When you decide to get a dog, no one tells you how many sleepless nights it will cost you. If you have been down that road before, you may well remember the anticipation and longing. But what about the stress of making sure to get the right fit?
By now you have surely figured out that choosing a mixed breed will not make things easier. Do you have to learn everything about multiple breeds, and how can you predict how two dogs like the Boxer and French Bulldog will mesh?
The Boxer French Bulldog mix is a medium-sized dog with a solid build and a gentle, sunny, loyal, and protective disposition. Also going by the intriguing name French Bulloxer, this mix gets along with kids and visitors. This particular mix has training challenges because of a stubborn streak and the same breathing difficulties of other snub-nosed breeds.
What is the Boxer French Bulldog's appearance?
The French Bulloxer is between its parents in size, standing 13 to 16 inches tall and weighing 40 to 60 pounds. Your mix will combine the compact frame of the Frenchie with the strength and elegance of the boxer.
Fortunately, your dog's legs will be a little longer than the pure-bred French Bulldog's. The face will be round with a clearly shortened muzzle and large dark eyes.
The ears might be semi-prick and off to the sides, or your dog could have signature bat ears. Similarly variable, the tail can be mid-length, naturally bob, or long. Many breeders might dock the tails of puppies in their litters if they are long at birth.
Boxer French Bulldog Mix Coat and Colors
A Boxer and French Bulldog have similar coats. Both have short fur that lies flat and close to the body, giving them a sleek, smooth-haired appearance.
Boxers have a single coat, but some Frenchies may have a thin undercoat. Your French Bulloxer will likewise have a single-layer coat that lies close to the skin and has a brilliant gloss. She will have moderate shedding throughout the year.
Although there are white Boxers, the standard colors for the breed are fawn and brindle. Dogs of either color can have white markings. Standard Frenchie colors are fawn, brindle, white, cream, and white with brindle or fawn patches.
Your Boxer French Bulldog will most likely be brindle or fawn with substantial white markings on the chest, face, and legs. Less common possible colors are piebald (mostly white with spots of a second color), white, red, and cream. Rare colors are blue, blue brindle, and black.
What are Boxer French Bulldog Mix personality and traits like?
- Affectionate
- Energetic and moderately active
- Loyal
- Feisty
- Tenacious
- Protective
- Friendly and outgoing
The Boxer and French Bulldog have the same ancient forefathers in the massive Molossus dogs of Greek and Roman warriors.
Boxers ultimately developed from the intermediate Bullenbeisser in Germany to become versatile working dogs that originally baited bulls but then worked cattle in the slaughterhouses, joined the police force, guarded homes, and guided the blind.
French Bulldogs evolved from the Old English Bulldog in England as miniatures. When they moved to France they developed into the ultimate companion dog, presumably with influence from the Rat Terrier and Pug.
Boxer French Bulldog mixes embody the personality traits of their parent breeds, forming strong bonds with their owners. Their tenacious nature makes them stick to a task, but they also may seem especially hard-headed to train. They are protective but not particularly aggressive, resulting in an effective watchdog.
Like their parent breeds, Frenchie Boxer mixes enjoy playing and form fast friendships with children and other dogs. Small kids require supervision as the breed can get rambunctious, especially as adolescent puppies.
Socialization is key to bring out your dog's amiable disposition with other animals and guests. Some may get along with cats they know, but you should not push it with birds or pocket pets because of an unpredictable prey drive.
Reasons Why You Should Not Get a Boxer French Bulldog Mix
- Health issues – Breathing difficulties
- Stubborn
- Need constant companionship
- Not effective guard dogs
- Some individuals drool
Although not exactly Velcro dogs, French Bulloxers come close. They do not do well left alone for long periods and can develop bad habits such as digging, chewing, or howling.
Poorly socialized dogs can become overprotective and overbearing with any company you might have.
They are not hyperactive, but French Bulldog Boxer mixes are the right size to knock over small children if they become zealous in play.
Their stubbornness requires you to have endless patience and perseverance to properly train them.
Probably the greatest deterrent of all is the breathing difficulty that comes from their shortened faces.
Although many people find the snuffling and snoring sounds of Bulldogs endearing, brachycephalic dogs struggle to breathe even through moderate exercise. Moreover, they are extremely sensitive to heat and humidity, requiring your constant vigilance.
Reasons Why You Should Get a Boxer Frenchie Mix
- Loyal companions
- Friendly with others
- Medium activity level
- Do not need too much exercise
- Low-maintenance grooming needs
Boxer French Bulldogs are excellent family dogs. With proper socialization, they are extroverts who can prove charming and irresistible to your friends. They enjoy children and do not often play for excessively long periods.
