Miniature Boxer: character, Health, Breeders & Facts… | Everything To Know About

The Miniature Boxer is considered a designer dog, therefore a dog created ‘tailor-made’ by combining different breeds to obtain a dog of small size but still identical to the Boxer.

The Miniature Boxer was created in the USA by means of crossbreeding different dogs and boxers. The result of such breeding consists of a faithful dog, of good temperament, an excellent companion dog, affectionate with children, and loyal to its family.

Let’s find out more about the origin of the Miniature Boxer and its character.

Origins of the Miniature Boxer

The Miniature Boxer was created in the United States, using dogs such as pugs, beagles, bulldogs, corgies, and Boston terriers crossed with boxers and selecting the smallest specimens from time to time to obtain miniature ones.

To create the Miniature Boxer the pug was also used together with the Boston Terrier, or the Rat and the Fox Terrier.

The result is an extremely sweet and tender dog breed, suitable for apartment living.
This breed has proven very ideal for hunting small prey. Today it is widely in North America.

The character of the Miniature Boxer

The Miniature Boxer is a sociable dog with a good character and a calm temperament.
This dog needs a lot of physical activity and above all, it needs good socialization and adequate training at a young age.

The Miniature Boxer is a very intelligent and stubborn dog, which is why it needs to be trained to for it to become obedient.

Training and socialization are therefore essential to grow a Miniature Boxer well. This dog has a tendency to hunt smaller animals, which is why you must try to train it at a young age to keep its instincts at bay.

The Miniature Boxer loves the whole family and is especially fond of the owner. However, it may exhibit hostile behavior towards dogs it does not know.

This dog is vigorous, and despite having an excellent character, it also needs to be let off steam and therefore the owner must provide it with enough physical activity.

Miniature Boxer

Size and appearance of the Miniature Boxer

The Miniature Boxer is a small dog, but the size of the dog is also influenced by the dominant gene of the parents. Generally, the Miniature Boxer does not exceed 20 pounds, but a lot depends on the crossing.

The Miniature Boxer usually does not exceed 11 inches at the withers.
The coat is generally short and soft. The muzzle is very reminiscent of that of the Boxer.

The body is muscular, the legs are strong and the neck is very robust.
The colors of the Miniature Boxer can be the most diverse, depending on the crossing: from black to pied to brown with white spots.

Generally, quite common colors are black, brindle, fawn with dark mask.

Life expectancy and health

The Miniature Boxer is a dog that has a life expectancy of 12-15 years, therefore longer than the Boxer. It generally has no major health problems, unless It inherits some from Its parents.

Some typical health problems of the Miniature Boxer can be heart disease, hypothyroidism, respiratory problems due to a short muzzle, dermatitis, cataracts.

The appeal of the miniature Boxer

Boxers have distinctive characteristics.

Round faces, big eyes, and smaller snouts add to the human adoration, thanks to the baby’s outline response.

But there is more to the appeal of a miniature Boxer than just looks.

At 55 to 75 pounds, the Traditional Boxer is a medium to large-sized dog. Its athleticism means that It’s muscular and strong.

Why choose a smaller version?

Many prospective Boxer owners simply cannot physically handle such a large dog. Or you don’t feel comfortable doing it.

Others may live in a place that does not allow large dogs. Maybe they just aren’t up to the cost of feeding and caring for a larger dog.

In these situations, a miniature Boxer can seem like a great alternative to the traditional full-size Boxer.

Where do Little or Dwarf boxers come from?

It’s important to recognize that there is no truly officially recognized Miniature Boxer breed.

Instead, most of the dogs advertised by breeders as Miniature Boxers are crosses between Boxers and smaller dogs.

A crossed dog will get more dominant features from one parent than the other, there is of course no guarantee that a Boxer cross will have that famous and loyal and friendly temperament.

However, there are two other ways that breeders produce miniature versions of a Boxer.

Canine dwarfism is a genetic health condition that affects the growth and bone structure of the dog. It will result in a smaller boxer size.

