Pitbull Boxer Mix: Characteristics, Temperament, Training Tips

Mixed breed dogs can often make some of the best family companions. While many people are drawn toward pure-breed dogs, don’t forget that there are lots of wonderful mutts in rescue centers all over the country that are just as deserving of a loving forever home. Not least, the often zany and very loving Pitbull Boxer Mix.

The Pitbull Boxer mix can have different personalities and traits depending on where they were bred. But for the most part, you’ll get the loyalty of an American Pitbull because of the boxer’s friendliness.

Before choosing such a combination, it may be helpful to know a little more about the possible characteristics of the dog. Different pitbull mixes have different characteristics and this mix is ​​no exception.

Parent Breeds

Pitbull Terrier

The American Bulldog is said to have originally resembled the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Both were originally developed in England in the 19th century, first to lure cows and then to illegally fight dogs.

In the 1930s, some breeders began to focus on developing the breed’s strengths as a companion rather than a fighting animal, at which point the Staffordshire Bull Terrier had become a The breed is officially recognized, but the APBT is not. In 1972, the American Staffordshire Terrier was introduced by the AKC as an official breed, a more mature version of the breed.

The American Pit Bull Terrier is not yet officially recognized by the AKC, but it is recognized as a separate breed by the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the Continental Kennel Club (CKC).

The term “pit bull” has been developed in recent years. It’s really not a breed specific dog, but rather a general term for a number of different “bullying” breeds. It is often associated with the American Bulldog. Other breeds sometimes referred to as “pit bulls” include the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, and the American Bulldog.

The word has now been associated with negative connotations, largely due to irresponsible breeders and owners as well as media sensation. The introduction of breed-specific laws in many specific countries and states, varying between bans or outright restrictions on owning such breeds, will only fuel the hysteria and prolong it. myths about injustice.

Boxer

Boxers are believed to have originated in Germany, and their origins are likewise in fighting dogs. Gradually, they became known for their guarding and hunting skills and were the first breed to be used as police dogs in Germany.

The AKC officially recognized them in 1904, but their popularity did not rise until the 1930s. Recently, they have been consistently ranked as one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States, and as of 2017, they were listed as the 11th most popular dog breed. Because of this popularity, they are often mixed with other breeds.

BullBoxer

Temperament

While both the Boxer and the American Pit Bull were originally bred for protective and fighting traits, the Boxer has in recent years focused more on developing a breed that is better suited for companionship.

Probably the biggest difference in their personalities is that Boxers are not known to be aggressive towards other dogs. They can be a little overzealous, loud, playful, and even a little hyperactive, but overall they are cheerful and extraordinarily affectionate with people and other dogs.

American Pit Bull Terriers are known to be very firm and loyal to their families. They are also sometimes called “nanny dogs” because of their affection and tolerance for children. While they are generally dogs that enjoy human interaction, due to their strength and size, they should always be supervised by children.

It is also important to teach children how to properly interact with dogs. Even the most tolerant dog can exceed their patience level if the child doesn’t respect their space and boundaries.

With proper training and socialization, APBTs can get along well with other dogs and animals, but they are a breed that sometimes dislikes other dogs and can be reactive and aggressive. If you have a Boxer APBT mix, it means they may be better suited to living in a single dog household, or require careful introduction to assess compatibility.

The APBT is a breed that is often crossed with other purebred puppies, such as Labrador Retrievers.
If your dog has inherited more of the more excitable boxer nature, you’ll need to keep an eye on young children so they don’t accidentally get too rough.

Both are dogs that thrive on human attention. This means that most Boxer Pitbull mixes will benefit from a home with company for most of the day. In particular, APBT may develop separation anxiety if left alone too much.

Size & Appearance

Both the Boxer and APBT are muscular and athletic dogs. The Boxer is a bit heavier, but it tends to be taller and slimmer. APBT is sturdier with wider head and chest. Both breeds have short and smooth coats.

This mixed breed is a medium sized dog. A male can weigh 60 to 80 pounds and be 17 to 20 inches tall. On the other hand, a female can weigh 50 – 70 pounds and be 16 to 19 inches tall from foot to shoulder.

Unlike some crossbreed dogs, the Boxer Pit Bull Mixes will not be too different between individual dogs because of the similarity in size and shape of the two breeds.

Coat & Colors

Boxers are usually fawn or brindle, but they often have black or white patches. Boxers are also sometimes completely white, although this color is not recognized as a breed standard by the AKC. American Bulldogs come in a wider variety of colors, which means Boxer Bulldogs may have more coat color options.

They can come in a variety of mixed and uniform coat colors, including black, white, fawn, tan, tan, and brindle. They also come in red and blue, and these breeds are often called blue-nosed or red-nosed bulldogs because their noses and hooves are the same coat color instead of the standard black.

