Are you looking for a powerful and loyal companion dog? You may be surprised to find that the Pitbull Boxer Mix Breed dog is faithful, energetic and affectionate.
Sometimes known as the Bullboxer Pit, the Pixoter or the American Bullboxer, this is a cross between the Boxer and American Pitbull Terrier breeds. While both parent breeds have got an unfairly bad reputation, this cross-breed seems to inherit the best traits from both parents, making it a delightful addition to the family – if you’ve got the time and energy to devote to it.
In this guide we will find out more about the breed, where it came from, it’s appearance, personality and needs, so that by the end you’ll be able to make an informed decision about whether this cross-breed is right for you and your family.
Pitbull Boxer Mix Breed – Overview
The Pitbull Boxer Mix is a medium to large size dog with a lot of muscle power and a lot of energy. Despite their power, you will find the breed affectionate, personable, playful and loyal. They are great with children and usually fine with other animals, provided they are trained and socialized properly.
It’s worth bearing in mind that, as a cross-breed, there is no certainty to the mix of characteristics that the adult dog might inherit from each of their parents. You may find your dog exhibits more Boxer looks and more Pitbull character, or vice versa, or you may get a complete mix of the two.
Sadly, due to their history and the behavior of some unscrupulous owners, both parent breeds, but Pitbulls in particular, have a bad reputation as aggressive or dangerous dogs. For most Pitbulls this is simply not the case.
However, in some areas of the USA and around the world there is Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) prohibiting or enacting restrictions on keeping Pitbulls. Before considering getting a Pitbull Boxer Mix Breed you must check whether this legislation affects your area and whether it extends to cross-breeds.
Violating the restrictions or bans may result in your dog being removed from you or put down.
Pitbull Boxer Mix Breed – Vital Stats
Height: 17” – 25” tall
Weight: 50 lbs – 80 lbs
Lifespan: 10 – 14 years
Origin: USA
Alternative Name: Bullboxer Pit, Pixoter, American Bullboxer
Pitbull Boxer Mix Breed – History
The background of the Pitbull Boxer Mix Breed is a little hazy.
It appears that a cross-breed known as the Bullenbeisser (now extinct) existed in Germany in the 1800s. Accidental and deliberate cross-breeds have taken place ever since, though they appear to have grown in popularity since the millennium.
They are not registered as a breed with the American or United Kennel Clubs, though they are recognized by the Hybrid Club and Designer Breed Registry.
We do know more about the colorful history of both parent breeds.
Boxers are descended from Assyrian Hunting Dogs and were widely used in Germany as hunting dogs in the 1800s. They were used to hold down bears, boar and bison.
Gradually, as big-game hunting diminished in popularity, Boxers were bred to a smaller size to make better family companion dogs, though they retained their usefulness. They were widely used by the police and the military during both World Wars, delivering messages and transporting supplies.
The Pitbull parent in the Pitbull Boxer Mix could be any of the Pitbull breeds. The main ones are the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Bulldog, the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
This group of dogs originated in England where they were bred for blood sports, fighting in a pit (hence the Pit part of the name) against other dogs or for baiting bears and bulls. Whilst legislation bans dogfighting across the USA, it is unfortunately known to continue in some places, adding fuel to the argument for banning the breeds that are used.
Pitbull Boxer Mix Breed – Appearance and Size
No cross-breed is entirely predictable when it comes to appearance, and the Pitbull Boxer Mix is no different. You can never be sure which physical attributes of the different parent breeds will be expressed by the puppy and you can even have quite wide variation within a litter.
With the Pitbull Boxer Mix Breed though, there are some common attributes which are highly likely.
First, this will be a medium to large dog. It will be sturdy, stocky and muscular. The long legs and the broad chest of the Boxer are quite common. Pitbull Boxer Mix Breeds can be anywhere from 17 to 25 inches tall and weigh in between 50 and 80 pounds. Females are usually slightly smaller than males.
Their short and smooth coats come in a very wide range of colors, though they are most often seen in brown, tan, yellow or black, and white or black patches are also possible on otherwise single-color individuals.
In general, the slightly longer muzzle of the Pitbull seems to counteract the squashed face of the Boxer, removing potential breathing difficulties. The crossbreed may or may not exhibit the boxer’s wrinkled facial skin. The head is broad and topped by big, floppy ears.
