What do You Call a Boxer Lab Mix Puppy?
A Boxer Lab Mix puppy is a Boxador. Bred from a Boxer and a Lab, this hybrid dog possesses traits from both breeds. But this breed stands out on its own for several distinctive qualities that make it special. The characteristics that each individual Boxador inherits are a coin flip because this is a mixed breed. While some Boxador resembles Labs, some resemble Boxers.
Boxador Breed Characteristics
It is impossible to predict the appearance of any mixed-breed dog, and the Laboxer is not an exception to this rule. Nevertheless, if you look at the breeds of both parents, you can have a good sense of what your designer Boxer Lab puppy mix will look like.
Some Boxer Labs take more after one parent than the other, but others are the perfect combination of their parents’ breeds. They generally inherit a Boxer-like physique yet have a substantial build as their Labrador Retriever parents did.
Even though their physical appearance is unpredictable, there are a few characteristics, such as size, coat color, and color, that you can anticipate seeing.
Size
Boxer Labs are often medium to large-sized dogs because they are a hybrid between a Boxer and a Labrador Retriever. When fully grown, most of them stand between 23 and 25 inches (58.4 and 63.5 centimeters) tall at the shoulders and can weigh anything from 50 to 110 pounds (22.7 to 49.9 kilograms). In addition, males are often larger than females.
Color
Yellow, chocolate, and black are the three color variations available for the Labrador Retriever. Boxers, on the other hand, can be white, fawn, or brindle in color. White is the most common of these three colors. Considering this, it should not surprise that the Lab Boxer Mix can come in various coat colors.
The coats of Laboxers are often a mixture of two or more colors and are rarely solid since they are a mixture of the coat colors of their parents. The colors brown, black, brindle, and white in this mixture are the most frequent.
Coat
Boxers are short-haired dogs with a single coat that is smooth and silky, in contrast to Labrador Retrievers, which have a double coat that is short and resistant to water. Most Laboxers have a short coat that is silky and smooth like that of their Boxer parents, but some can have a heavier coat like that of a Labrador.
Even though they have short coats, these dogs are not hypoallergenic because they shed a fair amount throughout the year. Because of this, the Labrador Retriever Boxer Mix is not ideal for bringing into your home if you or any family member suffers from allergies.
Boxador Dog Character
Because they can take more after one parent breed than the other, it is hard to determine any crossbreed’s exact personality and character qualities because they can take more after either parent breed. Because your Boxer Labrador mix will take on personality features from its parent breeds, you should spend time with the Lab and the Boxer before bringing them home.
The likelihood that a friendly, playful, loving, and devoted companion will result from breeding a Boxer with a Labrador Retriever is high because both breeds have these characteristics.
Even though Boxer Mix dogs can take on the characteristics of either parent breed, they are typically very playful and full of energy. Your mix may act goofy and happy, but this will depend on how much their Boxer parent influenced their personality.
Boxer Labs usually develop close relationships with their owners and thrive in large households where someone is always available to interact and play with the dog on multiple occasions throughout the day. This mix is people-oriented and loving and tends to develop separation anxiety when left alone for long periods. It needs companionship.
Boxer puppies are likely to act out destructively if you leave them at home alone for long periods while at work. Consider hiring a pet sitter who will come to play with and walk your dog throughout the day if you work long hours or aren’t home a lot. This is an excellent option for people who aren’t home too often.
Activity Level
The Laboxer is a very active dog with high requirements for daily activity because it is a puppy of two working breeds known for its high energy levels. In the traditional sense, walks will not cut it for such an active group because they require regular exercise.
Your Mix requires a minimum of thirty minutes of exercise every day, in addition to the two walks you give it because it is such an energetic and athletic dog. Activities like jogging, hiking, swimming, and agility are all fantastic ways to keep your dog active and in terrific shape, and they are all great methods to exercise your dog.
Because Boxer Labs are naturally playful, playing games with them, including fetch, flyball, Frisbee, hide and seek, and tug-of-war, is an excellent way to bond with your canine companion while also providing it with an opportunity to get some exercise.
