Pitbull Boxer Mix Breed: The Bullboxer Pit Complete Guide

Among all the hybrid dogs, a Pitbull Boxer mix is one of the most popular designer breeds. It’s a cross between purebred American Pitbull and a Boxer. They are often referred to as American Bullboxer, the Pitoxer, or the Bullboxer Pit. Coming from two strong dogs, you can expect a brave and bold hybrid dog that’s actually caring and loving.

Here’s everything you need to know about a Pitbull and Boxer mix and whether they are a good fit for your family or not.

Pitbull Boxer Mix Key Characteristics 

  • Adaptability: 60%
  • Affection Level: 80%
  • Apartment Friendly: 40%
  • Barking Tendencies: 40%
  • Cat Friendly: 20%
  • Child Friendly: 40%
  • Dog Friendly: 40%
  • Exercise Need: 80%
  • Grooming Needs: 40%
  • Health Issues: 40%
  • Intelligence: 80%
  • Playfulness: 100%

pitbull boxer mix playing

pitbull boxer mix guarding

pitbull boxer mix lying on the floor

Highlights

  • The Pitbull Boxer mix is bred from Pitbull and Boxer breeds. They are also known as Bullboxer Pit, Pitoxer, and American Bullboxer.
  • They can grow into medium-sized dogs at around 20 to 27 inches and weigh around 50 to 80 pounds.
  • These hybrid dogs were originally bred in Europe by European breeders in the hope of finding the perfect companion dog. They wished to develop a breed with the intelligence of the Boxer and the strength of the Pitbull.
  • Bullboxer Pit dogs are one of the most intelligent breeds in the canine world. That means they can easily learn basic commands and even complicated tricks.
  • Although stigmatized as dangerous and aggressive dogs, they are actually gentle and sweet, especially to the kids. However, they can become aggressive when protecting their family and when not trained well.
  • They require regular exercise both physically and mentally.
  • Their most common health problem is cardiomyopathy which is a serious heart condition that can be fatal when not treated.
  • These dogs have a short and smooth coat that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. However, they do shed moderately throughout the year.
  • Puppies tend to be more active than adults and they can easily lose their focus because of that. Being firm and consistent is the key to training them.
  • They are very well known designer dogs. In fact, they are among the most popular hybrid mixes in the world.
All About The Pitbull Boxer Mix (The Bullboxer Pit)

 

Bullboxer Pit Appearance

Although most mixed breeds have a vast difference in their looks, the Bullboxer Pits often have a more physique body. They often have these large heads and wider body widths that Pitbull dogs possess with the strong legs and chests Boxer dogs have.

While this is the most common physical traits you’ll see in a Pitbull Boxer mix, be prepared to see at least one dog or a full litter that looks more like one side of their ancestry. It’s rather common to see a litter where the pups look entirely different than their siblings.

The ears could differ. Some acquire a short and cropped Pitbull ear, while others have this semi-pricked dogs from some Boxer dogs.

Size and Weight

When it comes to size and weight, a Pitbull Boxer mix can be considered a medium- to large-sized dogs, depending on the size and weight of their parents as well as their gender. However, the common height is between 20 to 27 inches and they weigh around 50 to 80 pounds.

Generally, female Bullboxer Pit dogs are significantly smaller than their male counterparts.

Looking into the sizes of its two parents, Pitbull breeds grow up to 20 inches. They weigh around 35 pounds to 66 pounds for the male. Female dogs weigh less from 30 pounds to 60 pounds.

On the other hand, a female Boxer dog can reach 21 inches to 24 inches in height and weigh around 55 pounds to 64 pounds. Male Boxer dogs reach an average height of 22 inches to 25 inches and weigh between 60 pounds to 70 pounds.

On an average, a Bullboxer Pit is roughly the size of a small female Pitbull to the largest male Boxer dog.

