Toy Boxer Dog Breed Information

Group

Unrecognized

Weight

11-22 kg

Height

38-55 cm

Lifespan

12-15 years

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About the Toy Boxer

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

The designer dog craze first reared its head in the 1980s. The Toy Boxer or Miniature Boxer is one of the more complex hybrids.

Although this breed boasts a unique background and comes in the form of a rare dog breed, there isn’t too much information surrounding its origins. Unfortunately, since their introduction, there hasn’t been much documented about this dog.

This type of dog is a hybrid breed that is still in its stages of development, most likely first showcased in the US within the past 20 years.

What is the history & origin of the Toy Boxer?

The designer dog craze first reared its head in the 1980s. The Toy Boxer or Miniature Boxer is one of the more complex hybrids.

Although this breed boasts a unique background and comes in the form of a rare dog breed, there isn’t too much information surrounding its origins. Unfortunately, since their introduction, there hasn’t been much documented about this dog.

This type of dog is a hybrid breed that is still in its stages of development, most likely first showcased in the US within the past 20 years.

What is a Toy Boxer breed?

In a nutshell, the Toy Boxer is a designer dog boasting a combination of two extremely popular breeds – the Boxer and the Boston Terrier. Although the Miniature Boxer is a lot smaller in size than that of a purebred Boxer, it boasts several similar characteristics, including appearance.

There are many crossbreed involving Boxers, like the Boston Terrier-Boxer Mix and Beagle-Boxer Mix.

Who is a Toy Boxer best for?

Toy Boxers are best suited for those looking to invest in a dog for the entire family, provided that they are socialised and trained from a young age.

Boxers that are untrained, however, are not a good match for families with young children, as they can be quite boisterous when playing.

However, they are not aggressive and are instead very affectionate and loving with families.

Toy Boxer Grooming & Shedding

Toy Boxers do tend to shed a bit, although this can be reduced through the correct diet. A healthy, balanced diet consisting of a variety of high-quality dog food and freshwaters will ensure a shiny coat that is less prone to shedding hair.

Another way to control this is to adopt a daily grooming regimen. It is also a good idea to bathe your Toy Boxer once every three weeks using a quality dog shampoo, which will help to get rid of any detritus in their coats. Doing so more often can rid your pet from natural oils that their skin produces to maintain a healthy coat. Use a dry shampoo every day if your dog gets dirty, but don’t bathe them more often than 3-4 weeks.

Do Toy Boxers bark a lot?

Boxers are full of energy, extremely intelligent and very playful. They are happiest when busy. Toy Boxers don’t tend to bark in excess; however, this is dependent on their personality and designer breed.

Miniature Boxers are also very protective of their humans, so they may bark if they feel their owners are in any danger. This can often mean they will bark at strangers.

What is the average weight & height of a Toy Boxer dog?

As with the majority of hybrid dogs, the size and weight of the modern Boxer can be determined by the strongest gene pool. For example, if Boston Terriers are the dominant gene pool, your Miniature Boxer may weigh under 11kgs.

If the Boxer is the dominant gene pool, your Toy Boxer could come in at a weight of 22kgs, especially once he or she is fully grown. This is quite a weight difference for a medium-sized dog and something to think about when considering this breed.

Irrespective of their size, Toy Boxers (despite their name) necessitate lots of room and aren’t suitable for cramped environments or small spaces. Why? They boast lots of energy, which means they need lots of room to run around.

Miniature Boxers who aren’t privy to space may become bored, unhappy and lethargic. If kept indoors too long, Miniature Boxers may show signs of destructive behaviour.

Are Toy Boxers easy to train?

The Miniature Boxer is renowned for being extremely playful. They’re also confident and like to be leaders of the pack. This is why behavioural training and socialisation are so important.

To control Miniature Boxer puppies, you must inform them that you are the boss early on in the human-puppy relationship.

Thankfully, they can be trained easily as they are highly intelligent. Yet despite this, a firm approach and consistent training are still required from a young age, as one of their traits is stubbornness.

