The Boxer Rottweiler mix dog, as the name suggests, is a crossbreed of the famous Boxer and Rottweiler dogs. This breed also goes by other names, including Boxweiler, Box Rotty, Boxer Rottie, among others. First bred in the 1980s, it is no surprise that very little is known about this breed to date. However, what people seem to know more about is its parent breeds: the Boxer and Rottweiler. So, to better understand the child, let’s first understand the parents.

According to John Wagner, the Boxer dates back to 2000 B.C. Originating from Munich in Germany, Boxers participated in World Wars I and II, where they were used to carry supplies for the soldiers, as well as guard them. After the wars, the British and American soldiers ended up adopting some of them. This war history, combined with their relation to their enormous hunting ancestor, the Bullenbeisser (bull-biter), has earned them their ferocious fame. 

Much like Boxers, Rottweilers are also notorious for aggression, thanks to their participation in military and police work. The Rottweilers’ Roman ancestors, the Molossus, were large dogs who assisted herders in driving their cattle to the markets. After the Romans invaded Germany, the Molossus dogs bred with the local German dogs to produce the Rottweiler. They were so ferocious that some people would put their coin purses around their Rottweilers’ necks for safekeeping. To date, they’re still acknowledged for their role as guard dogs, and some continue to serve in military and police work.

Boxweilers are likely to inherit many of the traits that have made their parent breeds so revered throughout history. An important thing to consider with any mixed breed dog is that there will always be some unpredictability to their character traits. You will not predict your dog’s physical or behavioral characteristics until he’s fully matured. Based on the parent breed’s genes, you can make some guesses, but ultimately, you won’t know with certainty which genes will dominate.

Characteristics of the Boxweiler

Given that the Boxweiler is a mixed breed, there are a few characteristics to do with their size, appearance, personality, feeding, and social habits that they inherit from their parent breeds. We are going to delve into some of these characteristics and others below.

Physical Characteristics

To begin with, you can expect the Boxweiler to be on the larger side with a sturdy, muscular build. Most weigh between 70 and 100 pounds (32 to 45 kg) and range in height from 21 to 27 inches (53 to 69 cm) at the shoulder. It is not unusual to find others being smaller or larger than the average expectation.

As for physical appearance, the most expected trait that cuts across all Boxweilers is their large, square head. While the Rottweiler has a stocky and muscular body, the Boxer has a lean muscular build. A Boxweiler, therefore, could take on either of these body types. Although you may not be able to predict how a mixed breed dog will look, meeting the parent breeds first can help you get an inclination of how the pup may turn out.

The Boxweiler has a short, thick coat with a coarse texture. These coats vary in color, but most are always in brown shades. You should also expect to see brown and black spots, and on some occasions, a white splotch on their chest or belly.

Personality & Temperament

Boxweilers are very energetic dogs who love running around and playing games like fetch with their parents. Despite the negative propaganda around them, they are very affectionate and love to cuddle inside the house.

Since these large pooches were initially working dogs, they derive joy and fulfillment from working in one way or another. That means they make great guardians or watchdogs of the household. Boxweilers do best with early training to curb any inherited negative traits. One of these negative traits is stubbornness. When you combine this head-strong nature with their intelligence, Boxweilers can be challenging to train. You will need to exert dominance over them and stay consistent with their training.

Though they also tend to latch on to one family member rather than all, the Boxweiler is best suited for large families with more substantial homes rather than small apartments. As much as they enjoy human interactions, they are also moderately dependent, meaning that you can leave them alone for a while. However, you should be wary of their abandonment anxiety if left alone for too long. Before getting yourself one, you should note that novices are highly discouraged from getting Boxweilers as they require a lot of firmness when it comes to training them.

Health and Exercises

Boxer Rotties are relatively healthy, with a life expectancy ranging between 8 and 13 years. However, they have predisposed health issues as their parent breeds, including heart conditions, eye problems, bone cancer, hip dysplasia, bloat, among others. As with all dogs, however, honoring your vet’s appointments can help prevent any inherited diseases from getting out of hand.

Another health issue that the Rottweiler Boxer mix faces is weight gain. When they are overfed or not exercised enough, they can become overweight very quickly. Canine obesity often increases the risk of your fur baby getting health problems. Luckily, this health issue is very much within your control, and you can easily avoid this by sticking to a strict nutritious diet and regular exercise. Make sure you walk your dog at least once or twice a day and engage him in plenty of games.

Grooming

Boxweiler pups have short coats that shed moderately. You will need to brush their coats a couple of times a week to prevent any matted hairs. They are not hypoallergenic dogs and require moderate grooming to keep their coats in good shape. Thanks to their self-grooming habits, they are usually relatively clean; hence you will only need to bathe them at least once every month.

While grooming them, you should frequently check their ears for debris and pests and clean them as recommended by your vet. You should also trim their nails at least twice a month to avoid them getting too long. Oral hygiene is also mandatory. You should brush their teeth daily to prevent any dental issues. You should, however, consult your veterinarian on how to clean your dog’s teeth properly.

Feeding and Nutrition

An ideal Boxweiler diet should resemble that of the Rottweiler, meaning that it should contain a substantial amount of animal protein, Omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. They tend to gain weight when overfed, so you should stick to a regular feeding schedule and limit how often you reward them with treats.

As with all dogs, you will need to adjust your buddy’s diet as he grows in size and age. Nonetheless, you should consult your vet from the beginning for recommendations about a food plan, as there is far too much variation among individual dogs, including weight, energy, and health.

Social Interactions

Since Boxweilers are relatively large dogs, they are suitable for older children rather than smaller ones. Early socialization with other pets will go a long way in smoothening their interactions. However, you must note that Boxweilers aren’t naturally fond of other animals and may prefer to be the sole pet in their homes. Nevertheless, with proper training and a little bit of encouragement from you, they can get along just fine with other pets.

Final Thoughts

Before you decide on the Boxweiler, it is crucial that you first familiarize yourself with its parent breeds: the Boxer and Rottweiler. Understanding them will help you better determine whether the Boxweiler is a good fit for you and your family or not.

If you’re generally energetic and would love a partner to exercise with and guard you with loyalty, you should immediately get yourself a Boxweiler pup. In addition to protection, your furry friend will also shower you with affection and joyful experiences.