Boxweiler

Canis lupus

Last updated: April 24, 2023
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© Malachi Jacobs/Shutterstock.com

Boxweilers come in a variety of colors, but they usually feature the subtle brindle pattern that their boxer parents are so famous for.


Advertisement


Boxweiler Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
Scientific Name
Canis lupus

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Boxweiler Conservation Status

Boxweiler Locations

Boxweiler Locations

Boxweiler Facts

Fun Fact
Boxweilers come in a variety of colors, but they usually feature the subtle brindle pattern that their boxer parents are so famous for.
Temperament
Energetic and protective
Diet
Omnivore

Boxweiler Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Brown
  • Fawn
  • Black
  • White
  • Brindle
Skin Type
Hair
Lifespan
8 to 13 years
Weight
100 lbs

Boxweiler as a Pet:

General Health
Energy Level
Shedability
Trainability
Intelligence
Tendency to Chew
Size
Family and kid friendliness
Yappiness / Barking
Moderate
Separation Anxiety
High
Preferred Temperature
Average climate
Exercise Needs
High
Friendly With Other Dogs
Moderate
Pure bred cost to own
$700
Dog group
Non-sporting
Male weight
60-100 lbs
Female weight
55-90 lbs

This post may contain affiliate links to our partners like Chewy, Amazon, and others. Purchasing through these helps us further the A-Z Animals mission to educate about the world's species.

View all of the Boxweiler images!



Share on:

Boxweilers come in a variety of colors, but they usually feature the subtle brindle pattern for which their boxer parents are so famous. You’ll find tan, brown, grey, black, or white brindle patterns on nearly all of these adorable dogs.

The boxweiler is a hybrid breed created by mixing a rottweiler with a boxer. Rottweilers have historically been famous as guard dogs; they have also herded cattle, pulled carts, and served in military and police work. Boxers have just as varied a background in hunting, herding, and guarding. They were even messenger dogs in WWI!

See all of our expert product reviews.

Combining these two breeds has resulted is a large, fun, and friendly dog that loves to hang out in the yard and participate in family activities. If you’re looking for a great guard dog with an attractive brindle and a winning personality, the boxweiler might just be the dog for you.

Ownership: 3 Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Guard dog: Like rottweilers, boxweilers are alert and protective watchdogs that will keep your family safe.Large size: Boxweilers are very large and may be difficult to contain. Most breeders recommend that you adopt this crossbreed only if you have experience handling big dogs.
Extra playful: Boxweiler puppies are known for being active and fun-loving. Try playing fetch with yours or taking it for a walk.Needs a yard: Dogs this big always need a yard to run around in. Never try to keep a boxweiler in an apartment.
Low grooming: With such short coats, it’s no surprise to find out that boxweilers are low-maintenance dogs that don’t typically need to be brushed or taken to the groomer.Separation anxiety: Boxweilers love their owners and have a hard time being left alone for more than a few hours. Even if they’re out in the yard, you should try to make sure there’s always an adult left at home.
Boxweiler, Rottweiler and Boxer mixed-breed dog, wants to play in the snow.

The Boxweiler is a large dog that can weigh up to 100 pounds.

©Malachi Jacobs/Shutterstock.com



Size and Weight

Boxweilers are large dogs with muscular builds and short fur. The average boxweiler weighs between 70 to 100 pounds and stands over 21 inches tall. There is usually little difference between female and male boxweilers, although the females of this breed can often actually be larger than the males.

Height (male)21 – 27 inches
Height (female)21 – 27 inches
Weight (male)70 – 100 lbs
Weight (female)70 – 100 lbs

Common Health Issues

Boxweilers are large dogs with strong immune systems who do not get sick very often. Like most big dogs, they suffer from the potential for joint dysplasia and arthritis. These dogs can also have heart defects, hearing problems, and skin conditions. In general, have your veterinarian look for:

Health and Entertainment for your Boxweiler

See all of our expert product reviews.