Training with rewards tends to work well with Boxers and Boston Terriers, whilst training in the shape of negative reinforcement is not. The important thing (as with all puppies) is to be patient with your Mini Boxer.

How do Toy Boxers behave? A look at their temperament and personality

The Mini Boxer is celebrated for being an extremely friendly, affectionate and gentle breed – perfectly suited to families. Their playful and alert nature ensures they are a great family fit, especially for families with other pets and kids. This is mainly down to the fact that they are easy to train and, on top of this, are extremely social creatures. They can get bored, though, so they need plenty of mental stimulation.

Boasting a combination of Boston and Boxer in their make-up, the Mini Boxer is an extremely loyal family dog yet can be wary of strangers. If you live in an apartment block or big city where strangers are in free flow, this breed may not be the best choice for you.

Does the Toy Boxer have any common health issues?

The Toy Boxer or Mini Boxer tends to be prone to a few heart-related ailments, including the likes of murmurs, hypothyroidism and cardiomyopathy.

In rare cases, Mini Boxer dogs can also be prone to respiratory problems, especially if they have more Boston Terrier genes. They are brachycephalic, so they have a harder time breathing compared to dogs with a standard anatomy.

Other health problems of some of these purebred boxers are allergic dermatitis, hip dysplasia and cataracts.

An important point to note? Just because these issues have been seen in this breed before, that doesn’t mean they will affect your puppy, but it is still important to do your research. This will assist you in spotting any potential ailments at an early stage.

Get your hybrid mix puppy from a reputable breeder in the dog registry.

What is the lifespan of a Toy Boxer?

Their lifespan averages between 12 and 15 years, which means you get to enjoy them for a lengthy stint, if you care for your Miniature Boxer correctly and give them lots of love.

How much does a Toy Boxer need to be fed?

Like the majority of dogs, the Miniature Boxer necessitates a well balanced, high-quality diet to ensure good health and good quality of life. All in all, these breeds prefer a premium dry food mixture as opposed to wet food.

Kibble is a great option for your Miniature Boxer Puppy, as it contains an array of essential vitamins and minerals, provided you choose a brand that boasts high-grade, natural ingredients.

It is important to tailor the dry food to your Toy Boxer’s size, age and energy levels. The medium breed is a great all-around option. It is important to change the food as your puppy matures, as adult dogs require different nutrients than younger dogs. For the best results, you should speak to your vet.

They will be able to tell you more about your Miniature Boxer puppy’s exact dietary requirements as well as more about portion control, which is a hugely important part of your dog’s diet.

According to the American Kennel Club, this is one of the dog breeds prone to being overweight should your Mini Boxer have access to more food than necessary.

How much can you expect to pay for a Toy Boxer in Australia?

This breed is seen as rare and is therefore on the more expensive side.

On average, Miniature Boxers in Australia may set you back between $450 and $2,000, depending on the miniature Boxer breeders, their Boxer and Boston Terrier gene pool, breed combinations and location.

Toy Boxer FAQs

Is a Toy Boxer ideal for a first-time dog owner?

This breed is extremely loyal and, when trained from a puppy, is good with children and other dogs. The Miniature Boxer is also a good fit for first-time pet parents who are active.

They do, however, require more attention than other breeds and show similar traits to their parent breeds (Boston terrier and Boxer) in that they require lots of exercise and a consistent training plan.

How long can a Toy Boxer be left alone?

As long as they have access to water, food and outdoor space, you can get away with leaving your Toy Boxer dog breed at home for some part of the day. You should never leave a Miniature Boxer home alone for more than eight hours, however.

Are Toy Boxers hypoallergenic dogs?

Although not fully hypoallergenic, the Miniature Boxer was originally bred to be allergy-free. Due to being shorter-haired, even those who are allergic to dogs can often tolerate these mixed breed dogs.

Do Toy Boxers get along with cats?

Miniature Boxers are both pleasant and friendly dogs, and with early socialisation, they enjoy the company of children and other animals, including cats. They, therefore, make great companion dogs.