Modern breeding processes allow us to have a new species of dog that is better than their parents. These dogs are more intelligent, more robust, and more attractive. They can easily adapt themselves according to their owner’s personality and become a good family dog. These dogs listen to their master, behave well with children, and they can protect the property if required. Boxer Labrador mix or Boxador dogs are one such dog breed. It is very intelligent and loyal to the master. It is only friendly to children and known people. On the other hand, it is quite furious with unknown people. This quality makes it a perfect house dog, which can also guard the house if necessary.
Origin of Boxador Dog Breed
As a dog species, the Boxador is comparatively very new. Therefore, it doesn’t have any recorded origin history. However, this dog has a great ancestry of two dog species. These species are Labrador retrievers and Boxer Dogs. For this reason, some of the physical features and personality traits of both dog breeds are found in Boxador dogs.
The first ancestry gene of Boxador came from Labrador retrievers, which was originated in England. This breed is famous for its temperament. Labrador retrievers can handle harsh climate, but they are very soft and friendly. This type of personality doesn’t make them suitable for guarding.
On the other hand, Boxer dogs originated in Germany. This dog has a stubborn mindset. They are quire furious and often attack unknown persons. Even though this personality trait is appropriate for guard dogs, but it also makes them not suitable for house dogs. In the middle of the 20th century, some American and Australian kennel mixed both of these breeds and created Boxador.
Physical Features of Boxer Labrador Mix
Boxador is a large and strong dog. Most of them grow in between 21 to 25 inches tall and weigh around 60 to 80 pounds. These dogs have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. Most male Boxador dogs are little 3 to 4 inches taller than female Boxador dogs. Just like their height, these male dogs weigh 10 to 15 pounds more.
The unique feature of these dogs is a blunt face like Boxer dogs and a lean body like Labrador dogs. Another feature of these dogs is their drop ears, which makes a triangle shape. Most of these dogs contain black or brown eyes. All of these dogs also have a long and strong tail. These dogs love to wagtails to their master and friendly people.
Boxador dogs come in four different colours like Chocolate, Black, Golden, and Brown. The coats of these dogs are short and glossy. These dogs do shed a lot in the summer season. For this reason, they are not considered hypo-allergic. Boxador dogs have an athletic lean body. This dog has a fairly wide chest. The top line of this dog is slightly bent in the end. They have strong muscular legs with arched toes.
Personality Traits of Boxador Dogs
Boxador dogs are very intelligent and they can easily distinguish the difference between a friend and foe. These dogs love their master and always stay loyal to him. Along with the master, they can also recognize other family members. Most of the time, they go along well with the children and old people. Unlike other dogs, Boxador doesn’t bark or show aggressive behaviours to others.
However, Boxador doesn’t like to be in captivity. They like open places, where they can run and play. Keeping these dogs alone for a long time can make them bore. Being alone makes them unhappy and raises their anxiety level. Prolong loneliness can affect the dog’s physical health negatively.
Even though Boxador is a friendly dog to his master, but they remain suspicious to strangers. They do not become friends with others in the first contact. This unique quality also makes them good guard dogs. In case of an emergency, they can put their life at risk for the master.
Boxador dogs are very easy to train, they learn new tricks quickly. They have a sharp memory and they adapt themselves to the environment quickly. If trained properly, these dogs can retrieve at the time of hunting.
General Health
Generally, most of the Boxador dogs encounter fewer health-related problems than other dogs. However, improper breeding practices let them inherit some genetic disorders. Only less than 1% of Boxador dogs inherit these health problems from their parent genes. These genetic problems are so minute that detecting them in early-stage is nearly impossible.
- Epilepsy
It is a common neurological disorder seen in older Boxador dogs. In this disorder, the dog often suffers from seizures and other neurological problems. Abnormal functionality in the brain causes this problem. A dog suffering from this problem needs proper medical treatment. Take the dog immediately to the Veterinarian for further treatment.
- Orthopaedic disorders
Due to poor breeding programs, some Boxer Labrador mix dogs often inherit this disorder from their parent breed. These diseases may include intervertebral disk disease (IVDD), elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, ruptured cranial cruciate ligament, and patellar luxation.
- Cardiac disorders
Many Boxer Labrador mix dogs often suffer from this disorder due to low exercise and obesity. The most common cardiac disorders among Boxador dogs are dilated cardiomyopathy, mitral valve dysplasia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, aortic stenosis, and ventricular septal defect. Let the dog run at least half an hour to avoid this type of disease.
- Mast cell tumor
It is one type of cancer, which can take a dog’s life. However, this disease affects only 0.01 % of Boxador dogs. Even though it occurs on the skin, but over time it can spread to other parts of the body, including the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and gastrointestinal tract. The survival rate from this disease is very low.
Grooming Needs of Boxador Dog Breed
Boxer Labrador mix dogs are quite hardy. For this reason, they need less maintenance and care. However, neglecting them completely may deprive their health over time. Therefore, the dog’s owner needs to check the dog from time to time and take appropriate grooming steps. It also develops a good bonding relationship with the dog. Here are some simple grooming steps an owner can follow.
