Pit Bull Boxer Mix
A dog that is both pitbull and boxer is a very powerful canine. Both breeds are strong in every sense of the word (physically, personality and temperament). These pups will require a stable family and household environment as well as a firm owner as their pack leader.
Puppies that are born as a result of a pitbull and a boxer mating will inherit various characteristics from both parents, and no two puppies will be the same. These pups can also be referred to as Bullboxer Pits, American Bullboxers, the Bullboxer, and finally the American Bull Boxer. If you are considering a pitbull boxer mixed puppy to join your home, then continue reading for more information about the breed!
History of the Pitbull Boxer Mix
The Pitbull Boxer Mix is one of many results of 19th Century European breeding experiments. European dog breeders during this time were interested in crossing various dog breeds in hopes of creating the perfect companion.
One combination that was chosen was the bulldog and the terrier. 19th Century European dog breeders began mixing the bulldog with terrier breeds with the intent on creating a dog that would have the muscle and strength of the bulldog while exhibiting the expressive talent and vast resourcefulness of the terrier. Many of the “bully” dog breeds resulted from this experimenting.
For example, the American Pitbull Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier as well as the American Staffordshire Terrier. Therefore, the American Pitbull Terrier would not have existed if it hadn’t been for the curiosity of the 19th Century European dog breeders.
Once the American Pitbull Terrier was well established and held a predictable outcome, it became a breed of its own and is recognized as such. As time passed, the American Pitbull Terrier became vastly more popular as did cross breeding them with other dog breeds.
One of which was the American Pitbull Terrier and the Boxer. Breeders (professional and non-professional) have begun combining the two muscular pups to create a powerful, loyal, loving, and hardworking canine companion.
Personality and Temperament of the Pitbull Boxer Mix
In order to fully understand the Bullboxer, we must look at the personality and temperaments of the Boxer and the American Pitbull Terrier. If the parents are both “pure” Boxer and “pure” Pitbull then the puppies will be 50% Boxer and 50% Pitbull. However, if either parent (the boxer or the pitbull) are not purebred, then the puppies may also inherit characteristics from the other dog breed involved.
For example, if the American Pitbull Terrier parent was actually an American Pitbull Terrier and German Shepard mix then the puppies that result from the Boxer and the American Pitbull Terrier German Shepard mix will be 50% Boxer, 25% American Pitbull Terrier and 25% German Shepard. This bloodline may be split in countless ways with each addition of a new dog breed. For the sake of this article, the information provided will be based on the 50% Boxer and 50% American Pitbull Terrier puppies.
Boxers are typically known for their sweet nature and their curiosity. Boxers tend to have a mischievous side as a result. They are also well-known for being great family dogs and are rather fond of children. Boxers make excellent guard dogs as they are typically not trusting of strangers.
The Boxer is also not very aggressive unless provoked or if they feel that they or their family is threatened. Boxers have a lot of energy and may unintentionally overpower a small child during playtime or a walk. These pups are rarely destructive of their home and back yard. However, if a boxer reaches boredom or is not properly exercised each day, then he will likely release his energy in a destructive way.
American Pitbull Terriers are often described as large, muscular, and aggressive dogs that are dangerous to be around. However, this is common misinformation. Pitbulls are a strong dog breed; they are definitely energetic, and they are in fact courageous.
In addition to these qualities, the American Pitbull Terrier is loving, loyal, excellent with children and sweet-natured. They were once bred to be aggressive fighting dogs as well as working dogs. Today, they are more commonly found as gentle family companions. This is due to their natural loving instinct and undying loyalty to those they love. American Pitbull Terriers, like any dog breed, can be taught to fight other dogs by their owners.
However, these pups are not aggressive by nature. The breed is very athletic and enjoys outdoor sports and exercises with their family members. They can be stubborn and will require an experienced owner or a professional puppy training class to teach them their manners and make them well-rounded adult dogs.
Pitbulls love to play and run with their families and are especially fond of (and protective of) children. However, small children should be under adult supervision while playing with dogs of any breed as even the most loving pet can play roughly.
Bullboxers are generally good watchdogs that enjoy the company of their family members. They are loving, loyal and typically non-aggressive. These pups are also high energy and will require proper exercise and play time each day to avoid potential destruction and boredom.
These dogs may have a stubborn side which may require them to be enrolled in puppy Bootcamp or another professional puppy training school. These classes will ensure that your energetic puppy will grow into a well-mannered adult dog. Overall, the Pitbull Boxer Mix is a wonderful family companion that will love and protect their pack.
Feeding your Pitbull Boxer Mix
You may believe that all dog foods are created equally. This is simply not true. If it were, then there would be no need for competition among dog food companies. You may also believe that the more expensive a dog kibble is, the better quality it is for your dog.
Again, this may not be entirely accurate. Some dog foods are not only good quality but they are also budget-friendly. How do you know what dog kibble is good quality? You should start by looking at the brand.
Now, it is important to mention that name brand dog food is not always the best choice. Sometimes a high-quality dog food is created by a company that no one has heard of yet. However, it is wise to pay attention to the brand for further purchases (or brands to avoid).
