10 Things You Didn’t Know about The Boxweiler
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If you thought all designer crossbreeds were small, cute, and handbag sized, prepare to have your mind blown. The Boxweiler is a big, burly beast of a dog that combines the best qualities of its parent breeds, the Rottweiler and the Boxer.
It’s high energy, highly intelligent, and, despite its intimidating bulk, surprisingly sweet-natured. A loyal, loving family dog, it’s becoming an increasingly popular choice of pet amongst the nation’s animal lovers. To find out more, here are ten things you didn’t know about the Boxweiler.
1. They’re a crossbreed
The Boxweiler is one of the latest in a long line of designer crossbreeds. It was developed when a group of breeders set out to create a dog that combined the best characteristics of both the Boxer and the Rottweiler.
Although we don’t know too much about the beginnings of the Boxweiler (the most we can say is that it first began to appear in the 1980s), we do know plenty about its parent breeds. As Dog Time notes, the Boxer was bred as a working dog, tasked with hunting, guarding, and even herding cattle. In World War I, it was used as a messager, guard, and attack dog.
Rottweilers were also bred as a working dog, serving for many years as guard dogs. Today, they’re still well-regarded as a guard dog, while many serve alongside the military and police force.
2. They don’t suit apartment living
Boxweilers are big, boisterous dogs with a ton of energy. If you don’t put the effort into keeping them entertained, they can quickly and easily become bored, frustrated, and even destructive. To prevent any issues, give them plenty of exercise: aim for at least three 20 minute walks a day (although the more the better) plus plenty of games. Due to their activity needs, they tend to fare better in larger homes with access to a yard, rather than apartment living.
3. They make great guard dogs
Rottweilers are known as excellent guard dogs, and their offspring are no different. Although they’re not aggressive, they’ll make sure an intruder to your home or yard knows they aren’t welcome. They’ll also be sure to alert you to any suspicious goings-on and potential dangers.
4. They’re not good for people with allergies
Does the sight of an approaching dog have you reaching for the kleenex? If it does, Boxweilers might not be the dogs for you. Although their short coats suggest they might be suitable for allergy-sufferers, appearances can be deceptive.
While they won’t leave every inch of your home covered in a thick layer of hair, they’re considered moderate shedders and not even slightly hypoallergenic. While we’re on the subject of coats, Boxweilers come in a variety of shades, with the most common being fawn, black, brindle, white, and brown. Sometimes their coats are soild, but you won’t have too much trouble in finding ones with a combination of colors.
5. They’re huge
You wouldn’t expect the offspring of two big breeds like the Boxer and the Rottweiler to be small, and you’d be right. The Boxweiler is huge. As crazypetguy.com writes, before you welcome a Boxweiler into your home, you should consider just how much space you have. Weighing up to 100 pounds and measuring between 21 and 27 inches at the shoulder, your new pup is going to take up a lot of it. Along with its size, the Boxweiler shares many characteristics with its parent breeds, including the Rotweiler’s distinctive muzzle and head shape and the Boxer’s broad chest.
6. You need to keep a close eye on their health
Like most crossbreeds, the Boxweiler is generally healthy. However, it’s also susceptible to some of the same health conditions that plague both the Rottweiler and the Boxer. Some of the key issues to watch out for include joint dysplasia, Pano, demodectic mange, heart issues, bone cancer, bloat, hypothyroidism, and eye problems.
Like all dogs, the Boxweiler will try and keep any problems under wraps for as long as possible, making it crucial to keep a close eye on them and whisk them to the vet at the first sign of trouble.
7. They don’t like being alone
They might look like big, hardy creatures, but beneath their intimidating bulk, the Boxweiler is surprisingly sensitive. Boxweilers love to be around people and like nothing more than being included in family activities.
But leave them alone, and you could soon be facing problems. While small dogs are usually thought of as being the most prone to separation anxiety, Boxweilers are just as susceptible. Early training and socialization are a must to avoid problems, but even then, you might want to think twice about bringing one into your home if you spend most of your time away from it.
8. They love kids
Although their size can make them look a little intimidating, Boxweilers are actually incredibly friendly, affectionate dogs that get on well with kids. Their playful, loving natures make them a great playmate for children, while their protective instincts ensure they’ll keep a close eye on them and protect them from any dangers. As Dog Lime notes, they’re usually tolerant of small kids rough or boisterous behaviors, although early socialization is a must (as is teaching your kids the right and wrong way of behaving around dogs).
9. They’re easy to train
Like both the Rottweiler and the Boxer, the Boxweiler is an incredibly intelligent dog. They respond well to training and will pick up new skills easily and quickly, with minimal repetition being needed to yield great results.
Like all dogs, they respond best to positive reinforcement techniques, so be sure to use plenty of praise and rewards during their training sessions. As Boxweilers have protective tendencies, early socialization is vital to prevent the characteristic from developing along undesirable lines.
10. They’re prone to weight gain
Like many large breeds, the Boxweiler is prone to weight gain. Although they love to exercise, they love treats and snacks almost as much. As weight gain in large breed dogs can exacerbate any tendencies towards joint and mobility problems, it’s important to keep a close eye on their calorie intake. If they start packing on the pounds, limit the treats, up the exercise, and speak to your vet about the benefits of a calorie-controlled diet.
