Boxer Lab Mix is a cross of a Boxer and a Labrador Retriever, also known as Boxador. It's a medium to large dog breed, at about 23 to 25 inches tall, weighing between 50 to 110 pounds. The Boxer Lab mix has an average lifespan of around 12 to 15 years.
I’ve put together some information about Boxadors, so you can understand better if this is the right pet for you, and if you’re the owner that she needs to thrive.
A Boxer Lab Mix can grow heavier than 100 pounds
Boxadors are a crossbreed obtained from mixing a purebred Labrador Retriever with a purebred Boxer. With two large dogs as its parents, the Boxador is sometimes gigantic, as mentioned above it has a weight a height around 23-25 inches (58-63 cm). Her body can be similar to either of her parents, and she’ll have an imposing appearance thanks to her big head, with floppy ears and large jowls.
Boxador Pictures
Big dog, small problems: Boxadors have great personalities
Most designer breeds have unpredictable temperaments, but that’s not the case when you’re getting a Boxador, especially if you buy her from a responsible breeder. They love being around people, they get well with other animals, and they’re good companions for children.
These dogs are loyal, social, and very intelligent, and are sometimes used as service dogs. They respond well to training when using positive reinforcement, but start training and socializing at an early age, because Boxadors can become more stubborn as they grow, a characteristic they inherit from their Boxer parent.
Don’t be afraid of introducing obedience training when your puppy is still very young, as Boxadors are smart and learn things fast.
See this puppy and the tricks he’s already learned at the tender age of seven weeks.
In the majority of cases your future dog will be friendly, but she won’t hesitate to warn you if she feels as though you or your family are in danger. Despite her excellent watchdog abilities, she’ll be well-mannered when it comes to barking, and Boxadors are considered a quiet dog.
Now you’ll get the chance to exercise more
Remember that New Year’s resolution? These dogs need to be active to stay in good health. It seems that Labradors have a gene mutation that causes obesity, and many Boxadors can inherit this gene. If your dog doesn’t exercise enough, she risks obesity and other medical issues caused by the extra pounds.
You should take your dog for a good 30-45 minute walk, twice a day, and organize at least one play session every two days. Boxadors are good companions for active owners, as they enjoy long walks, running and even hiking. They also love to play hide and seek, fetch, Frisbee and catch.
70-plus pounds of love and affection can easily turn into the same amount of depression and destructive behavior if your Boxador gets bored too often. Both Boxers and Labrador Retrievers have high energy levels, so your dog will be happy and calm as long as you keep her busy.
These dogs need a large house, with a generous yard, where they can run and move as they wish. If you have to keep such a dog inside most of the day, give her resistant toys to chew, make sure she’s always entertained, and exercise her daily.
Further Reading
5 Games to Play with Your (Big) Dog on a Rainy Day
Grooming won’t take all day
A Boxer Lab Mix has short hair and a bright, silky coat, similar to a Boxer. She usually sheds in Spring and Autumn, and during these periods her coat should be brushed for a few minutes every day. Outside the shedding season, brushing once a week is enough to keep her coat staying clean and glossy.
When making time for taking care of your dog, don’t forget to include:
- bathing – once a month, or when she’s dirty;
- cleaning her ears – twice a month;
- cleaning under her her eyes – when needed;
- trimming her nails – once every two months, or when necessary;
- brushing her teeth – once or twice a week.
What about costs?
Having a large dog comes with significant costs, because she needs large amounts of high-quality dog food and resistant toys.
Besides the initial expense of buying or adopting the puppy, in the first year you'll spend around $3,200 for things like veterinary exams, vaccinations, flea treatments, neutering, a crate, toys, and other small expenses.
After the first year, your dog will cost you a little over $2,000 annually, and count it as a regular expense for the next 12 – 15 years, the estimated lifespan of a Boxador as pointed out in the first paragraph.
Labradors are among the top breeds that require expensive medical care and Boxers can also inherit some serious medical conditions, so pet insurance is worth the cost when you have a Boxer Lab Mix. Depending on the plan you’re choosing, you can spend anywhere from $200 to $800 a year.
More Similar Mixes
- Borador: Border Collie & Lab Mix
- Boxerdoodle: Boxer & Poodle Mix
- Boxer & Beagle Mix
- Pitbull & Boxer Mix
- Labrabull: Pitbull & Lab Mix
Conclusion
As you can see, Boxadors are great family dogs, who have great temperaments and get on well with other pets and children. So if you have a large house, with a yard, and you can afford the extra costs, there’s no reason to say no to such a wonderful and loving dog.
