Boxweiler Breed Guide

What is the history & origin of the Boxweiler?

While the Boxweiler is a relatively new breed that began being intentionally crossbred in the 1980s, their two parent breeds are ancient and have been working alongside humans for thousands of years.

The Rottweiler was likely brought to Switzerland by ancient Rome where it was descended from dogs used for droving cattle. Here it is thought to have mixed with local breeds like the Appenzeller and the Bernese Mountain Dog. It was first added to the American Kennel Club register in 1931.

Boxers originated in Germany in the 1600s after descending from the Tibetan mastiff. The boxer became a hit over the 1800s due to its powerful build and sweet nature.

The Boxer and Rottweiler are fantastic family dogs with long histories as service dogs and their high energy levels, intelligence, and confidence make them well-suited to these roles.

Who are Boxweiler dogs best for?

These are well-behaved and intelligent dogs who are relatively easy to train. They have high energy levels which shouldn't be confused with a fighting mentality.

They are devoted to their families and get on great with kids provided they are socialized with them from an early age. They can be protective over kids and wary of new children who come to play with their families.

They are bred from dogs with hunting and shepherding lineages, so can be liable to chase other animals but generally, they do very well with other dogs, though again early socialisation is as important to this breed's behaviour as any other.

They are large dogs so may not be great for a first-time owner, especially considering their high energy levels.

Large dog breeds like the Boxweiler do best in a house as opposed to an apartment so they have room to roam around comfortably without getting under anyone's feet.

How much grooming does a Boxweiler need?

The Boxweiler's coarse double coat requires only moderate grooming, 1-2 brushes a week with a few baths a year should keep them well-groomed. They shed at an average level and do a good job of keeping themselves clean and well-groomed.

Do Boxweiler bark much?

Rottweilers and Boxers are not overly vocal dogs and generally exert a calm authority. This is true of the Boxweiler which is not known for antisocial levels of barking.

A Boxweiler makes a great guard dog and will bark if they feel distressed or that they need to alert you of something but on a day-to-day basis they won't bark needlessly.

Do Boxweiler bite?

Boxweilers are not notoriously mouthy dogs as is fairly typical of large breed dogs. They make excellent guard dogs and sometimes this tendency can display itself as a little nip, though this is never out of aggression and simply out of their heritage of being bred for herding and guarding.

With that in mind, it's always important to train a reliance on being nippy to get their way out of them as early as possible. Thankfully, this intelligent dog takes well to training, and teaching them not to nip should be a straightforward job.

What is the temperament & personality of a Boxweiler?

This mixed-breed dog is a charming, kind, and loving breed that with the right socialization can make a dutiful but playful companion.

They have a good degree of harmless energy which means they need a decent 30 minutes of exercise a day and they do not take well to being kept in a cage or a small room. They love to feel like part of the family, so whether you're out and about or sitting on the couch, your Boxweiler will want to be there with you so they can keep an eye on you and your family.

They can be aloof with strangers and will rarely behave aggressively towards new people, choosing instead to keep their distance until they've got to know them.

What is the weight & size of a Boxweiler?

Though the Rottweiler Boxer mix is open to a large degree of variation in size depending on their parentage, they tend to weigh anywhere between 30-40 kg and sometimes up to 50 kg if their Rottweiler parent is the more dominant.

Males and females can stand anywhere between 53-68 cm.

How much training does a Boxweiler need?

Both the Rottweiler and Boxer dog are headstrong, alpha dogs, the Rottweiler more so, that were bred as working dogs to hunt and protect their families. With this in their blood, it's important to begin training a Boxer Rottie cross as early as possible so you can get a handle on their instincts.

Both Rotties and Boxers take very well to training, the Boxer has a storied history of being used as an army and police dog. They live to please and love to feel like part of a team, which primes them for taking direction.

They are an energetic dog breed, so getting them socialized early and used to the sights and sounds of the world will make them more relaxed and easier to train.

It's important to start their training as early as possible once they've settled into your home so they don't get the idea that they are the alpha. Once you overcome their initial hard-headedness with gentle but firm training, remembering never to be heavy-handed as these sensitive dogs don't take well to a punitive approach, they can make excellent family pets.

What are some of the most common health issues for a Boxweiler?

The Boxweiler is a sturdy, robust dog with a short list of health concerns considering its mixed parentage. Some of the concerns to look out for are

• Hip dysplasia

• Elbow dysplasia

• Bloat

• Seizures

• Bone cancer

What is the lifespan of a Boxweiler?

If they enjoy the right nutrition and exercise then a Boxweiler can live for between 8-12 years.

How much should you feed a Boxweiler?

If you purchase your Boxer Rottweiler cross from any reputable breeder they will give you a diet plan to stick to during your puppy's development. It's important to stick to this to ensure you avoid any early stomach issues.

Once they develop into adults you can feed them one large meal in the morning or split it into two smaller meals. It's important to avoid overfeeding them as they can gain weight easily if they eat too much. Plenty of exercise and not giving them too many treats is an easy way to avoid weight gain.

What is the price of a Boxweiler in Australia?

The price you pay for a Boxweiler will vary depending on the breeder and the class of its parent breeds. You can expect to pay between $300-$600 for a Boxweiler puppy.