The Pitbull Boxer Mix - Bullboxer Breed Guide

The Pitbull Boxer Mix, also known as the Bullboxer, is the result of crossing a Pitbull with a Boxer. With both parents historic fighting dogs, Bullboxers often have a bad reputation as being aggressive, but this couldn’t be further from the truth!

These large dogs are a loyal and energetic companion for any family and their intelligence makes them playful and fun to be around. If you’re interested in learning more about this breed, read on below to see whether a Pitbull Boxer Mix might be for you.

History Of The Pitbull Boxer Mix

Due to the fact that the Pitbull Boxer Mix is a hybrid breed, we cannot be sure what parent they are going to take after most. They may look like their Pitbull parent or they make look like their Boxer parent. One thing we can be sure of though is that, with the right socialization, these dogs are an excellent family member.

The Pitbull Boxer Mix is not registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) or the United Kennel Club (UKC), because they are a mixed breed. However, they are recognized by the International Designer Canine Registry, the American Canine Hybrid Club and the Designer Breed Registry.

Breed Origin

It can be difficult to know where the Pitbull Boxer Mix originated from, so we can take a look at the parent breeds in more detail to understand the origins of this dog.

The Pitbull parent in the Pitbull Boxer mix can actually be any of four types of Pitbull. These include the American Pitbull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, the American Bulldog and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The Pitbull was created in early 19th-century England for the popular spectator sports of bull and bear baiting. They were thought of as aggressive fighting dogs but it was also known that they were very gentle with humans and made excellent family dogs.

The Boxer was also originally a fighting dog and was used by the Germans to chase and hold down bear, bison and wild boar. However, as time went on, they began to diminish in size and therefore became much better suited to family life, thus becoming a family pet.

It is thought that the Pitbull Boxer Mix started becoming more popular in the US in around 2009.

Characteristics Of The Pitbull Boxer Mix

As we have mentioned above, it can be difficult to know the exact characteristics of the Pitbull Boxer Mix because they may take after one parent more than the other. However, we can make assumptions based on past litters.

Pitbull Boxer Mix puppies normally cost between $500 – $1000. You must make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder.

Appearance

Taking a look at the parent breeds will give a good indication as to what your Pitbull Boxer Mix may look like when fully grown. Normally, these dogs develop the longer snout that their Pitbull parent has, which means they don’t suffer from brachychephalic health issues.

The size of the Pitbull Boxer Mix depends on which type of Pitbull was used to breed. The American Pitbull Terrier is the largest breed of Pitbull and will produce the largest dogs. Bullboxers and normally mature between 12 to 18 months of age and can weigh anywhere between 30 to 80 lbs and stand between 17” and 25” in height.

Coat

The Pitbull Boxer Mix has a smooth, short coat as this is the type of coat both their parent breeds have. Luckily, they do not require much grooming, but we will go into more detail about that later on.

Color

Pitbull Boxer’s are normally brindle or fawn in color. However, they can come in a wide range of colors, including black, red, white, grey, blue, brown and tan.

Temperament

The Boxer Pitbull Mix is a loyal and lovable dog that loves to be around people. Super playful, these pups just want to be outside with you, playing games and accompanying you on hikes. Because they love you and want to please you, they don’t do well when left alone and can suffer from separation anxiety. If you need to leave them for more than 3 hours at a time, then it is a good idea to employ a dog walker or sitter to look after your friendly pup!

These dogs are very intelligent, which is one of the reasons they love to play. Also because of their intelligence, they can get bored very easily. They must be kept entertained otherwise they can get frustrated and begin to exhibit signs of unwanted behaviors.

It is a common misconception that because both parent breeds were originally fighting dogs, that the Pitbull Boxer Mix is an aggressive breed. This is not true. You will need to train and socialize your Pitbull Boxer Mix, but they are certainly not violent and really just want to be loved by you!

Often, these dogs can feel it is their duty to protect their owners and can make good watchdogs and guard dogs. They will bark when they feel something is out of place or if there is a threat, so this is something to watch out for!

Lifespan

The Bullboxer has an average life expectancy of between 10 to 14 years.

Known Health Issues

Unfortunately, as with any breed of dog, the Pit Boxer Mix is at risk of inheriting the same health problems that their parent breeds are predisposed to. Below we have laid out the main health concerns that this breed face.

Hip dysplasia — this is when the thighbone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia.
Aortic stenosis — this is a heart defect that is often found in large dog breeds. It can be treated with medication.
Cardiomyopathy — this is an enlarged heart with poor function. It can be helped with medication.
Degenerative myelopathy — this is a progressive disease of the spinal cord. There is no cure but there is treatment. It can be helped with intensive physical rehabilitation.
Allergies — the Pitbull Boxer can be prone to allergies from a range of causes such as food and pollen. It can lead to scratching and other skin infections.
Thyroid issues — this is common in Boxers, who can have either an overactive or underactive thyroid.

Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable.

Remember — buy from a reputable breeder and the chances your dog will suffer any health conditions will be greatly reduced. Trusted breeders will do health checks on both parent breeds and will not crossbreed if there is a chance of passing on any issues to offspring.

Daily Life

Now we know all about the traits and characteristics of the Bullboxer, it is time to take a look at what daily life with one of these dogs is really like. We will cover their food and diet, their exercise needs and their grooming needs.

