Looking for a dog that has a little less energy than a Boxer, but a little more size? Let us introduce you to the Boxmas! The Boxmas is a mixed designer breed, also known as the Boxer Mastiff mix. This handsome pup is not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club. But even though it’s a newer mixed breed, it’s become quite popular in the designer dog circuits.
Boxers are the favorites of many people in the United States. They are active, friendly, and good with both kids and other pets. They can be used as family companions but also make good watchdogs due to their genetics.
The English Mastiff is also a favorite, being the gentle giants that they are. The mastiff is used in other mixed breeds because of their even temperament and patience with children. So, without further ado, let’s dive straight into the details of the Boxmas!
Weight70-100 pounds- Height23-30 inches
- Lifespan10-13 years
- ColorsFawn, Brown, Black, Brindle
Parent Breeds
As the Boxmas is relatively new his history is not that well documented. His year of origin isn’t officially documented either. Both the Boxer and the English Mastiff originate from Europe, but it is believed that the Boxmas hybrid itself originates from the United States. Although this too is contested by some who believe it was actually Europe. Bottom line is that nobody really knows! What we do want to know about is the parent breeds. Before we jump into what you can expect from Boxmas ownership, it’s important to look at both parents.
Boxer
The Boxer was established in Germany in 1895 and is thought to have been bred from the now extinct Bullenbeisser. The Bullenbeisser was a powerful and larger dog used to hunt bull and wild boar, in English this literally translates to “Bull Biter”. The Germans recognized his powerful and great guarding abilities but wanted him to be more agile and slender in frame.
The Boxer as we know him today is strong with an innate work ethic, he is intelligent and loyal, as well as loving and is known to have a silly streak! The Boxer currently ranks as the 12th most popular dog breed in America according to the American Kennel Club.
It is thought that the Boxer is named due to the way in which he uses his front limbs to play and defend himself, almost like a boxer does. They are extremely popular as the parent of several different boxer mixes. The Boxer is also popular when mixed with a lab, bringing the friendliness and goofiness that the lab is known for.
English Mastiff
The English Mastiff, originated from England and is one of the oldest known dog breeds. Julias Caesar described the Mastiff during the invasion of Britain in 55 B.C. as impressive defenders of the land who fought alongside their masters. Julias Caesar took specimens of the English Mastiff back to Rome and used them as gladiators to fight against men, lions, and other beasts in the arena.
The English Mastiff is more friendly and docile than his ancestors, but he is still courageous and protective of his family and their estate. Similar to and often compared to the Bullmastiff, the English Mastiff is a loving gentle giant and is a great family companion despite their appearance.
The English Mastiff is known for being a couch potato and loves nothing more than cuddles on the sofa with his master, be warned though, he isn’t bothered that he is the largest dog in the world, and if he fits he sits!
Boxmas
Being a mix of the English Mastiff and the Boxer, the Boxmas is a genuinely family-friendly pup, that has a little bit more of a stubborn streak when it comes to listening. They are not recommended for first-time dog owners due to their strong will.
They are usually on the larger side, so it’s best if you have a little bit of space for them to stretch out and roam around your yard. Provided you can accommodate these things, the Boxmas can be an awesome family dog. But is it the perfect breed for you? Let’s dive in and learn a little bit more about the Boxmas!
Temperament
The Boxmas’ parents both have an impressive history, full of fighting and guarding tales, but more recently known to make great family pets who are a little more affectionate and loving than their ancestors. Both of his parents are similar in their nature and this is perhaps why they make such a great pup!
The Boxmas is energetic and fun-loving and he is known to be playful and dopey at times. He is quite the performer and he will provide hours of endless entertainment for you and your whole family. From falling over his large paws to bouncing around on the family trampoline, he is the class clown, and everyone will love him!
When he is not playing, he will be on guard duty and although he is not overly barky, he will alert you when he thinks it is necessary. Once he learns who is welcome on his estate and who is not, he will be very loving and playful with all who have his master’s approval!
Due to his protective, but patient nature, the Boxmas has a reputation for being great with children. This means they are quite popular with family households. If you are lucky enough to tire this pup out, he is very loving. You’ll get to experience the affectionate side that’s inherited from his Mastiff parent.
