Want to learn more about the Boxer Lab Mix? Use this article as your guide to the designer dog affectionately known as the Boxador.
This mixed breed dog combines two of the most popular dog breeds in the world today – the Boxer and the Labrador Retriever – to produce an active, intelligent and adorable dog.
If you’re considering getting a new dog, the Boxer Labrador Mix is certainly one of the best dogs your family could ever own.
But why is the Boxador such a great family dog? Well, it is because the Boxer Lab Mix is known for his energy, intelligence and loyalty – all the traits that are desirable in a dog.
With all mixed breed dogs, however, there’s no way to accurately predict the physical characteristics and personality traits your dog will inherit from each parent dog. Thankfully, we’ve a solid understanding of what to expect from your new Boxer Lab Mix and we’ll reveal all the facts right here.
So, read on to learn more.
Table of Contents
What is a Boxador?
As the name suggests, the Boxador is a cross between the Boxer and the Labrador Retriever dog breeds. Other names that are used to refer to this mix include Boxalab and Labrabox.
The Boxador is a very popular mix, which is not surprising considering the fact that his parents are among the most popular breeds in the world today.
The Labrador Retriever has been the most popular dog breed in America for the past 26 years in a row.
Labrador Retrievers are medium-sized canines, who are very energetic. They are also very friendly and intelligent, making them excellent family dogs.
Boxers are also very popular among American families. Like Labs, they are also energetic and enjoy playing games with their families.
But where did the Boxer Lab Mix come from? Let’s take a closer look at the origin of the Boxador to give you a good idea of what you’re getting yourself into.
The History of the Boxador
As a crossbreed, the Boxador has little information about his historical background. This hybrid dog was probably developed in the later stages of the 20th century because most designer dogs were created during this period.
At the time, an increasing number of breeders were actively involved in developing a dog that reflects the qualities of the “ideal” family dog. It was during this period that Labradoodles, Shepradors, Cheagles and many other mixed breed dogs begun emerging in the market.
As you can see, it is not clear where the Boxador came from. However, we can study the origins of his parents – the Boxer and the Labrador Retriever – to better understand what makes this crossbreed so special.
So, let’s talk about the histories of both parent breeds, starting with the Boxer.
The History of the Boxer:
With a history that goes as far back as 2500 BC, the Boxer is a descendant of ancient war dogs that were an integral part of the Assyrian Empire.
A dog of English and German descent, the present-day Boxer is said to have been refined over many years from the first war dogs to the Boxer we know and cherish today.
It is widely believed that the Boxer is a cross between the mastiff dogs from England and the German Bullenbeisser, which were used for hunting by German noblemen.
Boxer Puppy
According to experts, this charming dog was given the name Boxer because he usually uses his front paws when playing or defending his family.
The Boxer breed has a long and impressive track record, working with the military and law enforcement agencies as well as being an excellent guide dog in search and rescue missions.
The Boxer is also a good watchdog, guard dog and companion dog. These days, he can be found as a family pet in many homes around the world.
So, what about the Labrador Retriever? Is his resume as impressive? Let’s find out!
The History of the Labrador Retriever:
The American Kennel Club’s leading dog, the modern-day Labrador Retriever is known for his outgoing and sociable personality.
This dog is as cute as he is intelligent, being one of the most trainable dogs in the canine world. He is fun-loving and gentle with both adults and children, despite his muscular frame.
If you’ve had a chance to watch the 2008 movie “Marley and Me”, then you’ll admit that you almost had tears rolling down your cheeks. The cheerful Lab clearly epitomizes the actual personality of Labrador Retrievers the world over. The Lab is a family pet and an excellent therapy dog as well.
Labrador Retriever
Labs are highly trainable, being very intelligent. They are cherished for being great family dog as well as an integral part of law enforcement agencies, the military and even search-and-rescue missions the world over. Simply put, the Labrador is your do-it-all type of hound.
Originally from Newfoundland, the Lab is a descendant of the Ancient St John’s water dogs, which were a cross between different work dogs with English, Irish and Portuguese roots.
As the name suggests, Labrador Retrievers were commonly used to retrieve things from water, especially nets with fish. They would also help with carrying messages from one boat to another.
