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Medium to large in size and full of life, the boxer Lab mix is an increasingly popular designer dog with active people and families with children.
Developed by crossing a purebred Labrador retriever and a purebred boxer, this mix has a lot to offer to the right home.
If you are looking for a devoted, outgoing, and smart canine companion, the boxerlab is a great choice!
Energetic and playful, these dogs prefer an active lifestyle and need regular exercise to stay happy and thrive. A spacious home with a fenced backyard is ideal for this mix, but not a requirement. If you are an outdoorsy person and can keep your pooch exercised, the boxerlab will make a great apartment dweller.
Although they make great companions, boxadors aren’t a good choice for novice owners or people who spend a lot of time away from home. When left alone a lot, this mix is prone to separation anxiety and might become bored and destructive.
Whether you are looking for a canine playmate for your kids or an exercise partner, the laboxer might just be the perfect dog for you! Keep on reading to learn everything you need to know about this adorable crossbreed.
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Boxer Lab Mix Dog Overview
- Size – 23 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder, weighs between 50 and 110 pounds
- Coat – Short shiny coat, color varies
- Shedding – Moderate shedding
- Lifespan – 12 to 15 years
- Temperament – Energetic, eager to please, friendly, devoted
- Trainable – Very trainable, but might be stubborn at times
- Activity – Very active (needs at least 30 minutes of exercise every day)
- Best For – Active people, families with children, homes with outdoor space
What Is A Boxador?
The boxador dog is a crossbreed developed by mixing a purebred boxer and a purebred Labrador retriever. Although both parent breeds are officially recognized by the AKC, the boxer Lab mix has the status of a designer breed.
Boxadors have several different names and are also known as laboxers, boxerlabs, and boxerdors.
Boxer Lab Mix Appearance
It’s impossible to say how any mixed breed dog will look, and laboxer is no exception. However, looking at both parent breeds can give you some idea of your designer pup’s appearance.
While some boxerlabs take more after one parent than the other, others are a perfect blend of both parent breeds. Generally speaking, most inherit a boxer-like frame but are sizably built like their Labrador retriever parents.
Although their appearance is unpredictable, there are a few traits you can expect to see when it comes to size, coat, and color.
Size
Being a cross between a Labrador retriever and a boxer, boxerlabs tend to be medium to large size dogs. Most are between 23 and 25 inches high at the shoulder and can weigh anywhere from 50 to 110 pounds when fully grown. And males tend to be larger than females.
Color
The Labrador retriever comes in three colors – yellow, chocolate, and black. On the other hand, the boxer also comes in three different colors – white, fawn, and brindle. Keeping this in mind, it comes as no surprise that the Lab boxer mix can come in many different coat colors.
Rarely solid, laboxer coats are the mix of their parents’ coat colors and typically have a blend of two or more colors. The most commonly seen colors in this mix are brown, black, brindle, and white.
Coat
While a Lab has a short, double water-resistant coat, the boxer is a short-haired breed with a smooth and silky single coat. Most laboxers inherit the short, silky, and smooth coat of their boxer parents; however, some can have a denser coat of a Labrador.
Despite having short coats, these dogs aren’t considered hypoallergenic as they shed moderately all year round. So, if you or any of your family members suffer from allergies, the Lab boxer mix isn’t the best breed to welcome to your home.
Boxador Dog Character
It’s impossible to predict the exact personality and character traits of any crossbreed since they can take more after one parent breed than the other. Since your boxerlab will inherit character traits from both its parent breeds, you should meet both the Lab and the boxer parents.
Since both boxers and Labrador retrievers are friendly, playful, loving, and devoted companions, chances are that their mix will be too.
Although boxer Labs can act as either of their parent breeds, they are generally extremely playful and energetic. Depending on how much your mix takes after its boxer parent, they might act goofy and cheerful most of the time.
Boxerlabs form strong bonds with their people and do best in large families that have the time and energy to interact and play with them several times during the day. People-oriented and loving, this mix craves companionship and tends to develop separation anxiety when left alone a lot.
If they are forced to stay home alone while you are at work, boxerlabs can easily become bored and destructive. If you work long hours or aren’t home often, consider hiring a pet sitter that would come to play and take your dog out for a walk during the day.