A backyard enclosed by a sturdy fence might be a significant advantage when owning this combination. Thanks to this method, you won’t even have to leave the convenience of your house to ensure that your Laboxer gets plenty of workouts and remains in tip-top shape.
Vital Breed Stats
Dog breed group: Mixed breed dogs
Height: 23 to 25 inches (58.4 to 63.5 centimeters)
Weight: 50 to 110 pounds (22.7 to 49.9 kilograms)
Life span: 12 to 15 years
Boxer Lab Mix Breed Highlights
Mixed breed dogs are Boxadors. They are not purebreds like their Boxer or Labrador Retriever parents were, but they are a mix of the two breeds. Boxadors often come in four colors: black, brindle, brown, and white. Their coats often feature a combination of two or more colors and are rarely solid.
They are not, in most cases, regarded to be allergy-friendly. Fortunately, you may easily maintain their coats with a brush and a comb. A thorough cleaning once a week should be plenty.
Boxadors need to go on a daily walk, hike, or game of fetch that lasts for at least half an hour to release any pent-up energy that may have built up throughout the day. Boxadors adore children of all ages and make wonderful playmates for youngsters of all ages and sizes. Always keep an eye on any encounter between a dog and a youngster who is still young.
You must ensure that you have enough time to care for this active Boxer and Lab Mix puppy because they do not enjoy staying alone for extended amounts of time and may develop separation anxiety. Boxadors have the potential to get along well with other canines and felines, particularly if you socialize them with both species from an early age.
The Breed History
Possibly, the Boxador breed developed spontaneously throughout its history; nevertheless, in North America, designer breeders began purposely crossing Boxers and Labrador Retrievers around the turn of the century.
Breeders started crossing the two parent breeds to produce an energetic, protective dog, a good family friend, and a watchdog. Combining these two breeds helps reduce the risk of certain health problems that are more prevalent in pure-breed animals.
As the market for puppies of mixed breeds continued to grow, more and more breeders started producing Boxadors. Even though the Boxador was first a designer breed, some of these dogs find their way into animal shelters or the care of rescue organizations. If you determine this is the right breed for you, consider adoption.
If you are looking for a home for a dog that is a combination of a Boxer and a Labrador, you can check with breed-specific Boxer and Labrador rescues as well as your local shelters.
You can do this by visiting:
- ACHC – American Canine Hybrid Club.
- DDKC – Designer Dogs Kennel Club.
- DRA – Dog Registry of America, Inc.
How Big Does a Boxador Get?
Because the Boxador is a relatively new mixed breed, there are few established rules regarding its size. Considering their Boxer and Labrador Retriever parentage, it is reasonable to anticipate that Boxadors will fall in the medium to the big size range.
Most of them weigh anywhere from 50 to 110 pounds (22.7 to 49.9 kilograms) and have a height ranging from 23 to 25 inches (58.4 to 63.5 centimeters) at the shoulder. However, because this is such a new crossbreed, many of them can be either smaller or larger depending on the genes of their more dominant parent. The average size of a guy is slightly greater than a female’s.
The Lab Boxer Mix Personality and Temperament
Boxadors have boundless energy and a strong desire to engage in play. This dog might do best in a home with a large, active family that also has a yard. This dog would benefit from having a lot of people to give him attention and things to participate in.
Because dogs of this breed do not like staying alone for extended periods and may develop separation anxiety if they are, you should ensure enough time for them. They may be more prone to boredom if they do not receive a proper level of stimulation, which may cause them to behave in a disruptive manner if they do not get enough stimulation.
When they are young, Boxador puppies, like puppies of other breeds of dogs, require early socialization, which involves exposing them to a wide variety of people, sights, noises, and experiences. Your Lab Boxer Mix puppy will have a better chance of maturing into a well-rounded, extroverted, and friendly dog if you socialize with them when they are young.
