Boxador dogs belong to the popular Labrador mixed breeds. They are also known as Boxer Lab-Mix, Boxerlab, Boxerdor or Laboxer. Like the name already suggests, they are bred from a cross between a Boxer and a Labrador Retriever. This designer breed is relatively new, so the origins aren’t too clear.
The cross between a Labrador and Boxer, results in large dogs that are loyal, intelligent and loving. Labrador Boxer mixed breeds are athletic, active with a high level of energy and playfulness. They love to be outside a lot, to go for a walk or play with other animals. They are also well suited as family dogs that get along well with children.
This mixed breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). But they are recognized by several smaller Designer Dog Clubs, such as the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).
These boxer mixes are now also bred to reduce the health problems of both original dog breeds. However, it can also happen with mixed breed puppies that they do not always receive the best, characteristics of their parent animals. But a reputable Laboxer breeder will always try to breed healthy Boxador puppies with good physical and good personality traits.
Appearance of a Boxador
Boxador mixed breeds have a short, smooth and close-fitting coat. Fur colors can be brown, tan, gray, black or two-colored in brown-white or black-white. Because of the boxer genes, they usually have a black mask on their muzzle and around their eyes. That is why it is very rare that you have a completely white Boxador.
By crossing both dog breeds into a mixed breed dog, new colors can also emerge, such as light-colored legs and tails. The pups’ coat colors depend on the colors of their parents and their ancestors.
Both the boxer and the labrador are large dogs, with a smaller, but muscular frame. They weigh somewhere around 60 lbs and are about 25 inches tall.
Temperament
The temperament of the Labrador Mix is difficult to predict. But if you look at both parent animals, they are very agile, lively dog breeds that like to move around.
Both the Boxer and the Labrador have some similarities in temperament: they are very playful, intelligent, clever, loving, and want to please their owner. If your pup is more like a boxer, he will be very protective. That’s why it’s important to socialize your Boxador puppy early on.
In addition, these fur noses are easy to train and like to learn. Positive reinforcement is the way to go. They love verbal praise and a lot of yummy treats. Thanks to its intelligence and energy, the Boxador is also well suited for some dog sports such as agility, frisbee or flyball.
When you buy a Boxador, it is important that you have enough time to spend with your pup. If your four-legged friend is underutilized and alone too much, it can happen that they adopt negative behaviors. Because of their size, Boxadors require at least an hour of exercise per day.
Labradors and Boxers both enjoy playing with other dogs, but Boxers are less trustworthy in this sense. Boxers who have not been properly socialized are more likely to be aggressive toward strangers and other canines. Boxers are natural guardians who relish the opportunity to safeguard their families. However, rigorous socialization during the puppy phases, as well as seeing the Boxer parent and ensuring that they appear happy and confident with strangers, can help to lessen this risk.
Are they good family dogs?
Both the Boxer and the Labrador love children and are very suitable as family dogs. The children should, however, be a little older. Because of his stormy nature, it sometimes happens that the Boxador can accidentally knock the child over when he is still too small. No matter how friendly and gentle your dog may be, you can never leave him unattended with kids.
Only you can decide whether a Boxer Lab mix is a good fit for your household. These are big canines with big hearts who are willing to give as much as they receive. Boxadors like being a member of a family. They’re fantastic with kids and make great playmates for families with school-aged kids and up. However, this mixed breed requires a lot of exercise. So, if you’re not willing to put in the effort, it’s probably not for you.
It’s also a huge breed that struggles in small spaces. They have strong bonds with their companions and loathe being separated from them for long periods of time. When boxadors aren’t given enough exercise or attention, they may engage in destructive behavior such as gnawing or scratching. This is a dog that would be ideal for a family that leads an active lifestyle and has plenty of affection to give. They have a very cheerful and placid disposition as long as they’ve been thoroughly socialized, and will make the ideal companion and cuddle buddy.
Health and Life expectancy
Labrador Mix dogs or Boxer Mix dogs are usually healthier than their purebred parents. The Boxador breeder should test both parent breeds for hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. The boxer also has the problem that he has a shortened snout, which often leads to breathing problems. But, since the Boxador is a mixed breed, he will be less confronted with these problems.
Other health problems that may affect the Boxador include:
- Allergies
- Eye Problems
- Hypothyroidism
- Heart Problems
Boxer Labrador mixes usually live on average 10 to 15 years old. To make sure your dog lives as long as possible, it’s your responsibility as a dog owner to provide him with a healthy and nutritious diet, and give him enough exercise. It’s no secret that a healthy lifestyle will prolong the lifespan of your dog.
In addition to that, always make sure you are buying your puppy from a reputable breeder. Reputable breeders do the necessary genetic testing and you can be sure that the chances of your dog having a genetic disorder will be as slim as possible.
Grooming
Both parent breeds have short hair, and the Boxador is likely to inherit the Boxer’s silky, short coat. The coat is easy to maintain, but they still experience some seasonal shedding. Brushing your dog while they are shedding removes stray hairs, keeps them cool, reduces matting, and makes them look their best. It’s also a great way of bonding with your canine.
Bathe your dog just when absolutely essential, which may be more frequently if yours enjoys swimming and running around in the water. Bathing a dog removes the natural protective oils from its coat. Always make sure to use a special dog shampoo for it.
