Quick Take
- Owning a Boxachi puppy means having no idea what size dog you'll end up with, and the reason why goes deeper than you'd expect. Explore the size variability →
- Boxachis are highly intelligent, yet that intelligence is exactly what makes them so hard to train. See why training is tough →
- Both parent breeds carry serious heart risks, and the combination in a Boxachi raises a concern most new owners completely overlook. Check the inherited heart risks →
- Boxachis are marketed as great family dogs, but there's a specific household situation where they can turn aggressive. See when aggression emerges →
The Boxachi is the result of cross-breeding a purebred Boxer and Chihuahua. They are the perfect blend of the Chihuahua’s feistiness and the Boxer’s playfulness. Boxachis are a medium-sized breed that do not require too much maintenance. They are silly clowns and will keep everyone entertained for hours.
The puppies are adorable, but they can get into a lot of mischief because of their high energy. To avoid this, owners must ensure they get enough exercise, affection, and stimulation. It’s hard to document their appearance, as some puppies will resemble their Chihuahua parent, and others, their Boxer parent.
Boxachis are a new hybrid, so there is very little information on the breed. However, they have received a lot of traits from their respective parents.
Three Pros and Cons of Owning a Boxachi
When owning a dog, there are always pros and cons. Owning a Boxachi is no different. The advantages and disadvantages include:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| They are loyal | They don’t cope well with cold temperatures |
| Make excellent guard dogs | No one can predict their size |
| Great apartment pets | Might not get along with other animals |
Size and Weight
Unless you adopt an adult, it’s impossible to know whether your Boxachis will look more like its Boxer or its Chihuahua parent. This is a Boxer.
©Dora Zett/Shutterstock.com
The size and weight of the Boxachi are hard to pinpoint because they vary significantly in size. Some take after their Chihuahua parent, and others after their Boxer parent. However, they will never be as small as a Chihuahua.
Unfortunately, there is no way to tell how big they will get when they are puppies. But, generally, they are medium-sized dogs weighing between 10 and 25 pounds, and the maximum height they can reach is around 16 inches.
Common Health Issues
The Boxachi’s lifespan is between 10 and 15 years, but they can live longer with a healthy diet and exercise routine. However, Boxachis are susceptible to a few health issues, which include:
Patellar Luxation
Patellar luxation is a common health issue amongst small breeds. This happens when the patella (kneecap) is not correctly bound to the thigh bone and the calf. When this happens, it causes the dog to hop or skip and can lead to lameness.
Nobody can do anything to prevent it because it is present at birth. However, sometimes the misalignment and symptoms only appear later on in life.
Unfortunately, all the rubbing caused by this condition leads to arthritis. There are four grades of Patellar Luxation; depending on which grade the dog has, there are surgeries that can help.
Hip Dysplasia
Many canine breeds suffer from hip dysplasia, including the Boxachi. Sadly, it is very painful and life-threatening. This condition is caused by joints in the hip that don’t fit together properly, affecting the dog’s rear legs.
Hip dysplasia could be due to various things like obesity, injuries, or strenuous exercise, but it is mainly hereditary. Strangely, some dogs don’t show symptoms, while others will have noticeable signs.
Depending on how severe it is, there are a few treatments available that range from various medications to hip replacement.
Responsible breeders won’t breed pairs with a high hip dysplasia percentage to prevent issues down the line. However, taking your furry friend for regular checkups at your trusted veterinarian is always best.
Ear Infections
Unfortunately, Boxachis are susceptible to ear infections. Look for signs of scratching the ears, dark discharge, head shaking, odor, itchiness, swelling, crusty ears, or scabs.
Obesity
Overfeeding your Boxachi can lead to obesity, and all that additional weight causes heart diseases, digestive disorders, joint problems, and back pain.
Epilepsy
Boxachis are prone to epilepsy, which causes seizures that can vary from mild to severe. The episodes are typically induced by traumatic injuries, brain diseases, metabolic disorders, and toxin poisoning.
Heart Diseases
Sadly, both parents of this breed are prone to heart issues, leaving the Boxachi vulnerable. The two conditions to watch out for are cardiomyopathy and valve disease.
Cancer
Boxachis are prone to various types of cancer. Depending on the stage, treatments may be available, including chemotherapy and tumor removal, but only if caught in the early stages, making regular checkups essential.
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus
Gastric dilatation-volvulus, or bloat, is a serious health issue common in larger, deep-chested dogs like Boxers. While Boxachis may inherit some risk if they have a deep chest, most are not considered high-risk for this condition. Their susceptibility to this condition is heightened if they are fed one large meal a day, do strenuous exercise after eating, eat too fast, or drink a lot after eating.
Look out for signs of excessive drooling, a swollen abdomen, and retching without vomiting. Other symptoms include depression, a weak heart rate, restlessness, and lethargy.
Temperament
Boxachis are perfect family pets who love to play and are very affectionate. However, they are energetic and curious, not to mention brave, which might get them into trouble. While naughty, they are fiercely loyal and caring and make the ultimate lap dogs. Boxachis love attention but can cope independently as long as they have toys or games to keep them entertained.