Boxadors have a high level of intelligence and a strong desire to please their families, which makes them great training companions. Ensure that they remember who is in command of the situation, and provide them with positive reinforcement.
Health Issues Associated With the Boxador
The Boxador mixed breed has a higher risk of developing several conditions that the Boxer and the Labrador likewise experience. Some may be prone to a few health problems, even though most are generally healthy.
For this reason, it is essential to provide proper care and routine exams with a veterinarian. Boxadors tend to have several different health issues, including but not limited to the following:
- Allergies
- Joint Dysplasia
- Eye problems
- Hypothyroidism
- Heart problems
It’s a lot of fun to indulge our pets with tasty goodies, but maintaining a healthy weight for your dog is one of the most beneficial things you can do for them. Chopped carrots and celery make for delicious and nutritious mini snacks.
How to Care for the Breed
You should establish a pattern for caring for your Lab and Boxer mix puppy as soon as you get it home, just like any other dog. This hybrid yearns for company and finds the greatest fulfillment in participating in all of the activities that the family enjoys. However, in addition to love and affection, you need to pay attention to the following:
Exercise
As we are now aware, the Labrador Retriever Boxer Mix requires at least half an hour of vigorous activity daily. You should consider taking your dog on a jog, a trek, or even a swim once in a while in addition to the two usual daily walks you share. This will help you both keep in good health.
This combination is silly, fun-loving, and playful; it adores games and will be happy to have a selection of interactive dog toys to choose from that stimulate its naturally inquisitive mind. Games like “fetch” or “hide and seek” are forms of exercise that, in addition to keeping your dog happy and mentally stimulated, will also serve as a type of physical activity.
Intellectual Stimulation
Laboxers are bright dogs who, in addition to having a high level of physical activity, are prone to experiencing boredom if you do not provide adequate mental stimulation. Your Mix will gnaw and rummage through your possessions to have fun if you leave it to its own devices and do not have any interactive toys to play with.
Investing in puzzle toys that will provide your dog with enjoyment and mental stimulation is a great way to keep your dog’s curious mind occupied while you are away from home. And when you are at home, keep your dog entertained by interacting with it and playing with it as much as possible. This will prevent your dog from becoming bored and will promote positive behavior.
Companionship
Boxadors, like their Boxer and Labrador parent breeds, are friendly, easy-going, and people-oriented dogs that build deep ties with their owners and families.
Laboxers are loving companions; as a result, they are happiest when you include them in all of the activities within the family and are most suitable for households with many members.
This breed has a high need for human companionship and affection. In an ideal world, a Boxador would be part of a huge family where they would always have someone to play with and interact with.
Grooming
Most Boxer Labs have short coats that are shiny and easy to keep clean. Additionally, Boxer Labs are a relatively low-maintenance breed regarding the need for regular grooming. It is sufficient to brush your dog once or twice weekly to remove stray hair and dander from their coat and keep it clean.
In addition to giving your dog a thorough brushing regularly, you will also need to bathe it at least once every two months or more frequently if necessary. Remember to examine your dog’s ears once a week for any buildup of wax or dirt and to clean them as needed with an ear-cleaning solution that your veterinarian approves.
You should use dog nail clippers once a month or more frequently to keep your dog’s nails at an appropriate length. If you need more confidence in cutting your dog’s nails at home, your groomer or veterinarian will assist you.
Finally, use a toothbrush designed for dogs and dog toothpaste to clean your dog’s teeth at least three times each week. This will help avoid periodontal disease as well as other severe dental disorders.
Diet
A diet created for medium-sized to large-sized breeds with high energy levels would be excellent for a Labrador Retriever Boxer Mix. Be sure that the food you are giving your canine companion has a high protein content and all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
This hybrid, like its Labrador Retriever parent dogs, has the propensity to gain weight rapidly and has the potential to become obese in a short amount of time. Maintaining a consistent feeding schedule and feeding your dog twice a day will help avoid weight gain and the myriad health problems that come with it.
