7 Things You Didn’t Know about the Miniature Boxer
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Boxer dogs are one of the most popular dog breeds in the US. People are drawn to them because of their unique, tough look and personalities. They are great dogs for all kinds of households, including those with children and other animals. One thing that can be a deterrent for some people when it comes to the Boxer breed, is its size. It seems like so many people are wanting to take regular breeds and make them smaller, or in some cases, miniaturized. Big dog breeds aren’t always easy for everyone to handle and care for, so in order to get the best of both worlds, certain breeds are being crossbred with other breeds to create smaller versions. The Boxer happens to be a breed that has been scaled down to a miniature size. There is a Miniature Boxer available now, and it comes from crossbreeding the Standard Boxer with a Bull Terrier, which is the smaller breed, and the end result is a dog that looks like a Boxer, but smaller. You may have heard about these smaller Boxer versions, and if you have, well keep reading to learn 10 things you didn’t know about Miniature Boxers.
1. Not a recognized breed in the registry
The AKC, or American Kennel Club, keeps track and monitors dog breeds. They only register true, solid breeds of dogs in the organization and help to ensure the pureness of lineages of dogs. Hybrid dogs are not allowed on the registry, which is why you won’t find a Miniature Boxer. Since it is the result of a Boxer and Bull Terrier breeding, it cannot and will not ever be registered with the AKC as a full breed. If your breeder tries to tell you that Miniature Boxers are considered full breeds, you may want to look for another breeder because they are not.
2. Aren’t as active as the Standard Boxer
Some people may think that because this breed is smaller than the standard sized Boxer, that it won’t require as much exercise or activity during the day, however, this is not true. It is actually the opposite. The smaller Boxer versions actually need more exercise than the large breed. They are very active and playful and will require more outside time, running, jumping, playing. For those who do not have the time to exercise their dog that much or plan to make it a lap dog or couch potato, this is not the breed for you.
3. They are not naturally aggressive
There can be a misconception that the Boxer breed is an aggressive breed of dog. They can certainly look a bit more aggressive due to the look of the dog. They are muscular and can have an aggressive look about them. But the truth is, the Boxer breed is not aggressive by nature. They are actually loving, friendly, and outgoing. These are the same traits that get passed down to the Miniature Boxers, too. They will generally be the same temperament as the larger breed, however, each dog is an individual and will possess his own personality and quirks. You should always socialize a new puppy to help encourage good behavior in him.
4. Easy to train
These are highly trainable dogs. They are very intelligent and will listen, so working with your new puppy early, is crucial to instill the behaviors you want him to possess. Housebreaking this breed is easier than with many other breeds, which means fewer accidents in the house. This will appeal to many people who don’t have the patience to deal with hard-to-train dogs. Miniature Boxers want to please their owner and they love to be praised, which gives them the desire to learn.
5. Good family dogs
These are great family dogs. Because the Miniature Boxer inherits a lot of the personality traits of the Standard Boxer, you will be happy to know that both are dogs that are good with children and other pets. If there is a cat in the home, you may want to be prepared to witness a good cat chase now and again, but in general, they will meld well into many types of environments and homes. Keep in mind that this breed loves to be around people and are not meant to be left alone for long periods of time. If you plan to be gone all day at work and leave your puppy home alone for many hours, this may not be the breed for you.
6. They are susceptible to health problems
There has always been the idea that a hybrid dog is less susceptible to health issues compared to full breed dogs, however, that isn’t the case, necessarily. Miniature Boxers are susceptible to the same health problems from each of the lineages they come from. They will have the health risks that Standard Boxers, and the Bull Terriers have. How great the risk is will just depend on how dominant a specific health problem is on each side of its family.
7. Good guard dogs
Even though this is a smaller dog, the Miniature Boxer makes a great guard dog. As a matter-of-fact, that is one of the things they are used most for. They will bark at the approach of an intruder to alert you and come to your aid if you are in danger. They are loyal dogs and can be protective.
