Boxollie (Boxer & Border Collie Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

The Boxollie is a hybrid breed, a cross between a Boxer and a Border Collie, with a friendly, energetic, and affectionate disposition. Like most designer breeds, it is difficult to pinpoint exactly where the Boxollie originated from, as there are no documented details, but the hybrid was likely developed to create a breed free from some of the health issues of its parent breeds.

Boxers were developed in Germany to be medium-sized yet powerful and capable guard dogs, and powerful they are. These dogs are muscular, high-energy pooches with an intelligent and fearless temperament, making them excellent guard dogs. Behind this imposing history and appearance, however, is a loving and affectionate pooch that has become a highly popular family animal.

Border Collies were developed in Scotland to herd sheep, and they are one of the most capable herding breeds on the planet. These dogs have almost unlimited energy and stamina and have a deep love of working closely with humans, making them the ideal working animal. They also make great family pets, provided that they get a ton of daily exercise.

If the Boxollie sounds like the hybrid breed for you, read on below for an in-depth look at this unique pooch.

Boxollie Puppies

While hybrid breeds can inherit various traits from their parent breeds, one thing you can be sure of when bringing home a Border Collie Boxer Mix is energy, a ton of it. Both the Boxer and Border Collie are infamous for their almost endless energy reserves, and your Boxollie is unlikely to be much different. This means you need to prepare for daily walks and exercise sessions of at least a couple of hours, and this will take a large chunk of time, commitment, and dedication.

Luckily, these dogs are highly intelligent, and training is usually a breeze, even with the Boxer’s infamous stubborn streak. They are ideally suited to a home with a large fenced yard where they have a large amount of space to run and play. These dogs are not suited for apartments or small homes without large yards unless they can be taken for vigorous exercise for several hours a day, and even then, they will present a challenge.

These dogs thrive on activity and having a job to do, and as long as that need is provided in some way, you’ll have a happy, healthy, loyal, and well-behaved dog.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Boxollie

1. They are incredibly intelligent.

Border Collies are widely agreed upon to be the most intelligent dog on the planet, capable of learning hundreds of unique words and commands. Chaser, a Border Collie belonging to classical musician John Pilley, knows upward of 1,200 words and can remember the names of thousands of different objects, even years after learning them.

Boxers are no slouch when it comes to intelligence either, and according to Stanley Coren’s famous dog intelligence ranking, Boxers were able to learn a new command within 25 to 40 repetitions, which may seem average, but they ranked alongside breeds like Australian Shepherds and Huskies.

2. Boxers were used in both World Wars.

During the First World War, Boxers were one of seven breeds chosen to aid German soldiers as messengers and to carry heavy packs. During World War II, the United States military also began using them and popularized the breed drastically.

3. Boxers are late bloomers.

Boxers retain their puppyhood for quite some time, and this can cause difficulty in training them. They only fully mature at around 3 or 4 years old, making them one of the breeds with the longest puppyhood. It’s important to not over-exercise young Boxers, as it can potentially damage growing bones.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Boxollie 🧠

The Border Collie Boxer Mix is an energetic and affectionate dog that loves to be wherever their owner is, particularly exercising! With the energy levels of the Border Collie in their genes, you can be sure that it’ll take a lot to tire out the Boxollie. These dogs need to be kept busy; otherwise, they are prone to a host of misbehavior, including excessive barking, chewing, and attempting to herd whatever they can, including your children!

They enjoy their downtime too and are a great companion to chill with after a hard day’s exercise. They are social dogs that love to be around their family, and the parent breeds’ long history of working closely with people really comes out with the Boxollie. They are quick learners and will excel in training and agility sports, as well as be affectionate and gentle with children.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

The Boxollie is a great family pet, provided that they get the necessary exercise and training. They are kind and gentle dogs that are rarely aggressive and are great with children. While they are generally well-behaved pooches, they may be a bit boisterous for younger children and can easily accidentally knock them over. They are incredibly loyal and make great guard dogs too.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Border Collie Boxer Mix is non-aggressive and generally great with other pets, as they have not been traditionally used for hunting and do not have a powerful prey drive. That being said, the Border Collie heritage may result in some herding characteristics, and any small pets may be seen as animals to be rounded up. Of course, with early socialization and proper training, this can be avoided.

