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Boston Terrier Boxer Mix (Boston Boxer): Breed Overview

The Boston Terrier Boxer mix is the result of cross-breeding Boston Terriers and Boxers. This crossing first appeared in the 1990s and is still bred today by designer breeders.

The Boston Terrier Boxer mix is a great companion. They are affectionate, loyal, and well-suited for both families and single owners.

If you are interested in buying or adopting a Boston Boxer, there are some traits and characteristics you should know about.

This article explores everything related to this crossbreed:

  • Origin 
  • Appearance 
  • Temperament
  • Health issues
  • Food needs
  • Grooming needs
  • Life expectancy

And more.

Boston Terrier Boxer Mix Characteristics Overview

The Boston Terrier Boxer mix is a loyal family-oriented breed that loves to cuddle. They are athletic and need a lot of physical and mental stimulation. The mix is bred for companionship but is not great for first-time owners.

Boston Boxers come in a variety of colors, from red with white markings to brindle and full white. They are single-coated and their hair is short and shiny. 

As for size, they are short with round heads, well-proportioned compared to their body. 

Boxer Bosons are brachycephalic, which makes them prone to several breathing issues. They are generally healthy dogs though, with a long life expectancy.

Related: 27 Boston Terrier Mixes

This table lists the main characteristics of Boxer Boston Terrier mix dogs.

Appearance

Height

15 – 23 inches

Weight

22 – 55 pounds

Lifespan

12 – 15 years

Dog Breed Group

Purpose

Mixed breed

Companionship

Coat Type

Single

Coat length

Short

Coat color

Brown, brindle, black, fawn, white, with markings, pure white

Eyes

Dark brown

Nose

Black, brown

Ears

Stiff-floppy

Hypoallergenic

No

Shedding

2 stars

Grooming Difficulty

2 stars

Adaptability

Apartment living

3 stars

Good for beginners

3 stars

Can be alone

3 stars

Cold weather tolerance

4 stars

Hot weather tolerance

4 stars

Friendliness & Temper

Temperament

5 stars

Affectionate

5 stars

Kid-Friendly

5 stars

Dog-Friendly

4 stars

Friendly to Strangers

4 stars

Playfulness

5 stars

Trainability & Needs

Easy to train

4 stars

Intelligence

4 stars

Hunting Instinct

5 stars

Barking

3 stars

Energy Level

5 stars

3 Reasons To Get a Boston Boxer Terrier

There are many reasons to adopt a Boston Boxer Terrier, among them are that they don’t shed much, are intelligent, and well-behaved around children. 

1. Boston Boxers Are Low Shedders

Boston Boxers Are Low Shedders
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Boston Boxers are minimal shedders. They don’t shed all at once, but rather lose small amounts of hair all year round. 

The shedding of Boston Boxers increases a bit during spring and autumn. The increase is almost non-observable, especially if you brush your dog weekly.

Boston Boxers tend to shed more if they:

  • Have poor nutrition.
  • Are stressed.
  • Have parasites.
  • Have allergies.
  • Are affected by skin infections and other health issues.
  • Spend a lot of time indoors under artificial light.

Related: Do Boston Terriers Shed?

2. Boston Boxers Are Smart

Boston Boxers display an above-average intelligence, especially regarding instinctive intelligence.

In a study[1] conducted on 130 breeds, Stanly Coren[2] analyzed three types of dog intelligence:

  • Instinctive intelligence
  • Adaptive intelligence
  • Working and obedience intelligence

The results placed Boston Terriers in 54th place and Boxers in 48th place. This means the mix between them is somewhere in between.

3. Boston Boxers Are Good Around Children 

Boston Boxers are well-behaved around children. They are family oriented and show high levels of tolerance for the unpredictable behavior of children. 

Their patient and loving nature also make them good around children.

Still, dogs should generally not be left alone with children. Supervision is essential to preventing accidents.

3 Reasons Not To Get a Boxer Boston Terrier

Boxer Bosons do not react well to change and need a purpose to stay happy. They do also have a predisposition for aggressive behavior.

1. Boxer Bostons Don’t Like Change

Boxer Bostons Don’t Like Change
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When it comes to adaptability, Boxer Bostons are placed somewhere in the middle of dog breeds. They don’t need a routine but also don’t like constant change. 

Boston Boxers are somewhat adaptable, but they like a daily schedule. This involves eating and exercising at specific hours. 

When their routine or environment changes, Boston Boxer Terriers become stressed. But, they adapt to new conditions fairly fast.