Not being the most exercise-tolerant creatures, Boxer French bulldog mixes do not require hours of exercise like other working breeds.
With their short coats, brushing needs are minimal. You can use a horsehair brush or grooming mitt once or twice a week to stimulate circulation to the follicles and distribute the coat's natural oils.
These dogs are good for novice owners because they are low-maintenance, enjoy cuddling, and are not too big. They may not be the top choice for someone who wants a highly responsive and obedient dog or has a highly active lifestyle.
Grooming Your Boxer French Bulldog Mix
This mix has a smooth coat with little to no underfur. You can easily get by brushing your dog once a week, mostly to removed loose hair and minor soiling. Most of the time, dirt does not adhere to the short hair.
The best tools for brushing are a rubber curry, a short slicker brush, or a grooming mitt. You can polish your dog's coat with a soft-bristled brush. Bathing occasionally will remove excess dirt that may cause itching.
Generally, you will trim your dog's nails every six to eight weeks. You should introduce dental hygiene to your puppy at an early age so you can incorporate tooth brushing every few days into your grooming routine. Make sure to also check your dog's ears every couple of days.
Boxer French Bulldog Health Concerns
French Bulloxers can have health problems that may afflict either of the parent breeds.
Boxer French Bulldog Mix Lifespan
You can expect your Boxer French Bulldog mix to live from 10 to 15 years.
Boxer French Bulldog Mix Minor Health Issues
- Gastric torsion or GDV (twisted stomach secondary to bloat)
- Hypothyroidism
- Colitis – Chronic or periodic inflammation of the colon causes diarrhea and fresh blood in the stool
- Juvenile cataracts
- Retinal dysplasia
- Tumors
Although some of these problems may seem serious, they are considered minor because they occur with low frequency in the mixed breed compared to one of the purebred parents.
Bloat is a life-threatening problem but carries a low risk in this mix.
Hypothyroidism, or low activity of the thyroid gland, is easy to treat with supplementation. It most commonly causes a dull hair coat, weight gain, and low activity.
Boxers frequently suffer from colitis or inflammation of the colon. Affected dogs may strain a lot and may have diarrhea with fresh blood and mucus.
While Boxers are prone to fatty tumors and lymphoma, the French Bulloxer is less susceptible. Eye problems, like improper retinal development, are also less prevalent in the hybrid.
Boxer French Bulldog Mix Major Health Problems
- Hemivertebrae (Frenchie)
- Cardiomyopathy (Boxer) and other heart issues
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Hip dysplasia (Both)
- Luxated patellas (Frenchie) – Kneecap does not stay in position
- IVDD (Frenchie) – Slipped disc
- Brachycephalic airway syndrome (Both)
Brachycephalic airway syndrome is a collective term that describes the flat-faced dog's struggles to breathe normally. It involves one or more physical abnormalities that include a greatly shortened snout, narrowed nostrils, elongated soft palate, small trachea, and everted laryngeal saccules. These physical barriers contribute to a cycle of loud and labored breathing.
Dogs with brachycephalic traits are susceptible to cold temperatures and to heatstroke. The greater the exaggeration of characters, the more severe the breathing problem.
Degenerative myelopathy is a devastating neuromuscular disease that eventually leads to paralysis. It is not painful.
According to the OFA statistical records, DM occurs at an alarming rate in both Boxers and French Bulldogs, citing abnormal findings in 50% of the dogs tested. It stands to reason it might show up in the mix.
Hemivertebrae can be a mother cause of paralysis, linked to the breeding of corkscrew tails into the French Bulldog.
Dilated cardiomyopathy, quite prevalent in the Doberman, is also a problem in Boxers. The heart becomes enlarged because weakened muscles fail to pump blood out of the heart effectively. Affected dogs can suffer from congestive heart failure.
Other heart problems of the French Bulloxer involve abnormal narrowing of major vessels from the heart such as pulmonic stenosis.
The mix can also suffer orthopedic problems like hip and elbow dysplasia and luxating patellas.
How to Feed Your French Bulldog Boxer Mix
Nutrition is always crucial as preventative maintenance against health problems and for the growth and maintenance of bones, muscles, and vital organs.
Dogs, including your mix, have evolved to eat a diet high in meat. Premium diets focus on high-quality proteins and fats.
Proteins should mostly come from animal sources, while fats may stem from fish, olives, coconuts, or flaxseed.
Much controversy surrounds the use of grains, as some dogs benefit from the extra nutrition while others are sensitive.