Things to Know When Owning a Boxollie

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Boxollie is a medium-sized but highly energetic dog that will need a diet that can provide for its intense energy levels. A diet high in animal protein is highly recommended. Good-quality kibble packed with animal protein and free from filler ingredients like soy, wheat, and corn, as well as the occasional supplementation of lean meats and organ meats, is perfect. Quality dry food has all the nutrients that your dog needs to thrive, which means you don’t need to feed your dog as much, and lessens the risk of obesity. Boxollies will typically need 2–3 cups a day.

Although Border Collie Boxer Mixes are high energy, they, like most breeds, are still prone to getting overweight and should not be freely fed. We also highly recommend splitting meals up into two or three portions throughout the day to prevent gas and bloating and support their fast metabolism. As with any dog, make sure your Boxollie has access to fresh, clean water at all times.

• Related Read: 9 Best Automatic Dog Feeders

Exercise 🐕

The Boxollie is an energetic pooch and will need a great deal of exercise to stay happy, healthy and out of mischief. At least 2 hours per day is ideal, but the more, the better. One exercise session consisting of a slow walk or jog followed by a more intensive run or cycle is great.

Border Collie Boxer Mixes are intelligent too, and they’ll need mental stimulation as much as physical activity. Ball games or fetch is a great way to do this, as well as a way to solidify the bond between you and your dog. Agility training is highly recommended, as Boxollies will have a strong herding instinct that needs to be channeled into mentally stimulating activity if they are not regularly put to work.

Training 🦮

While the Boxollie may inherit some of the Boxer’s stubbornness, they are typically an easy breed to train. The Border Collie’s superior intellect usually shines through, and they are fast learners who typically pick up commands quickly. These dogs have an inherent eagerness to please their owners and a love for challenges, so training can quickly become an exercise that they look forward to. They are also highly adept at learning tricks and special commands.

Positive reinforcement methods are highly recommended with Border Collie Boxer Mixes, as they do not take well to harsh reprimands. Good training is essential for such an energetic breed, and it should be a part of their daily routine and should begin as early as possible. You can begin with the most basic commands, like “sit” and “stay” at mealtimes and walk times, as these are the building blocks of a well-trained pooch.

• See Also: 10 Best Puppy Training Treats

Grooming ✂️

Boxollies typically have short coats or occasionally medium-length coats that are easy to look after. They shed moderately and will need a brush once or twice a week to get rid of any dead hair. If your Boxollie has the slightly longer coat of the Border Collie, you may need to brush more frequently and pay special attention to the feathering in their legs and tail. Bathing is not necessary unless they get particularly muddy, and even then, a rinse with warm water is all that’s needed, as soaps can strip their coat of its natural oils.

Other than that, regular nail trimming and teeth brushing are all that’s needed.

Health Conditions ❤️

Boxollies are a particularly healthy breed and suffer from almost no genetic disorders. They may occasionally suffer from large-breed-related conditions, such as hip and elbow dysplasia, and occasionally, a heart issue, like cardiomyopathy, which Boxers are known for. However, this is exceedingly rare, and the biggest thing to pay attention to with your Boxollie is bloat and obesity, both of which can be easily avoided with a healthy diet.

Male vs Female

Socialization, a good upbringing, proper training, and a peaceful home environment truly make the pet, and with all these factors in order, there are few differences between male and female Border Collie Boxer Mixes. Spaying and neutering will further negate any differences and stop any unwanted pregnancies and wandering males.

One point to consider when deciding on a male or female is the other dogs you may already own. Even within easy-going and friendly breeds like the Boxollie, same-sex pairs may become slightly territorial. Still, with good training and socialization, this shouldn’t be a big issue.

Conclusion

The Boxollie is an energetic pooch that will thrive in an active household. These dogs will love coming along on bike rides, swims, and your daily run and are well-suited to farm life. Their calm yet excitable temperament makes them a great choice for a family dog, and they get along great with almost everyone. The Border Collie Boxer Mix is gentle with kids and have no real prey drive to speak of, although they are prone to try and herd smaller animals and children!

If you have a large yard and/or a family with kids and are looking for an energetic and lovable companion, the Boxollie is an ideal choice.

Related Reads:

• Cairn Terrier & Maltese Mix (Cairmal)
• Valley Bulldog (Boxer & English Bulldog Mix)

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Featured Image Credit to: EdHarless, Shutterstock