Are you considering adding a Boxer Mastiff mix (aka Boxmas) to your family? This big, goofy breed can make a great pet for the right owner, but there are some things you should know before deciding if he’s right for you.
In this post, we’ll take a look at the Boxmas’ temperament, size, and care needs so you can decide if he’s the perfect dog for your home. Keep reading to learn more!
Parent Breed Background
Boxers are a famous dog breed that developed in Germany. Typically, Boxers are lively and playful dogs that make great companions for families with children. They are also known for being intelligent and loyal, which makes them excellent guard dogs.
The Mastiff, on the other hand, is a large and powerful dog that was originally bred in England. Mastiffs are gentle giants that are fiercely loyal to their families. However, they can also be wary of strangers, which makes them good watchdogs.
When you mix these two breeds together, you get the Boxer Mastiff mix – a dog that combines the best of both worlds. The Boxmas is an energetic and affectionate dog that is perfect for those who want an ideal family pet.
Boxer Mastiff Mix – Size & Appearance
The Boxer Mastiff mix, also known as the Boxmas, is a large dog with a strong build. The average height of a Boxmas is 24 to 27 inches, and they typically weigh between 70 and 100 pounds.
These dogs have short, dense fur that is usually black, brown, or brindle in color. They have long tails and floppy ears, and their faces are often marked with a distinct black “mask.” Overall, the Boxmas is a powerful and muscular dog with a loyal and affectionate nature.
Boxmas Temperament
The Boxmas is a cross between two very different breeds of dogs, the Boxer and the Mastiff. As a result, they can inherit a wide range of temperament traits from their parents. Some Boxmas dogs are outgoing and friendly, while others may be more reserved.
Some are laid back and easygoing, while others have a higher energy level. However, all Boxmas dogs share a few key temperament traits. They are intelligent and trainable dogs who bond closely with their families.
“They are also loyal and protective, making them excellent guard dogs. With proper socialization, they can get along well with other pets and children. They may be aggressive if they feel threatened, so it’s important to train them properly and socialize them early on”.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly dog with an even temper, the Boxmas may be the perfect breed for you.
Boxmas Exercise Needs
The Boxmas is a high-energy dog that needs plenty of exercise to stay happy and healthy. These dogs need at least an hour of vigorous exercise every day, and they thrived best when given ample opportunities to run and play.
If you live in an apartment or don’t have a lot of space for your dog to run, you may want to consider another breed.
The following exercise activities are some great options to consider:
- Fetch – This helps your dog to use up some of its energy, as well as giving them some mental stimulation.
- Tug-of-war – This is a great way to play with your Boxmas and build up their muscles.
- Running – Take your dog for a run or jog around the block to help them get its daily exercise.
- Long walks – A daily walk is a great way to bond with your dog and give them the exercise they need.
- Hiking – If you live near trails or woods, take your Boxmas on a hike for a fun and different way to exercise.
- Swimming – Swimming is a great low-impact exercise for dogs of all ages, and it’s a fun way to cool off on a hot day.
Mental Stimulation
In addition to physical exercise, the Boxmas also needs plenty of mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. These dogs are intelligent and need to be given some challenging tasks to keep them occupied.
Some great ideas for mentally stimulating your Boxmas include:
Food puzzles
Give your dog a food puzzle toy to help them use their brain power to figure out how to get the treats inside.
Specialist Training
Enroll your dog in an obedience or agility class to help them learn new tricks and stay mentally sharp.
Nose work
Nose work is a great way to engage your dog’s natural sense of smell and give them a fun challenge.
Boxmas Training Needs
The Boxmas is a smart dog that is easy to train. They are eager to please their owners and respond well to positive reinforcement methods such as treats, praise, and petting.
These dogs need to be given consistent training from an early age to prevent them from becoming willful or stubborn.
A few examples of their training needs include;
Obedience training
This will help your dog to learn basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and down.
Agility training
This is a fun way to give your dog some exercise and mental stimulation. You can train for agility by setting up a course in your backyard or taking your dog to an agility class.
Tracking
This is a great activity for dogs who love to use their sense of smell. You can start tracking training by hiding treats around the house and teaching your dog to follow the scent to find them.
Socialization training
This is crucial for preventing aggression in your Boxmas. It’s important to expose them to different people, places, and experiences from an early age.
With proper training and socialization, the Boxmas can be a great addition to any family.
Is the Boxer Mastiff Mix Loyal?
Yes, they are! especially to their owner. The Boxer Mastiff Mix is one of the most loyal dog breeds.
They are also protective of their family and home. If you are new to the household and you want that loyalty from them, you need to gain their trust first.
The best way to do this is by being consistent with your rules and providing them with plenty of love, attention, and exercise. Once they trust you, they will be your loyal companion for life.
Boxmas Barking Levels
The Boxer Mastiff Mix is not a yappy dog, but they will bark when they feel the need to protect their home or family.
“They are not typically aggressive dogs, but they may bark at strangers if they feel threatened. It is important to socialize your dog from an early age so that they learn to trust people and are less likely to bark excessively”.
If you want to control their barking levels, you can provide them with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to tire them out.
Boxmas Drooling Levels
The Boxmas is not a particularly drooly dog, but they may drool when they are excited or nervous. If you are concerned about their drooling levels, you can wipe their face with a damp cloth to keep the drool from getting too out of control.
You can also feed them smaller meals more frequently to help reduce the amount of drool they produce.
Another way to help with the drooling is to give your dog plenty of chew toys to help keep their minds occupied and help reduce anxiety.
What Should a Boxer Mastiff Mix Eat?
The Boxer Mastiff Mix is a large breed dog, so they will need high-quality dog food that is formulated for large breed dogs. This food should be high in protein and fat to help them maintain their energy levels and muscle mass.
