Boxerdoodle Dog Breed Facts & Information

By Heather Logue

This Poodle and Boxer combination creates a pup that’s at once playful and serious, goofy and noble—the Boxerdoodle! This mixed breed has all of the best qualities of each parent, which means you’ll often end up with a loyal, protective, and energetic companion to pass your time with. Boxerdoodles are sensitive and sweet, and will truly thrive with the help of time, affection, and support from you.

Is a Boxerdoodle the right kind of dog for you? There are a lot of things to consider when adding a dog to your life, so we’ve covered just about everything you’ll need to know in this in-depth breed profile.

Breed Characteristics

Key

Low
Medium
High

Origin: United States
Size:
Weight: 12-80 pounds
Lifespan: 10 to 12 years
Breed group: Mixed Breed
Activity level:
Barking/howling level:
Good with kids: yes
Good with cats:
Shedding:
Easy to groom:
Easy to train:
Protective:

Boxerdoodle Appearance

These pups are another one of those doodle mixes that come in a wide variety of sizes, ranging from very diminutive to fairly large, though most of them fall somewhere right in the middle. Their muzzle can also vary in size, though longer snouts and poodle-like tails are fairly common with this mix.

Their hair can also be a surprise, with some pups inheriting the waves and cute curls of the poodle, while others have the smooth, short coat of a boxer. And color-wise, Boxerdoodles come in a plethora of shades, with white, black, red, fawn, brindle, and brown showing up most often.

Boxerdoodle Dog Breed Personality

Though Boxerdoodles tend to be serious, noble dogs, they also have a fun and playful side that makes them a blast to be around. Calm and patient, they always strive to please their favorite people since they are loyal and devoted companions. However, they can be a bit timid around strangers, and can even be aggressive if they feel they feel that they, or their family, is threatened. This likely comes from the Boxer side, which is more naturally protective and prone to barking at danger (though they’re otherwise not very loud).

This breed does have a lot of energy, which is important to think about when introducing them to kids or other animals. They tend to do best when they’re the only pet in the household, and also get along better with older children who understand how to properly interact with animals.

Ideal Environment for a Boxerdoodle

Since Boxerdoodles are highly intelligent and active, they need to live somewhere with plenty of space for exercise, games, and activities that will mentally and physically stimulate them. Large, open areas for running are ideal, though they’ll also be happy if they have a backyard to frolic around in.

Ideal Human for a Boxerdoodle

The ideal person for a Boxerdoodle is someone who can spend plenty of quality time with them. Someone who can work from home, or bring their pup into the office is an even better option, since these doodles really love a “pack leader” who can consistently be there for them.

Boxerdoodle Dog Training

When training a Boxerdoodle it’s important to remember that they can be sensitive, so the positive reinforcement method is the best approach. This breed does have a stubborn streak, so beginning training from a young age is especially important, as is establishing yourself as the pack leader early on.

You’ll also want to socialize your Boxerdoodle by introducing them to a variety of situations, people, animals, and locations. By showing them the world around them, and making them feel comfortable and safe with you as they explore it, they’ll gain the confidence to be the well-adjusted, well-behaved pup you know that they can be.

Boxerdoodle Grooming

Though these doodles do shed a bit more than some other mixes (at about a medium to high level), they are generally easy to groom. If they have the curlier, Poodle-like hair, then you’re going to want to brush them regularly to prevent tangles and visit the groomer occasionally for a nice trim. A smoother coat means you should brush them once or twice a week, and give them a bath when it’s needed.

You also need to keep their ears and eye clean, along with clipping their nails and checking their paw pads regularly.

Boxerdoodle Health

Boxerdoodles are a fairly healthy breed, but they do have a few possible health issues that you should keep an eye out for. They’re prone to hip dysplasia, allergies, epilepsy, and PRA. They can also develop skin problems and will easily gain weight if they don’t get enough exercise. However, using a reputable breeder (if you’re using a breeder) can help cut down the possibility of your dog having many of these issues.

Boxerdoodle Breed History

Though we don’t know a lot about how this particular mix came to be, we do know that the first Boxerdoodles appeared within the last decade, making them one of the newest of the doodle mixes. We can also appreciate the rich and interesting history of their parent breeds—which show us what a dynamic dog is created when the two are combined.

Getting a Boxerdoodle

Boxerdoodle breeders

It’s always a good idea to meet the parents of your puppy, and to see how the litter interacts with each other, and this is especially important when choosing a crossbred dog, since you can see just what size the parents are. A good, trustworthy breeder should have records of the parents’ lineage, too and should be able to tell you more about the specific mix of the litter.

Since Boxerdoodles aren’t officially recognized by the AKC, you’d need to start your search for a reputable breeder elsewhere, and luckily, due to the popularity of these dogs, they shouldn’t be too tricky to track down. Make sure you wise up on puppy mills and internet scams—following some simple steps can help avoid further funding of this terrible practice, and help you end up with a pet whose breeding and early-life experience will more reliably result in a well-adjusted dog.

Adopting a Boxerdoodle

As with many highly popular breeds, Boxerdoodles often find their way to rescue centers for a variety of reasons, including dogs being rescued from puppy mills, but often it’s the simple fact that their previous owners simply felt unable to care for them any longer, perhaps due to a change in lifestyle or health.

A surrendered dog will often already be well trained and simply in need of a new, loving home. You can find rescue centers local to you with a quick internet search.

A Boxerdoodle can make for a wonderful friend and they’re sure to be a source of joy, with plenty of laughs and perhaps a little bit of mischief along the way. So whether you’re planning on adopting or finding a breeder to find a puppy, prepare yourself, your home and your heart to welcome a dog with plenty of personality and energy.

More on Boxerdoodles

If you’re simply in love with Boxerdoodles, then you’ll be craving what we’ve got for you next. From the most popular gifts for Boxer fans, to everything you want to know about poodles and more:

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