Every time you give him a bath, make sure you clean the ears of your dog as well. Use a dog ear cleaning solution and a couple of cotton balls to do that. And prepare a towel, because things could get wet.
Two or three times a week, brush your dog’s teeth. This helps to safeguard their teeth and gums, which is crucial throughout their lives but particularly as they get older. Oral hygiene should’t be overlooked as a healthy pair of teeth will make the life of your dog so much more enjoyable.
Finally, as an active dog, your Boxador should be able to keep their nails in good shape. On hard surfaces such as concrete, they grind down. However, if you walk your dog on grass and hear their nails scratching against the ground, you should clip them to keep them short.
Training
Because Labradors are highly clever and easy to train, they are utilized as service dogs, guide dogs, and police dogs. Boxers are also easy to train, but their attention is more likely to wander, so you’ll need to make training sessions brief and enjoyable if you want to get the best results.
It’s an excellent idea to take puppy classes. They teach you how to train your dog as well as the basic commands that every dog should know. They’re also a great way to socialize your puppy in a secure setting where everyone is on the same page. People in the park may be put off by a Boxador jumping up at them, but other dog owners will understand.
Labradors can be a bit stubborn, but they are mostly eager to please their owners. The method of training that works best for both parent breeds is positive reinforcement. When your dog does something well, reward them with treats and generous praise, and they will quickly understand what is expected of them. Also keep in mind that this breed does not like to be punished. When dogs are yelled at, they may feel betrayed, which can have a long-term negative impact on the relationship of you two.
To reduce the danger of behavioral issues and aggression, every dog breed should be thoroughly socialized as a puppy. Even the friendliest breeds, such as the Labrador Retriever, will benefit. It’s critical to socialize your Boxador to other dogs from a young age if you want them to get along with other dogs. Finding them puppy buddies to play with will help them grow up to be calm and submissive around other dogs. Make sure you socialize them with new people, youngsters, cats, and other animals as well.
Exercise needs of a Boxador
The Boxador is a mix of two highly active parent breeds, so you may anticipate your hybrid to be energetic as well. And you definitely wouldn’t be wrong, because this crossbreed appreciates burning off some calories. Just going on two 20 minute walks through the dog park won’t cut it, so if you are not an active person, this probably isn’t the dog breed for you.
You might have your new companion dog whether you prefer lengthy walks or even runs, though you should expect to have to stop and say hello to everyone you pass. At least if they inherit the Labrador’s personality. You should always make sure to give your dog at least an hour of daily exercise. They will enjoy going jogging, hiking, or playing fetch with you. But you have to give them the activity they need. Another reason the Boxador makes a fantastic family pet is that having numerous people to play with and exercise them ensures that they get the exercise they need. So if you have older kids, they would be more than welcome to exercise with them.
Both breeds excel in agility training. They’ll learn the maneuvers and skills they’ll need to navigate an agility course quickly, especially if you use nutritious treats as a motivator. Agility lessons are a great way for your dog to burn off energy in a safe and regulated environment, and they usually enjoy the opportunity to socialize with other dogs and people. This will make the temperament of your dog more predictable, and meeting strangers won’t be so hard for him.
Getting a Boxador puppy
Finding a Boxador companion, as with any designer dog, can be challenging. However, you may always look for these furry buddies on the internet. You could ask any Boxador owners you know for the name of their breeder or if they are aware of any impending litters. You may even ask Boxador owners for advice on social media. It’s also worth asking parents of Boxers and Labrador Retrievers if they can steer you in the correct path.
This is a relatively uncommon designer dog, so it’s possible that you will have to do some searching before finding a reputable breeder. However, we can’t stress enough how important it is to actually buy from reliable breeders and not from puppy mills or backyard breeders. Only reliable breeders will make sure that your puppy has all of the health testings that they need, and you can be sure that you are getting yourself a healthy dog.
Don’t overlook the importance of choosing a reliable Boxador breeder. It’s also a good idea to meet your puppy’s parents ahead of time to get a sense of what your future canine companion will be like.
If you decide to adopt a Boxador from a rescue or shelter, spend enough time getting to know your new furry friend to acquire a sense of their personality. Also, keep in mind that obtaining a Boxador with a pure Boxer and Labrador origin will be hard to do when you decide to adopt. That isn’t a bad thing at all, but you should definitely expect another dog breed to come into the mix.
Final thoughts
The Boxador is a cross between the Labrador and the Boxer, two of the most popular dog breeds. Both have a reputation for being clever, affectionate, energetic, and simple to train. They make wonderful family companions and can even serve as good guard dogs. At least if they take a bit more on the Boxer side of their parent dogs.
They would be a good dog for active families, that love to spend much time with their hybrid dog. Due to their large size, they could knock super small kids over, so maybe only consider them if you have older children. No matter how large this dog gets, he will always believe he’s a lap dog. So be prepared for that as well. Just like his parent breeds, this is an intelligent dog, and training sessions will be enjoyable for the both of you.
So if you can’t decide between the two purebred dogs that can be found in the DNA of this hybrid dog, why not go for the Boxador? He truly could be the best of both worlds by combining the best traits from both the Labrador and Boxer lineage. These two intelligent breeds mixed together could be a dream come true. But you just have to fulfill all of your Boxador’s needs. He needs a lot of exercise, training, food and his healthcare needs aren’t to be underestimated as well.