Size & Appearance
The Boxmas stands tall and can grow up to 30 inches. His paws look particularly huge when he is born, and he eventually grows into them (kind of!) He is muscular and stocky and weighs anything between 70 to 100 pounds. As they are relatively new on the scene the difference between the male and the female hasn’t been observed and studied to provide a detailed description yet, but generally, the females are at the lower end of the scale with the males at the higher end.
You can expect your Boxmas to reach anywhere from 23 to 30 inches in height. It is important to note that with any mixed breed he can take on either of his parent’s appearances, but typically the pup is known to have the Mastiff frame with the Boxer face.
Coat & Colors
His coat is short, dense, and water-resistant, and can come in brown, black, or brindle colors with streaks of white throughout his body. The Boxmas is described as a high shedder, this means that you will have to groom your pooch daily.
He has short-length hair that is very thick and dense and will stick to absolutely everything in your home, but as the saying goes, no outfit is complete without a little dog hair! Daily brushing not only keeps his hair and skin healthy, but also removes any dead hair cells and promotes blood circulation.
Exercise & Living Conditions
The Boxmas is energetic and exuberant. Therefore he needs high levels of exercise. If you can’t provide him with this, then the Boxmas is probably not for you. He will need at least 60 minutes of exercise a day, otherwise, he will become bored and destructive very quickly.
As well as general exercise he will also need high-intensity playtime and interaction with his humans. This could be through activities like playing frisbee or visiting dog agility courses, for him to expel all that steam. Maybe you could even try his paw at a bit of boxing! His English Mastiff parent may be a bit of a couch potato, but this lil’ Boxmas pupper certainly is not!
On top of his exercise, because he is an intelligent dog, he will also need mental stimulation during his ‘down time’. Puzzle toys with treats in them are great for mental stimulation and will keep him entertained for ages. He will also enjoy patrolling his yard and could stand on point for hours, so allow him this and he will greatly appreciate it.
Due to their large size it is important not to over-exercise your pup at a young age as it will place strain on his rapidly growing joints. It is also important to ensure that he does not jump from any height, such as off the bed or a garden wall as he is also susceptible to injury.
Training
The Boxmas parents have shared guarding and protective traits. This means it’s important that the Boxmas is socialized from a young age. Socialization is the process of exposing your pup to a range of situations. This is done in order to ensure that he is confident in his environment, both in the home and outside. This can be achieved by taking your puppy to training classes. It’s also recommended to go on playdates with other dogs of all shapes and sizes. The key is to ensure that each new experience is positive and to praise him accordingly.
Because of the Boxmas protective nature, it is important for him to regularly interact with humans and animals outside of the family unit. You want to make sure that your pup isn’t over-protective or aggressive. You’ll also want to ensure that the Boxmas pup doesn’t become attached to one family member in particular. This can create over-protectiveness and hostility within the household. To ensure that your pooch is well-behaved the training needs to be consistent. Training should be continued once the desired behaviors are learned.
As he is an intelligent dog and he continuously seeks praise from his master, he is relatively easy to train. Be sure to make the training sessions short and fun, though, as he can get bored and distracted easily.
Health
As this guy is a mixed breed, he can inherit health problems from either parent, however, the Boxmas appears to be another generally healthy dog. The Boxmas’ life span is estimated at 10 – 13 years. Here is a list of health issues to look out for in the Boxmas:
Hip Dysplasia: This is an abnormality with the joints and can eventually cause crippling lameness in the limbs and painful arthritis, particularly in larger dogs. As with both his parents, this can be a common problem in later life for the Boxmas. A low calcium diet that is low in calories is one of the preventative measures that can be taken to lower the chances of hip dysplasia.
Gastric Torsion: Gastric Torsion, put simply, is bloat. This occurs when the stomach is enlarged with either air or gas, and then twists. The twisting usually occurs when he eats one large meal a day or eats quickly either before or after intense exercise. Symptoms can include retching without throwing up, excessive drooling, or a rapid heart rate to name but a few. If your pooch displays any of these symptoms, then you need to get him to the Veterinarian immediately.