  • Joint dysplasia
  • Arthritis
  • Heart problems
  • Thyroid issues
  • Deafness
  • Cancer
  • Epilepsy
  • Mange

Temperament

Boxweilers are fun and active dogs with sweet and loyal personalities. These dogs love to run around the yard, hang out with their owners, and generally spend time exploring and engaging with the world. Expect these dogs to exhibit playful behaviors like rolling around in the dirt, chasing tennis balls, and wagging their tails way too hard when something good happens.

The average boxweiler has high energy levels and a short attention span. Although they almost always have an enthusiastic temperament, these dogs can be difficult to train and may need to spend a lot of time outside to avoid disrupting the family. Plan to take your dog for plenty of walks to make sure that they avoid destructive behaviors like chewing on furniture or digging under the fence.

Care

Boxweilers are sweet but energetic dogs that need a lot of exercise. One of the things that many boxweiler owners don’t realize is that, even though they look fierce, these dogs are heavy cuddlers and love attention from their families. Be sure to take your dog for a walk every day and spend time with it every night to keep it in a good mood.

Best Dog Food

Boxweilers need to eat a lot of food to maintain their energy levels. Start by finding a high-protein dog food intended for large breeds. Then, split its daily portion into three meals to ensure that your dog doesn’t get hungry halfway through the day. If your boxweiler is acting too energetic or destructive, you may consider reducing its portions to limit the number of calories it has to burn.

Also, keep in mind that Boxweilers are vulnerable to heart problems. At your periodic vet appointments, discuss your dog’s diet to make sure it’s meeting your dog’s nutritional needs. You should know about the link between heart failure in dogs and dog food containing legumes, and opt for a legume-free diet.

At A-Z Animals, we favor Victor Super Premium Dog Food – Performance Dry Dog Food – 26% Protein for Active Adult Dogs  as the best dog food for Boxweilers.

That’s because this premium formula delivers high protein with chondroitin and glucosamine from chicken, beef, and pork. These nutrients help prevent issues like joint dysplasia. Also, you’ll find vital taurine in the ingredients, which helps fortify a heart to run like clockwork.

Try out Victor Super Premium Performance dog food, available on amazon.

Amazon

Maintenance and Grooming

Boxweilers have short coats that don’t require a lot of maintenance. To keep your boxweiler happy, give it a bath once a month and trim its nails on a regular basis. Boxweilers often have dental issues, so make sure you remember to brush your dog’s teeth.

Training

Boxweilers are energetic dogs with short attention spans. Training these dogs can be difficult, especially if you don’t start when they are puppies. Start with short training sessions and remember to focus on basic commands. Your main efforts should be centered around short response times so you can make sure your boxweiler will obey even if it is highly distracted.

Exercise

Boxweilers need at least two hours of exercise a day to stay healthy. The best way to provide this is to give your dog access to a large yard to run around in. You should also take your dog on a walk every day to help it burn off energy. Finally, provide lots of toys to give it something to chew on while you’re too busy to pay attention to it.

Puppies

Boxweiler puppies are fun and cute, but they grow incredibly quickly. One of the things you need to look out for while they are getting bigger is that feeding them human food can result in premature growth and cause brittle bones. In general, only feed your boxweiler a puppy-friendly kibble until it is at least a year old.

Children

Boxweilers are far too large and active to play comfortably with small kids. These pups make excellent guard dogs, but they should never be left unsupervised around children.

Similar Dog

  • Boxerdoodle – Something about the enthusiastic attitude of a boxer and the curly hair of a poodle is simply adorable.
  • Boxsky – Husky genetics combined with a boxer appearance, boxskies are sweet and hardworking dogs that make a great choice for active families.
  • Boggle – The boxer and beagle mix is short, sweet, and incredibly playful, and fun.

