Boxer and Labrador Retriever are two medium-sized dogs. They are quite similar in terms of personality and build. Both dogs are quite friendly and amazing family pets. Yes, the Labrador Retriever is the cream of the crop. That is why he is the most popular dog by The American Kennel Club. What is the Boxador, a Boxer Lab Mix? Well, let’s take a look.
Designer dog breeds became popular in the 1990s when breeders began mixing different breeds to get a middle ground. The goal for the Boxador puppy was probably to get an active, protective, family companion dog.
Why mix them together? Well, one reason might be to eliminate some of the health problems. Purebred dogs are less healthy than mixed-breed dogs.
This puppy began as a designer breed but still ends up in a shelter. You might want to check your local shelter for a Boxer Lab mix rescue. The AKC doesn’t recognize hybrid dogs, but the Boxador is recognized by The American Canine Hybrid Club, Dog Registry of America, and Designer Dogs Kennel Club.
Meet The Breed
As we said before, a Boxador is a mix breed cross between Boxer and Labrador Retriever dog breed. He is medium to large in size and totally devoted to his family. This intelligent puppy can also be known as Laboxer, Boxerlab, and Boxerdor.
Homes with yards are ideal for the active dog that loves to play and enjoy free space. They are a bit more protective of their family and property, making them decent guard dogs. Yet, they are still friends with people, children, and other dogs. After all, their parent breed Labrador is one of the friendliest dogs in the world.
Meet the Parents
Whenever you have a crossbreed, the best way to know what you can expect is to take a look at both parents. So, let’s go.
Boxer
The first parent breed is a medium dog that has a short skull and broad head. Boxers are famous for their clownish face. They are a brachycephalic breed, meaning their muzzle is squished and might have trouble breeding.
Described as muscular and well-built, the purebred Boxer was originally designed to be a working dog and guard dog. Typically they come in brindle or fawn coat color.
What about personality traits? Here are some:
- Boxers are amazingly clownish and playful
- Love to be around people and other animals
- Amazing companions for hiking, jogging, and other outdoor activities
- Can be a bit wary of strangers
- Not the most-intelligent dog at picking up commands
Labrador Retriever
There is a reason why the Lab is the most popular dog breed by The American Kennel Club. This puppy was designed to be a working dog, but nowadays, he is the best family pet. And we can expect a Lab Boxer Mix to be the same.
Same as the Boxer dog breed, Labrador Retriever is medium size dog. Their most recognizable feature is the dense and weather-resistant coat. They come in different colors, including chocolate, cream, black, yellow, brown, and everything in between.
Let’s take a look at their personality traits:
- Amazing family dogs that are friendly with everyone they meet
- Loyal and eager to please
- Highly intelligent puppies that can perform anything you want
- Love to swim and will use the smallest pond to dip his feet in the water
- Gets along with other animals
Appearance
What will your Boxador dog look like? Well, this relatively new puppy inherits some features of both parents. When it comes to size, you can expect a medium size dog, one that is similar in build to both parents. They grow between 23 and 25 inches, weighing between 50 and 90 pounds. They might be a bit smaller depending on which genes are more dominant.
Their coat is a mixture of Boxer dogs and Labs. Common colors include black, brown, brindle, and white. They rarely have a solid coat, usually, it is a blend of two or more colors.
Because of their shorter coats, they do not do well in extreme weather. They might need some coat for the winter. And in the summer, you need to apply dog sunscreen to protect your puppy’s coat from the weather.
Temperament
Same as with appearance, the temperament of your Boxador puppy depends on the genes of both parents. The good news is that both Boxer and Lab have a similar temperament. With that in mind, you can expect your Boxer Lab mix to be playful and easygoing. They might have some guarding tendencies, but they are not aggressive.
Your Boxer mix will bond well with the family. Because of their social nature, it will take them a short time to bond with the family. Patient and gentle, Boxer Lab mixes are amazing with children.
They inherit the high intelligence of their Labrador parent, but they also inherit some of the stubbornness of the Boxer. They are not as easily trainable as Labs, but with positive reinforcement, you can get there. More on that below.
Training
The big challenge with your Labrador Boxer mix is recall. Boxers are infamous for their “recall”. They take forever to come back. Which is not the case with your Labrador.
They are easier to train than Boxer. Positive reinforcement, especially food, works amazingly. They are food-driven, so make sure to reward them with dog food or dog treats when they show good behavior.
Another big challenge is separation anxiety. Boxer dogs are very attached to the family, no matter the fact they do not come when called. They cannot stay alone for long periods. Crate training can help, but if you plan to get this puppy, do not plan to leave your puppy alone.
This is a dog that needs to be socialized early on. That will eliminate all guarding instincts. They do not have strong guarding instincts, but you should eliminate even the smallest ones.
They are big chewers. Give them something to chew and that will help you in training. Use chew toys as motivation.
Exercise Needs
Boxers and Labs are quite active dogs that need plenty of exercise. That includes physical exercise and mental stimulation.
As a general rule of thumb, you should provide your puppy with 45 to 60 minutes of exercise per day. If you can up that to 90 minutes, even better.
The good news is that these dogs make perfect companions for outdoor activities and sports activities. Think of playing fetch, playing ball, going hiking, jogging, riding a bike, or anything in between.
Health
One of the reasons why breeders have turned to cross Labs and Boxers is to eliminate certain health issues. We said Boxers are brachycephalic dogs. They are prone to breathing issues. Labs, on the other hand, are prone to hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia.
The good news is that by crossing these two, breeders have managed to eliminate common health issues. Boxador dog is a bit healthier than their parent breeds.
They still can suffer from heart problems, joint dysplasia, allergies, eye problems, breathing issues, bloat, and similar, but to a lower degree.
Grooming
A lot of people think they can get mixed-breed dogs and eliminate shedding. Yes, there are a lot of hypoallergenic dogs.
But that is not the case here. Neither of the parents is known as a hypoallergenic dog. Be prepared for medium shedding.
Brushing your dog once per week is enough.
Why Shouldn’t You Get One?
- Prone to separation anxiety if they do not get enough attention
- Highly energetic breeds that demand lots of physical exercise and mental stimulation
- You need to invest a lot of time in training to get a well-mannered dog
Why Should You Get One?
- Amazing pet that gets along with children and other animals
- You want a running buddy
- You want an intelligent dog that will pick up a lot of commands and learn tricks