Fur and Coat

These breeds don’t require extreme maintenance to keep their coat looking good. That’s because they have a short and smooth coat. It’s also naturally shiny so they can look effortlessly good and avoid tangles and matting.

You can find a Bullboxer Pit that is solid brown, tan, fawn, black, or a mixture of these colors along with white patterns on their chests.

History

The Pitbull Boxer mix is among the many designer dogs that can be found and is recognized today. Apparently, European breeders were trying to breed different dogs to achieve the perfect home companion.

The Pitbull and Boxer were chosen in the hopes of finding that dog. They were chosen so that the offspring can get the confidence and the strength of the Pitbull while acquiring the intelligence of the Boxer at the same time.

However, it wasn’t sure when these breeders first started breeding these two dogs.

History of Pitbull

The term “Pitbull” is actually set to determine different dog breeds instead of just one. In the US, the only recognize Pitbull breeds are the American Pitbull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier.

The Pitbull was believed to have originally been bred in the UK during the 19th century. They were bred from bulldogs and terriers. They were bred for the purpose of bull-baiting because of their strength and aggressiveness. As its popularity rose, people began seeing their potential in dog-fighting, an illegal sports that many still practice.

Soon, the Pitbull reigned terror in these dog arenas and many were bred and trained for this sole purpose. Although dog-fighting has been strictly prohibited and frowned upon these days, the Pitbull’s unfortunate history brought stigma wherein people would think they can’t be trusted as house companions because of their aggressiveness and potential to attack other animals and even humans.

Nonetheless, they are just extremely protective of their families. In fact, pit bull dogs can be the sweetest, especially around kids.

They were also used to drive livestock as well as a companion for hunters when they first arrived in the US during the 1800s. Today, they are trained for police work as well as to be house companions.

History of Boxer dogs

Boxer dogs are also great home companions as they can guard your family and your property. They can be energetic, friendly, and playful — so much so that they have been dubbed as the “Peter Pan” of the canine world.

These dogs were first bred in Central Europe during the 18th century. They came from two now-extinct dogs named Brabenter Bullenbeiser and Danziger Bullenbeiser. However, their ancestors can be traced from Assyrian dogs that existed as far as 2,500 B.C.

The Boxer dogs were among the first breeds to have worked as police and military dogs in Germany. Today, they have become great companion dogs. There are also many other Boxer dogs that were trained for police work, but some other people have trained them to become guard dogs and service dogs for the blind.

They were first registered by the American Kennel Club in 1904. Their name “Boxer” came from the way they were using their front paws when defending themselves or when playing.

Bullboxer Pit Trainability

Your dogs need training, even when you don’t intend on letting them learn cool tricks you see dogs perform on reality TV shows. They need basic training so that they can be good dogs at home. And with a Pitbull Boxer mix, you’re in luck! They are one of the most intelligent dogs in the canine kingdom.

Since they are smart dogs, you can teach them simple commands such as sitting down or staying. You can even teach them a few household chores that they can do such as fetching things for you.

Of course, training also means improving their social skills. Since they are bred from two protective dogs, they can get aggressive when they think another person or dog is harming you. Social training erases all unruly behaviors such as getting aggressive with anyone or anything that approaches you.

Train them starting when they are young. They are able to absorb the learning quickly when they are still pups. However, note that they can get stubborn because of their intelligence. If they feel like you’re teaching them the same things over again, they can get bored and will learn to disobey you and even some bad behaviors they might see around them.

Learn to be hard as well. They might be adorable pups but when they see a crack in your armor, they won’t hesitate to use their charm against you. You should become the leader in the house and be consistent and firm.

Giving them treats and praising them are positive ways to make them learn better and quicker.

Exercise

Your Pitbull Boxer mix is a strong dog with some good physique. Therefore, exercise is mandatory. Walk them daily and let them run around your yard or a park.

Mental exercises are as important as physical exercises. Simple things such as creating obstacles and puzzles will keep them entertained and will keep their focus. It can also be a part of their training as bored but active dogs tend to cause chaos around the house such as breaking things.

