Getting a pup. Boxer/Collie Mixed Breed

[DebIreland]

Hi,

I know there's a lot of people here who know a lot about dogs. I'm looking for some advice.

It's been a few years since we've had a dog but are very excited now as we've decided to finally get another puppy. I've been speaking to the lady at the animal shelter and she recommended a puppy there that's a boxer/collie mix. I wondered if anyone had experience of that mix? I do know that both breeds are usually suitable for families so that's great but is it a good mix usually? He's here: http://www.westcorkanimals.com/pups/?id=228

There's also a Lab x there. She doesn't know for sure but says most likely the father's a collie. Any thoughts on him? He's here http://www.westcorkanimals.com/pups/?id=258

I want them all of course. But can't wait to meet our new friend.

 

[Mixie]

I've noticed that when mixed with boxers, the boxer traits tend to be a bit more dominant.

That means: High energy, playful, friendly (especially with kids), indoor dog, thinks they are people, strong, trainable (when done early).

Down sides: may be prone to genetic conditions - for boxers that's heart trouble and hip trouble. The heart trouble is hard to detect, hip much easier.

 

[DebIreland]

Thanks so much Mixie. That's good to know.

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

My boxer was AWESOME.... but dumb as a stump. And he farted A LOT. He was also very quiet. The collies I have known barked more than he did.

All in all, though, I bet your dog will be a great one. Just be prepared for the farting. It was REALLY bad.

 

[Mixie]

YW.

For what it's worth, I have a mixed boxer and had a full blood boxer growing up.

Wouldn't trade either of them for anything. They are great dogs. But it is like having another child. They want to be around people, be involved in family activities, be loved and love in return.

Not guard dogs, boxers. Sure, they will bark and let you know if someone is in your yard, coming to your door, etc - but they want to lick them, not fight them.

Not aloof dogs either. They are not the kind to go off somewhere and be alone. They are always attuned to where you are.

They will bond with one person (my dad for the dog we had growing up, me for the dog we have now) and treat the rest of the house as playmates.

They are good with other pets in the home. If you already have pets, introducing your new boxer will mean letting him/her know that you will not allow the boxer to bully the other pet. Boxers are not aggressive, but will treat other pets like playthings if you allow it. Ours never did stop chasing one of our cats because I wasnt firm enough with her when she was little.

Boxers are mouthy dogs. When pups, they will chew things unless you set boundaries. They do grow out of it. Provide them with toys they are allowed to chew. If you have childred that have stuffed animals, do not buy your boxer any stuffed toys. Hard toys, rope toys are better. They will not take the difference between their stuffed toys and child stuffed toys.

Boxers are true to their names - they use their front feet to 'box' when they play. Be sure to teach them how to accept a nail trimming without fuss as soon as you get one. Trim nails frequently to avoid being scratched in play.

 

[Mixie]

My boxer was AWESOME.... but dumb as a stump. And he farted A LOT. He was also very quiet. The collies I have known barked more than he did.

All in all, though, I bet your dog will be a great one. Just be prepared for the farting. It was REALLY bad.

True.

I found diet is important with boxers to keep the farting down. No table scraps! And keep outta the damn cat food, stupid dog! OMG - that's the worst.

 

[Mixie]

Here's my mixed boxer. Full grown, she weighs about 32 pounds, but looks just like a boxer.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have a border mix. Oh wait where is she? Sitting on my feet as I type at the ready for her ball to be thrown.

She is always "on" ready to do my bidding.

You will never be alone again, ever.

Make sure you do training, training, training. She is trained and can do tricks.

They memorize your every single movement and voice and know exactly what you are going to do before you do it.

It can be creepy or funny depending on how you want to look at it.

 

[DebIreland]

Oh wow! Such amazing responses. I'm laughing so much about Big Cuddly Bear's farting boxer and what Mixie said about licking intruders.

Well thankfully we're not a bit posh so farting isn't against the house rules. lolol!! In fact my 6 year old asked yesterday if we could please not get a 'snobby dog'!!

We looked after a friend's dog last week and she was fantastic (so well trained!) but she was such a posh little lady!! When you throw the ball and tell her to fetch she swayed her hips and walked slowly through the grass like she was straight out of finishing school!!

I think we'd enjoy an energetic dog. I can't wait. We all love dogs but it's taken us a few years to get over the loss of our previous dog (he had to be put to sleep - he was very ill). We're ready now though and my 6yo wasn't even born then so this is her very first time having a dog (other than the ones we look after for friends when they're on vacation!).

Thanks so much for the great posts.

Mixie your dog is adorable. Those eyes!!!

Mystery Machine, I hear ya on the training. I'm looking forward to that part. I'm determined to train him/her properly.