The Labrador breed was introduced to Europe by the tenth Earl of Home and the fifth Duke of Buccleuch in the 1830’s.
A few decades later, the third Earl of Malmesbury, the sixth Duke of Buccleuch and the 12th Earl of Home joined hands to create the modern-day Labrador Retriever.
ALSO READ: All About The Beagle Boxer Mix (The Boggle)
Now that you know where his parents came from, let’s take a closer look at the actual Boxer x Labrador.
The General Appearance of the Boxador
There really is no guarantee about what kind of pooch your Boxer Lab Mix will be. That’s despite the fact that we know the characteristics of both the Boxer and the Labrador Retriever.
The obvious characteristics will depend on the state of purity of both parents. If the parents are 100% purebred Boxer and 100% purebred Labrador Retriever, then you can expect your Boxador to be half Boxer and half Labrador. The problem is that you can never tell which characteristics will come from each parent breed.
View this post on Instagram
What we already know about the Boxador are the following simple facts:
- The full grown Boxer cross Labrador is a medium to large sized dog.
- He tends to inherit the facial features of his Boxer parent, but takes after the Lab’s body shape.
- The Boxador boasts a low body with short legs that are proportional to the size of his body.
SUGGESTED ARTICLE: A Guide To Finding The Best Dog Houses For Large Dogs
How Big Do Boxer Lab Mixes Get?
Boxadors have an average weight of around 55 to 80 pounds when mature.
When it comes to height, they normally stand anywhere between 21 and 25 inches tall.
Boxador Coat Colors
Boxer coats come in brindle or fawn sometimes with white markings. On the other hand, Labradors are black, yellow or chocolate. Therefore, the Boxer Lab Mix will usually come in any combination of the above colors.
The brindle Boxador is extremely common and often has white patches.
View this post on Instagram
Boxador Shedding
The Boxador dog normally inherits the coat of his Boxer parent. These dogs usually have short, smooth hair.
They are also low shedding dogs, which makes them easier to take proper care of.
However, if your Boxador puppy leans more towards the Labrador Retriever, you’ll have to try and deal with any additional shedding. Fortunately, shedding is seasonal and you can keep it under control with proper and regular grooming.
We’ll take a look at that later. For now, let’s delve into the Boxador behavior and temperament so that you know what to expect.
Further Reading: Top 10 Best Bones to Clean Dogs Teeth
Boxer Lab Mix Temperament
In order to better understand the behavior and temperament of a Boxador, we need to study the personality traits of both purebred parents.
Boxers are playful dogs who get along well with children and other family members. They are also intelligent and eager to please their owners. However, they can also be mischievous and proper training is necessary to prevent this from developing into a serious problem.
Boxers are also curious and enjoy the outdoors most. You’ll find them sniffing, exploring and even chasing after small animals like birds and squirrels.
If your Boxador puppy is more like a Labrador, then you might realize that his character is more laid back. A Labrador has a few guarding instincts, which makes him a better watchdog. Generally speaking, Labs are very sociable and friendly dogs.
Given his parentage, a Boxador dog is happiest when living with active family members. They need physical activity and enjoy playing games with humans.
Both Boxers and Labs are loyal, loving and affectionate, so their offspring should be no different. Boxadors are very sociable dogs and will sometimes act as if they are true lap dogs. Despite being large dogs, don’t be surprised to see them climbing on your lap for a cuddle!
Behavior with Young Children
Most Boxadors are good with small kids. This is because almost all Labs enjoy playing with children and Boxers are known for being very tolerant of small kids.
Therefore, given that both the Boxador’s parents are known for being gentle with young children, it shouldn’t be a surprise if you notice your Boxador puppy getting along well with your kids from the word go.
View this post on Instagram
As with all dogs, however, you should supervise interactions between your Boxer Lab Mix and small kids, as even the most loving dogs can hurt young children without intending to.
On the other hand, almost all Boxer Lab Mixes can be trusted to play and spend time with older children even without your supervision.
Just make sure to teach your children how to interact with family pets without teasing or hurting them.