Alternative ingredients may come in the form of novel proteins such as potatoes and peas. The role of non-prey ingredients continues to undergo investigation for its beneficial and potentially harmful effects in pet canids.
Scientists still struggle with appropriate carbohydrate concentrations for pet dogs whose digestive systems have evolved a bit from that of wolves. When in doubt, consult with your veterinarian about customizing a dietary plan for your dog.
There is a wealth of options for your Boxer mix from kibble to canned to fresh homemade to commercial raw diets. Depending on your dog's size, she will need 600 to 1100 calories a day or two to four cups of kibble. Puppies require 60 to 90 calories per pound during their fast growth cycles.
Puppies under the age of six months eat three to four times a day. However, your adult dog should eat at least two meals a day to eliminate gorging, a potential cause of bloat.
Exercising Your Boxer French Bulldog Mix
Depending on the dog, your mix will need about 25 to 45 minutes of exercise daily.
Mental stimulation during the day with interaction, puzzles, and games, is as important as physical running and playing.
French Bulloxers are happy to be as lazy as you allow them but remember they can be prone to obesity. With young dogs, part of your daily exercises should focus on training and socializing your pet.
Training Your French Bulloxer
As mentioned, the Boxer French Bulldog can be resistant to training through stubbornness.
The Boxer side gives the best option for working intelligence and obedience and is 90th in these skills on Stanley Coren's rating of 138 breeds.
What your dog lacks in willingness to please and ability to learn and follow a spoken command he will make up for in intuition and emotional intelligence.
French Bulloxers have a remarkable memory and once they learn something, it stays with them. Your patience and willingness to stick with consistent repetitions will eventually get through to your dog.
You should dedicate 15 to 20 minutes a day to training your Frenchie mix. Puppies may only be able to handle five minutes in a session.
Boxer French Bulldog Mix for Sale
If you find a litter of French Bulloxers for sale, you should try to visit them. Sometimes meeting a breeder in person can give you a feel for how conscientious they are.
However, your main objective is to assess the cleanliness of the environment and the condition of the puppies.
Puppies that are fearful may indicate minimal human handling. Believe it or not, if breeders have no interaction with their litters in the early days, the puppies can present behavioral challenges to any potential new owners like you.
Puppies should be active with bright eyes and no ocular or nasal discharge. Avoid pups that seem overly aggressive or cower in the corner.
Solicitous breeders often try to help you find the best match for your personality and lifestyle. Designer breeds do not always have the benefit of screening tests, although they should.
See if you can get a background, at least, about any issues with heart disease, hip dysplasia, or eye problems.
Long-term breeders may be more forthcoming and knowledgeable about this information than newer or more casual sellers.
The purchase price for a Boxer French Bulldog can vary considerably. Most will likely be about $1000 while a few may be as high as $3500.
Prices are often lower with a shelter or rescue. Going with a reputable breeder you trust is vital because you will not be able to tell if your dog is a true Boxer French Bulldog mix until months later.
As the French Bulloxer is a mixed breed, the AKC does not recognize it. However, several registries do, giving you the potential to participate in fun club activities with your dog.
- Designer Breed Registry
- Dog Registry of America, Inc.
- American Canine Hybrid Club
- International Designer Canine Registry
Having the Boxer French Bulldog Mix as a Family Pet
If you are considering acquiring a French Bulloxer, the breed is a lovable and affectionate family pet.
Friendly and playful, the mix gets along with other dogs and easily learns how to live with other pets.
This is a breed that requires minimal grooming and only moderate exercise. In fact, too much exercise is not advisable, with the breed being highly vulnerable to the effects of heat exhaustion.
One drawback is the potentially heartbreaking struggle with health issues. Breathing difficulties will occur in a large percentage of these dogs and some may suffer from heart problems. Both issues can shorten and decrease the quality of the pet's life.
Boxer French Bulldog mixes make excellent watchdogs, but once the warning has been issued, they are wonderful hosts for your guests. They are a little big for toddlers but otherwise get along famously with children.
Video Example
This video shows a mix with both the Boxer and French Bulldog visible in the face with a longer snout than the Frenchie but the Frenchie's eyes and stop.
Note the bat ears of the Frenchie but the long-tapered tail of a Boxer's if it was not docked. This dog is a beautiful shade of red with white.
Notice how this dog is active and does not appear to struggle to breathe but is fighting a weight problem.
Also read: Meet the Bullypit
As a freelance pet writer and blogger, Shannon is passionate about crafting knowledge-based, science-supported articles that foster healthy bonds of love and respect between people and animals. But her first and very most important job is as a dog auntie and cockatiel, tortoise, and box turtle mama.