Known Health Problems
Although the Boxer Lab is generally a healthy breed, it is susceptible to the same health issues experienced by Boxers and Labrador Retrievers. The following are the designer-breed health problems that are most frequent:
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
Boxers and Labrador Retrievers tend to develop hip and elbow dysplasia, so Boxer Labs are also at risk of developing the condition. These disorders arise when you correctly set the hip or elbow joints, resulting in pain, lameness, and arthritis in the affected area.
Allergies
Like people, dogs can acquire dietary or environmental allergies. Itching is the most typical symptom that people experience when they have allergies. On the other hand, some dogs also show signs of having difficulties with their respiratory systems, such as coughing, sneezing, wheezing, or having a runny discharge from their eyes or nose.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition that affects the dog’s endocrine system and results from an underactive thyroid gland. This issue occurs in a fair number of dogs. Lethargy, increased body weight, and alterations to the skin and coat are typical indications of hypothyroidism in canines.
Life Expectancy
The Labrador Boxer Mix has an average lifespan of 12 and 15 years. However, you can increase the longevity of this mix via careful maintenance and attendance at routine veterinary examinations.
Feeding and Nutrition
Your Boxer puppy will undergo multiple periods of rapid growth while still young. Because of this, in addition to their high level of natural activity, your puppy has an important daily requirement for calories.
To guarantee that they grow and develop healthily, Boxer Mix puppies, in particular, require food that contains a significant amount of protein. When they are at this point in their lives, the amount of protein in their diet ought to be greater than what you would find in the diet of an adult. Additionally, there should be an adequate quantity of nutritious fats.
When it comes to large breeds of dogs, such as the Boxer, it is essential to remember that they require puppy food that is nutritionally complete to help them develop at a healthy rate. They will get growth issues more likely if they consume an unhealthy diet because it will cause them to grow at an abnormally rapid rate.
In addition, the best food for a Boxer puppy should have nutrition of the highest possible quality. It should be free of any harmful artificial substances as well as fillers. This post covers everything you should look for (and avoid looking for) in the food you give your Boxer puppy!
What is the Best Dog Food for Boxer Adults?
Because your Boxer dog is no longer maturing, its adult diet ought to contain a little lower percentage of protein to make up for the fact that it is no longer developing. Because huge adult breeds typically have slower metabolisms, their meals shouldn’t contain excessive calories.
You can transition your Boxer dog to an adult diet once it reaches its full size and maturity. However, there is no way to know when a Boxer reaches its full adult size because this varies from dog to dog.
Most Boxers reach their full adult size between 16 and 18 months, while some may take as long as 24 months. It is in your best interest to consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet’s food to determine the appropriate time to do so.
If you make the switch too soon, your Boxer pup can experience some developmental problems, whereas if you do it too late, they might put on weight due to the surplus calories that aren’t required.
You should gradually introduce the new meal over several days so your dog can adjust from a puppy diet to an adult one. When you initially start transitioning your Boxer puppy to adult food, begin with a very small amount.
You can gradually increase the proportion of adult food to puppy food you give them each day until they fully transition onto their new diet if there are no issues with the process. A Boxer dog’s diet should include a reasonable amount of nutritious snacks and treats as a helpful addition to their primary diet.
Choosing snacks of a good grade is essential because you might pack many treats with unhealthful components. Our delicious organic treats have safe human-consumer ingredients, making them an outstanding option.
How Much Should I Feed My Boxer Dog?
It’s not enough to pick a high-quality cuisine; you also need to ensure you’re serving the right amount. There are a lot of Boxer owners that unintentionally overfeed their dogs, which can lead to obesity very quickly. The daily amount of food you give your Boxer puppy will vary depending on various circumstances, including age, activity level, health issues, weight, etc.
Because of this, it is not possible to provide an accurate monetary estimate. Consult a veterinary professional or a certified canine nutritionist if you want to understand better how much food you should give your black Lab Boxer Mix puppy or adult dog daily.