- Brushing
Boxador dogs do shed hair regularly. The amount of shedding increases in the summer season. The owner needs to brush the dog on weekly basis to keep its coat shiny. Increase the brushing frequency during the shedding season. Regular brushing increases blood flow in the skin and enhances new hair follicle growth.
- Bath
Regular bathing is important. It brings freshness and improves hygiene in the dog. Boxador dogs sweat a lot in the summertime. For this reason, give the dog bath once a week in the summertime. However, these dogs do catch a cold easily. Therefore, in the winter season reduce the frequency of bath.
- Teeth cleaning
Boxador dogs eat lots of food. Therefore, their teeth accumulate lots of gum and plaque. Over a period these germs can cause gum infection and other teeth-related diseases. Therefore, brush the dog’s teeth once a month. Do not use ordinary toothpaste for this purpose. There are many dog-specific tubes of toothpaste available in the market, which comes in chicken or beef flavour.
- Nail care
When Dog’s nails grow large, they become sharp. These sharp nails can scratch its master and other family members unintentionally. To avoid this type of accident, clip the dog’s nail once they grow large. Bog’s paws contain lots of fine blood vessels and nerves. Therefore, be careful at the time of clipping the nails.
- Eyes and ear cleaning
Boxador dogs have big eyes and these eyes are sophisticated and need care. Over period guck accumulates on the corner of these eyes. The owner needs to clean this guck with a soft cotton ball. Similar to the eyes, the ears also collect ear wax. Clean the dog’s ear and eyes every month and prevent lots of infectious diseases.
Nutritional Needs
Boxer Labrador mix dogs are quite large. Therefore, they need more nutritious meals than other dogs. Most adult Boxador dogs need around 1500 to 2000 calories food every day. Feeding these dogs high caloric food is not enough. They also need lots of nutrient elements in their meal. Here are some essential nutrient elements the dog needs in his food.
- Carbohydrates
It is an essential part of a dog’s meal. Make sure that the Boxador dog gets 50 % carbohydrates in its diet. This nutrition element dissolves in the body quickly and delivers energy quickly. Rice, bread, and potatoes are enriched with carbohydrates. Include these food items in the dog’s meal to keep it healthy and fit.
- Protein
Boxador dogs are quite fit and muscular. Therefore, they need lots of protein-rich diets. Include at least 10% to 15% protein-rich food in their everyday meal. Chicken, beef, pork, fish are good protein-based diets for these dogs. Vegetarian people can also utilize soya chunk as an alternative source of protein.
- Fat
Many people discard fat as unessential elements for dogs. However, this way of thinking is completely wrong. Fat works as a reserve source of energy. Make sure the dog gets 2% to 3% of fat in its diet. Most dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese contain abundant amounts of fat. Yogurt is very good for a dog’s digestive system.
- Vitamins and Minerals
These elements make the dog strong from inside and prevent multiple diseases in advance. Ensure that the dog gets appropriate amounts of Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K in its diet. Similarly, the owner also needs to ensure appropriate amounts of minerals like iron, potassium, calcium, boron, etc.
Training Your Boxer Labrador Mix
Boxer Labrador mix dogs are very smart. Therefore, the owner doesn’t have to struggle too much behind its training. Starting the training program at an earlier stage makes the job easy. Here is some essential training every Boxador dogs should learn.
- Potty training
This training is an essential manner that every Boxador dogs should learn. It helps the owner maintain hygiene in the house. Every day in the morning and evening take the dog to a certain place for latrine and speak a certain word out loud. Slowly the dog will learn the command for latrine and do it in a certain place.
- Socialization
Let the dog mingle with other family members and pets. This move will make him familiar with its environment. Boxador dogs see strangers with suspension. Therefore, the owner needs to work a little hard to make the dog socialize. But with time and proper training the dog learns this trait.
- Retrieve training
Boxador dogs contain the hunter gene from Labrador retrievers. As a result, they are born hunters. With little effort and training the dog can do retrieve and help the owner during a hunting expedition. Always treat the dog whenever it does good behaviour. It will encourage the dog to perform better.
Conclusion
Compared to other dogs, a Boxer Labrador mix dog requires less maintenance. However, they need more love and care. These dogs are quite intelligent and love their masters. For this reason, the owner needs to spend some quality time with the dog every day. These dogs are quite energetic and they love to run & play all day long.
It is recommended to take the dog for at least one hour to walk. The owner of these dogs can introduce it to various dog puzzle games. These games are specifically designed to improve the dog’s intelligence level. These games also keep the dog busy and reduce their loneliness.
Just like physical activity the owner also needs to care about its food. Boxador dogs are quite big. Therefore, they need more caloric food than other dogs. Make sure the dog gets essential food nutrition in its diet. However, overfeeding the dog can cause obesity and bring unwanted diseases. Hence, the owner needs to prepare a proper meal plan for Boxador dogs.
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