Brachycephaly: This is a descriptive term for flat-faced dogs, and the Boxmas will likely inherit this from his Boxer parent. This can cause many issues, such as breathing difficulties, dental problems, and heat and heart related issues. Be sure to conduct your own research on this for an extensive list of problems and symptoms, as it is likely this condition will affect the Boxmas and you will need to know how to regulate it.
Nutrition
This big boy needs around 4 cups of food a day, which is a more significant amount of food than you’d feed a normal purebred boxer. Be careful though, he will eat as much as he can find so keep the food under lock and key! Keep treats to a minimum when they are not being used for training, as at 100 pounds, the extra weight is something this dude and his joints could do without!
Good quality food is the key to keeping your pooch healthy, both for when he is growing and in later life. A low calcium and calorific diet are important to help prevent the health issues described in the next paragraph.
Grooming
The Boxmas has a chance to be a single or double-coated dog. Mastiffs have double coats, and Boxers have single coats. So depending on which parent your pup takes after, you may end up with a Boxmas that looks like either. Generally speaking, they take after their Boxer parent’s coat a bit more, so this means a single coat. Single coats require less grooming as they don’t shed as excessively in the summer or winter months.
Expect to groom your Boxmas about the same amount all year. The Boxmas can have sensitive skin, so we caution against using shampoos or soaps with harsh chemicals.
Breeders & Puppy Costs
The Boxmas is a newer designer dog, but there are breeders out there. You’ll need to do your research to find reputable breeders online. You can expect to pay around $800 for a Boxmas puppy when adopting from a breeder. You’ll typically want to make sure that both parents have been health checked. It’s also a good idea to ask for the required AKC paperwork to prove their lineage. The Boxmas is a unique breed, so make sure you do your research and talk to both local breeders as well as online information groups to find the best pup.
Rescues & Shelters
Because the Boxmas is a mix, it’s quite likely you may get lucky and find one at a local rescue or shelter. While breeding the Boxmas is becoming a more popular thing to do, you’ll definitely find pups that may have come from unwanted litters. These dogs are likely to end up in a Mastiff Rescue center, strictly because of their size. It’s possible you may also see them at a Boxer rescue facility, but some facilities may shy away from the larger size of the Boxmas. We always encourage you to Adopt before you shop!
As Family Pets
As family pets, the Boxmas has a few things that we want to summarize. Every potential Boxmas owner should be well aware of the following before welcoming one into their homes:
- The Boxmas can be a vocal pup. Both parent breeds like to be heard.
- Expect your Boxmas to be calmer than a Boxer, more energetic than a Mastiff.
- These pups can get very big, especially if they have a large Mastiff parent.
- They are usually good with dogs, provided they are socialized early.
- Those that aren’t socialized may become dog selective.
- The Boxmas will protect their yard and their turf.
- This means you’ll want to introduce new people to your pup slowly.
- The Boxmas likes to roam. They do better in a bigger yard with plenty of space.
- They love kids, provided they are socialized early.
- Because their Boxer parent loves to jump, be prepared to train this behavior out.
- Be patient with your Boxmas. Once trained, they are great family companions.
As long as you are fully aware of the commitment that each of these points requires, you should be successful in Boxmas ownership. Not fully understanding this breed can result in a trip to the shelter. That’s the last thing you should want for your dog.
Final Thoughts
The excitable but loving Boxmas will make heads turn for all the right reasons! The Boxmas can be intimidating in appearance if you don’t know the breed. For those that do, they will likely also know that they can be both fun and gentle.
He is energetic and will require constant stimulation. The Boxmas rarely has a downtime mode and you must be prepared for this. He will take the role of family guardian seriously and will earn his keep by protecting you at all times. When he is not on guard he will want to play, and boy does this dude know how to play! Energetic playtime such as tug-of-war, frisbee, or doggy agility courses can burn up that energy, and the use of puzzle treat toys will be much appreciated by him when he must be left alone.
Be sure to train him as he is of working and guard dog heritage, as you will want to train the over-protective or aggressiveness trait out of him from a very early age. Once he is transformed into a well-mannered young pup the rewards for both you and him will be endless!
