Boxer Mixed With Pit Bull: Your Guide To The Pit Bull Boxer Mix Dog

It is important to note that the American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize any pit bull dog breeds. The only breed with "pit bull" in its name is the American pit bull terrier, which is recognized by the United Kennel Club. The American Staffordshire terrier, the closest breed the AKC recognizes, and the American pit bull terrier once shared the same bloodline but have since diverged. Bullboxers are an attempt to breed two already-strong parent breeds: a boxer and a so-called pit bull type.

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In the 19th century, European breeders began experimenting with mixing bulldogs and terriers, hoping to create a dog with the strength of a bulldog and the resourcefulness of a terrier. The result of this breeding was what became the various bully breeds, like the American Staffordshire terrier, the Staffordshire bull terrier, and the American pit bull terrier. So, it is important to understand that half of a bullboxer mix is already a mixed breed, albeit one with a highly predictable outcome.

The boxer is a working dog with a long history of service, including being one of the first German police dogs. Pit bulls were also bred to be working dogs, hunting vermin and herding animals for farmers. Today, there is less farm work for them to do, but they still excel in organized physical competitions.

Both breeds are very muscular dogs with a smooth, short coat and broad, flat head, but the pit bull has a longer muzzle. This mixture of the two breeds is slightly shorter and leaner than other pit bulls but with a very muscular build.

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Typical pit bull boxers are about 16 to 20 inches tall, weighing 50 to 80 pounds. While the parent pit bull could be one of many different breeds or mixed breeds, pit bull boxers are stocky, heavy, muscular, and strong. Coat colors can be fawn or brindle, like boxers, or any range or mix of colors from the pit-bull-type parent, resulting in many endearing looks. With proper care and a healthy lifestyle, pit bull boxers have a life span of 10 to 15 years.

Bullboxers are often so friendly that they don't always make good guard dogs. However, as long as they have not been mistreated before being adopted, they should make great family pets and do well with children and adults alike. Though friendly, they are aggressive players, so families with a small dog in the home should watch the dogs until they know how they play together.

If pit bull boxers are abused or taught to be aggressive, as pit bulls used in dog fighting once were, that will be how they react. While great family dogs, they are also high-energy protectors. If they feel that one of their family members is threatened, they may try to protect them aggressively, as any dog might, so they should be trained using positive reinforcement and should always be supervised around smaller dogs, children, and even adults.

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Both boxers and pit bull types have short hair and are relatively easy to groom. Their coat should be brushed once or twice a week to control shedding but aim to brush their teeth daily and trim their nails from time to time. When you can hear the dog approaching by the nails clicking on the floor, it's time for a trim. Bathing only needs to happen occasionally, especially if they get into something dirty.

Pit bulls and boxers are relatively healthy, but no dog is without potential health problems. They can suffer from cardiomyopathy and/or aortic stenosis, and pit bulls occasionally develop hip dysplasia. If your bullboxer has a brachycephalic head type with a squished-looking snout, watch for wheezing or labored breathing.

Bullboxers, like full-blood boxers, may also be susceptible to hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive form of cancer that can be difficult to detect, but signs include difficulty breathing, lethargy, and depression. To stay healthy and fight obesity, pit bull boxers need daily exercise, including short walks and physical playtime. Mental stimulation is equally important for these curious, energetic dogs.

Every dog is an individual with inherited tendencies, but their actual behavior depends a lot on the training they receive as puppies and throughout their life. Pit bull boxers need early socialization, meaning being exposed to children, different adults, and strangers from a young age, typically before 8 weeks old. During exercise, give puppies plenty of time to run and release their energy.