If you’re looking for a loyal and loving family pet that combines high energy, playfulness and adventure, but can also act as a guard dog, you should consider getting the Boxador.
What exactly is a Boxador? The Boxador is a cross between the friendly and loving Labrador Retriever and the playful and energetic Boxer. The Labrador Boxer Mix is sometimes referred to as a Boxerlab or Laboxer. Being a hybrid, however, the Boxador is not recognized by the American Kennel Club.
If you are considering having the Labrador Boxer as the newest member in your family, it is good for you to learn more about this dog breed to help you determine whether the pooch will be suitable for your family and lifestyle. In this guide, we’ll cover all the important information that you need to know about the Boxador. But first, let’s start by looking at the appearance of the Boxador.
How Big Do Lab Boxer Mixes Get?
Size
None of the parents of the Boxer Labrador Mix is a small dog, so you can expect that the Lab Boxer Mix will be a big dog.
An adult Boxer Labrador Mix measures between 21 and 25 inches at the shoulder, and has a weight of between 55 and 80 pounds.
As it is with most dogs, male Boxadors will typically be larger and weigh more than the females.
Appearance
Being a hybrid dog, the appearance of the Boxador will usually fall along a spectrum, with the traits of Labrador Retriever on one extreme, and those of the Boxer on the other extreme. That said, there are some traits that are common among most Boxadors.
Your Boxer Lab Mix puppy will have a head that is broader than that of the Lab, a slightly arched skull, dark brown eyes and folded ears that stand upright when the pooch is alert. The pup can inherit the naturally shaped muzzle of the Lab, or the shorter muzzle of the Boxer.
With both parents being working dogs, you can expect your Boxador pup to have a strong, athletic body.
Coat
In most cases, Boxadors tend to inherit the shiny and smooth coat of the Boxer, with short, straight fur. However, it is possible for your Lab Boxer pup to inherit the Lab’s coat.
Boxadors come in a wide variety of colors, depending on the color of the parents or grandparents, and are more likely to have a multicolored coat, rather than a uniform color.
What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Boxador?
Lifespan
Before bringing a pup to their home, most people want to know how long they can expect to live with the new member of their family. So, how long do Lab Boxer Mixes live?
Labs have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years, while the life expectancy of Boxers is 9 to 10 years. Therefore, you can expect the Boxer Lab Mix to have a lifespan of 9 to 12 years.
However, it is possible for your Boxador to live for much longer than that, devoid of any health problems. Some health problems that might affect the Boxer Lab Mix include:
Hip And Elbow Dysplasia
This joint condition is common among most large dogs, and the Boxer Lab Mix is no exception. When affected by this condition, your pooch will experience pain during movement. This condition typically gets worse with age.
Cancer
Cancer is one of the most common health concerns among Boxers, and there is a chance that your Boxer Lab Mix could be affected by the condition as well.
Some of the symptoms of cancer include lethargy, digestive issues, limping, breathing difficulties, loss of appetite and excessive weight loss. If you notice any of these symptoms, see a vet immediately.
Other Common Health Problems
Your Boxer Lab Mix might also be predisposed to other health conditions like bloat, heart complications like aortic stenosis and Boxer Cardiomyopathy, canine degenerative myelopathy, and so on.
To prevent having to deal with these health problems, it is recommended that you ask for a health test before purchasing or adopting a Boxador puppy.
How Much Does A Boxador Cost?
Getting yourself a new pup will definitely leave a dent in your pocket, so the associated costs are something you want to know about beforehand. So, how much does a Boxador puppy cost?
Buying Cost
Despite being a designer breed, the price of Boxer Labrador Mix puppies is not exaggerated.
Depending on the breeder you’re buying your pup from, as well as the age of the pup, you can expect to pay anywhere between $300 and $800.
Other Initial Costs
Aside from the buying price, there are other costs that you’ll need to take care of before bringing your new four-legged buddy home.
These include the costs of things like spaying or neutering, vet examinations, blood tests, vaccination, deworming, and purchasing things like a crate, collar and leash, food bowls, dog food, and so on.