Keeping them entertained can avoid that.

Pitbull Boxer Mix Temperament

If you have younger kids, getting a Pitbull Boxer mix is perhaps the best idea. Despite being known as “aggressive and dangerous” dogs, they are pretty sweet and can grow really attached to the young ones. That’s why they are often called “nanny dogs.” They are incredibly gentle even with babies and toddlers.

Of course, a huge part of their temperament and personality stems from good social training. That’s why we can’t reiterate more how they should be taught some good social skills as pups.

These dogs are playful, another reason they would go along with kids well. They like to move around a lot, making them the perfect playmates for your hyperactive kids.

They can also get aggressive because they have a great urge to protect their families, especially the kids. This is part of any dog’s DNA, regardless of their breed. They are loyal, brave, and courageous — ready to go through all means to keep their families safe.

If there’s one hack to having the best Bullboxer Pit, it’s to make them feel like they are part of the family. They crave and love being a part of the family and when they do feel that their owners care for them, they are much easier to control and tame.

Nutrition

As big dogs, you can expect your Pitbull Boxer mix pup to be a big eater. In fact, if you let them, they’ll eat as much as they can and that can cause several health issues. That’s why you should always monitor them and create a feeding plan that makes sure they are satisfied throughout the day.

To keep them healthy and strong, most Bullboxer Pit dogs should be fed with high-quality dry dog food with quality ingredients that are safe for canine consumption. Make sure there are no added preservatives and artificial flavors and colors.

Read the label when you’re buying their food. Here are some of the ingredients you should be wary of and if you see any of these, you might want to put them back on the shelf.

  • Ethoxyquin
  • Butylated-hydroxyanisole (BHA)
  • Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
  • Propylene Glycol
  • Corn/Corn Syrup
  • By-products
  • Food dyes (such as Red Dye 40)
  • Wheat Gluten

For bigger dogs, a protein-rich food is important as it helps develop lean muscles and gives them the energy they need. When it comes to dry dog food, the first ingredient should be a high-quality animal-protein source.

Some Pitbull Boxer mix breeds are also highly-allergic to some food ingredients. For these dogs, you can always choose a grain-free type which is more subtle for them. Always watch out for signs of allergies, especially when you’re trying to give them new food.

If you think wet dog food suits your dog best, don’t be afraid to give them some. There are indeed dogs that prefer wet over dry dog food. It’s really a matter of preference. But then again, be sure there are no harmful ingredients there as well.

Feeding Plan

The best way to create a feeding plan for your dog is to consult a vet. It’s also a matter of your dog’s personal lifestyle.

However, most adult dogs should be fed twice a day. That’s one in the morning and then their dinner at night. You can give them a few treats every now and then throughout the day. For a big eat such as your Bullboxer Pit, 4 to 5 cups of dry dog food a day would suffice. Split these into two feedings a day.

Apart from dog food, they should be given clean and safe water daily. You might want to keep changing their water daily up to 4 times during the morning, at noon, during dinner, and at bedtime.

Health and Care

A Bullboxer Pit can live approximately 10 to 13 years. It’s entirely possible for them to outlive these numbers and live longer, especially with proper care and if they are completely healthy.

Thankfully, your Bullboxer mix doesn’t really get any serious health issues that could potentially be fatal except for cardiomyopathy — a chronic heart disorder.

However, they do get a few major (but normally not fatal) diseases as well as several other minor issues that can be avoided. Most of these health problems are acquired from either parent who might have had it when they mated. This is why breed organizations try to guarantee that breeders only breed healthy dogs to give the puppies better chances at life.

As mentioned above, your Bullboxer can be a big eater and if you don’t monitor them, they can get obese pretty easily. Keeping to the feeding plan and giving them daily exercises can help avoid that.

That being said, knowing what diseases could trigger both the Pitbull and the Boxer could give you an idea on what you should look out for.

