Among all of the mixed-breed dogs out there, the Boxer Mastiff mix stands out with its unique appearance and balanced temperament.
This hybrid dog is a crossbreed of the loyal and elegant Boxer dog and the gentle-natured large breed, the English Mastiff.
If you want to learn more about this curious mix, I suggest you stick around.
This guide will dig deeper into the history and background of the Boxer Mastiff mix, as well as their appearance, temperament, and common health issues. Let’s start!
What Is a Boxer Mastiff Mix?
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The Boxer Mastiff mix, also known as Boxmas and Mastiff Boxer mix, is produced by crossbreeding a Boxer with a Mastiff. It is a large-sized dog that can grow as big as its parent breeds. Unsurprisingly, the Boxmas dog inherits its parents’ active, vigilant, yet friendly traits.
Boxmas dogs look like pumped-up Boxer dogs. Most of them inherit the outer appearance of the Boxer breed but grow as big as the giant Mastiff breed.
Although they are not mean like their Boxer parent, the Boxer Mastiff mixes are not recommended for families with toddlers. The sheer size of these mixed-breed dogs could easily sway off a toddler unintentionally.
Nevertheless, if you have an active lifestyle and are looking for a workout buddy, the Boxmas dog might be just the right dog for you. This hybrid dog is highly energetic and loves playing and exercising.
The Boxer Mastiff mix is also a great candidate for a guard dog. It has inherited its parent breeds’ watchful traits and guarding instincts.
Since it is not a purebred dog, the Boxer Mastiff mix is currently not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). It is, however, acknowledged by the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).
Boxer Mastiff Mix Origin and History: Where Does the Boxmas Come From?
So far, no records are available that could prove the date of development and origin of the Boxer Mastiff mix.
However, we can still have a sneak peek of the Boxmas’ background by looking into its parents’ histories.
Both of the Boxmas’ parent breeds (the Boxer and English Mastiff) are fierce and brave working dogs.
The Boxer breed came from the bloodline of war dogs that dates back to 2,500 BC. The sleek and elegant Boxer that we know today was developed in the 1800s in Germany.
Since the breed’s development, Boxer dogs have served various jobs. They have been used as war dogs, police dogs, guard dogs, cattle dogs, watchdogs, guide companions, and protection dogs.
The Boxer breed was registered in the American Kennel Club (AKC) only in 1904.
Meanwhile, the noble giant we know as English Mastiff also has a fierce history. This dog breed was also once used as a war dog. Because of its protective nature, it was also bred to be a guard and hunting dog during the medieval era.
Hence, it’s not surprising that the Boxer Mastiff mix is a protective canine, just like their English Mastiff parent. Their protectiveness, however, should not be confused with aggression.
Protective dogs will only act to defend themselves and their families in certain situations where danger is imminent.
Boxer Mastiff Mix Appearance: What Does a Boxmas Look Like?
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Depending on which parent breed it will inherit more phenotypic traits, a Boxer Mastiff mix can look like any type of Boxer with a Mastiff body frame or vice versa.
If it takes after its Boxer parent, it will exhibit the identifiable features of the Boxer breed — drooping skin folds in the cheek, black nose, and brown eyes. They will also have medium-length ears.
Meanwhile, a Boxmas that takes after its Mastiff parent dog will inherit the wrinkled brows and droopy jowls of the Mastiff breed.
Most Boxmas fall between the weight and height ranges of the Boxer and Mastiff dog breed.
However, it is not unusual to see Boxmas mixes that are significantly huge in terms of height and weight, especially when they inherit more traits from their Mastiff parent. They also have a muscular and intimidating body structure.
The coat of the Boxmas mix is short, dense, and waterproof. Its common coat colors include fawn, black, and brown, although it can exhibit almost any of the coat colors of its parent breeds, including white and brindle.
In general, most Boxmas puppies grow up having Boxer faces with Mastiff body frames.
Boxer Mastiff Mix Size and Weight: How Big Do Boxer Mastiff Mixes Get?
The Boxer Mastiff mix is a large hybrid dog that typically stands between 23 and 36 inches tall.
In terms of weight, this gentle giant can weigh between 70 and 100 pounds, making it one of the largest mixes in the canine community.