Activity Level
As an offspring of two very energetic working breeds, the laboxer is a very active dog with high exercise needs. Standard walks alone aren’t going to cut it for such an energetic mix, as they need plenty of exercise on a daily basis.
Being such an active and athletic dog, your mix will need at least 30 minutes of exercise every day in addition to two walks. Activities such as running, hiking, swimming, or agility are all great ways to keep your pooch exercised and in excellent shape.
Since boxerlabs love to play, games such as fetch, flyball, Frisbee, hide and seek, and tug-of-war are ideal ways to interact with your pooch and keep them entertained and exercised at the same time.
Having a securely fenced backyard can be a big bonus when owning this mix. This way, you can keep your laboxer exercised and in great shape without leaving the comforts of your home.
Caring For A Boxer Lab Mix Dog
As with any other dog, you should develop a care routine as soon as you bring your boxer Lab mix puppy home. This mix craves companionship and is happiest when involved in all family activities. But, besides love and affection, you should also pay attention to:
Exercise
As mentioned previously, the lab boxer mix needs at least 30 minutes of vigorous activity every day. In addition to two regular daily walks, you should take your dog for a run, hike, or swim to burn excess energy and stay in good shape.
Fun-loving, playful, and goofy, this mix loves games and will enjoy having a variety of interactive dog toys that will stimulate their curious mind. Games such as fetch or hide and seek are also a form of exercise that will also keep your pooch entertained and mentally stimulated.
Intellectual Stimulation
In addition to being highly energetic, laboxers are also intelligent dogs that can easily become bored without mental stimulation. If left to their own devices without interactive toys, your mix will chew and rifle through your belongings just to have some fun.
To keep your dog’s curious mind occupied when you aren’t at home, invest in puzzle toys that will provide entertainment and intellectual stimulation. And when you are at home, interact and play with your pooch as much as you can to stave off boredom and encourage good behavior.
Companionship
True to their parent breeds, boxadors are outgoing, people-loving, and easy-going dogs that form strong bonds with their owners and families. Bred to be loving companions, laboxers are delighted when they are involved in all family activities and are best suited for large families.
This mix craves affection and company and can easily develop separation anxiety and other behavioral problems if left at home alone a lot. Ideally, a boxador dog should live in a large family where they will have company at all times.
Grooming
Most boxerlabs have short glossy coats that are easy to keep clean and are a fairly low-maintenance breed when it comes to grooming. Brushing your pooch once or twice a week is enough to remove loose hair and dander and keep their coat clean. In addition to regular brushing, you will also need to bathe your dog once every two months or as needed.
Don’t forget to check your dog’s ears for waxy buildup and dirt once a week and clean them as necessary using a vet-approved ear cleaning solution.
Keep your dog’s nails short by trimming them once a month or as necessary using dog nail clippers. If you aren’t comfortable clipping your dog’s nails at home, your vet or your groomer will be more than happy to help.
Lastly, brush your dog’s teeth at least three times a week using a dog toothbrush and toothpaste to prevent periodontal disease and other painful dental problems.
Diet
An ideal diet for a Lab boxer mix should be formulated for medium to large-sized breeds with high energy. Make sure the food you are feeding to your pooch is rich in protein and reinforced with all essential vitamins and minerals.
Like their Labrador retriever parents, this mix has a tendency to gain weight easily and can become obese in no time. To prevent weight gain and all health problems associated with it, feed your dog two times a day and stick to a regular feeding schedule.
Known Health Problems
The boxerlab is considered a healthy breed, but they are predisposed to some of the same health problems that boxers and Labrador retrievers face. The most common health issues seen in this designer breed are:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia: Both boxers and Labrador retrievers are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, so boxerlabs can develop it too. These conditions happen when hip or elbow joints don’t develop properly, which causes pain, lameness, and arthritis.
- Allergies: Like people, dogs can develop food or environmental allergies. Itching is the most common symptom associated with allergies. However, some dogs also exhibit respiratory problems and might cough, sneeze, wheeze, or have a runny discharge from their eyes or nose.
