About the Boxador
If you're looking for a dog to lift your spirits after a rough day at the office or to serve as a paw-sible family pet, you've come to the right place. In this guide, we take a look at one of the most popular dogs for families - the Boxador! This medium-sized dog is friendly, affectionate, loyal, and intelligent; it is also excellent with children. Find out all you need to know right here!
Boxador Gallery
What is the history & origin of the Boxador?
A Boxador is a mix between a Labrador Retriever and a Boxer dog; these mixed dog breeds have probably existed for some time due to the proximity of the parent breed; however, it wasn't until the 1990s that breeders began to intentionally breed Boxador as a Boxer Lab mix puppy.
The Boxer Lab mix is made up of Lab Retrievers which originated in Newfoundland, Canada, and Boxer dogs which are thought to originate in East Asia. The Boxador combines excellent traits of both the ancestor breeds and has fewer health conditions overall.
Who are Boxador dogs best for?
One of the reasons the designer dogs kennel club admitted the Boxador to the dog registry was because of its suitability as a family pet. Indeed, Boxadors get along well with children and have enough energy to occupy a family home. They are also allergy-friendly, thanks to the easy coats.
But while Boxer Lab puppies are perfect for families, they also need a lot of walking and hiking to burn off their excess energy. These dogs have a lot of energy and enthusiasm in their heritage; they are also fairly large dogs that aren't always suited to flats and urban dwellings.
How much grooming does a Boxador need?
Although Boxer Lab mix puppies and adult dogs are not considered hypoallergenic, they don't have the worst coats when it comes to allergies. A Boxador coat is short and shiny, and it does tend to shed, but if you comb this coat once a week, it reduces the effects on allergies significantly.
If you have a slight allergy to dogs, then it's a good idea to groom this breed once a week, that said, a Boxador is a pretty clean dog as well, and you might find their self-cleaning habits are quite enough. These dogs also have short coats, so they might need extra protection from the sun.
Do Boxador bark much?
When it comes to barking, you shouldn't have much trouble with a Boxador, that's unless they don't get enough exercise, or playtime, or they have some behavioural issues. Neither of the parent dogs that make up this breed is a big barker, but they do have a bark in their locker to use.
Boxadors are energetic dogs that need lots of exercising; you can expect to take your dog for a walk at least two hours every day which should involve sniffing, exploring, hunting, and hiking. If your dog doesn't get this kind of activity regularly, you can expect them to start barking.
Do Boxador bite?
We all have an image of a postie running down the street with a dog's jaws attached to their behind, and it could be a labrador that's responsible for the cliche. Labrador retrievers are biting dogs that need to be trained. Additionally, Boxer dogs have a powerful bite if they find a target.
Combine these dogs, and you have a Boxador that is naturally prone to biting like an American pit bull terrier; the good news is that Boxador dogs are intelligent and can be trained out of biting quite easily. To train your Boxador dog, use a combination of treats and reinforcement.
What is the temperament & personality of a Boxador?
A Boxador pup is a high-energy small dog that grows into a high-energy large dog; for this reason, you need to have lots of space for them to run around in and plenty of activities to keep them generally healthy. These dogs are also good with children if they are socialised early on.
Thes dogs are also extremely loyal and suffer from attachment anxiety; for this reason, they cannot be left on their own for long. If you want to bring a Boxador into your home, make sure there is someone around to play with it and take it for walks in the dog park. It's not a lap dog.
What is the weight & size of a Boxador?
Boxadors are a relatively new breed of dog, according to the American kennel club; for that reason, the size and weight dimensions are non-standardised, and it's difficult to predict. In general, you can expect them to reach 63 cm in height and weigh 25 to 50 kilos.
If you want to get a better idea of the weight and size of your family dog, or any other dog, the best strategy is to talk to the breeders if you can. The breeders of your Boxador puppies will know the exact parental lineage meaning that you can accurately predict the dog's dimensions.
How much training does a Boxador need?
Some dogs are motivated by food, while others have more emotional needs; when it comes to training a Boxador, you can use a combination of tricks to teach the house rules. Like most other dogs, Boxadors are motivated by food and respond well to positive reinforcement techniques.
But there's an added bonus when it comes to training your family Boxador; these dogs are extremely smart and loyal; they want to please their owners and be accepted by their group, so you can withdraw some affection if they're naughty, and they quickly learn the right behaviour.
What are some of the most common health issues for a Boxador?
Boxadors were bred to reduce or eliminate many of the health concerns associated with their parent breeds; however, these dogs are still prone to health conditions such as Allergies, Joint Dysplasia, Eye Problems, Hypothyroidism, and Heart Problems. If you want to keep your mixed breed healthy, it's important to take them to the vet and feed them healthy snacks like carrots.
What is the lifespan of a Boxador?
A Boxador is a medium-sized dog, which means it lives for between twelve and fifteen years on average. In general, large dogs live for a shorter period, while smaller dogs tend to live for longer. This dog breed will live for the duration of your young family's life as well, so it makes the perfect family dog, according to the American canine hybrid club, and other canine clubs.
How much should you feed a Boxador?
Boxadors are high-energy dogs with a big appetite, but that doesn't mean you should feed them all the time; on the contrary, you should feed your Boxador consistently at regular intervals and avoid leaving biscuits out throughout the day. Control the treat you give them and consider carrots as an alternative; also, choose top-quality food to keep this large-sized breed healthy.
What is the price of a Boxador in Australia?
Boxadors are part of the international designer canine registry because they are popular dogs all over the world; that's why it's easy to find a breeder in Australia. If you want to bring a Boxador into your life, you can expect to pay between $500 and $1000 for one, but of course, the price is higher depending on the breed. Also, consider buying your dog from a rescue centre.
Pros
- Low barking tendency
- Great watchdog abilities
- Very athletic and agile
Cons
- Prone to obesity
- Sheds heavily in summer
- High exercise requirements