Most Boxmas mixes inherit their large body frames from their Mastiff parent dogs, which is a large breed.
In general, male Boxmas mixes grow a little bit taller and heavier than their female counterparts.
At the age of 18 months, Boxmas mixes are already considered to be fully grown. They should already have reached their full-grown size and weight during this age.
Nevertheless, they could still gain a few more inches and pounds as they grow old, depending on their diet and lifestyle.
Boxer Mastiff Mix Temperament: Do Boxer Mastiff Mixes Make Good Family Dogs?
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Boxer Mastiff mixes are loyal, affectionate, protective, and courageous dogs. Overall, they can make good family pets. However, one should know that they are not for everybody.
The Boxmas breed is an energetic, playful, and cheerful hybrid. It surely loves mingling with its family but can sometimes be stubborn because of its strong-willed personality.
However, it’s not the type of dog recommended for beginner dog owners.
If you already have experience owning a large dog and have an active lifestyle, the Boxmas could be a good pet for you. It is an active breed which means it would appreciate daily activities and playtime.
The gentleness and loyalty of this giant dog towards its family members and children are of no question. It is also protective of its pack.
Boxer Mastiff dogs are calm and gentle around strangers and other dogs, but they remain reserved.
These mixed-breed dogs do not also bark a lot. They will only bark occasionally to alert their owners when they sense danger or see suspicious animals or strangers.
Nevertheless, the Boxmas mix is not recommended for families with toddlers. The weight of this hybrid could easily knock off a toddler unintentionally.
It is also important to socialize your Boxmas at a young age. It should be taught how to distinguish between a friendly stranger and an intruder.
READ NEXT: Male vs. Female Boxer Dog: Which Is Better?
Boxer Mastiff Mix Lifespan and Health Issues: Are Boxer Mastiff Mixes Healthy Dogs?
The Boxer Mastiff mix is quite long-lived for a large-sized dog. The lifespan of this hybrid dog ranges between 10 and 13 years. This exceeds the lifespan of the purebred Mastiff and the Boxer.
Aside from its long lifespan, the Boxer Mastiff mix is also a healthy crossbreed. Like other mixed breeds, the Boxmas dog enjoys the benefit of the hybrid vigor.
Nevertheless, this does not mean that they are immune to illnesses and injuries. Boxmas mixes also suffer from common health issues that could affect the quality and length of their lives.
Here are some of the common health issues of the Boxer Mastiff mix:
Hip Dysplasia: This joint-related disease is typical for large-size dogs. It is a debilitating illness that affects the joints of a dog in the hips. A Boxmas mix suffering from hip dysplasia will show signs such as weakness, lameness, pain, limping, and reluctance to move.
Brachycephalic Syndrome: This health issue affects the airway of brachycephalic dogs or short-snouted dogs. Boxmas mixes with short snouts like their Boxer parents may fall victims to this disorder. The brachycephalic syndrome causes difficulty in breathing, leading to more severe complications.
Degenerative Myelopathy: This degenerative disease that affects the spinal cord can progressively weaken the limbs of a dog or, worse, paralysis. Early clinical signs of this disease include walking on knuckles, swaying of hind legs while standing, weakness of limbs, and difficulty standing.
Wobbler Syndrome: This neck disease is common for large dog breeds. The anomaly with the nerves in the spinal cord results in nervous system deficits. Boxmas mixes suffering from this disease will show signs such as neck pain and uncoordinated gait of the hind legs.
Hypothyroidism: Boxer Mastiff mixes inherit this disease from their Mastiff parents. The thyroid glands of dogs with hypothyroidism do not produce enough hormones called thyroxine, which is essential for metabolism. Common signs of this disease include hair loss, skin irritation, muscle loss, and sluggishness.
Through proper care and maintenance, you can lower the chance of your dog acquiring the above-listed health issues. A regular visit to the vet will also go a long way in prolonging the life of your dog.
READ NEXT: Mastiff Lifespan: How Long Do Mastiffs Live?
How to Take Care of Your Boxmas
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Maintaining and caring for a Boxmas is pretty simple. This large-sized hybrid only needs a nutritious diet, regular grooming, an active lifestyle, and tons of love to have a happy and healthy life.