If you are busy and can’t stick to a regular routine, the Boston Boxer is not for you. It will end up stressed and sad.

2. Boxer Bostons Need a Job To Be Happy

Boston Boxers descend from hunting dogs. They need constant mental stimulation as their parent breeds evolved with a purpose.

Even though the Boston Boxer is bred for companionship, they like to solve puzzles and play with mentally stimulating toys.

They also love learning new tricks and helping out. To keep them happy, try involving them in your daily activities and teach them how to help.

Boxer Bostons get bored easily and become frustrated if they are not engaged. If this happens, they end up developing behavioral issues, such as barking.

3. Boxer Bostons Have a Predisposition for Aggression

Boxer Bostons descend from two hunting breeds. While hunting, both Boston Terriers and Boxers were taught to be aggressive. Luckily, they were trained for hunting aggression, not killing aggression.

In 2015, researchers analyzed the aggressive behavior related to fear in German Shepherds and Boxers[3]. They concluded that both breeds display the same levels of fear-aggressive behavior when they sense a threat. 

Boston Terriers were bred for pit fights, which made the part of their brain responsible for aggression more evolved. 

A recent study[4] suggests that the purpose of a dog influences how their brain evolves. They then pass these traits to their offspring.

Boxer Bostons inherit a predisposition for aggressive behavior from both parents. This can be altered with training and socialization.[3]

Boston Boxer Mix Origin

Boston Terriers and Boxer dogs have been bred by designer breeders since the 1990s. This mixed breed has a longer history but the breeding was unintentional before 1990. The time of its first occurrence is unknown. 

Boston Terrier Origin

Boston Terrier Origin

The Boston Terrier was developed in Boston, in the second half of the 19th century. Their parents are the English Terrier and the English Bulldog. 

The initial purpose of Boston terriers was to take part in pit fights. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1893. 

The Boston Terrier became the 23rd most popular dog breed in the United States in 2021 according to the American Kennel Club[5]

In 1950, it took first place.

Boxer Origin

Boxers Origin

The Boxer dog was initially bred in Germany in the late eighteen hundreds. Their ancestors are the extinct German Bulldog and the Old English Bulldog. 

The Boxer was brought to the United States around the year 1900 and recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1904. 

The initial purpose of Boxers was bull baiting and controlling cattle. 

During World War 1, Boxers were also used by the military:

  • Guard dogs
  • Messenger dogs
  • Attack dogs
  • Pack carriers

Boxer Boston Mix Appearance

The Boxer Boston Terrier is small or medium-sized and has an athletic appearance. They have short shiny hair that lays close to their body. This mix is brachycephalic, which means their upper jaw and nose are shortened.

This table lists the main traits of Boston Boxers as they inherit them from their parents.

TraitsBoston TerrierBoxerBoston Boxer
Height 15 – 1710 – 1510 – 17 inches
Weight 12 – 2513 – 17 pounds13 – 25 pounds
Coat typeSingle Single Single 
Coat lengthShort Short Short 
Coat textureSmoothSmooth Smooth 
Coat colorBlack, brown, brindle, red, whiteRed, brown, fawn, brindle, whiteRed, brown, brindle fawn, pure white
MarkingsYesYesYes
TickingYesYesYes
MaskYes YesYes
Eyes Dark brown, black eye rimsDark brownDark  brown
NoseBlack, brownBlack, brownBlack, brown
EarsStiff-floppyStiff-floppy Stiff-floppy 

Boxer Boston Size

Boxer Bostons are 10–17 inches tall and weigh between 13–25 pounds. 

Individuals shorter than 22 inches are considered small, while those measuring above 22 inches are medium-sized.

Boxer Boston Size
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Boxer Boston Color

Boston Boxers come in many colors:

  • Red with white markings
  • Fawn with white markings
  • Brown with white markings
  • Brindle with white markings
  • Blue with white markings (a rare variety that only occurs if they have a blue Boston Terrier parent)
  • Pure white (rare)

Related: 13 Boston Terrier Colors

Boxer and Boston Terrier Mix Temperament

Boston Boxers are affectionate and love to spend time with their family. They are energetic and need high amounts of mental stimulation. This mix is loyal and eager to please, which makes them easy to train.

Are Boxer Bostons Open to Strangers?

Yes, Boxer Bostons are friendly to strangers. They are happy to meet new people who they love to play with. 

Both Boston Terriers and Boxers have a long history of dog-human collaboration.

Still, if they are not socialized in puppyhood, they can develop a fear of humans. If this happens, they will be reserved around strangers. 