Behavior with Cats and Other Animals
Many pet parents may want to keep more than one pet at home, so pet harmony is often a priority. You don’t want to add a new dog to your family, only to discover that your pets do not live together amicably.
While there are no guarantees about the manner in which individual pets react to each other, almost all Boxer Lab Mixes get along well with other animals, including cats.
View this post on Instagram
They are playful and friendly, and they will quickly get along with other members of the family (whether they are people or animals).
Since their Boxer parent has natural guarding instincts and might be aggressive towards unfamiliar dogs of the same sex, be sure to reduce this through early socialization and by visiting the Boxer parent to ensure he is happy and comfortable with strangers.
RELATED: 4 Tips to Stop Dog Aggression towards Cats
Barking Habit
Both Labs and Boxers do not bark excessively, so you can bet your Boxador will be the same.
However, both parent breeds make vigilant guard dogs. This means that they will bark when they see anything out of the ordinary.
Some Boxer Lab Mixes will react to strangers with an enthusiastic greeting followed by joyous jumping or tail wiggling. Other Boxadors are more laid back and will neither threaten nor fawn over strangers.
Stop excessive barking by training your Boxador from a young age.
View this post on Instagram
Tips on Lab Boxer Mix Care
If you’re convinced that the Boxador is the right dog for you and your family, here are some important tips to help you take proper care of your new pet:
1. Training
Labs are generally food-motivated dogs, so you can expect your Boxer Lab Mix puppy to be the same.
Boxer Lab Mixes respond well to training since their food motivation, intelligence and loyalty to their masters make them good candidates for training. They are also eager to please their owners, which enables them to learn quickly.
Even so, it is very important to be positive when training your Boxador puppy. These pups respond best to positive reinforcement techniques and poorly to being scolded as their devotion to their masters makes them feel betrayed when punished or shouted at.
Boxer Lab Mixes respond well to clicker training when they are still puppies, but since they are half Labrador, they can be somewhat dopey.
During training, short and frequent sessions are normally more effective than long, infrequent sessions since the dog might easily lose interest.
Boxer Lab Mixes are prone to separation anxiety because of their loyalty and commitment to their owners. You can treat this by training your puppy as soon as you bring him home.
Leaving your puppy for a few minutes at first and gradually increasing the amount of time you leave him alone will most likely result in a happy dog.
On return, be sure to use lots of positive reinforcement techniques such as treats, praise words, hugs, play and so on. That way, your dog will learn that leaving him alone is not necessarily a bad thing. It will create a positive relationship with you leaving since your pooch will soon learn that you’ll always return with lots of goodies for him.
If you’re not sure how to train your Boxador, you can always contact a professional dog trainer or buy a book about training your dog. Most people can train their dogs at home, but if you think you’re not up to the task, it is wise to seek help. The investment will be more than worth it!
2. Exercise
? Boxer Lab Mixes love exercises and movement. So if your family doesn’t get out frequently or you plan to stay away from your dog for extended periods of time, a Boxador is certainly not the breed for you.
Both the Boxer and the Labrador Retriever crave and need exercise. If their exercise needs are not met, they could start showing destructive behaviors, which could result in a lot of chaos at home.
It is extremely important to take your Boxador out on walks two to three times per day, out to a nearby dog park to interact with other canines and to any dog-friendly place that allows them to expend any excess energy.
View this post on Instagram
Ask your kids to take your family dog out and to play together in the yard. This gives both a good opportunity to burn off excess energy – it is a win-win situation for everyone involved!
If you had a pooch in the past that didn’t want to play with toys, the Boxador will surely be a game changer for you! Playing Fetch will now be so much fun for both of you. The Labrador side of the crossbreed will ensure your pup collects and brings back that toy all the time.
This is because they were bred to do exactly that: Fetch or retrieve! It is important to provide your Boxador with lots of interactive dog toys to keep him busy and to promote mental stimulation.
However, be aware that the dog may destroy the toys after just a few rounds due to his intrinsic desire to do something at all times. This absolutely normal and something that you shouldn’t be worried about.
All you need to do is to let them understand that the toys belong to them and what things to chew on (this is of course excluding your furniture and shoes)!