In this section, I will discuss the different needs of a Boxer Mastiff mix as it grows. Hopefully, this will help you in taking care of your Boxmas dog.
Food and Diet
Since Boxmas mixes are large-sized dogs, you should expect that they also have large appetites. These hybrid dogs should be fed four cups of high-quality food a day.
You also need to ensure that the dog food you feed your Boxmas contains essential nutrients for muscle building and energy replenishment.
They are energetic dogs, so they need food specifically made for large and active canines.
Nevertheless, be careful not to overfeed your Mastiff Boxer mix as it can become obese. Strictly following a feeding schedule can help develop good eating habits for your dog.
You can also opt for healthy treats such as steamed or raw veggies and fruits instead of commercially available dog treats.
Cleaning and Grooming
Boxer Mastiff mixes are a breeze to groom. They have a short, dense, waterproof coat that is easy to clean and brush. Weekly brushing can help in managing the sheddings of your Mastiff Boxer mix.
You should also bathe your dog at least once a month to remove the dirt in its body and the foul canine smell.
Ears, paws, and body pits should also be thoroughly cleaned as ticks and fleas love hiding in these areas. The nails of Mastiff Boxer mixes should be clipped monthly.
Lastly, you should also brush the teeth of your Mastiff Boxer mix at least three times a week, according to VCA Animal Hospitals.
Training and Exercise
The Boxmas dog is a highly energetic breed. Hence, it requires regular activities and stimulation to keep it contented and entertained.
On average, you should allot an hour daily to exercise and keep your Mastiff Boxer mix stimulated. This could be in the form of playing or walking in the dog park.
You should never leave your Mastiff Boxer mix bored and unattended as it could resort to destructive behavior such as barking and chewing things.
This gigantic hybrid is highly intelligent. It is easy to train but can also be quite stubborn sometimes. A Boxmas puppy should have early training to temper its protective instincts.
Here is a video on how trainers train Boxer Mastiff mixes:
3yr old Boxer/Mastiff "Ozzie"<a href="https://youtu.be/fIvUwldLSRc" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FfIvUwldLSRc%2F0.jpg" alt="3yr old Boxer/Mastiff &quot;Ozzie&quot;" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
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How Much Does a Boxer Mastiff Mix Cost? Puppy Prices and Expenses
The prices for Mastiff Boxer mix puppies from reputable breeders could fall between $800 and $1,000.
However, finding a reputable breeder specializing in breeding Boxer Mastiff puppies could be challenging.
Aside from the puppy price, other expenses should also be considered before taking home a Boxer Mastiff.
Here is a quick summary of the initial expenses of owning a Boxmas puppy:
The initial expenses listed on the table cover supplies and items essential in welcoming your Boxer Mastiff puppy to its new home. You should already have bought these items before even taking home your puppy.
Places to Find Boxer Mastiff Mix Puppies for Sale and Adoption
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Finding reputable breeders that produce top-quality Boxer Mastiff mix puppies can be quite difficult.
Although there aren’t many authorized Boxer Mastiff breeders, you should not worry.
There are places where you can find Boxer Mastiff puppies for sale, and I am not talking about pet stores or puppy mills! These are reputable places that advertise Boxer Mastiff puppies.
Here are some of the places where you can find Boxer Mastiff puppies for sale:
Petango – This online pet database lists thousands of large-size hybrid dogs, including Boxer Mastiff mixes. You will also find other information about the listed mixes, such as their location, gender, coat color, and type of mix, on their website.
Puppies.com – Puppies.com is one of America’s largest pet advertising platforms. You’ll find Boxer Mastiff puppies and other large-sized mixed breeds in this pet marketplace. Puppy prices for hybrid dogs on this website range between $200 and $1,500.
PuppySpot – With over hundreds of purebred and designer dog breeds, you can surely find a Boxer Mastiff mix on this site. This online platform also comprehensively details the backgrounds of the puppies on its list. Aside from the puppies’ birth dates and colors, information about their personalities is also available.
Another option is adopting from rescue and local animal shelters. Adopting is a practical and noble way of acquiring and owning a Boxer Mastiff mix.