It is important to remember that puppies need more calories per pound (per kilogram) of body weight than adult dogs. For instance, if your puppy weighs 20 pounds (9.1 kilograms), you should aim to provide them with approximately 1,100 calories daily. When they reach adulthood, your Boxer will have a lower calorie requirement per pound (per kilogram) of body weight.
In addition, you must appropriately space out their meals throughout the day. Puppies under 12 weeks old get free access to food, ensuring they will never go hungry during the rapid growth. You should now begin to arrange their meals, one in the morning, one at lunch, and one in the evening, starting now and continuing until the two-year mark.
When your Boxer is older than two years, you can cut back to feeding it only twice a day instead of three times.
Boxador Coat Colors and Grooming Needs
The colors and patterns of a Boxador’s coat are frequently a composite of those of its Boxer and Labrador parents. Boxadors often come in four hues: black, brindle, brown, and white. Their coats often feature a combination of two or more colors and are rarely solid.
They have very short, glossy coats, and allergy sufferers should steer clear of them. Fortunately, you may easily maintain their coats with a brush and a comb. A thorough cleaning once a week should be plenty. They are capable of self-grooming and are relatively pure dog breeds.
Boxadors are not ideal companions for those who live in areas with extremely harsh climates because their coats are often of a shorter length.
During the colder months, you should get your dog a sweater, and during the warmer months, you should protect your dog’s ears, nose, and other sensitive regions that have less fur covering them by applying dog sunscreen to those places.
Is the Boxer Lab Mix Good With Kids and Other Pets?
Boxadors have a soft spot in their hearts for kids of all ages and sizes, and they are fantastic playmates for kids of all sizes and ages. You should instruct children on how to approach and pet dogs consistently. Adults should always oversee any interaction between young children and dogs to ensure that neither party pulls the tail of the other or bites.
Teach your child that they should never approach a dog when it is sleeping or eating and that they should never make an attempt to steal the dog’s food away from the dog at any time.
Boxadors can get along well with other dogs and cats, especially if you expose them to both species from a young age and allow them to socialize. It will help you better grasp this new family member if you familiarize yourself with this puppy’s Boxer and Labrador Retriever ancestors.
Who Should Own a Boxador?
The Lab Boxer Mix is best suited for busy adults and families with kids because it is a loyal and dedicated friend. The best houses and families for this sociable mix, which seeks company and enjoys daily playtime, are those with large homes.
This Mix wants to participate in all family activities and does not enjoy being alone, so it is not a suitable choice if you work long hours or travel frequently.
Buying a Boxer Lab Mix Puppy
Before bringing a Lab Boxer Mix puppy into your home, take some time to look into reliable Lab Boxer Mix breeders. Because this is a relatively new designer breed, you should be ready to invest more time in your search for a trustworthy breeder.
Once you find a breeder you like, please visit to meet the mother and puppies and see their living conditions; if the breeder refuses to show you the conditions where the puppies live, leave and find another breeder.
A trustworthy breeder will be glad to respond to all of your inquiries and will be able to present health records for all puppies and both parents.
Puppies that cross between a Boxer and a Lab cost, on average, between $350 and $800. Nevertheless, depending on the breeder, location, family history, and gender, you can wind up spending more.
Where to Find Boxador Rescue Groups
Because Boxadors are mixed breed, so locating a rescue organization specializing in their particular breed may be challenging. However, you may contact breed-specific organizations such as those for Boxers or Labrador Retrievers because they frequently take in mixed breeds. Here are some other options for you to consider:
- Green Acres Boxer Rescue.
- Lucky Lab Rescue & Adoption.
- You can also try DogTime’s adoption page, which lets you search for adoptable dogs by breed and zip code.
The End
A relatively recent addition to the world of designer dogs, the Boxer Lab Mix can range in size from medium to giant and possesses great vitality. This dog breed is kind and devoted to the people who own it; it creates deep links with its owners and chooses to participate in all family activities.
You must keep your dog mentally stimulated to bring a Boxador into your home. Interact with your Mix and spend time with it to avoid stress. Maintain an active lifestyle to keep up with a high-energy dog.