- Hypothyroidism: This is a relatively common endocrine problem in dogs caused by an underactive thyroid gland. Dogs suffering from hypothyroidism usually experience symptoms of lethargy, weight gain, and changes to the skin and coat.
Life Expectancy
The Labrador boxer mix has an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. But, when cared for properly and taken to regular veterinary check ups, this mix can live longer.
How To Train Your Boxador Dog?
Highly intelligent and eager to please, most laboxers are fairly easy to house train, and learn basic obedience. However, some might inherit the boxer’s stubborn streak, in which case, training might prove challenging to say the least.
Boxerlabs, like all other dogs, react the best to positive reinforcement training techniques and reward-based training.
The idea behind this approach is to reward good behavior using treats or praise and to ignore bad behavior. This type of training has been proven to give the best results and is highly effective even if you are dealing with an extremely willful dog.
Besides training, laboxers can also benefit from early socialization and should be exposed to many different people, situations, sounds, and sights from a young age. Early socialization can help your laboxer puppy get used to other people and pets and grow into a friendly and well-rounded dog.
Who Should Own A Boxador?
Bred to be a loyal and devoted companion, the Lab boxer mix is best suited for active people and families with children. This friendly mix craves companionship and is best suited for large homes and families who can spend time and play with their dog every day.
Not the one to prefer solitude, this mix likes to be involved in all family activities and won’t be a good choice if you work long hours or travel a lot.
Buying A Boxer Lab Mix Puppy
Spend some time researching reputable Lab boxer mix breeders before you decide to welcome a laboxer puppy into your home. Since this is a fairly new designer breed, be prepared to spend more time researching and tracking down a reputable breeder.
Once you locate a breeder you like, schedule an appointment to meet the puppies and the mother and to inspect the facilities they are kept in. If by any chance the breeder refuses to show you the conditions the puppies are kept in, walk away and look for another breeder.
A reputable breeder will be more than happy to answer all of your questions and will also be able to provide health certificates for both parents and all puppies.
When it comes to price, boxer Lab mix puppies cost, on average, between $350 and $800. However, you may end up paying more, depending on the breeder, your location, lineage, and gender.
History Of The Breeds
Boxer
Originating in Germany, the boxer is a medium to a large-size working dog breed that was used as a guard dog. Although they might seem intimidating, boxers are goofy and mischievous canines that make great family companions.
Highly energetic, easy to groom, and loving, the boxer is a great choice if you are looking for a loyal family pet that can also double as a guard dog.
Labrador Retriever
America’s most popular dog breed, the Labrador retriever was developed in Newfoundland where it was a traditional waterdog used by fishermen to pull fish out of water. Easy to train, friendly, gentle, and affectionate, Labs make great family pets and companions to people of all ages including children.
Due to their amazing temperament and high trainability, Labrador retrievers are often used as service dogs for people with disabilities and make great guide dogs.
FAQs About Boxerlabs
Are Boxer Lab mix good dogs?
Boxerlabs make amazing pets for active people or large families with children. This loyal, energetic, playful, and friendly mix forms strong bonds with its people and likes to be involved in all family activities. If you are active and have enough time to interact and play with your dog every day, the Lab boxer mix will be a great pet.
Are Boxer Labs aggressive?
While the laboxer inherits the boxer’s guarding tendencies, they aren’t considered inherently aggressive. However, they form strong bonds with their owners and are naturally suspicious of strangers. Therefore, early socialization is a must if you want your mix to grow into a friendly and well-behaved dog.
Conclusion
Medium to large in size and highly energetic, the boxer Lab mix is a fairly new designer breed on the block.
Amiable and devoted to their people, this pooch forms strong bonds with its owners and prefers to be involved in all family activities. If you want to welcome a boxador home, you’ll need to:
- Keep your dog mentally stimulated; otherwise, they can become bored and destructive
- Interact and spend time with your mix to prevent separation anxiety
- Be active enough to keep up with such an energetic dog
Do you have a Lab boxer mix?
If so, tell us more about your pooch in the comment section below!
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Boxer Lab Mix – All You Need To Know About The Boxador was last modified: July 13th, 2021 by