Exercise

Both breeds are generally high-energy dogs. Your Boxer Pit Bull Mix probably won’t be a dog that wants to be a couch potato with just a short walk a day. They are a breed that would benefit from at least one or two daily walks or other physical activities. They may even enjoy participating in some kind of dog sport.

Boxers are short-headed, flat-faced dogs, and this means they can overheat more quickly than other breeds. If your dog inherits a Boxer’s face shape, then you need to take extra care to make sure they don’t suffer from heat exhaustion in hot weather, especially during exercise.

It may be necessary to take them for walks in the morning and evening during the summer months to help keep them at a comfortable temperature.

Training

Given the strengths of these two breeds, training and socialization will be extremely important. If your dog has the hyperactive nature of some boxers, they may become a bit feral and difficult to manage. They are also a dog and can jump up in their enthusiasm.

If they don’t get along well with other dogs, such as some APBTs, this can be a danger to you, them, and other dogs if they are too strong and you don’t have good leash control.

These two dogs need as much training and socialization as possible from the start to ensure you have a well-rounded and manageable dog. They are both intelligent dogs eager to please and respond extremely well to positive, reward-based training methods.

Both have powerful jaws and love to chew. Making sure you provide plenty of tough, interactive chew toys and extra enrichment items will help you avoid any potentially destructive behavior in your home.

Grooming

It is unlikely that your Boxer Pit Bull Mix has a high maintenance regimen. Both breeds have short, smooth coats, so no expensive trips to the groomer are required to trim them.

They all shed though, so weekly brushing with a curry comb will help remove dead hair, keep the coat and skin in good condition, and minimize the amount of hair around the house. A vacuum cleaner that picks up pet hair with ease and a lint roller on clothes may still be a good investment.

Health

If you get your Boxer Pit Bull Mix from a rescue shelter, you won’t know the history of your parents. We always recommend that you consider pet insurance to avoid any potentially expensive medical bills.

If you’re buying a puppy, it’s important to make sure you’re buying from a responsible breeder who health checks the parents so they aren’t knowingly breeding from a dog with a condition that can be passed on.

With boxers in particular, there are some genetic conditions that you should be aware of. Boxers are a breed often associated with different types of cancer, including skin cancer, lymphoma, and mast cell tumor.

They are also known for developing heart disease, including dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and aortic stenosis. Both conditions can be managed if diagnosed early, but they cannot be cured and often result in a shortened lifespan for dogs.

Boxers are also prone to joint problems, such as hip dysplasia, which can lead to early-onset arthritis.

American Pit Bull Terriers are generally considered to have fewer genetic conditions than Boxers, but they are still more prone to several conditions.

They’re also prone to hip dysplasia, are more prone to skin diseases and allergies, and have been linked to hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland that causes a slowed metabolism). Fortunately, skin disorders and hypothyroidism can often be managed successfully with medication or dietary or lifestyle changes.

Nutrition

You probably have a dog that is energetic, muscular and of medium size. While most dry foods you feed your boxer will work, you’ll need to budget for your mixed diet based on their energy level. If your dog has allergies (such as certain APBTs), you may need to be fed a specific diet as recommended by your veterinarian or qualified canine nutritionist.

Sometimes it is necessary to follow an elimination diet for a period of time to determine if the allergy is food related and which foods may be causing the reaction. Once this is discovered, it may be necessary to choose foods that only contain ingredients that do not cause this condition.

Breeders & Puppy Costs

Sadly, many of these dogs, and their mixes, suffer longer in shelters than some other breeds due to the unfair stigma attached to Pit Bulls. That means there’s a good chance you’ll find a Boxer Pitbull mix at your local rescue who deserves a loving home. A Boxer Pitbull mix puppy can run anywhere from $500 to $1,000.

If you really want a puppy and you find a breeder who has pups of this mix, you have to do your research. Responsible breeders will have proper health checks of parents, allow you to visit mom and her pups together in a loving home environment, will have proper early socialization and handling, and will not be weaned until they are fully weaned. Separate mom and puppy at least eight weeks of age.

Final Thoughts: Pitbull Boxer Mix

A Boxer Pit Bull Mix could make a wonderful family pet. Both breeds are usually extraordinarily affectionate and loving with people. They are likely to be a high energy dog that requires a lot of exercise and enrichment, so they would benefit from an active home that has company around for them most of the day.

If they inherit more of the APBT traits, they might not necessarily enjoy the company of other dogs, so they may suit being the only dog in the household or need careful introductions when meeting other dogs.

They are also likely to be powerful dogs, so making sure you spend time on training to stop any unruly or unmanageable behavior will also be important.

Don’t forget to check out your local rescue center as this is just the sort of mix that could be waiting for a loving home.