Boxweiler Dog Breed

Below are details and specs for the Boxweiler dog breed.

Boxweilers have a significant range in size. They may weigh as relatively little as 60 pounds or as much as 100 or more, but the males average 80 pounds and the females are a bit less. The approximate height of a mature Boxweiler is 21 to 27 inches, with females being at the lower end of the scale and males at the higher end.

Although their parent breeds have a history of ferocity, Boxweilers are usually good with kids, moderately OK with other pets and rather wary — but not aggressive — toward strangers. Early socialization and training as well as a good diet will keep your Boxweiler happy, loyal and in control.

The maintenance of your Boxweiler will not be difficult if you are a dog-lover. Occasional brushing, bathing when needed and lots of daily walks and outdoor play along with a proper diet will keep your pet more than sufficiently content.

The Boxweiler is a hybrid brought about in the 1980s as the result of deliberately crossing Boxers with Rottweilers. Little is known about this cross-breed. What is known, however, is that the parent breeds have long and rich histories.

The Boxer is a Mastiff that comes from Germany. In his 1939 book, The Boxer, John Wagner discusses the history of the Boxer and how it goes back to approximately 2000 B.C. In later millennia, the Boxer's more recent ancestor, the Bullenbeisser (which means "bull-biter" in English) has a significant history as both a bloodsport and a hunting dog. During World Wars I and II, the Boxer was used to carry supplies; British and American soldiers took some of the dogs to their home countries after the wars.

Rottweilers are said to have been around since the first century A.D. and that they came from Roman cattle dogs, eventually making their way into Southern Germany with Roman armies. Several centuries later, in the Medieval period, the Rottweiler became a bear hunter alongside its task as cattle dog. The need for it to be an all-around guard dog — against people, wolves, bears and bulls — has lent to its potent ferocity.

The Boxer was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1904; the Rottweiler was by the AKC recognized a few decades later in 1931.

Your Boxweiler is a crossbreed, so it will inherit characteristics from both parent breeds. Not all Boxweiler pups will get the same traits, so your pup may be more Boxer, more Rottweiler, or a fair balance of both. If she gets more Boxer, she will most likely be lean and graceful, but if she gets more Rottweiler, her body will likely be bulkier. In any case, she will have a muscular body, somewhat long legs, a squarish head, long snout, a short (and coarse) coat, medium-length ears, a strong chest and some wrinkling due to the thick skin.

The Boxweiler will usually be either black or tan, basically, but he could be a combination of these two, or dark brown, or spotted or even merle-coated.

The typical Boxweiler will be anywhere from 60 to 80 pounds, but if there is a lot of Rottweiler in him, he could get up to 100 pounds or more. They stand about 21 to 27 inches. Females tend to be smaller than males and are at the lower end of the weight and height parameters mentioned above.

Although there is much ado about the viciousness of Rottweilers, Boxweilers are said to behave much better. They are energetic, however, so their eagerness to please should not be confused with an attack mentality. They are very intelligent, relatively easy to train as pups and extremely loyal. Early training and socialization are mandatory, as is establishing yourself as the pack leader.

They are not good apartment dogs, and they should have lots of room to run and play outdoors. Left alone and without stimulation, they become bored easily and quickly. They make great guard dogs.

The Boxweiler gets along great with children, providing the pups are socialized with them from a very early age. They love to play and are extremely devoted to their families. If other children approach, they may not be allowed to play with the Boxweiler's beloved kids without permission and patience.

As a Boxweiler's parent breeds come from dogs with deep hunting lineages, they are predisposed to chasing down other animals. Socialized with other pets from a very early age, however, that can be easily managed; with other pets elsewhere, they should behave well enough but should be watched closely.

Boxweilers are excellent guard dogs. They tend to not attack strangers but they will be wary of them as well as essentially require permission for strangers to approach family members.

A Boxweiler is a medium-maintence dog, and much of the maintenance is in the form of exercise; she will need long daily walks and lots of room to stretch her legs. Otherwise, her coat doesn't shed much, needs brushing just once or twice a week and tends to be cleaner than most dogs due to some self-grooming. Health problems can vary from few to many, however, and a good diet will help mitigate most health concerns.

The coarse, short-haired double coat of the Boxweiler requires no more than moderate grooming: one or two brushings per week and bathing only when necessary will suffice. They are average shedders and most of them have a habit of keeping themselves groomed.

As the Boxweiler is a hunter at heart, frequent and regular exercise is required. Long daily walks and several weekly visits to the dog park must be done, and the more she can get out and run, the better she'll be for having burned all that energy.

Boxweilers are not apartment dogs; they are best kept in homes that have large, fenced-in yards. If kept indoors, they will not exercise much. They should always be kept on a leash if not in an enclosed area.

High temperatures and hot climates are not good for Boxweilers. If you live in such a place, it is best to keep them indoors when possible. If they must be outside, lots of cool shade (such as trees) and ample water to drink must be available.

While most hybrid dogs tend to not be prone to some of most of their parent breeds' health problems, Boxweilers are privy to a number of problems. The most regular health concerns are flatulence, joint problems (i.e., hip dysplasia), snoring, hearing problems and arthritis.

• Arthritis
• Deafness
• Flatulence
• Joint Dysplasia
• Snoring
• View all 5...

The following dog breed registries and organizations recognize the Boxweiler as a dog breed:

• Dog Registry of America Inc.

• Sources
• http://americanboxerclub.org/boxer_history.html
• http://molosserdogs.com/m/articles/view/2847-boxweiler
• http://amishcountryboxweiler.weebly.com/about.html
• http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/boxer
• http://www.petwave.com/Dogs/Breeds/Boxer/Overview.aspx
• http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/rottweiler
• http://www.therottweilerclub.co.uk/the-breed/history-of-the-breed/