Pitbull Boxer Mix Breed – Personality
Now we’ll tell you about the personality of this lovable breed. We’ve already told you the parent breeds have a bad reputation, so now we can tell you that this is largely unmerited. The Pitbull Boxer Mix Breed, like both parents, is intelligent, loyal and protective, loves his family and gets on well with children. They are a joy to have around.
Both parent breeds have been well-known to be affectionate and loyal to their human owners and this is certainly the case for the Pitbull Boxer Mix Breed. They will shower you with love and are never happier than when close to their pack (your family). This can lead to separation anxiety, so it may not be a good idea to get this breed if you know you will be out a lot.
Are they good with children? They really are. With the Boxer’s patience and protective nature and the people-pleasing attention of the Pitbull, the Mix Breed is loving and protective towards children and bonds well. Due to their strength and energy, it’s important to supervise all play sessions, as they can get a little boisterous and knock little ones over.
They are generally good with other animals too, though early socialization is very important, and they can be a bit too rough and tumble for older dogs to handle.
In fact, the key to getting the Pitbull Boxer Mix Breed to settle well is to ensure that they have lots of exercise so they can direct their energy in a positive way. They have a lot of energy and are very playful, so games and the opportunity to run around are very important. A good selection of very durable toys will also help satisfy the need to chew.
Over the years, both Boxers and Pitbulls have been used as guard dogs because they are so big and strong and because of their loyal nature. This is fine, and they are certainly courageous enough to face up to an intruder, but the instinct to protect your property must not be allowed to get out of hand.
Introduce them to lots of visitors as a puppy (preferably visitors bringing treats!) so they don’t immediately assume any stranger is an invader.
This socialization and training is important throughout the life of your Pitbull Boxer Mix. They are intelligent dogs, loving to work for rewards and praise, but they are also very strong and have a stubborn streak, so regular maintenance training and consistency throughout their lives will be needed to ensure that they know you are in charge.
Pitbull Boxer Mix Breed – Grooming
You will find grooming your Pitbull Boxer Mix Breed dog straightforward. Their short, single-layer coat is easy to manage. They shed lightly all year round (a little more in April and May), so a brush a couple of times per week will help to keep their fur in good condition.
You shouldn’t need to bathe more than once a month, and even less if possible. Pitbulls have quite sensitive skin, and bathing with shampoo too often can cause irritation. If you need to, you can give their coat a wipe down with a damp cloth in between baths. If your dog has inherited the Boxer’s facial wrinkles you may also need to gently wipe into the folds once a week.
It’s worth bearing in mind that though the single-layer coat makes the dog easy to look after, it does mean that they don’t do well in extremes of temperature. At the height of the summer it’s a good idea to take your dog out in early morning and late evening to avoid the hottest temperatures, and in cold weather they may feel more comfortable with a jacket.
Other parts of your regular grooming routine will include trimming the claws and checking the ears for dirt or any sign of infection.
Pitbull Boxer Mix Breed – Feeding
As an energetic dog, your Pitbull Boxer Mix Breed will need a high-quality dry food rich in protein – something formulated for a medium sized, high-energy dog. Your veterinarian will be able to advise on the most suitable amount for your dog to ensure that they get what they need without becoming overweight – this crossbreed does have a tendency to overeat if allowed.
Their food should be split into two or three meals per day at regular times and can be supplemented by fish oil to help with kidney, heart, joints and skin health.
Pitbull Boxer Mix Breed – Exercise and Training
A Pitbull Boxer mix has a lot of energy and requires a great deal of exercise. To ensure your dog is healthy, happy and settled, you’ll need to commit to a fast walk or jog lasting for 30 minutes to an hour, twice per day once they reach adulthood – puppies should have several short walks until their joints are stronger.
If they do not get enough exercise you will notice hyperactive and frustrated behaviors including chewing, barking, digging and generally bouncing around the house. With sufficient exercise they are calm and relaxed.
In addition to walking or jogging, you may find your Pitbull Boxer Mix enjoys playing fetch with a ball or frisbee, agility training or swimming. If you are out jogging or on the trail and you notice your pet beginning to slow down or look uncomfortable, just take a break for a few minutes and give her a drink, she’ll soon be ready to go again.
In terms of training and socialization, these are always the key to having a well-mannered dog and are even more important when your dog is big, strong and powerful and has an independent streak!
From puppy-hood you need to familiarize your dog with other people, other animals and a wide variety of situations and teach him how to behave in these scenarios. Aggression is often related to fear, and if your puppy has been exposed to all sorts of sights, sounds and strangers in a positive way, then as an adult they will be confident that this is not something to worry about.