SUGGESTED ARTICLE: 6 Easy Ways to Tire out Your Dog
3. Grooming
For the Boxador, you don’t have to worry much about his grooming demands. Boxers are typically short-haired dogs, and Labrador Retrievers are medium haired.
In most cases, the Boxer Lab Mix pup will inherit the Boxer’s coat with short, smooth and easily-maintained hair that doesn’t shed a lot. All you need to do is to get a good brush that is suitable for a short-haired canine. Of course, you might come across some exceptions.
View this post on Instagram
Keep in mind that brushing your Boxer Labrador Mix is vital to the health of his skin and coat so avoid skipping it even if shedding is not a concern. Overall, the Boxador is a low maintenance dog as far as grooming goes.
If you do decide to bathe your Boxador, chances are he won’t resist it. Both Boxers and Labradors love swimming, which means your dog will love the water!
Lastly, you will need to clip his nails whenever they get too long and brush his teeth two to three times each week.
Feeding Information
Boxer Lab Mixes love their food, just like the Labrador. These dogs can devour everything you give to them, so make sure to watch their eating habits.
Also, be careful of the speed your Boxador eats since if he eats too much food too fast, he could bloat. Four to five cups of high quality dog food divided into four equal servings per day is recommended. You can give him some treats between the two meals.
Boxadors do well eating both canned and dry dog food, but it is wise to maintain them at a healthy weight by monitoring their food intake.
Some Labs are allergic to foods containing grains so be sure to provide your Boxer Lab Mix with a grain free diet. Your Boxer Lab Mix will also require access to fresh water throughout the day.
SUGGESTED ARTICLE: The 10 Most Dangerous Human Foods for Dogs
Boxador Lifespan
Boxers have a lifespan of around 9 to 10 years. And Labradors have an average lifespan of 11 to 12 years. So you can expect their offspring to live anywhere between 9 and 12 years.
Boxador Health Problems
While mixed breed dogs like the Boxador are considered to be healthier than their purebred counterparts, there certain problems that can be passed on from the parents to their offspring.
One health problem that affects both Labs and Boxers is hip dysplasia. Nevertheless, if both parent dogs are tested and cleared of the condition, you don’t have to worry about the issue appearing in your Boxador.
As with any dog, however, you should take your Boxador dog for regular vet checkups to ensure there are no hidden health issues.
You should also get the Embark Dog DNA Test Kit to rule out any health risks and to ascertain the parentage of your new dog.
Finding Boxador Puppies for Sale or Adoption
If you think this Mix is a good match for you, finding reliable Boxador puppies can be an exciting experience.
Nevertheless, you need to do thorough research in order to find good Boxador breeders.
Getting your puppy from reputable Boxer Lab Mix breeders is very important if you want your pup to grow and develop into a well behaved dog.
The best breeders will ensure their puppies have undergone thorough health screening before they put them up for sale. Moreover, you’ll want to meet both the Boxer and Lab parent dogs as well as their puppies and ensure they look healthy and confident with strangers.
View this post on Instagram
Boxador Price
So, how much do Boxadors cost? Well, the average price of a Boxer Lab Mix is around $800 to $1000.
Of course, the price will vary based on the puppy’s age and health, the location, the value a breeder attaches to the parents and the reputation the breeder involved.
Boxador Rescue
A much cheaper option is to consider Boxador rescue. Adoption fees usually range from around $50 to $100.
The good thing about Boxer Lab Mix puppies or adult Boxador dogs for adoption is that most animal shelters will cover the initial cost of vet consultation.
In case you have decided to adopt a dog, please fill free to check these websites:
– PuppyFinder.com
– Adoptapet.com
ALSO READ: All About The Beagle Lab Mix (The Beagador)
Conclusion
If you love the Boxer and you also love the Labrador, you can’t go wrong with the Boxador.
The Boxador is a cross between two wonderful dog breeds, the dignified, loyal Boxer and the sweet, friendly Lab.
Boxer Lab Mixes are excellent family dogs, great with young children and keen to socialize with your guests. Properly socialized and trained, the Boxador will be a joy to be with.
