Getting a pup. Boxer/Collie Mixed Breed

Debthree

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?

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 that mix?

I want them all of course.

TooManyDogs

I would be happy going for with either of those mixes. Here's my thoughts for what it's worth.

- Collies are very active dogs so will need plenty of exercise, they want to be working, are problem solvers and generally want to please

- Boxers again are active, their actions can often be hyper, they adore people, can be a little bull headed so can challange training sometimes, are big happy slobs. I've competed against boxers both in agility and obedience and it just proves that they can work with the best of them when the training is put in.

- Labs can be big slobs but love exercise too, they're generally gentle with people, are normally easy to train because they want to do exactly what pleases you where as collies often want to get the job done the quickest way regardless of what way you want it done, which is why collies often don't make good guide dogs for the blind.

So a lab x collie could be an easier dog to train because the lab part could calm down the collie half, where as the boxer x collie could be a bit more hyper and might challange you more. I know I sound quite wishy-washy but with any dog there's no guarantee of traits but particularily with cross breeds. The best thing to do is research all the breeds in a mix because the pup could have all or only some traits from either breed and make sure you'd be happy living with the majority of those traits. I love crossbreeds and have 6 mutts, it's interesting to see the different breed traits pop out from time to time.

One of the most important things to do is be honest with yourself, a dog won't really make that much difference to how active you already are. What do you want to do with the dog - purely pet or do you want to do dog sports? In that case either could do agility but the lab x might be more suited than the boxer x to competitive obedience. But again it comes down to each individual dog, I know border collies that wouldn't do an agility round if you paid them and lurchers that fly it! Don't be in a massive rush to pick a pup, if you're patient the right pup will be there for you, if either of the pups you've seen is the right one for you then go for it. Just don't feel under any pressure to take any particular dog if you feel it isn't the right one for you, it'll be your companion for the next 12 or so years.

Good luck choosing your new best friend!

Tranceypoo

I think, as op says, when it's a mixed breed you can't guarantee what traits of either breed you're going to get and if you're getting a puppy you can 'mould' the dog into what you want it to be, to a certain extent, ie you can make sure it's trained and socialised and excercised and fed a good nutritious diet and if you have rules and boundaries from day one you should end up with a happy well rounded dog. In theory of course!!

Good luck with it, let us know which one you pick (I don't envy you having to pick 1 pup out of a selection!!!)

Debthree

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the feedback. As it turned out the collie/boxer was gone but we're thrilled with our new addition, Doug. He's a collie/lab mix. He's so sweet. Just got him today from the shelter. We're delighted!!

joyce2009

oh my god he's fantastic.....you'll have fun with him:D

TooManyDogs

Ah he's gorgeous!! Congrats and enjoy