Food And Diet

The size of the Pitbull Boxer Mix can vary based on the parent breeds. This means that the amount of food you will be feeding them will vary. You should always check the back of the food packet to see the exact amount you should be feeding them of a particular food based on their weight.

On average, a dog of this size with the same activity level will need roughly 1000 calories a day, which is about 2 cups worth. This should be split into at least two meals a day.

This food you feed your Pitbull Boxer Mix should be a high-quality kibble. It should contain a good source of protein so that they can stay active. Take a look at the dog food we recommend below.

Best Dog Food For The Pitbull Boxer Mix

Purina ONE SmartBlend Natural Large Breed Formula Adult Dry Dog Food

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We recommend the Purina ONE SmartBlend dry dog food for the Pitbull Boxer Mix. Formulated especially for large dog breeds, this recipe contains real chicken as the number one ingredient, ensuring that your dog gets all the protein they need to keep their muscles lean and strong. Also in this food there is a natural source of glucosamine that ensures your pups joints stay supple and healthy, which is very important for larger dogs.

With omega-6 fatty acids and vitamins and minerals, your Bullboxer’s skin and coat remains in the best condition and the antioxidant blend supports their immune system. All the ingredients are also high digestible in this food and there are no fillers.

Exercise Requirements

The Boxer Pitbull Mix has high energy needs. Because of their size, these dogs require between 60 to 120 minutes of exercise a day. You must make sure you can dedicate this time to them before buying one of these dogs.

This breed love to be with their family and will love to join you while you are out and about exercising. They also love to play games, because it keeps them engaged and mentally stimulated.

In some areas, the Pitbull breed is banned from being off leash because they are mistaken as an aggressive breed. Even when this is not required, it is often a good idea to keep the Pitbull Boxer Mix on the leash because they can be quite excitable and you don’t want to scare other dog walkers!

Family Compatibility

Despite their reputation as being an aggressive dog, the Bullboxer Pit is a friendly, loving and dependable dog that makes the perfect family dog. Keeping you on your toes, this bouncy pup loves to be active and to exercise and so will thrive in an environment with a family who like to do that too! They will particularly like to accompany you when you go out hiking or running, making them an excellent exercise buddy.

The Pitbull Boxer Mix does need to be socialized from a young age, but gets on well with both animals and children as well as other pets in the home. Due to their Boxer parent, these dogs can be slightly boisterous and overly energetic, which can result in young children getting hurt, so it is a good idea to supervise them!

These dogs can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone and so you shouldn’t be thinking about bringing a Pitbull Boxer Mix into your home if you are out for many hours at a time regularly. They can also get bored very easily due to their intelligence, and so they will need constant occupying.

Training

The Pitbull Boxer breed is an intelligent breed and therefore training is not difficult. However, this powerful dog is known to be stubborn which can lead to some difficulties and so it is best if you have an idea of training before you try with this breed.

Like all dogs, the Bullboxer responds best to positive reinforcement training such as reward based training. This includes treats and verbal praise. You should never get angry or upset with your Pitbull Boxer Mix because they will not understand and will not want to learn.

Socializing

We have mentioned above that the Boxer Pitbull Mix is a sociable dog who loves people and other animals. However, they will still need to be socialized from a young age so they learn that there is no threat. Often they believe it is their duty to protect their owners, so this is very important.

You should introduce them to new sights, sounds, places, smells, people and animals in a safe and controlled way. This should start from a young age because it can become more difficult to socialize these dogs as they get older.

Grooming

Fortunately, the Pitbull Boxer Mix does not require much grooming, due to the smooth, short coat of both their parent breeds. You will only need to brush them roughly two to three times a week to keep their coat in good condition and they will only require a bath between 3 to 4 times a year.

Clip their toenails as often as needed and try to brush their teeth weekly. This will help to prevent dental disease and decay from building. You can use dental sticks if this is easier for you.

Pitbull Boxer Mix FAQ’s

Are Pitbull Boxer Mixes dangerous?

We touched on this above but the answer is no. There is a common misconception that all Pitbulls are dangerous, but when trained properly and brought up in a loving and caring environment, Pitbull Boxer Mixes are affectionate, loyal dogs and love to be around people. They are very playful as well and their size means they can be a little boisterous, but this just requires some supervision if they are playing with children. They will need to be socialized with other humans and animals, but if you raise your pup right you shouldn’t feel in danger when around them.

Are Pitbulls illegal?

In some areas of the United States, Australia and the UK, Pitbulls and other related dog breeds are under breed-specific laws. These laws prevent residents in those areas from owning these dogs, except from under special circumstances. Pitbulls in these areas are seen as a danger because of their reputation and dog fighting background, even though there is a huge amount of evidence to show that when trained properly Pitbulls make great pets.

Summary

The Bullboxer is a loving, playful and energetic family dog that just wants to spend their days by your side. An active and intelligent breed, this pup will thrive in an energetic family home where there is a lot going on that they can be involved with. They especially love joining you while you exercise, and can become the perfect play mate for children. Despite their reputation for being aggressive fighting dogs, the Pitbull Boxer Mix is a fun-loving breed that feels it is their duty to protect you, and is extremely loyal. All these dogs want to do is love — are they the right pup for you?

The Pitbull Boxer Mix – Bullboxer Breed Guide