Are Boxer Bostons Open to Strangers
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Do Boston Boxers Bark a Lot?

No, Boston Boxers do not bark a lot. They are moderate barkers. They do sometimes use barking to communicate their emotions and various changes in their environment.

Boston Boxer Terriers bark more often when they:

  • Are stressed.
  • Feel lonely.
  • Are in pain.
  • Detect an external threat.

This mix is less prone to bark when they:

  • Are excited.
  • Want to play.
  • Need attention.

Are Boston Boxers Good Watchdogs?

Yes, Boston Boxers make great watchdogs. They are vigilant with a protective nature. The mix responds to all potential threats, regardless of its nature. They will let you know if animals or humans approach their territory. 

While wary of strangers at first, they become friendly once you introduce them.

Boxers were used as watchdogs during World War 1. This increased their natural territorial behavior.

Do Boston Boxers Engage in Hunting Behavior?

Yes, Boston Boxers engage in hunting behavior. The ancestors of Boston terriers and Boxers were used for hunting and passed on this gene to their offspring. Boston Terriers were also used for vermin control in the 1800s in England. 

A study[6] conducted in 2019 found a correlation between the purpose of dogs and how their brains evolve during domestication. 

The results showed that dogs used for a specific task had different brain development than dogs used for other tasks. 

Boston Boxers inherit the following qualities from their hunting parents:

  • A well-developed sense of smell and trackability
  • Great stamina
  • Excellent running and swimming abilities
  • Great understanding of what humans expect from them
  • Eagerness to please
Do Boston Boxers Engage in Hunting Behavior
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Boston Terrier and Boxer Mix Health Issues

The Boxer Boston Terrier mix is generally healthy and long-living. They don’t need a lot of medical interventions during their lifetime. They do have a predisposition to some health conditions though.

As with all dogs, Boston Boxers are prone to a variety of medical issues:

  • Brain tumors
  • Mast cell tumors[7]
  • Heart disease
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome
  • Thyroid deficiency
  • Cataracts[8]
  • Glaucoma[9][10]
  • Cherry eye
  • Obesity[11]

If you have a Boston Boxer, take them to the vet for regular checkups. This is essential to avoid serious health issues caused by their brachycephalic physiognomy. 

Make an appointment if you notice your dog having difficulty breathing or being intolerant to physical exercise.

Medical tests recommended for Boxer Boston Terriers:

  • Thyroid evaluation
  • Degenerative myelopathy DNA test
  • AS/SAS cardio
  • Hip evaluation
  • Ophthalmologist evaluation

Related: 16 Boston Terrier Health Issues

Boston Terrier Boxer Mix Grooming Needs

Boston Boxers have low grooming needs. They are low shedders, but not hypoallergenic. This mix sheds small amounts of hair all year round and doesn’t have a prominent body odor. 

Dogs need to be groomed. If they’re not, they’ll end up smelling, shedding, and suffering under hair knots and teeth issues.

Boxer Boston Terriers have the following grooming needs:

  • Weekly coat brushing
  • Occasional bathing – 2 to 3 types a year
  • Regular nail clipping
  • Regular ear cleaning
  • Regular teeth brushing

Boxer Boston Terrier Mix Food Requirements

Boston Boxer Terriers need a nutrient-dense diet as they are energetic and burn a lot of calories. Ideally, they need two meals per day, but you can add a third if they are highly active. 

Boston Boxers can eat either ready-made dog food or homemade food. 

If you decide to cook for them, make sure your dog’s vet knows what you feed them. They can give instructions on what ingredients to add and what to leave out.

Related: Vegetables Dogs Can and Can’t Eat

Boston Boxer Terrier Lifespan

Boston Boxer Terriers have an average lifespan of 12–15 years. They are less prone to genetic issues than pure breeds, making them long-living.

Boston Boxer mixes generally live long lives, but there are some things you can do to extend it even further:

  • Provide a high-quality nutrient-dense diet.
  • Engage them in regular physical exercise.
  • Keep their stress levels low. 
  • Expose them to several environments in early puppyhood.

Conclusion

Boston Boxers are energetic and need lots of exercise. They are loyal and affectionate, suited for families or single owners. They are great around children and friendly to strangers. If you want to acquire a Boston boxer, make sure not to leave them alone for extended periods.

About Ioana Moldovan

Ioana is a Misfit Animals staff writer and psychology student interested in animal behavior. She likes to dive deep into the newest scientific studies to find out the latest discoveries in the field.

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