Next, you should look into the ingredients list. It should be found on the back of the package. Your Pitbull Boxer Mix will need a high protein diet. Therefore, quality sources of protein should be among the first items listed on the ingredient list. High-quality protein sources include chicken, turkey, beef, and lamb.
If any of these products are not among the first ingredients listed then move on to the next brand. If they are, then continue on. Vegetables and possibly even fruits should be among the next items listed after protein. He will need these items to add vitamins and minerals to his diet.
Your dog will also need various carbohydrates. However, many dog food companies use empty fillers in their food. These ingredients are carbohydrates that are typically high in calories and make your dog feel full. This may sound like a job well-done, but, your dog will be full of food that is nutritionally lacking, and that is not okay at all.
Look for a few carbohydrate sources that should be found near the middle to end of the ingredients list. The last items listed should be other vitamins, minerals, and potentially any other additives. These items are on the bottom of the list because they are not as prevalent in the kibble as the other ingredients.
Finally, you should look at the age, activity level, and type. Most dog kibble packages will say whether it is developed for puppies or for adults. If you have a Pitbull Boxer Mix puppy at home, then you will want to purchase a kibble that is puppy-friendly.
If you have an adult dog at home, then you should look at adult brands. Most puppy food is created for their high energy, growing and development stage. However, adult dog kibble may vary in the stage of life that the dog is in. For example, some kibble is developed for senior pups whereas others may be better suited for athletic adult dogs.
Avoid feeding your Pitbull Boxer Mix anything that could make him sick (i.e. chocolate). Always research whether or not a food is safe for a dog to eat before you give it to him. If your dog has ingested a type of food and you are not sure whether it is safe or not, call the veterinarian immediately and explain the situation.
Some dogs can handle raw meat occasionally, but it is wise to discuss this option with your veterinarian before you try it. You may also want to avoid giving him bones from your food. Some bones (like chicken bones) are fragile and can splinter off as they are broken. These pieces can then be swallowed and cause internal damage to him.
Caring for your Pitbull Boxer Mix
Exercise
These pooches require a lot of exercises! Adequate exercise and playtime each day will help keep your dog from becoming a couch potato, as well as help prevent him from becoming bored and thus destructive. The Pitbull Boxer Mix is a very muscular and athletic dog breed that needs to be outdoors playing, walking, or even going for a run multiple times per day in order to remain healthy and happy.
Habitat Requirements
Surprisingly, the Pitbull Boxer Mix could make an excellent apartment companion. Most people would believe that medium to large sized dogs (such as the Pitbull Boxer Mix) should reside in a single family home with a large backyard.
However, these pups rarely bark and are easily adaptable to new surroundings. Regardless of what type of house or apartment they live in, they must have access to green space outdoors multiple times per day. Without this access to green space, your dog will not have a proper place to relieve himself, play, run, or exercise. All of which are essential to owning a dog.
Training and Barking
The Pitbull Boxer Mix is very intelligent and may learn tricks and commands quickly. On the other hand, this breed can have a stubborn side and may make training difficult. Therefore, it is wise only to adopt a Pitbull Boxer Mix if you are an experienced, and firm, dog owner or if you plan to enroll your pup in a professional training class.
As previously mentioned, Pitbull Boxer Mixes rarely find the occasion to bark. However, he will have no trouble alerting his family if an intruder is approaching their home, or if there is any other sign of imminent danger. Even in these dangerous situations, a Pitbull Boxer Mix will not bark incessantly as many of dog breeds would.
Grooming
Pitbull Boxer Mixes are overall easy to groom. Their fur coat is thin and short as it lays flat on his skin. They are not big shedders, but, you may find more hair around the house during the warm months of the year. One way to prevent your pup from shedding is to brush him about once a week.
These pooches will not need regular bathing, but, a bath each month will keep him clean, healthy, and smelling good. Pitbull Boxer Mixes will also need their ears cleaned, their teeth brushed, and their nails trimmed on a regular basis. If you’re not comfortable performing these tasks, then you may want to enlist the help of a professional dog groomer.
Potential Health Conditions of the Pitbull Boxer Mix
Pitbull Boxer Mixes may be prone to any number of health conditions that the Boxer or the American Pitbull Terrier are prone to. These pups may also have inherited a genetic disorder from one or both of their parents if their bloodline included one.
The best course of action is to discuss the medical history of the parents with the breeder before purchasing a puppy. You should also request documentation from the veterinarian to prove the parent’s health status as well as the health status of the puppies. Some of the health conditions that a Pitbull Boxer Mix pup may suffer from include:
- Obesity (the Pitbull Boxer Mix will require plenty of exercises and a proper diet to remain at a healthy weight)
- Heart problems (heart disease, heartworm, congestive heart failure)
- Cancer
- Hip dysplasia (can be a genetic condition)
- Skin problems (dandruff, ringworm)
- Infections
- Allergies (food allergies, grass allergies, chemical allergies)
- Eye Problems (cataracts, cherry eye)
Take your new puppy to the veterinarian and have a full workup done (if you are concerned about him having a particular health condition) as well as any shots that are needed at that stage of life.
The Pitbull Boxer Mix could be a fantastic addition to any family dynamic provided that he has access to green space multiple times per day, is adequately exercised and enjoys playtime multiple times per day, receives a balanced diet, and is given a lot of love!