And the repeated breeding of small dogs, or unusually small purebred boxers, also tends to result in smaller puppies.

All these methods have their drawbacks. Unfortunately, some can lead to dogs with serious health problems.

We’ll go into each method in depth below, taking a look at the pros and cons.

Mixing the Boxer with a smaller Breed

By far the most common way for breeders to obtain a Miniature Boxer is by crossing the full-size Boxer with smaller breeds.

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular Boxer crosses. dwarf boxer dog breeds.

The Boston Terrier Boxer Mix

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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When it comes to creating a miniature Boxer, probably the most popular cross is the Boston Terrier Boxer mix.

The Boston Terrier is a bright and cheerful little dog. Bred for companionship, this non-sporting breed is affectionate and active.

Boston Terriers are well suited to be apartment dogs and are relatively low maintenance.

Is this a healthy breed?

Unfortunately, the Boston Terrier is also subject to many health problems as a result of its distinctive profile. The short, flattened muzzle means that this breed, like the Boxer, is likely to suffer from complications related to brachycephaly.

Its large, bulging eyes also make It prone to developing a wide variety of eye conditions.

A Boston Terrier Boxer mix will almost definitely make a playful and loving companion. When it comes to appearance, this mix is ​​about the closest thing to a “true” miniature Boxer.

However, this mixture may also require special care, or even ongoing medical attention. This is due to the genetic health problems mentioned above.

The Boston Terrier weighs up to 25 pounds and stands between 15 and 17 inches tall.

The Corgi Boxer mix

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Cute, lively, and short, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a herding breed with real roots. But Corgis are far from ornamental. They are strong and agile dogs, built to train in the field.

Therefore, the Corgi Boxer mix will likely need a significant amount of exercise and attention in order not to get bored.

Both breeds tend to be outgoing and friendly. Therefore, you can probably expect a mixture to exhibit those same characteristics.

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Health problems

Be aware that both Corgis and Boxers are prone to canine hip dysplasia. Therefore, a mix of these breeds can also develop this condition.

Both breeds are also at risk for degenerative myelopathy. This is an incurable disease of the spinal cord that causes paralysis.

Corgis are between 10 and 12 inches tall and can weigh up to 30 pounds.

The English Bulldog Boxer Mix

 

 
 
 
 
 
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An English Bulldog Boxer mix is ​​sometimes called the “Bulloxer.” It combines the athleticism and energetic nature of the Boxer with the laid back and endearingly goofy charm of the English Bulldog.

The English Bulldog stands between 14 and 15 inches tall and can weigh up to 50 pounds. Therefore, a Bulldog Boxer Mix will likely be solidly in the small to medium size range.

With its gentle and calm nature, the English Bulldog requires less activity than the Boxer. Any combination of these two breeds is likely to produce a dog with a wonderful temperament.

However, because the English Bulldog is prone to a staggering number of health problems, we cannot in good conscience recommend this combination.

The Beagle Boxer Mix

 

 
 
 
 
 
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The Beagle Boxer mix is ​​affectionately known as “Bogle,” and the name reflects Its fun-loving personality.

Beagles have long been popular family dogs, with their adorable big brown eyes and happy attitudes.

When combined with the Boxer’s loyalty and devotion, this makes for a truly endearing mix.

However, keep in mind that Bogle could inherit that infamous Beagle howl. Also, you will probably need a lot of exercise.

If you are looking for a quieter, lower maintenance dog, the Bogle is not for you.

The standard Beagle stands 13-15 inches tall and weighs 20-30 pounds. The smallest variety is 13 inches or less and should weigh less than 20 pounds.

Depending on the mix, a Bogle can be more medium than miniature.

Introducing the dwarfism gene

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Another way to get a miniature Boxer is to introduce the dwarfism gene.

Dwarfism in boxers is caused by a health condition called achondroplasia. It’s considered a bone disorder.

Canine achondroplasia is rare in boxers. But when it happens, it has serious consequences.

