Warm Weather, Large House with Lawn, Children and aged people, requirement for a guard dog.
Answers:
I'd chose a boxer.
**Warm weather - Sometimes GSDs get overheated in hot weather. (I used to show a GSD and in the heat, she would sometimes flat out want to refuse to preform.) A boxer has a better coat for handling warm weather. However, boxers also may have trouble in humidity and extreme heat as well because of having a shorten muzzle. If the weather is "warm" and not "hot", then either one will do fine.
**Large House %26 Lawn - Either one of these breeds likes (and needs) a lot of room to exercise.
**Children and aged people - Boxers are the *only* breed that actually mentions being good with children as part of the AKC breed standard.
Boxer temperament from AKC "his temperament is fundamentally playful, yet patient and stoical with children"
** Guard dog - Either one of these breeds would fulfill that requirement. Actually nearly all breeds of dog will protect their home and families.
From boxer AKC description: "Instinctively a hearing guard dog, his bearing is alert, dignified, and self-assured."
From the GSD AKC description: "both fit and willing to serve in its capacity as companion, watchdog, blind leader, herding dog, or guardian, whichever the circumstances may demand"
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Another thing to think about is insurance and owning your house. Some insurance companies will not cover GSDs. And some home owners associations prohibit certain breeds as well. German shepherds are much more likely to be on that list than boxers.
While I love both breeds, I'd recommend the boxer.
Because you specifically mention warm weather in your question, the GS would be the better choice. Because of their nasal shape, Boxers would have more difficulty with heat. If that was not a serious concern, however, I would select the Boxer hands down.
I live in the an area that has a lot of warm weather and was a veterinary technician for 7 years, before I became a stay at home mom. I would go with a Boxer they are great with kids, and would probably shed less than a German Shepard due to warm weather. The vet I used to work for raised Boxers and was a part of Boxer rescue. None of her dogs had breathing problems due to the heat.
I like the boxer.
Let's address the guard dog issue, first.
Forget it. You will be better served with a good alarm system that ties into the local police/fire/rescue units than a guard dog - and your homeowners insurance will probably go down.
If you have a "guard dog" you will more than likely lose your homeowner's insurance because of the liability issue with a guard dog. And even if you get rid of the dog - no insurance company would issue you a policy you can afford because you once had a guard dog. That's how it is and how it's going to be.
So drop that idea right here and now.
Both breeds are a good choice for a family dog. Both Boxers and Shepherds are sweet-natured and loyal. Both are "active" meaning that they need a lot of exercise. That may be an issue concerning very small children (under 6) and elderly people who may not be able to keep up with an energetic puppy.
One issue you didn't mention - but I will - is how much of your time are you willing to put into this dog? Dog ownership is NOT for children - it's a family (translate, Parents) affair and the adults should be responsible for all the care/feeding of Duke. Do not leave it up to the kids. That includes pooper-patrol, walking, feeding, grooming, vet visits, and most importantly OBEDIENCE TRAINING. If you don't have at least 2 hours a day to care for Duke, do everyone a favor and wait until you do have those 2 hours a day.
Additionally, dogs are pack animals. They should not be tied or penned out in the back yard to be sentenced to a life of solitary confinement. Bad. Very bad. Dogs - especially shepherds and boxers - belong in the house. If ALL of the adults in the house are not pro-house dogs, wait until you can convince all the adults that a house dog (regardless of size) is a good idea.
I would reccommend resolving these two issues for any dog regardless of breed or size.
OK. If you have warm weather issues - you may consider the boxer because shepherds are pretty hairy. They have a thick undercoat that sheds twice a year. You'd be surprised how much one dog can shed. Boxers shed too - but because they're short haired dogs, they don't shed as much.
BOXER! BOXER! BOXER! I have to say that a boxer would suit you perfectly. The boxer is a short coated breed, so that is great for the warm weather. The large house and lawn will give a boxer plenty of room for the "zoomies" and playtime. Boxers are notoriously great with kids and other animals and are very gentle when they need to be (i.e. with very young kids or a frail elder). Boxers are devoted to their families and super sweet and loving, and just intimidating enough to scare away anyone with ill intentions. They are very intuitive and are considered a guarding breed. They will definitely protect their home and loved ones and alert you with a very specific bark when things aren't as usual. So, you get all things, plus a clean, short haired, affectionate bundle of joyous personality and love.
I have had many breeds of dogs thruoughout my life, but now am "strictly boxer".
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