 

[disneylovin24]

I do not know much about the mix of that breed but I do know that Border Collies are amazing and smart dogs! And the pictures of those puppies are really cute

 

[reelmom]

We have a border collie mix (possibly mixed with boxer,pitbull, or german shepherd, depending on which vet we see). She is my shadow. She is the sweetest dog. She rarely barks and lays on the couch most of the day. She is great with kids but very nervous around adult strangers. After she warms up to them, she is their best friend. The vet told me that since she is a mixed breed, it would be rare to be 50/50 of any breed. Most shelter puppies are mixes of mixes. They may look like a certain breed but are probably mixes of several. Any way, congratulations on adopting a shelter puppy. You are doing a great thing no matter which cute puppy you decide on.

 

[Mixie]

Wonders if you picked up that puppy or not????

 

[DebIreland]

Mixie you're amazing, I was just coming to update the thread and you posted a short while ago!! YES, we are now officially dog owners! We picked up our little guy today from the shelter. Our decision was made easier because the collie/boxer was gone (to a good home thankfully). So we are now the proud owners of a lab/collie mix. His name is Doug and he's 12 weeks old. He's the sweetest boy ever. He's shy but already coming to us and trusting us. What a sweetheart. Here he is:

The second photo is much more representative of his coat as there's too much brightness in the first pic and it makes his coat look silver-ish when it's not. He's adorable.

 

[Patricia721]

Doug - you're too cute for words! Congrats on being adopted into a loving home!

 

[DMickey28]

He is adorable! I was going to recommend the lab x. Can't go wrong with a lab x. Enjoy!!

 

[simba928]

He is adorable! Thank you for going the rescue route rather than buying. Just keep in mind that both those breeds are highly intelligent working dogs. They need lots of exercise to get the energy out and lots of training to satisfy that need for a job. Those dogs, when not given something to do, find their own thing to do and that is pretty much never good. Have the kids teach him fun tricks and how to play fetch and sign up for obedience classes. Petsmart, though not necessarily the best route for training class has a free hour long class offered twice a month that is basically a new dog introduction. It goes over housebreaking, training, and other useful stuff. They will probably try to sell you their classes but make sure you look around before committing to them. I've found, in my area at least, that they are more expensive and not as good quality wise as other places. But a free class might be useful, especially if you are out of practice with having a dog! Have fun with him, though! And take lots of pictures, he won't stay that small for long!

 

[Mixie]

Yay yay yay! Nothing is more fun than having someone new to love!

I'm happy for you!!!!!!

 

[DebIreland]

Doug - you're too cute for words! Congrats on being adopted into a loving home!

Doug says thanks He's not good on the computer yet - then again it's an Apple Mac, I'm guessing he's more of a Windows guy.

He is adorable! I was going to recommend the lab x. Can't go wrong with a lab x. Enjoy!!

Thank you!

He is adorable! Thank you for going the rescue route rather than buying.

Aw I know. The woman who runs the shelter was amazing. She takes such good care of the dogs, you don't feel broken-hearted leaving there. She's devoted to them and is constantly watching out for them. Of course there are just so many who need homes. But they're getting the word out there with their website and I think, with the internet, more people are aware now of shelters which is a good thing.

Just keep in mind that both those breeds are highly intelligent working dogs. They need lots of exercise to get the energy out and lots of training to satisfy that need for a job. Those dogs, when not given something to do, find their own thing to do and that is pretty much never good.

Very good advice. I agree. We waited a long time to get a dog and we've had many chats with the kids about it so they're all on board and are all animal lovers. That's a great idea too about obedience classes. My sister in law went to an amazing trainer years ago with her dog and she's getting me her contact details. I'm all the way over in Ireland so we don't have Petsmart but certainly have similar options. I want to train him properly as I do think a well trained dog is a happier dog (a bit like husbands really, ha ha ha).

Yay yay yay! Nothing is more fun than having someone new to love!

I'm happy for you!!!!!!

Thanks Mixie! We're thrilled. I was just saying to DH earlier we put more time into planning this new arrival than we did with any of the three kids. lol!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Congratulations on your beautiful new addition.

That Boxer puppy pic is adorable, too!

My recommendation is to pick up a book called Good Owners, Great Dogs, by Brian Kilcommons and Sara Wilson.

Good luck!

 

[simba928]

Aw I know. The woman who runs the shelter was amazing. She takes such good care of the dogs, you don't feel broken-hearted leaving there. She's devoted to them and is constantly watching out for them. Of course there are just so many who need homes. But they're getting the word out there with their website and I think, with the internet, more people are aware now of shelters which is a good thing.

I work at a shelter and I LOVE the internet when it comes to finding homes. We have definitely adopted a lot of animals because of it. I can't tell you how many phone calls I get every day saying I saw XXX dog online or XXX cat online, do you still have it?

Very good advice. I agree. We waited a long time to get a dog and we've had many chats with the kids about it so they're all on board and are all animal lovers. That's a great idea too about obedience classes. My sister in law went to an amazing trainer years ago with her dog and she's getting me her contact details. I'm all the way over in Ireland so we don't have Petsmart but certainly have similar options. I want to train him properly as I do think a well trained dog is a happier dog (a bit like husbands really, ha ha ha)

DUH!!! If I would have paid a little bit more attention instead of trying to keep my own dog out of the garbage and the cat off the counter I would have figured that out! Sorry about that!