What Does a Boxerdoodle Look Like? What Is A Boxerdoodle? Gallery and Learn Intriguing Breed Information
What is a Boxerdoodle?
If you cross a purebred Poodle with a Boxer – what do you get? You get a Boxerdoodle!
A Boxerdoodle is a rare Poodle Mix cross breed that has to be seen to be believed. They are also sometimes referred to as a Boxerpoo.
I spend a lot of time thinking and writing about puppies (particularly Poodle mixes as this is our focus at Oodle Life) and I was pretty surprised when I first stumbled across photographs on Instagram!
Poodles are hypoallergenic, clever and friendly. Boxers are loyal, fun loving and great companions. What a great match! You can see why people wonder if there is a Boxer Poodle mix and what it looks like.
Read on to find out more about the Boxerdoodle, see photos of Boxerdoodles as adults and puppies, and see if they are hypoallergenic like other Poodle mix breeds!
What does a Boxerdoodle look like?
Boxerdoodles don’t necessarily fit with your first expectation when you think of a Poodle mix breed. Poodle crosses are often thought of to be cute and teddy bear-like. A great example of a stereotypical Poodle Mix is the super small Teacup or Toy Goldendoodle.
Boxerdoodles don’t quite fit that mold. They are typically a larger dog, with an interesting coat type.
There are no set sizes for a Boxerdoodle. Expect large, even if the parent Poodle was a miniature or toy Poodle.
The looks of the Boxerdoodle are going to vary wildly from very Poodle-like to “Boxer with a Poodle coat”.
Common appearance traits of the Boxerdoodle are
- Expect a medium sized dog
- Expect a broad weight range from 40 to 80 pounds (18 kilograms to 36 kilograms)
- 10-24 inches (25-57 cenitimetres) at shoulder height
- Wavy or Curly Poodle like coats are common
- You still can end up with a smoorth, short, straight coat (higher shedding) more similar to a Boxer
- Coat colours are likely white, black, red, fawn, brindle or brown
- Muzzle length may mimic the longer Poodle, or the stouter Boxer
- There is limited evidence as this dog breed is uncommon, but owners I talked to said there was a Poodle like snout for all of their Boxerdoodles
- Tail length is more often seen to be similar to that of a Poodle
- The dog might have the protruded dark eyes of a Boxer
There is no standard appearance of a Boxerdoodle. What does a Boxerdoodle look like? Have a look at Boxerdoodle photos to get a general overview of the variety of appearances they might have.
How Much is a Boxerdoodle?
The Boxerdoodle is a rare breed. This means there are extremely few organised breeders. Given the scarcity, you need to be extremely mindful of the breeders that do exist. Ensure they follow the strictest standards of puppy care and are experienced in managing health outcomes.
Also to be quite honest, given the complexities of breeding Boxers well, crossing them with other breeds requires some deep planning, expertise and forethought. I quite like crossbreeds (I mean you are reading OodleLife.com which provides Poodle cross breed information). I personally would still encourage extreme in seeking a breeder for such a niche dog.
To be quite honest, the best way by a very long shot to source a Boxerdoodle is to adopt one.
Poodle crosses can be deliberate, or sometimes nature just happens!
All three of the owners I interviewed for this article found their Boxerdoodle in a rescue. Not only is rescuing and adopting great for the world, it also helps prevent dodgy breeders for rarer cross breeds.
Because they are so rare, there is no price guide possible for a Boxerdoodle. Any claims otherwise are not true. The costs of adoption in the USA and first year expenses average to be around $400-500 if all shots, neutering, and immunisations are up to date
Are Boxerdoodles Hypoallergenic?
Whether or not a Boxerdoodle is hypoallergenic will depend strongly on the amount of Poodle genetics present. There is also an element of luck.
A first generation (50% Boxer and 50% Poodle) Boxerpoo can vary wildly in coat type. If there is a wavy or curly coat, there is a higher chance of a coat that allergy sufferers can tolerate.
A reminder that no dog or coat type is truly hypoallergenic, it is just that certain coats produce less dander. Less dander means that there is less risk of allergies triggered.
A back cross second generation F1b Boxerdoodle is even rarer than a regular Boxerdoodle. To do this, you would back cross a Boxerdoodle with a purebred Poodle. This is extremely likely to result in a Boxerdoodle that does not shed. They are also far more likely to be allergy friendly. This is because the percentage of Poodle genetics increases to 75% as a result of the back cross.
Grooming and Health for a Boxerdoodle
You need to go into owning a Boxerdoodle with eyes wide open and willingness to adapt. Both breeds are generally healthy but the result of a cross can produce either fewer issues, or double the health issues.
Be prepared for regular routine Veterinary checks to ensure that your Boxerdoodle remains healthy.
In terms of grooming, expect the coat type to impact how often your Boxerdoodle needs attention. Non-shedding Poodle coats that are wavy or curly will require more maintenance.
Stick with a Poodle Mix appropriate shampoo, and once your Boxerdoodle is older consider 6 weekly grooming sessions either at home or with a groomer.
Traditional Boxer coat types will be easier to manage, but expect more shedding.
Training and Exercise
Training a Boxerdoodle will be a mixed bag. Both breeds can be very intelligent. Often Boxers are eager to please and great candidates for training. Some Boxers are devastatingly intelligent, and quick on the uptake of new skills.
Some Boxers however have a stubborn streak, and can be a little bone-headed (not a bad thing… but not helpful when training). This can be overcome easily, but be open to a little more repetition and encouragement for these situations.
Poodles can mostly be trained well – but be mindful of over excitedness having a negative impact on the training. Both Poodles and Boxers have a habit of the undesirable behaviour of jumping on their owner when excited. Take steps to ensure this is not an issue.
Boxerdoodles are moderate energy dogs. The exercise requirement per dog can vary greatly. Caution if you are apartment living, but as long as you exercise or exercise-through-play daily for around 30 minutes, most dogs will be fine.
What about swimming, running and hiking? The owners I spoke to said their Boxerdoodles enjoyed walks and swimming. Actual distance running is not advisable with a Boxer, and the same thoughts likely apply to a Boxerdoodle.
Your Boxerpoo is going to love your active lifestyle, but will not complete the half marathon with you.
Myths About Boxerdoodles
- Boxerdoodles have been used in the military
- There is no evidence available to suggest this is true. I am not sure how this rumour started. If you have any evidence to say that Boxerdoodles have been used as military dogs please comment and let me know
- Boxerdoodles are good hunting dogs
- While Poodle were originally waterfowl retrieval birds, modern Poodles and Boxers are companion dogs infrequently used for hunting
- I have asked all the owners I have met if their Boxerdoodle is used for hunting with no positive responses
- I searched hunting forums and Boxerdoodle groups for mention of hunting with no success
- If your Boxerdoodle is useful for hunting please let me know. Otherwise I think this is an urban legend or a myth about the Boxerpoo
Conclusions about the Boxerdoodle
The Boxerdoodle (Boxerpoo) is a pretty amazing Poodle mix breed dog. It does not meet the normal expectations you may have when you think of a Poodle mixed breed.
They are however by all reports from owners – excellent companion dogs. Loyalty, temperament and friendliness are all in abundance.
Your best bet of finding a Boxerdoodle will be via adoption. Get to know your local and state shelters and look for Boxer or Poodle cross adoption groups. Get active on social media also, as you may find one in an adjacent state looking for its new family.
