Nowadays, hybrid dogs are increasing in popularity and are becoming quite high in demand. The idea behind crossing two purebred dogs of different breeds is to attain appealing characteristics. The hybrid dog trend is for a good part fueled by the belief that by crossing different dog breeds you can get as close as you can get to the perfect dog. The boxador is a very popular designer dog obtained by crossing two of the most amiable breeds in the world: the boxer and the Labrador retriever. What characteristics should you expect in this crossbred dog? A rough idea can be obtained by take a glimpse into the qualities found in the parent breeds.
The Boxador Appearance
As with other hybrid dogs, the looks and personality traits of these dogs tend to vary. By looking at the boxer and the Labrador retriever you can expect a boxador to be on the larger side of the scale. Expect a boxador to weigh roughly anywhere in between 50 and 90 pounds, with males generally weighing in between 75 and 90 pounds and females weighing anywhere between 50 and 65 pounds. It’s not too unusual for some males to weigh even more.
When it comes to the boxador’s facial looks, you’ll likely readily notice the large, blocky head and the droopy jaws. The eyes are expressive, most commonly a dark brown color. The ears are always floppy. The coat is short and can be found in a variety of colors. Most commonly you will stumble on black, black and white, brown, brindle or fawn boxador coats.
The Perfect Family Dog
When two wonderful family dogs such as the boxer and Labrador retriever are crossed, a batch of very playful and energetic puppies is attained. This playful demeanor is retained into adulthood and will likely be there for a good part of the dog’s life. Because of the size and energy levels of the boxador, a home with a big yard is a must so the dog can romp around. As with other active dog breeds, a daily exercise regimen is also important.
This dog is predisposed to being very good with kids. Indeed, both the boxer and the Labrador breed are known for ranking in the top child-friendly breeds. A boxador has the potential for making a happy, clownish companion with a special zest for life. However, as with any dog, it’s very important to start socializing and training the boxador early. Because of this dog’s high intelligence and eagerness to learn, he is fairly easy to train and well versed to learn tricks.
An Easy to Maintain Coat
Grooming the boxador can be as easy as pie. This is because both the boxer and the Labrador are blessed with short coats that are quite easy to maintain. You won’t really need to take your boxador to the groomer often, other than for the occasional bath after rolling into something terribly smelly. Another plus is the fact that the boxador doesn’t tend to shed heavily as other breeds of dogs. A weekly brushing will help remove dead hairs, which are most commonly shed when the weather starts to warm up. Brushing will also help those natural skin oils circulate so the coat can be kept healthy and shiny.
An Overall Healthy Dog
Overall, the boxador is a relatively healthy dog. Hybrid dogs are believed to be healthier compared to their purebred parents due to good genetic diversity. The term for this phenomenon is “hybrid vigor;” however, more and more veterinarians are rethinking their belief that mixed breeds are healthier. Indeed, new research seems to suggest that mixed breeds are equally predisposed to a variety of health disorders. This may be in part due lack of health testing. Indeed, according to Michele Welton, it’s almost unheard of for breeders of crossbred dogs to health test the parents for hereditary disorders.
The Right Dog for You?
Are you planning to open your heart to a Boxer Lab hybrid puppy? If so, one of your biggest concerns should be ensuring sufficient outlets for this dog’s high energy levels. This dog is not the perfect match for couch-potato owners or apartment dwellers. Fail to provide sufficient outlets for pent-up energy, and your boxador will likely find his own forms of entertainment – and they likely won’t be pretty. Chewing, digging and nuisance barking can be the likely outcome. However, a well-exercised boxador makes a wonderful companion who is affectionate, very sweet and loyal. Many boxador owners get easily hooked on this hybrid and claim that, given the choice, they wouldn’t want to own any other dog than their beloved boxador companions.