Boxador - Crossbreed Info and Care Guide

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American cynology might be the most creative one in the world. We are constantly working on creating new crossbreeds and hybrids. They are not recognized by the major cynology associations in the US, but some crossbreeds became extremely popular. The whole crossbreed wave started with the popularity of the Labradoodle. American dog owners wanted to share their homes with crossbreeds that have unique characteristics. One of those crossbreeds is the Boxador. If you want to know more about the breed and how to care for these dogs, stay with us a bit.

What is a Boxador?

The Boxador is a crossbreed created by mixing the Labrador Retriever and the Boxer. The idea behind the deliberate cross was to create a protective family companion that would be a great watchdog, but after being on guard, could go into the backyard and play gently with the children.

While this specific cross probably occurred naturally “in the wild,” intentional crossing of Labs and Boxers started in the 1990s. Since this isn’t a pureblooded dog breed, their exact history is not well recorded. Nevertheless, after the first couple hundred crossings, the general public started looking for these unique crossbreeds, and their breeders continued producing Boxador puppies.

Boxador crossbreed appearance

The first thing most future owners want to know is what their future Boxador will look like. However, there is a problem with a crossbreed’s appearance - it is not entirely known. When you get a pureblooded dog, you can be pretty sure what they’re going to look like, what their coat will be like, which health problems to look out for, and what their character will be like. With crossbreeds like the Boxador, these things are not set in stone.

We can only predict what a crossbreed will look like by analyzing what already produced puppies look like. Since Labs and Boxers are on the larger side, their offspring should be between their sizes, but still reasonably large dogs. Most Boxadors are 23 - 25 inches tall, and they weigh anywhere from 50 - 110 pounds. You can only be sure when the dog fully develops.

Coat type and color

The second advantage pureblooded dogs have over crossbreeds is the known coat type. For example, if you don’t want a dog that sheds, you can get a Poodle, Bedlington Terrier, or a Lagotto Romagnolo. You can pick any breed if you don’t mind the shedding, but you know exactly how much they’ll shed. With Boxadors and any other crossbreed, these things can be a bit hard to guess. It is most likely that the future puppies will have some sort of combination of two coat types their parents have. Most puppies have a short coat that sheds quite a bit.

The same problem remains with coat color. The most likely outcome is a combination of Labrador Retriever’s and Boxer’s coat colors. Most puppies have at least two coat colors; they’re rarely solid. The most common coat colors in Boxadors are black, brindle, brown, and white.

Boxador temperament

Another crucial thing dog owners want to know when buying a specific dog breed is what the future dog’s character will be like. With pureblooded breeds, that can be fairly easy to anticipate. It becomes more problematic with crossbreeds. The puppies can take more after one parent. The Boxador puppy might have the exact temperament of a Boxer or a Labrador. However, the most likely temperament of the puppies will be a combination of their parent’s characters.

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The majority of Boxadors are energetic and playful. They usually get along with kids under the condition they were socialized from a young age. These dogs are prone to separation anxiety, so training is necessary. They also make decent watchdogs, but to excel at that job, they need to be trained to do it. This might not be the ideal dog for young kids or seniors. Boxadors can be very enthusiastic when playing, which makes them prone to knocking things and people over.

Boxador overall health

Many crossbreed breeders say their dogs have something called “hybrid vigor,” which is a term that explains crossbreeds and hybrids are healthier than pureblooded dogs. However, that is a term that primarily describes plants. Crossbreeds are prone to health issues from both sides of the family. The only thing you can do to make sure you get a healthy Boxador puppy is to get them from a breeder that bred healthy Labrador and a healthy Boxer. Boxadors live, on average, 12 - 15 years. Some of the health issues vets noticed in these dogs are;

• Eye problems
• Allergies
• Hypothyroidism
• Heart conditions
• Elbow and hip dysplasia
• Bloat

Care guide

Like any other dog breed, Boxadors will have specific needs. If you want to have a healthy, happy, well-behaved Boxador, there are a few basic things you have to provide them with. Here is a basic care guide all Boxadors need;

High-quality nutrition

The base for a dog’s overall health is high-quality dog food. Make sure you pick age-appropriate dog food that will provide your Boxador with everything it will need.

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Grooming

The good news is that Boxadors should be pretty easy to groom. They need a bath every 3 months, their nails clipped, teeth brushed at least 3 times a week, brushed once a week, and their ears cleaned. Grooming will make sure your dog looks its best, but it will also prevent skin issues that can be very uncomfortable.

Training

Training should be an essential part of every dog’s life. They need to learn basic obedience commands, leash manners, where to do their business (potty training), and tricks to engage their minds.

Socialization

Socialization is absolutely crucial. Even if you have a shy dog, you can influence its character with socialization. Make sure your Boxador is familiar with strange people, dogs, situations, sounds, and sights. Only then can you be sure they will be well-behaved, stable, and confident.

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Vet visits

Vet visits are something you should never skip. Your dog might develop a condition you will not notice at first, but a trained vet’s eye will. Visit your vet at least once every 6 months to make sure your dog is as healthy as it can be.

Boxador puppy price

Crossbreeds are often more expensive than pureblooded dog breeds. Another thing you should consider is that Boxadors are not that popular. That makes it harder to find reputable breeders that produce these dogs. We advise you to check your local shelters, Labrador and Boxer rescues and see if any Boxadors might need a new home. If you are adamant about buying a Boxador, you can prepare for a price of around $500.

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World Dog Finder team