Boxmas Dog Breed

The Boxer-Mastiff mix, as a crossbreed, is not an official member of any breed group--but since these hybrids' parent breeds are both members of the Working group in the AKC and other clubs, the Mastiff-Boxer mix would fit nicely in that category. Neither does any info exist about this crossbreed's specific origin; while a Boxer x Mastiff may have existed naturally for a long time, no breeder or breed club has claimed its creation. These hybrids are likely the result of the designer dog "explosion in North America during the late 20th century. The big, friendly, loyal Boxmas is best suited to be a pet for active families, particularly those with enough indoor and outdoor space for such a large, active dog.

A few Boxmas facts: they're giant-sized, averaging 27 inches at the shoulders in height and 100 pounds in weight; they have short, straight, sometimes double-layered coats that shed regularly; and they're surprisingly energetic for their size, and will need quite a bit of exercise.

A few advantages and drawbacks to owning a Boxmas:

The Boxmas is an interesting hybrid: according to owners, this dog often inherits the massive size of its Mastiff parent, while retaining the nearly boundless energy of the Boxer. Put the two together, and you have a dog that's enormous in both size and activity level.

This means a Boxer and Mastiff mix dog isn't for everyone. Owners will need to have a lot of room, both indoors and out! Homes big enough to hold such a large, active dog are better--and the home will need to have a large, fenced yard that'll give the Boxmas plenty of room to run. It's important to note, though, that giant breeds like this one often encounter joint and bone problems during puppyhood, as their swiftly growing bodies can't handle overexertion. Owners will need to limit their Boxmas puppies' physical activity until the dog matures at 21-24 months.

In regards to temperament: the Boxmas will be affectionate, fun-loving, and protective. They'll be great playmates for kids, and normally socialize well with other household pets (though they might try to challenge other dogs). Their intelligence makes Boxmas dogs respond fairly well to training, but their potential stubbornness might mean they'll need a few repetitions when learning commands. And their loyalty and alertness (along with their sheer size!) makes them fantastic watch- and guard dogs, capable of neutralizing most any potential threat.

Again, these are big, energetic animals, and they'll need physical and mental stimulation on a daily basis; without it they can become frustrated and enormously destructive. Walking, jogging, fetch, and canine sports are all great activities for these dogs.

The Boxmas, due to hybrid vigor (in which a crossbred dog inherits the healthiest traits of its parent breeds), is pretty healthy. Even so, these hybrids can suffer ailments common to the parent breeds including cancer, hip dysplasia, gastric torsion (or bloat), and assorted eye issues. Potential owners are advised to ask breeders for health screenings for the dog and/or its parents, or they can have their own veterinarians do the screenings.

Life expectancy for the Boxmas is pretty short, at 8-11 years.