For example, a Boxer with dwarfism will generally have misshapen bones and problems with their jaws and teeth.

Dogs with this type of dwarfism often have shorter lives. They may even experience chronic pain due to their condition.

So while introducing the dwarfism gene into Boxers is certainly one way to get a smaller than average puppy, it’s not a human option.

7 facts about the miniature Boxer

1.It’s not an officially recognized  breed

The American Kannel Club, which keeps track of all breeds, does not recognize the Miniature Boxer as an official breed. This is because only pure breeds can stay in the register, without hybrids, and the Miniature Dog is a hybrid, as we have already seen: it’s born from the crossing of a verity of dogs and the Boxer, and therefore cannot be registered in the register.

If the breeder tells you that the Miniature Boxer is a breed then look for another breeder because they are not being honest.

2.They are as active as the Boxer

Miniature Boxers may not look as active as the Standard Boxer from a physical point of view. This does not mean that they do not want to move or that they do not have to do physical activity, on the contrary: they need it perhaps more than the Boxer Itself.

If you don’t have time to be with your Miniature Boxer and let it have enough exercise, then think carefully – they may not be the ideal breed for you.

3.They are not aggressive

Miniature Boxers are very peaceful dogs. It’s generally thought that the Boxer is an aggressive dog, perhaps because of the large muscles: but this is not the case, they are peaceful animals by nature, sweet, friendly, and lovable.

These traits have also been transmitted to the Miniature Boxer: you have to socialize It at an early age to stimulate the growth of a calm behavior and character with everyone.

4.Easy to train

Miniature Boxers are simple dogs to train because they are intelligent and have a natural tendency to listen to their master. The dog is happy to work with Its owner, and it’s essential to shape Its character at a young age so that it socializes with everyone.

Miniature Boxers need a constant and consistent trainer, this puts their character into play for when they become adults.

5.They are good family dogs

Miniature Boxers are not bulky and big like the Boxer, but they retain many traits of their personality. For example, they love children and they also love puppies.

These dogs in general adapt well to most circumstances, but it must be remembered that the Miniature Boxer does not like to be left alone for too long. If you don’t have time to devote to it, it probably isn’t the breed for you.

6.They may have health problems

A delicate point of the Miniature Boxer is health. The Miniature Boxer can have the same health problems that can affect the standard Boxer or the Bull Terrier; you must always pay attention to their health.

7.They are excellent guard dogs

The size of the Miniature Boxer doesn’t matter, they are still excellent watchdogs, just like the standard Boxer. These dogs in fact are still used as guard dogs; have insistent if a stranger approaches and will help you if you are in danger. They are loyal and protective dogs.

 

Is a miniature boxer right for me?

If you are ready to welcome an active, intelligent, and devoted dog into your life, then a Miniature Boxer could be the right choice.

It is important to note that the Boxer as a breed faces some serious hereditary health problems. These include: brachycephalic syndrome, cancer, heart disease, and degenerative myelopathy.

The breeds commonly chosen to create a Miniature Boxer also have their share of potential health issues. Although, crossbreeding can sometimes reduce the likelihood of inherited diseases.

It’s up to you to do your research. Then you can decide whether or not you are ready for the task. A miniature Boxer will require a certain level of care and attention.

Author

  • Amanda Wheatley

    Passionate about animals, Amanda draws her expertise from her training as an educator, pet behaviorist as well as her extensive experience with animal owners. A specialist in dog and cat behavior, Amanda continues to learn about our four-legged companions by studying veterinary reference books but also university research sites (UCD, Utrecht, Cambridge, Cornell, etc..) Why Trust ShelterAPet? At ShelterAPet, our collective is composed of writers, veterinarians, and seasoned animal trainers with a deep passion for pets. Our team of esteemed professionals delves into extensive research to deliver trustworthy insights on a broad spectrum of pet-related subjects. We anchor our evaluations on direct customer experiences, meticulous testing, and comprehensive scrutiny. Our commitment is to uphold transparency and integrity for our cherished community of pet aficionados and prospective pet parents.

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