Boxerman Dog Breed

The Boxerman, as a mixed breed, is not an official member of any breed category--though both its Boxer and Doberman parent breeds are members of the Working group in most clubs, so these hybrids will fit nicely in that category. Neither does any info exist about Boxerman dogs' true origin; though the Boxer-Doberman mix may have existed naturally for a long time, no breeder or breed club has claimed its creation. These enthusiastic, athletic dogs are best suited as pets for active families, particularly those in need of a good watch- and guard dog.

A few Boxerman facts: they're large-sized, averaging 25 inches at the shoulders in height and 70 pounds in weight; they have short, smooth coats that shed moderately; and they're highly energetic and will need a lot of exercise.

Some advantages and drawbacks to owning a Doberman-Boxer mix:

The Boxerman is the offspring of two breeds that are both big, muscular, and athletic. These hybrids stand 22-26 inches at the shoulders in height and weigh 55-90 pounds--and they have plenty of physical power. The Boxerman's short and smooth coat, as a combination of the Dobie and Boxer, can be black, brown, or brindle (or a mix of those colors).

The Boxerman mix combines the enthusiasm and humor of the Boxer with the intelligence and alertness to make a nearly complete canine package. They're blessed with lots of brain power and are easily trained, but they tend to go into "protective mode" more often that perhaps is needed--which can make them seem aggressive at times. Boxerman owners will need to establish firm "alpha" leadership with these dogs as early in puppies' lives as possible. (One effective way to do this is with leash training during puppyhood, whereby the pup is taught to walk beside or behind people on the leash instead of being allowed to lead or "tug" on it; this establishes the human's control, and will make training easier as the dog matures.)

And Boxerman owners will need to use their leashes often! These strong, energetic hybrids need a lot of exercise, and are good companions for walking, jogging, or bicycling.

Protective, intelligent, friendly, hard-working, and sometimes dominant, the Boxerman temperament is one of loyalty and power. These hybrids are loving and affectionate with family members, and are very protective of them--which means they'll need to be supervised around unknown people to avoid any unfortunate confrontations! On the other hand, Boxerman dogs often inherit the Boxer's goofiness and enthusiasm, which makes them great playmates for kids. The Boxerman usually socializes well with other pets, though he might instinctively try to challenge other dogs (particular ones of the same sex). Overall, obedience training and socialization are musts for these hybrids, so they can learn appropriate behavior.

In regards to training: Boxerman dogs are very smart, and can learn things quickly--but they'll need trainers who will step into a firm leadership role. With this kind of "alpha" training, a Boxerman can be taught tasks, tricks, and commands with few repetitions. As with any breed, consistent, reward-based training methods are best.

Another terrific Boxerman trait is the dog's guard and watchdog skills. These hybrids are alert, powerful, and protective, and will investigate unknown sights or sounds--and chances are they'll be able to neutralize most any potential threats.

The Boxerman, due to hybrid vigor (in which a crossbred dog inherits the healthiest traits from its parent breeds), is pretty healthy. Even so, larger dogs like this one are known to suffer from more health issues than smaller breeds. In the Boxerman, possible health problems include heart disease and gastric torsion (or bloat), along with less severe issues like hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism. Potential owners are advised to ask breeders for health screenings for the dog and/or its parents, or they can have their own veterinarians do the screenings.

Life expectancy for the Boxerman is 10-12 years.