condition has hereditary patterns, which is why breeders selectively breed out GSDs with the trait to prevent its appearance, including in mixes like the Boxer Shepherd.
It may, therefore, not be a condition that you commonly encounter. In those Boxer Shepherds that actually have hip dysplasia, mobility is usually affected, especially by complications like arthritis.
Perianal Fistulas
Perianal fistulas are very common in German Shepherds, and their mixes and the Boxer Shepherd is unfortunately not spared. Some of the symptoms include constipation, fecal incontinence, signs of perianal irritation, including dragging.
Hemophilia
Hemophilia occurs due to the absence of specific proteins required in the clotting process. This results in uncontrolled bleeding in case of compromise to blood vessel walls.
In Boxer Shepherds, hemophilia may be silent and only noticed during surgical operations.
In other cases, it may cause spontaneous bleeding into spaces like the abdominal cavity or even joints.
Degenerative Myelopathy
Degenerative myelopathy is common both in GSDs and Boxers. As a result, it is ubiquitous in Boxer Shepherd mixes.
The condition causes progressive destruction of the spinal cord and, in turn, affects limb functionality for Boxer Shepherd dogs. Unfortunately, degenerative myelopathy has no cure.
How Much Does A German Shepherd Boxer Mix Cost?
A German Shepherd Boxer mix will cost you anywhere between $500 to $1,500.
One factor that determines where on this range your pooch’s price tag lands are the lineage of the contributing parents. Boxer Shepherds bred from prized GSD studs tend to be very expensive and may even exceed the $1,500 upper limit.
Here are a few other reasons why German Shepherd Boxer mixes can be so expensive.
Great Guarding Capability
More often than not, Boxer Shepherds are bred for use as working dogs due to their natural guarding talents. This makes them expensive, especially in settings where the dogs are bought for use in settings like law enforcement or for commercial security.
As an individual looking for a personal protection pooch, their abilities also make the high price tags more than worth it.
Can Be Trained For Companionship
Another reason why Boxer Shepherds are so popular and thus so expensive is their versatility. Like the GSD, the Boxer Shepherd mix is very versatile and adaptable to different settings.
If you want one purely for companionship, all you have to do is start socialization training early. Their innate temperament traits, including their affectionate nature and loyalty, will shine through the most in these cases.
Are Not Very Common
You may also end up paying what feels like a lot of money for a mixed breed dog when buying a Boxer Shepherd because they are not very common.
Despite their demand, especially in the working dog mixed breed niche, not many breeders have German Shepherd Boxer mixes readily available.
In many places, you may have to put in special requests for the mix, which drives the prices up further.
Are German Shepherd Boxer Mixes Aggressive? Temperaments Of German Shepherd Boxer Mix
German Shepherds and Boxers may look very different but they are quite similar when it comes to their personalities.
The GSD is generally easier to manage as they are more inclined to obedience and are less volatile than the Boxer. Other than that, the traits that make both so popular are pretty much the same.
Here are some of these temperament traits that you can look forward to from your German Shepherd Boxer mix.
Intelligent
From Stanley Coren’s list of breed intelligence, German Shepherds are regarded as super-intelligent dogs. Boxers are also quite smart, though not as much as the GSD.
This intelligence is passed down to the Boxer Shepherd offspring. This makes the mixed doggies particularly easy to train and thus easy to live with.
Stubborn
They mainly get this from the Boxer side of their lineage. When the dog is frustrated due to things like lack of attention or exercise, they may throw tantrums and refuse to obey commands they have already learned.
Confident
Boxer Shepherds are also very confident dogs. This comes in handy in their use as guard dogs as they have no problems confronting intruders.
Mistrusting Of Strangers
Another personality trait that makes Boxer Shepherds great for use as protection dogs is their innate mistrust of strangers. This stems from their guarding instincts.
If you wish to have the dog mainly play the role of companionship, you will have to start socialization early in order to get them used to unfamiliar individuals and settings.
Affectionate And Loyal
German Shepherd Boxer mixes may be big and bold on the outside, but deep down, all they want is your attention and affection. Once they get that, the content dogs will be unwaveringly loyal and affectionate.
Potentially Aggressive
Like both parents, Boxer Shepherds have an aggressive side. This comes out when they feel threatened, especially by strangers and other dogs.
Do German Shepherd Boxer Mixes Shed? Grooming Tips For German Shepherd Boxer Mixes
Boxer Shepherd dogs more often than not take after the Boxer coat which sheds heavily.
They may also get the medium to long coat from the GSD, which sheds a bit less but needs just as much work to prevent matting. The dog may also get smelly, especially in cases where they have skin or dental issues.
With all this to worry about, you need to establish a good grooming routine to keep your doggy clean and healthy. We have compiled a few tips that should help you get started on the right foot.
Brush The Coat 2 To 3 Times A Week
Regular brushing helps you to not only get rid of loose fur but also deal with any tangled strands that may develop knots. This 2 to 3 times a week interval is ideal for most Boxer Shepherds.
However, you could increase the interval to four or even five times a week if the dog is shedding very heavily.
Using the right tools will make your work very easy. We recommend you try the Furminator Undercoat Tool for effective grooming of the Boxer Shepherd’s often dense coat.
For the fur and dander that you do not manage to comb out, the iRobot Roomba i3+ will come in handy by helping you automate the cleanup process.
Wash The Dog Every 4 To 6 Weeks
Boxer Shepherds require frequent baths to deal with dirt, odors, as well as skin irritation, if any. Paws & Pals 6-In-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo is the best dog shampoo to work with when grooming these dogs due to its multipurpose functionality.
This one shampoo takes care of all the significant needs the Boxer Shepherd may have, from actual cleaning and conditioning of the coat to reducing irritation and eliminating odors.
Clean Their Mouth And Teeth Every 2 To 3 Days
Dental hygiene is a massive part of effective grooming care when raising Boxer Shepherd. Finding ways to clean the dog’s mouth every 2 to 3 days is vital to its health.
It could be using hard chew treats or chew toys designed to help with cleaning teeth. It could also be dental water additives that contain ingredients like peppermint to deal with the odors.
Related Questions
Should I Get A Boxer Or German Shepherd? It is better to get a German Shepherd than a Boxer. This is because GSDs are easier to train and live with and are generally more versatile. They fit in wonderfully in homes as companion dogs and are just as effective when it comes to using them as working dogs. The Boxer, on the other hand, needs a bit more training and patience, especially if you wish to have them serve as companion dogs.
Are German Shepherds Bigger Than Boxers? German Shepherds are usually larger than Boxers but only by a very slim margin. German Shepherds weigh between 50 to 90 lbs and measure 22 to 26 inches in height. Boxers weigh between 50 to 75 lbs and measure 21 to 25 inches. German Shepherds only appear significantly larger due to their bulkier coats.
Are German Shepherds Good With Boxers? German Shepherds do not always get along well with Boxers. This is because both breeds are very dominant and territorial. They are also prone to aggression, especially if both of the dogs are male. To prevent incidents, especially in cases where you want to raise a Boxer and GSD together, early socialization is crucial.
