Bull-boxer Dog Breed

The Bull-Boxer, a breed classified in the Working group, likely originated as part of the "designer dog" craze in the U.S. in the 1980s, when a wide variety of purebred dogs were crossbred to eventually create entirely new breeds. Like its American Bulldog and Boxer parents, the Bull-Boxer is large-sized, friendly, athletic, and sometimes stubborn; this crossbreed makes a fairly good family pet. These dogs are best suited for families with large yards, and owners will need to provide their Bull-Boxers with firm, consistent training and early socialization with children and other animals.

PROS

• Good with kids, if properly trained/socialized
• Extremely active and athletic
• Minimal shedding
• Extremely healthy
• Low tendency to wander
• Relatively long lifespan (10-14 years)
• Low-maintenance; very little grooming or upkeep required
• Fantastic guard dog ability
• Low barking tendency
• Low sensitivity to being touched

CONS

• Stubborn and headstrong; will require consistent training
• High exercise requirements
• May be aggressive towards a perceived threat
• High tendency for obesity; food portions must be carefully controlled
• Sensitive to extreme heat or cold
• Aggression towards other animals; may view them as prey, and will need early training/socialization
• May become destructive if left alone

Since its parent breeds -- the American Bulldog and the Boxer -- are very similar, the hybrid Bull-Boxer will share the characteristics of both. This crossbreed is on the smaller side of large-sized, standing 20-26 inches at the shoulders; average weight is 55-85 pounds. Its single coat is short-haired, dense, and fairly stiff to the touch. Bull-Boxers shed minimally and will not require much grooming, but they are not hypoallergenic. A Bull-Boxer is fairly intelligent, but can be extremely stubborn if not trained--and it's best that it be trained early and often!

Interestingly, Bull-Boxers somehow combine the dignity of the Bulldog with the clownishness of the Boxer. A Bull-Boxer might act like the regal canine prince while on a walk with its owner -- but will suddenly chase its own tail for several minutes. Dogs of this breed love to curl up next to their owners -- but be forewarned: strange sounds (and smells!) tend to emanate from multiple Bull-Boxer orifices. (They're known for both their snoring and their flatulence, in other words.)

And like the Boxer, this crossbreed is extremely high-energy. It will be active indoors or out; though Bull-Boxers can live in apartments, they will require plenty of outdoor exercise on a daily basis. It goes without saying, too, that the typical Bull-Boxer is incredibly strong and muscular, and will need plenty of physical workouts to keep its muscles from turning to flab.

Energetic, affectionate, playful, and stubborn and aggressive at times, this crossbreed can be a welcome addition to the family--but firm and consistent training, along with early socialization with children and other pets if possible, is highly recommended. The Bull-Boxer temperament is normally one of great loyalty to its human family; in return, dogs of this breed need plenty of attention and affection from their owners. Bull-Boxers love nothing more than cavorting around the yard (or even the living room, if you let them!) while playing games and performing tricks. And the more physical activity with these dogs, the better--because a bored Bull-Boxer is often a destructive one.

As previously mentioned, this crossbreed can be quite headstrong, and will need firm training from a person they see as the "alpha" pack master. One training method that Bull-Boxer owners have said works well for them is a scientific "task-reward" system called clicker training. Clicker training is a scientifically proven practice that Bull-Boxer owners say works extremely well for their dogs.

As to watch- and guard dog abilities, the Bull-Boxer is nearly unmatched. This crossbreed is extremely protective of its loved ones; a Bull-Boxer is normally wary of strangers, and might be aggressive towards them if it believes they are a threat. The good news is that, unlike similar breeds like the Pit Bull, a Bull-Boxer will not attack with intent to kill, and will normally calm down after the perceived threat is neutralized.

As with many crossbreeds, the Bull-Boxer is extremely healthy overall (some living up to 14 years), but may suffer from common canine ailments like hip dysplasia, bloat, and epilepsy. Bull-Boxers are, however, prone to obesity, so dogs of this breed will need their food portions carefully controlled. A few Bull-Boxers have been known to contract cancer, though this occurrence is rare.