Here are some of the animal shelters and rescues where you can find Boxer Mastiff mixes for adoption:
Boxer Haven Rescue (BHR) – BHR has been rescuing and rehabilitating Boxers and Boxer mixes such as Boxer Mastiff dogs since 2004. They take in, treat, feed, and train abandoned Boxers and Boxer mixes until they are ready for adoption. Typically, their adoption fees range between $150 and $400.
Mastiffs to Mutts Rescue (MTM) – This animal shelter dedicates itself to rescuing surrendered and abandoned Mastiff breeds and other giant breed dogs and mixes. Their rescue efforts extend throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. You should contact them as they might have a Boxer Mastiff mix in their care.
Boxer Luv Rescue (BLR) – Since its establishment in 1998, BLR has already rehomed more than 10,000 Boxer purebreds and mixes throughout Arizona. If you are lucky, you might find a Boxer Mastiff ready for adoption in this rescue. The adoption fee in BLR costs $400 on average.
Aside from the rescues mentioned above, you can also check out our Boxer rescue directory that lists local shelters that take in Boxer mixes, including the Boxmas mix.
You should also review our ultimate dog adoption guide, which could help you ace your dog adoption application.
Pros and Cons of Owning a Boxer Mastiff Mix
As stated in the earlier section, the Boxer Mastiff mix is a loyal pet, but it is not for everyone.
This dog has specific demands and needs that should be met. There are also some advantages and disadvantages to owning one of these dogs.
Here are some of the pros of owning a Boxer Mastiff mix:
Unique appearance: There is no denying that Boxer Mastiff mixes have cool and unique appearances. Their overall looks resemble the elegant phenotypic features of the Boxer breed and the colossal size of the English Mastiff.
Good guard dog: The Boxer Mastiff mix has innate guarding abilities. It is calm and gentle but will not hesitate to protect its family. Its sheer size could also easily intimidate intruders.
Highly intelligent dogs: This giant mixed breed is easy to train because of its natural intelligence. They are docile, and they love to please their owners.
Low maintenance: Boxmas dogs are low maintenance, and it’s all thanks to their short, dense, and waterproof coat. They only need weekly brushing and monthly bathing to keep them fresh and clean.
Meanwhile, here are some of the cons of owning Boxer Mastiff mixes:
Not recommended for families with toddlers: Because of their large body builds, Boxer Mastiff can unintentionally knock off toddlers, which can cause accidents and injuries.
Highly protective: Since both the Mastiff and Boxer are guard dogs, the Boxmas dog can become too protective of its family. Its protectiveness could become problematic if it’s not properly trained.
Hard to predict its growth and size: There is no established guide for monitoring the growth of the Mastiff Boxer mix. Hence, its final weight and size are difficult to predict.
Highly active: Boxer Mastiffs are energetic dogs so they require regular exercise and activities. They can’t be left alone as they might resort to destructive behaviors when bored. This means that if you are a busy person, this hybrid might not be the perfect dog for you.
These are just some of the pros and cons of owning a Boxer Mastiff mix. You can use this list in deciding whether this designer dog is worth having as a pet.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are Boxer Mastiff Mixes Aggressive?
Contrary to popular beliefs, Boxer Mastiff mixes are not aggressive dogs. They are, in fact, gentle and docile dogs.
However, you should bear in mind that these large-sized dogs are protective of their family members. They won’t hesitate to stand up for their family when they sense danger.
Are Boxer Mastiff Mixes Hypoallergenic?
Boxer Mastiff mixes are not hypoallergenic. This means that Boxer Mastiff mixes are not suitable for people with allergies. Even though they shed less, they still produce dander which is risky for people with allergies.
Do Boxer Mastiff Mixes Shed?
Boxer Mastiff mixes shed their short, dense, and waterproof coat minimally throughout the year. Nonetheless, they shed heavily twice annually when the seasons change.
Final Thoughts: Is a Boxmas the Right Dog for You?
The Boxer Mastiff mix is a magnificent hybrid dog that can be a great family companion. Its personality, appearance, and health are quite similar to its purebred parent dogs.
This large-sized mixed breed dog requires regular stimulation and exercise. If you have an active lifestyle, the Boxer Mastiff mix could be the perfect workout buddy for you.
However, if you have toddlers at home, the Boxer Mastiff might not be the right choice for you.
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