Training is vital and should be carried out with lots of positive reinforcement and praise as this crossbreed will respond very well to this, whereas it will generally respond poorly to negative discipline. Revisit your training regularly to reinforce learning and to ensure that your dog knows that you are in control.
Pitbull Boxer Mix Breed – Health
The Pitbull Boxer Mix Breed is, as you’d expect from such an energetic dog, generally healthy. However, there are a couple of issues that you should look out for, and regular vet checkups are important.
- Obesity from overeating is common and impacts on other areas of health. Maintain a healthy diet and regular exercise to control this.
- Skin conditions and allergies are common in Pitbulls and may be exhibited. Take advice from your veterinarian, who will usually recommend antihistamines. Use dog shampoo formulated for sensitive skin.
- Hip dysplasia is common in larger breeds – where the hip socket doesn’t extend far enough and the joint regularly dislocates.
- Some Boxers are prone to blood cancers.
In addition to a regime of exercise and a healthy diet, there are a few additional things you can do to help your dog stay healthy and happy such as avoiding extremes of temperature. In the summer, you may need to apply sunscreen to your dog too, but be careful to avoid anything containing zinc oxide, which is toxic to your dog.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Pitbull Boxer Mix Breed
Many apartment buildings will not permit Pitbull Boxer Mix Breeds. They aren’t well suited to an apartment anyway, though they could be okay as long as the owner is able to get them out regularly for a lot of exercise.
This is a common question as Pitbulls, partly because of their history, and partly because of the unscrupulous way some of them have been raised and used. However, not only are most Pitbulls affectionate and friendly, but any aggressive tendencies they do have are toned down by the mix with the Boxer.
Pitbull Boxer mixes usually have a stable temperament and are not aggressive as long as they are well socialized and trained and get enough exercise. They are affectionate and loyal when they are treated with love and respect. Always supervise with children as they can be over-excited and hyperactive.
Pitbull Boxer Mix Breeds are intelligent dogs so with consistency and a positive approach, they are easy to train. They do have a stubborn streak so it’s important that they know you are in control. However, they respond much better to positive training methods with a lot of rewards and praise and don’t respond well to negative discipline.
An experienced dog owner or trainer will be able to get the best out of these dogs, and training is extremely important, so if you aren’t sure what you are doing, or you’re struggling to get the best from your dog, you should seek help from a professional trainer.
There is no reason at all why these loyal, affectionate and playful dogs should not be good with children and other animals – but they must be socialized properly at an early age. In addition, they should have adequate exercise to stop them from becoming hyperactive. Even so, they can become boisterous, and due to their large size, it’s important to supervise all play.
Sadly, these breeds are subject to Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) in many places. This is generally put in place for two reasons.
The first is that often these dogs are bred for purposes such as dog-fighting, or deliberately bred as aggressive to be guard dogs. This often leads to the animals being kept in poor conditions, neglected and treated badly.
The second is that, mostly because of these unscrupulous breeders and owners, these breed types are considered more aggressive or dangerous than other dogs.
It’s really important that you check the legislation that applies in your area before you consider getting a Pitbull Cross Breed, to ensure that you are not in breach of the law.
Pitbull Boxer Mix Breed dogs are very loving and loyal to their family. While they can be left alone for a short time, they should not regularly be left alone all day as they will develop separation anxiety and boredom behaviors.
In addition, you need to ensure that you have time for those long daily walks to ensure your dog’s happiness.
Final Thoughts: Is a Pitbull Boxer Mix Breed the Right Fit For Your Family?
The Pitbull Boxer Mix is a lovely, affectionate, loyal and playful dog and an absolute delight to have as part of your family.
However, they do need attentive and responsible parenting and a lot of exercise to bring out their best attributes.
Sadly, they are often too much for less experienced owners to handle, are not given the exercise, the socialization and the training that they need and end up in rescue centers.
If you haven’t got the skills, experience and time to devote to exercise, socialization, training and playing with this eager and energetic dog, then you should probably leave them for a more experienced dog-parent.
However, if you are confident that you can devote your time, skills and attention to these wonderful dogs, and you’ve checked that there are no restrictions on their ownership where you live, then this dog will bring you years of happiness and loyal companionship.
[wpdatatable id=61]Forrest is a lover of dogs, the wild outdoors, deep mysterious conversations… and coffee. He is the owner of several websites, including Canine Weekly. He resides in Austin, Texas.