It is important to avoid foods that are high in carbohydrates as this can lead to obesity in these dogs. You should also avoid giving them table scraps as this can lead to digestive issues.
They can have meals like;
- Raw meat
- Cooked chicken
- Beef
- Fish
- Eggs
- Vegetables
- Fruits
You may want to feed your dog some human food but not all of our meals are good for them. Your Boxmas should not eat any of the following:
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Tea
- Alcohol
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Onions
- Garlic
- Avocados
- Macadamia nuts
These food items can be toxic to dogs and should be avoided.
The amount of food your Boxmas needs will depend on their age, activity level, and build. A good rule of thumb is to feed them 2-3% of their body weight per day.
For example, a 30lb dog would need about 1-1.5 cups of food per day.
“It is important to break this up into two meals to prevent them from overeating and becoming overweight. You can also give them some healthy dog treats throughout the day as a way to reward them for good behavior”.
Puppies should be fed three to four times per day until they are about six months old. After that, they can be transitioned to two meals per day. At each meal, you should give them about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of food.
The amount of food will increase as they grow and their activity level increases. You should always consult with your veterinarian to make sure you are feeding your puppy the right amount of food.
“It is important to speak with your veterinarian about the best diet for your dog as they will be able to recommend a food that is formulated for their specific needs”.
Table Scraps
As mentioned before, you should avoid giving your Boxmas table scraps as this can lead to digestive issues.
Table scraps are also often high in fat and calories, which can cause your dog to become overweight. If you want to give your dog a special treat, you can buy them some healthy dog treats that are low in calories.
Doggie Treats
You can give your Boxmas some healthy dog treats as a way to reward them for good behavior. These treats should be low in calories and fat to prevent your dog from becoming overweight.
Some good treat options for Boxmas include;
- Carrots
- Green beans
- Zucchini
- Cucumber slices
- Banana slices
- Applesauce
- Plain yogurt
- Cooked chicken
- Beef
- Fish
You can also make your own healthy dog treats at home. There are many recipes online that use healthy ingredients, such as the following:
- Oatmeal
- Peanut butter
- Bananas
- Carrots
- Pumpkin puree
- Sweet potatoes
Boxmas – Adaptability to Weather
The Boxer Mastiff Mix is a fairly adaptable breed, but they do prefer warmer weather. They can handle cold weather as long as they have a warm, comfortable place to stay.
If you live in an area with extreme weather conditions, it is important to take steps to protect your dog from the heat or cold.
In the summer, you should make sure your dog has access to shade and fresh water at all times. You should also avoid taking them on long walks during the hottest part of the day.
In the winter, you will need to provide this mixed breed with a warm, comfortable place to stay inside. You may also want to invest in a doggie sweater or coat to help them stay warm when they go outside.
Does the Boxer Mastiff Mix have Health Issues?
The Boxer Mastiff Mix is generally a healthy breed, but there are some health conditions to be aware of. These include;
Hip dysplasia
This is a condition that affects the hips and can cause pain and lameness. It is more common in larger breeds of dogs. Thankfully, it can be corrected with surgery.
Elbow dysplasia
This is a condition that affects the elbow joints and can cause pain and lameness. This can be treated with surgery.
Bloat
This is a condition that can be life-threatening if not treated immediately. Bloat occurs when the stomach fills with gas and twists. This can cut off the blood supply to the stomach and cause death. If you think your dog is bloated, you should take them to the vet immediately.
Heart conditions
Some Boxer Mastiffs may be born with heart conditions that can cause problems later in life. They may require surgery.
Cancer
Unfortunately, cancer is fairly common in dogs and can affect any breed of dog. Cancer is a serious condition that can be life-threatening.
“It is important to take your Boxer Mastiff Mix to the veterinarian for regular checkups and to keep up with their vaccinations. These things will help to ensure that your dog stays healthy and happy”.
In addition to all of the above, the Boxmas can suffer from separation anxiety if they are left alone for long periods of time. This is a condition that causes dogs to feel anxious and stressed when they are away from their owner.
If your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, you may notice them barking excessively, pacing, chewing on furniture, or having accidents in the house.
“To help your dog overcome separation anxiety, you will need to be patient and consistent with their training. You should start by leaving them alone for short periods of time and gradually increase the amount of time they are left alone”.
It is also important to provide them with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation so that they are tired when you leave them alone. You may also want to consider using a calming aid such as CBD oil to help your dog relax.
Boxmas – Lifespan
The average lifespan of a Boxmas is 10-12 years. If you want your dog to live longer, you should take steps to ensure they are healthy and happy. This includes providing them with proper nutrition, plenty of exercise, regular vet checkups, and mental stimulation.
Boxmas – Puppy Prices
Prices for Boxer Mastiff Mix puppies vary depending on the breeder and the location. Those that were bred in the US can cost anywhere from $800 while those bred in other countries can be as low as $250.
When looking for a Boxer Mastiff Mix puppy, it is important to find a reputable breeder who can provide you with health clearances for the parents.
Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of certain conditions. But on average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $500-$1000 for a Boxmas puppy.
Boxer Mastiff Mix – AKC Recognition
The American Kennel Club does not recognize the Boxer Mastiff Mix. However, the Boxer and the Mastiff are both recognized by the AKC.
If you are interested in showing your dog in AKC events, you will need to register them as either a Boxer or a Mastiff.
You may also like – English Mastiff Great Pyrenees Mix (Maspyr) – Complete Guide
Final Thoughts
So, should you get the Boxmas? If you’re looking for a big, friendly, and energetic dog who will be a loyal companion, then yes – a Boxer Mastiff mix could be a great choice for you.
Just remember that like all dogs, they require time, patience, and training to reach their full potential.
If you’re prepared to put in the work, a Boxmas could be the perfect addition to your family.
