Last Updated: Jun 15, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Australian Shepherd Versus Boxer: Introduction
- Australian Shepherd versus Boxer: Overview
- Australian Shepherd versus Boxer: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Boxer
- The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Boxer
- Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Boxer
- Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Boxer
- Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Boxer
- Temperament of the Australian Shepherd Versus the Boxer
- Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Boxer
- Adopting the Australian Shepherd versus Adopting the Boxer
- The Popularity of Australian Shepherd versus Popularity of Boxer
- Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Boxer
- Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Boxers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Boxer?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Boxer?
- Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Boxers?
- Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Boxer?
- Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Boxer
- How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Boxers?
- Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Boxer?
- Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Boxers?
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Boxers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Boxer
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Boxers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Boxer. Which One is a Better Pet?
Australian Shepherd Versus Boxer: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd and the Boxer? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Australian Shepherd and the Boxer better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Australian Shepherd and the Boxer.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd and the Boxer is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Australian Shepherd and for the Boxer. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Australian Shepherd and the Boxer.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Australian Shepherd or the Boxer.
Australian Shepherd versus Boxer: Overview
Both the Australian Shepherd and the Boxer are similar in size. The Australian Shepherd and the Boxer are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Australian Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
On the other hand, the Boxer belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
Australian Shepherd versus Boxer: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Australian Shepherd to the Boxer based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Australian Shepherd and the Boxer
| Factor | Australian Shepherd | Boxer |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Height | 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder | 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 65 pounds | 60 to 70 pounds |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $1180 | $1530 |
| Price Range | $800 – $1500 | $1000 – $1800 |
| Temperament Score | 82.2 percent | 83.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 11 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Shepherd in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Boxer. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Australian Shepherd is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Boxer is 73 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Boxer, we still believe that the Australian Shepherd is a better pet than the Boxer.
This is because Australian Shepherds are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Australian Shepherd will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Australian Shepherd :-). We are for the Australian Shepherd. So get a Australian Shepherd!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Boxer
Below is a list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Boxer are most different:
The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Boxer
The Australian Shepherd and the Boxer are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Boxer are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Boxer
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the Boxer.
The Australian Shepherd weighs 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. The Australian Shepherd is 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Boxer weighs 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The Boxer is 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Boxer
Australian Shepherd Colors
The Australian Shepherd comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Brown / Chocolate
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Black
- Merle (Red)
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Harlequin
- Merle (Blue)
- White / Cream
- Apricot / Beige
- Bicolor
- Golden
- Brindle
The Australian Shepherd comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Brown / Chocolate
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Black
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Sable
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Merle (Blue)
Boxer Colors
The Boxer comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Brindle
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Black
- Bicolor
- Brown / Chocolate
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
The Boxer comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- Black
- White / Cream
- Brown / Chocolate
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Brindle
Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Boxer
The lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of the Boxer is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Boxer is 11.0 years.
The Australian Shepherd live longer than the Boxer.
Temperament of the Australian Shepherd Versus the Boxer
The Boxer has a better temperament than the Australian Shepherd.
This is because the temperament score for the Boxer is 83.9 percent while the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 82.2 percent, the Australian Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 83.9 percent, the Boxer has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Australian Shepherd and the Boxer by measuring the temperaments of 702 Australian Shepherds and 472 Boxers.
Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Boxer
The average price of the Australian Shepherd puppy is $1180. The price of the Australian Shepherd typically ranges from $800 – $1500. However, the price of a Australian Shepherd can be as low as $100 and as high as $12009. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2674 Australian Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Boxer puppy is $1530. The price of the Boxer typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of the Boxer can be as low as $100 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1292 Boxer puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Boxer is more expensive than the Australian Shepherd.
| Australian Shepherd | Boxer | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1180 | $1530 |
| Price Range | $800 to $1500 | $1000 to $1800 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Australian Shepherd and Boxer. For different price points, the charts show how many Australian Shepherd puppies or how many Boxer puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Australian Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Boxers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Australian Shepherd puppy or the Boxer puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Adopting the Australian Shepherd versus Adopting the Boxer
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Australian Shepherds and many Boxers are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Australian Shepherd named Pepperjack that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Australian Shepherds like Pepperjack on pefinder.com.
Also, like Australian Shepherds, Boxers are also available for adoption. For example, Sparky is a Male Boxer that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Boxers like Sparky that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Blue is the name of another Australian Shepherd (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Oscar is an adorable Male Boxer on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Australian Shepherds and Boxers that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Australian Shepherd versus Popularity of Boxer
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Australian Shepherd and the Boxer over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Boxer is more popular with dog owners than the Australian Shepherd. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Boxer is 11 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Australian Shepherd is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Australian Shepherd
Popularity of Boxer
| Year | Australian Shepherd Popularity Rank | Boxer Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 20 | 7 |
| 2014 | 18 | 8 |
| 2015 | 17 | 10 |
| 2016 | 16 | 10 |
| 2017 | 17 | 11 |
| 2018 | 15 | 11 |
| 2019 | 13 | 14 |
| 2020 | 12 | 14 |
| 2021 | 12 | 14 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Boxer
Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Boxers do not like to be left alone.
Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Boxers?
Australian Shepherds shed moderately.
Boxers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Boxer?
Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Boxers are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Boxer?
Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.
Boxers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Boxers?
Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Boxers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Boxer?
Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.
Boxers are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Boxer
Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Boxers do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Boxers?
Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Boxers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Boxer?
Australian Shepherds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Boxers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Boxers?
Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Boxers bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Boxers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Boxers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Boxer
Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Boxers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Boxers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
Boxers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Boxer?
Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Boxers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Shepherd or the Boxer?
Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Boxers are OK for new dog owners.
Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Australian Shepherd compares to other breeds aside from the Boxer. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Australian Shepherd to other breeds:
Australian Shepherd versus Cocker Spaniel Australian Shepherd versus Border Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Vizsla Australian Shepherd versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Australian Shepherd versus Chinook Australian Shepherd versus Silky Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Shiloh Shepherd Australian Shepherd versus Mountain Cur Australian Shepherd versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd versus Lhasa Apso Australian Shepherd versus Bich Poo Australian Shepherd versus Afghan Hound Australian Shepherd versus Cairn Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Weimaraner Australian Shepherd versus Dachshund Australian Shepherd versus French Spaniel Australian Shepherd versus Boxer
Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Boxer. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Australian Shepherd and the Boxer better suits you and your family.