Pitbull

Here are common health issues the Pitbull get:

  • Hip dysplasia
  • Cataracts
  • Allergies
  • Mange
  • Knee problems
  • Cerebella ataxia
  • Thyroid disease
  • Blindness
  • Parvo
  • Skin infections
  • Bladder stones
  • Palate or cleft lip
  • Ichthyosis
  • Babesiosis
  • Nerve disease

Boxer

The following are the most common problems found in Boxer dogs:

  • Aortic stenosis
  • Subaortic stenosis
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Bloat (which can turn to gastric torsion)
  • Allergies
  • Skin problems
  • Cancer
  • Hip and elbow dysplasia
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Diarrhea
  • Refractory superficial corneal ulcers

It’s important to keep your pups safe from any of these harms. Be sure that you bring them to the vet once in a while for regular check-ups, especially when it’s connected to common problems both the Pitbull and Boxer breeds have.

Grooming

One of the best things when it comes to having a Pitbull Boxer hybrid mix is that they are very low maintenance. They don’t need many products nor getting trims every now and then. They do appreciate brushing their hair, but it’s mostly to keep shedding at a minimum.

Speaking of shedding, that’s pretty much the only downside to these dogs. They shed moderately throughout the year, with some season showing more signs of shedding than other seasons. If your dog is getting an unreasonable level of shedding, you should contact your vet because it might be a sign of a health problem.

However, you can use a brush to work on their loose hair. Apart from that, you can bathe them once in two weeks or when necessary.

Brushing their teeth can be done once a day or every other day. You can give them dental treats that were made to clean their teeth and keep their gums healthy. Other than that, cleaning their ears and clipping their nails are the only necessary grooming they need.

When it comes to clipping their nails, you really should have proper knowledge and experience since you can end up hurting them. If you’re afraid, you can always bring them to a professional groomer for a good pampering.

Pitbull Boxer Mix Puppies

If there is one thing you need to know about Bullboxer puppies, it’s that they are more active than when they get older. For this, they can easily lose their focus when you’re training them. Be patient with them but again, try to be firm as much as possible.

You can start potty training them at around 3 to 4 weeks when they are able to go out for a longer period of time. But never let them go out with you when they are still newborns. They don’t have developed immune systems yet and they can contract diseases that way.

At around 7 weeks to 12 weeks, you can already put them on social training. Introduce them to other dogs and even other animals. Let them know that strangers (relatives, friends, and neighbors) won’t mean harm through associating them with good things such as treats and belly rubs.

Price

Pitbull Boxer pups can be bought at around $400 to $800, depending on the breeder. Normally, more reputable breeders can sell them for more. The price can also change when they have acquired their first vaccines or they have been spayed/neutered as well as several other medical services they might have required.

The price can also get pricier when you bought them with several accessories.

Adopting can be a good choice, especially when you know of a pup that’s in a high-kill shelter. You can help save a life. However, this choice can be difficult for new parents since these dogs can get pretty aggressive. Most of them are rescued from abusers and have trauma.

If you really want to adopt a Pitbull Boxer rescue pup, you should choose one that has been fostered.

You should also note that you’ll need to spend at least $1000 per year for your dog. This includes their food, their grooming services, accessories, as well as possible medical needs.

Breed Organizations

The Bullboxer Pit is recognized by the following breed organizations:

  • American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC)
  • Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA)
  • Designer Breed Registry (DBR)
  • International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR)
  • Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC)

If you haven’t already, get a Pitbull Boxer mix dog for your family. With just the right training, they can become a precious member of the family. And of course, give them the love they deserve and you can guarantee they would be loyal to you, especially to your young ones.

About the author

Sarah Andrews

Hi I'm Sarah, dog lover and blogger. I was born into a dog-loving family and have been a proud doggy mommy ever since I can remember. I love sharing my dog knowledge and love being an active part of the dog-loving community.