They inherited a lot of intelligence from both parents, but can sometimes be stubborn and temperamental, making it harder to train them. In addition, if mistreated or scared, they may lash out aggressively. But if treated with love and care, the Boxachi is a bundle of joy that will brighten your day and snuggle its way into your heart.
How to Care for a Boxachi
Boxachis are relatively low-maintenance, but there are factors you need to stay on top of to keep your dog happy and in good health.
The Best Dog Food
Luckily, a Boxachi’s diet is not that complicated. They don’t have a lot of restrictions, but that doesn’t mean they can eat just anything. The Boxachi needs a healthy and balanced diet to keep it happy and ensure it will have a long and active life.
However, it’s always best to consult a veterinarian about what type of food your pup should eat. As the Boxachi can vary in size, their diets will also differ. For example, some Boxachis can weigh 10 pounds, while others can reach 40 pounds!
Owners should always change their pooch’s diet according to age, lifestyle, and size, to ensure that they remain healthy and extend their life.
Additionally, treat intake needs to be monitored as Boxachis are prone to weight gain and can become obese if they are overfed. That’s why it’s imperative to avoid pet food that’s high in artificial and processed ingredients, unhealthy fats, grains, and sugars.
Maintenance and Grooming
Boxachis have either a short or long coat and are moderate shedders. Depending on the length of their hair, there are different guidelines for grooming.
If they have short hair, you can get away with brushing them once a week. With long hair, they need a good brushing three times a week using a pin brush. But whatever you do, don’t trim.
Try to brush your pup’s teeth as often as possible, and check their ears biweekly for any discharge, which you can wipe away with a cotton swab and an ear cleaning product for dogs. In addition, their nails need trimming once every six weeks.
Training
Training a Boxachi is tricky, as they are highly intelligent but extremely stubborn. Therefore, patience is key, and the training sessions must be quick and fun to keep them focused. Never yell or show signs of aggression when training; instead, use positive reinforcement like treats.
Being consistent and persistent is the only way your dog will learn. Of course, they want to please you and make you smile, so in the end, they will succumb and follow instructions.
Another thing to consider is that Boxachis must be socialized at a young age to ensure they get along with other pets.
Exercise
The Boxachi inherits the best of both worlds as Chihuahuas are notorious lap dogs, while Boxers are exceptionally energetic and need at least 2 hours of exercise a day.
Although energetic, the Boxachi only needs around 45 minutes of exercise per day. Keep them busy by going for a walk/jog or by using interactive toys. Interactive toys won’t just keep your doggy busy; they will also stimulate their minds. However, good old-fashioned walks or backyard games also do the trick.
If a Boxachi does not get the exercise it requires, it will become destructive, likely resulting in excessive barking, chewing, or separation anxiety.
Puppies
Boxachi puppies are hard to find, but when you do, you are treated to a cute, playful, energetic, and cheeky ball of fun.
Boxachi puppies can inherit a mix of features from both parents, so some may resemble the Chihuahua more, while others take after the Boxer in appearance. When the Boxachi puppies are old enough to leave their mothers, they are still tiny, so you must always be mindful of where you are walking and check the couch before sitting down.
Puppy Price
Because the Boxachi is a new breed, they are very scarce, so breeders can charge higher than average prices. The price varies between $800 and $2,000, but people generally pay closer to the higher end of that scale because they are so rare.
With high demand comes a lot of searching, long waiting lists, and perhaps some long-distance travel if the breeder doesn’t live nearby.
Adoption
Finding a Boxachi up for adoption would be like finding a needle in a haystack. Few people would fork out so much money and then give the dog away. However, anything is possible, so it won’t hurt to call your local rescue and ask to be informed if one ever comes in.
Adopting a Boxachi from a rescue or shelter can cost between $100 and $300, depending on your location, which saves you a lot of money.
Alternatively, you could ask a breeder if they have any retired Boxachis if you don’t mind adopting an adult.
Chihuahuas make up half of a Boxachi’s DNA. In addition to their possible contribution to your dog’s size, they also come in short- and long-coated varieties.
©Athiporn Phumnicom/Shutterstock.com
Boxachi and Children
Boxachis are adaptable and do well with singles or in a family home. However, they are not great pets for young children. they can get aggressive when provoked by actions such as tugging on their ears, pulling their fur, or pulling their tails.
But they are great with older children and will be extremely loyal. So, your kids will have a shadow wherever they go. They are great outdoorsy dogs who love going on hikes and aren’t afraid of loud noises.
Dogs Similar to the Boxachi
The Boxachi is definitely one of a kind, and it’s hard to compare them to other breeds. However, several breeds are similar in size, like:
- Mini Yorkshire Aussie
- Swedish Vallhund Dog
- German Spitz
- Bocker
- Bassetoodle
Sources
- Wag Walking / Accessed July 26, 2022
- Dog Breed Info / Accessed July 26, 2022
- Petguide / Accessed July 26, 2022
- 101 Dog Breeds / Accessed July 26, 2022
- Hepper / Accessed July 26, 2022
