Last Updated: Jun 16, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Boxer Versus Australian Shepherd: Introduction
- Boxer versus Australian Shepherd: Overview
- Boxer versus Australian Shepherd: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Boxer and the Australian Shepherd
- The Similarities Between the Boxer and the Australian Shepherd
- Size Comparison of the Boxer versus Australian Shepherd
- Appearance (Colors) of the Boxer and the Australian Shepherd
- Lifespan of Boxer versus Australian Shepherd
- Temperament of the Australian Shepherd Versus the Boxer
- Price of Boxer versus Price of Australian Shepherd
- Adopting the Boxer versus Adopting the Australian Shepherd
- The Popularity of Boxer versus Popularity of Australian Shepherd
- Tolerates Being Alone: Boxer versus Australian Shepherd
- Do Boxers shed more than Australian Shepherds?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Boxer or the Australian Shepherd?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Boxer or the Australian Shepherd?
- Are Boxers good family dogs? What about Australian Shepherds?
- Is the Boxer Easier to Train than the Australian Shepherd?
- Which one drools more, the Boxer or the Australian Shepherd
- How Kid-friendly are Boxers and Australian Shepherds?
- Does the Boxer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Australian Shepherd?
- Do Boxers Bark and Howl? What about Australian Shepherds?
- Can Boxers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Boxer vs. Australian Shepherd
- Can Boxers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Boxer Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Boxer versus Australian Shepherd. Which One is a Better Pet?
Boxer Versus Australian Shepherd: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Boxer and the Australian Shepherd? 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 Boxer and the Australian Shepherd 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 Boxer and the Australian Shepherd.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Boxer and the Australian Shepherd 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 Boxer and for the Australian Shepherd. 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 Boxer and the Australian Shepherd.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Boxer or the Australian Shepherd.
Boxer versus Australian Shepherd: Overview
Both the Boxer and the Australian Shepherd are similar in size. The Boxer and the Australian Shepherd are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, 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.
On the other hand, 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.
Boxer versus Australian Shepherd: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Boxer to the Australian Shepherd 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 Boxer and the Australian Shepherd
| Factor | Boxer | Australian Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder | 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 60 to 70 pounds | 40 to 65 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1530 | $1180 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | $800 – $1500 |
| Temperament Score | 83.9 percent | 82.2 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 11 | 15 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Boxer 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 Australian Shepherd. 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 Boxer is 73 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Australian Shepherd is 70 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Boxer is a better pet than the Australian Shepherd. So, you should get a Boxer!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Boxer and the Australian Shepherd
Below is a list of where the Boxer and the Australian Shepherd are most different:
The Similarities Between the Boxer and the Australian Shepherd
The Boxer and the Australian Shepherd are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Boxer and the Australian Shepherd are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Boxer versus Australian Shepherd
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Boxer and the Australian Shepherd.
The Boxer weighs 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The Boxer is 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, 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.
Appearance (Colors) of the Boxer and the Australian Shepherd
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
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)
Lifespan of Boxer versus Australian Shepherd
The lifespan of the Boxer is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Boxer is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is 13.5 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 83.9 percent, the Boxer has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 82.2 percent, the Australian Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Boxer and the Australian Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 472 Boxers and 702 Australian Shepherds.
Price of Boxer versus Price of Australian Shepherd
The average price of the Boxer puppy is $1530. The price of the Boxer typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of a Boxer can be as low as $100 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1292 Boxer puppies listed for sale from various sources.
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 the Australian Shepherd can be as low as $100 and as high as $12009. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 2674 Australian Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Boxer is more expensive than the Australian Shepherd.
| Boxer | Australian Shepherd | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1530 | $1180 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1800 | $800 to $1500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Boxer and Australian Shepherd. For different price points, the charts show how many Boxer puppies or how many Australian Shepherd puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Boxers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Australian Shepherds
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Boxer puppy or the Australian Shepherd 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 Boxer versus Adopting the Australian Shepherd
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Boxers and many Australian Shepherds 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 Boxer named Moe that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Boxers like Moe on pefinder.com.
Also, like Boxers, Australian Shepherds are also available for adoption. For example, Chip is a Male Australian Shepherd that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Australian Shepherds like Chip that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Curly is the name of another Boxer (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, 5967 Reed is an adorable Male Australian Shepherd on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Boxers and Australian Shepherds that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Boxer versus Popularity of Australian Shepherd
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 Boxer and the Australian Shepherd 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 Boxer
Popularity of Australian Shepherd
| Year | Boxer Popularity Rank | Australian Shepherd Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 7 | 20 |
| 2014 | 8 | 18 |
| 2015 | 10 | 17 |
| 2016 | 10 | 16 |
| 2017 | 11 | 17 |
| 2018 | 11 | 15 |
| 2019 | 14 | 13 |
| 2020 | 14 | 12 |
| 2021 | 14 | 12 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Boxer versus Australian Shepherd
Boxers do not like to be left alone.
Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Do Boxers shed more than Australian Shepherds?
Boxers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Australian Shepherds shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Boxer or the Australian Shepherd?
Boxers are very easy to groom.
Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Boxer or the Australian Shepherd?
Boxers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.
Are Boxers good family dogs? What about Australian Shepherds?
Boxers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Boxer Easier to Train than the Australian Shepherd?
Boxers are very easy to train.
Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Boxer or the Australian Shepherd
Boxers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Boxers and Australian Shepherds?
Boxers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Boxer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Australian Shepherd?
Boxers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
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.
Do Boxers Bark and Howl? What about Australian Shepherds?
Boxers bark and howl, but not very much.
Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Boxers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Boxers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Boxer vs. Australian Shepherd
Boxers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Boxers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Boxers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Boxer Better for Apartment Owners than the Australian Shepherd?
Boxers adapt very well to apartment living.
Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Boxer or the Australian Shepherd?
Boxers are OK for new dog owners.
Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Boxer Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Boxer compares to other breeds aside from the Australian Shepherd. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Boxer to other breeds:
Boxer versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Boxer versus Mal Shi Boxer versus Hovawart Boxer versus Bichon Frise Boxer versus Greyhound Boxer versus Akbash Boxer versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Boxer versus Belgian Malinois Boxer versus Border Terrier Boxer versus Norwegian Buhund Boxer versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Boxer versus Bluetick Coonhound Boxer versus Finnish Spitz Boxer versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Boxer versus Berger Picard Boxer versus Basset Hound
Conclusion: Boxer versus Australian Shepherd. 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 Boxer and the Australian Shepherd better suits you and your family.