Popular names for boxweilers include:

  • Tucker
  • Murphy
  • Oakley
  • Roscoe
  • Honey
  • Olive
  • Pepper
  • Lilly
  • Bailey
  • Tyson

View all 285 animals that start with B

Share on:
What's the right dog for you?

Dogs are our best friends but which breed is your perfect match?

X-Small
Small
Medium
Large
Xtra-Large

If you have kids or existing dogs select:

Kids
Other Dogs

Should they be Hypoallergenic?

Yes
No
How important is health?
Which dog groups do you like?
How much exercise should your dog require?
What climate?
How much seperation anxiety?
How much yappiness/barking?

How much energy should they have?

The lower energy the better.
I want a cuddle buddy!
About average energy.
I want a dog that I have to chase after constantly!
All energy levels are great -- I just love dogs!
How much should they shed?
How trainable/obedient does the dog need to be?
How intelligent does the dog need to be?
How much chewing will allow?

Boxweiler FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What is a boxweiler?

A boxweiler is a crossbreed between a boxer and a rottweiler. These hybrid dogs are large and boisterous, but they also make exceptional guard dogs. Many breeders curate boxweilers as a designer guard dog for high-end families. The higher the price, the better your boxweiler’s pedigree likely is.

How much do boxweilers cost to own?

The average price for a purebred boxweiler is between $500 and $1,000. Expect to pay a higher price for your boxweiler hybrid if the breeder has pedigree paperwork for either of the parents.

Are boxweilers good with kids?

Boxweilers are large and energetic dogs that don’t do particularly well around children. As much as these dogs like to play, they have a tendency to push, jump, and bark in a way that might scare or hurt smaller kids. Only let older kids play with a boxweiler, and only if they have proper adult supervision. Remember to end a social interaction with a dog if you notice that either the pet or the kids are getting tired.

How long do boxweilers live?

Boxweilers typically have a lifespan between 10-12 years. As they get older, these dogs are prone to arthritis and heart problems that may need to be treated.

How big does a boxweiler get?

Boxweilers are very large dogs that can weigh as much as 110 pounds and grow as tall as 27 inches at the shoulder. You can expect your boxweiler to grow quickly as a puppy and keep getting bigger until around their second year.

Are boxweilers good family dogs?

Boxweilers are great guard dogs. However, because they are so large and energetic, they are a bad match for families with small children. Don’t get a boxweiler unless you have a yard for them to run around in; otherwise, they might start engaging in destructive behaviors like chewing and scratching.

Are boxweilers hypoallergenic?

Boxers may have short fur, but they are nowhere near hypoallergenic. These pups shed everywhere, so make sure to own a vacuum before you bring one home.

How much does a boxweiler weigh?

Most boxweilers weigh between 60 and 100 pounds. Male boxers often weigh slightly more than their female counterparts.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. Wagwalking, Available here: https://wagwalking.com/breed/boxweiler-rottweiler-and-boxer-mix
  2. Dogtime, Available here: https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/boxweiler#/slide/1
  3. Labrottie, Available here: https://www.labrottie.com/the-boxweiler-a-rottweiler-boxer-mix/
  4. Doggie Designer, Available here: https://doggiedesigner.com/rottweiler-boxer-mix/
  5. The Boxweiler, Available here: http://theboxweiler.blogspot.com/2013/08/breed-standard.html

Newly Added Animals

A Cobalt Blue Tarantula
Cobalt Blue Tarantula

Cobalt blue tarantulas spend most of their time in self-dug burrows and only emerge when it's time to eat

A Dried Fruit Moth
Dried Fruit Moth

In the event of adverse environmental conditions, dried fruit moth larvae will become dormant and stop developing.

Most Recently Updated Animals

A Cobalt Blue Tarantula
Cobalt Blue Tarantula

Cobalt blue tarantulas spend most of their time in self-dug burrows and only emerge when it's time to eat

A Dried Fruit Moth
Dried Fruit Moth

In the event of adverse environmental conditions, dried fruit moth larvae will become dormant and stop developing.