What To Know Before Owning A Boxer Pitbull Mix: Traits, Temperament, And More

Alexandar Mishkov
June 5, 2023

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In the past several years, the popularity of designer dogs has soared. And there are conventional, and some unconventional choices. We can say that the Boxer Pitbull Mix falls in the group of unconventional choices.

But we cannot dismiss the logic behind it. You get an intelligent, loyal, energetic, and cute dog. Some might say, it is the total package. What more can you ask?

In most cases, the Pitbull Boxer mix is a direct offspring and first-generation crossbreed. Yes, there are mixes that are the result of two mixed-breed dogs. But that is a rarity.

Meet The Breed

Some call it the Bullboxer Pit, a cross between American Pit Bull Terrier and Boxer. The result is a powerful, faithful, and energetic puppy that inherits some of the best traits from both parents.

You can also find names like Pixoter or American Bullboxer for this breed. In any case, we know who the parents are.

And what your canine might turn out to be. That is a loyal and protective companion that does amazing with children. One downside is their natural strength and stubbornness can make it challenging for them to be around other people. So, make sure to provide proper socialization early on.

Meet The Parents

As with any hybrid dog, the best way to know more about it is to look at its parent breeds. Let’s go.

Boxer

The Boxer is a medium-sized dog breed originating in Germany. Famous for its muscular build and short hair, the Boxer dog breed has a distinctive square-shaped head. Loyal and energetic, this playful puppy is an amazing companion for individuals or families.

Let’s talk about some of its personality traits:

Friendly, intelligent, and curious dogs
They love to play and interact with people
Highly energetic canines that need plenty of playtime
Loyal and protective of their family
At times, they can be stubborn and act like a way-overly independent dog
Yet, they are highly trainable and respond well to positive reinforcement

American Pit Bull Terrier

Here is a fun fact. The parent breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, same as its offspring. APBT is an umbrella term used for breeds like American Bully, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bulldog, and American Pit Bull Terrier.

Yet, at the same time, we have to say that the American Pitbull Terrier is a distinct breed. You can easily recognize it by its athletic and lean body. While the breed suffers from a bad reputation due to its history in dog-fighting sports, the reality is totally different. Here are some common personality traits of the breed:

Friendly with everyone they meet, be it animals or people
Highly energetic dogs that need plenty of exercise
Affectionate with its family
They crave attention from their family members
Can be e bit silly at times, but that is what makes life with them entertaining

Appearance

Now let’s go back to the Boxer Pitbull mix canine. What will this puppy look like? What is its temperament? Well, let’s start with appearance first.

As a crossbreed, this puppy inherits traits and attributes from both parent breeds. Sometimes, one parent has a more dominant gene. And sometimes, both parents are equal.

The size is the easiest aspect to guess. This cross will grow between 20 and 26 inches and weigh between 50 and 80 lbs. That is generally around the size and weight in the middle between its parents. Both parents are medium-to-large dogs, but the Boxer is a bit bigger.

Next, coat color and shape. This puppy has a short and smooth coat that can come in colors like black, white, tan, cream, blue, brindle, fawn, or any mixture of the two.

The puppy often has the broad head of the American Put Bull terrier with the drooping ears and the long legs of the Boxer. They might have a short muzzle, which is a gene you might not want. That is what puts the Boxer in the group of brachycephalic breeds that might have trouble with breathing and heating.

Because of its short coat, the canine is not as equipped to handle extreme weather conditions. When it is too hot or too cold outside, we suggest you minimize walking times.

Temperament

Here is a fun fact. Both the American Pitbull Terrier and the Boxer were originally bred for their guarding and fighting instincts. You might not think that about the Boxer, but that is true.

Luckily, people have recognized the friendly and loving nature of the breeds. In the past several years, there are more bred for being companions. Of the two, Boxers can be a bit overly-enthusiastic and rambunctious.

That being said, both are nowadays friendly. That makes your Pitbull Boxer mix a friendly puppy. He can be overly excited as well. The Pitbull is one of the friendliest canines in the world.

Speaking of the personality of your mixed breed, it thrives on human attention. They benefit from living in a family home where there are people most of the time of the day. They do not like being left alone. Otherwise, they are prone to developing separation anxiety.

As an excellent family dog, this canine can work with different animals in the household or with children. They particularly love children and can be the best nanny you can find. Their natural patience and protectiveness are perfect for being a big brother or big sister to a baby.

Training

Your mixed breed is incredibly intelligent. You can be sure it has the natural ability to learn and please you, his dog owner.

At the same time, we have to stress that these puppies do not respond well to any punishment. That can make them fearful and make it more challenging to train your dog.

Positive reinforcement is the best way to train your dog. The trick is to find out which gene it inherited. If it has more of the Boxer gene, your puppy will be more food-driven. If it has inherited the Pitbull gene, it will be affection-driven.

Use it to your advantage to modify their behavior and train your puppy to have the best possible manners.

The good news is they are fairly intelligent and will learn new things easily. Once you train them properly, you can have them off-leash. But we do not suggest it in crowded areas. Remember, people will always fear the Pitbull, no matter what. When you are outside in the open nature, your Pitbull will love some off-leash roaming time. Do not worry, he will be close to you.

You also have to remember the two parents were working dog breeds. They need a job to do. Some puzzle toys will help you with training.

Exercise Needs

No matter which gene your mixed puppy inherits, one thing is certain. You will have a high-energy dog. Both the Boxer and American Pitbull are high-energy dogs that love to roam around.

But there is a caveat. Boxers are brachycephalic dogs with a flat face. They cannot stay long outside during peak summer times. They have trouble breathing, so be careful of overheating.

Generally speaking, your puppy will need between 45 and 60 minutes of physical exercise and mental stimulation per day.

Health Issues

This is the part where we have to tell you, to be ready for some health issues. Both parents have short and smooth coat, which can be prone to allergies and skin issues. Additionally, Boxers are brachycephalic. So, your Pitbull Boxer mix puppy might be prone to some breathing issues.

Other challenges include hip dysplasia, an abnormal formation of the hip joint, heart disease called aortic stenosis, and cancer.

You can prevent most health issues by getting your puppy from a reputable breeder.

Grooming

Now here is the best part about owning this canine. Grooming is a breeze. Because of their short coat, these dogs need brushing once per week. And that is it. And when you are outside, even if they roll in the grass, just a gentle towel clean will do it.

So, do not worry about spending too much time grooming your dog. One thing to note though, make sure to buy proper shampoo for dogs that are prone to allergies. And do not bathe your puppy often. Once every six months is more than enough.