These will push up your initial costs by another $500 or so.
Recurring Annual Costs
Owning a pet is like caring for a child. You cannot avoid spending on them regularly.
Once you’ve brought your new furry buddy home, you’ll find yourself spending money regularly on things like dog food, flea treatments, regular health checkups, pet license renewal, training and socialization, toys and treats, pet insurance (optional but recommended), emergency medical expenses, and so on.
You should be ready to spend anywhere between $1,000 and $3,000 per year on these recurring costs for the next 10 years. Yeah, owning a pet is not cheap, but it will bring you immense joy and pride.
Are Boxadors Good Dogs? Temperaments Of Labrador Boxer Mixes
Personality
While the personality of hybrid dogs will differ from one dog to the other, there are some personality traits that are common to most Boxer Lab Mixes.
The Labrador Boxer Mix is a good dog that will have the loyalty and the loving personality of the Lab, coupled with the playfulness and the high energy of the Boxer. This makes the Boxador a suitable breed for active families.
While they can make great guard dogs, Boxadors are not an aggressive dog breed.
Intelligence
Both the Labrador Retriever and the Boxer are working dogs that are highly intelligent and highly trainable, and therefore, you can expect the same of their offspring.
Still, it is possible for your dear fido to have the stubbornness of its Boxer parent, which means you will have to exercise patience during training and avoid showing the pooch your frustration.
Family Friendliness
When adding a big dog to the family, and especially a family with children, it is important to know whether the dog is family-friendly. So, are Boxer Lab Mixes good family dogs?
Yes. Boxer Lab Mixes are very family-friendly dogs and will enjoy playing and running around with your children. Being large and very active dogs, however, they can easily knock down small children, so they are best for families with school-going children and above.
If you have very small kids, you will need to keep a close eye on the dog and the children during playtime to avoid accidents.
Does A Boxador Shed? Grooming Tips For Labrador Boxer Mixes
Shedding
Most Boxer Lab Mixes usually inherit the short, smooth coats of their Boxer parent, and therefore do not shed much. This makes grooming them very easy.
They can get by with brushing just once a week. Still, it is possible for your Boxador to inherit the Lab’s coat, in which case your pooch will shed more and will require more regular brushing.
To make the brushing process easier, I recommend using a specially made brushing tool like the Furminator Undercoat Tool. You’ll love the fact that this deshedding tool is easy to hold, easy to use, easy to clean, and most importantly, it won’t damage your doggie’s skin.
You will also need a good vacuum to keep your house clean. For this, you should go for the iRobot Roomba i3+, which has a power performance feature that makes sure no furs are left on the floor and smart navigation that ensures no part of your floor will be left uncovered.
Bathing
The Boxador’s coat is well suited for self-grooming, and therefore, your pooch doesn’t require frequent baths. One bath every two months or so should be enough unless your canine buddy has had a tumble in mud.
Bathing can deplete the natural oils that keep your doggie’s coat shiny, and therefore, you should use moisturizing and conditioning shampoos such as the Mighty Petz 2-In-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo And Conditioner to keep your doggie’s skin healthy.
You should also regularly clean your canine buddy’s ears and brush their teeth to avoid infections.
Related Questions
Do Boxadors Like To Swim? Yes, Labradors were bred to be fishermen’s companions and are naturally good swimmers, and therefore, your Boxador will also enjoy a splash in the pool. However, the Boxer dogs are not natural swimmers, and therefore, it is not surprising for some Boxer Lab Mixes to have the fear of swimming or being near water bodies.
Do Boxers Shed More Than Labs? No, Boxers have a short smooth coat that is not prone to a lot of shedding. Labs, on the other hand, have a double coat that makes them heavy shedders. If your Boxer Lab Mix inherits their coat from the Lab side of the family, you can expect them to be an above-average shedder.
Do Boxers And Labs Get Along? Yes. Boxers and Labs get along very well. This is because they share many similar traits. They are both big-sized dogs, they are both working dogs, they are both highly intelligent, and both of them are active and energetic dogs. This makes Boxers a great companion for Labs.
