If you’re looking for a little dog with a big heart, plus a huge personality to boot, you can’t go wrong with the Dachshund Boxer Mix also known as the “Boxie Doxie”. These adorable little heart-melters combine the hunting instincts and intelligence of the Dachshund with the athleticism of the Boxer and you have an excellent hunting companion. Though, for those who don’t hunt, the Dachshund Boxer mix is an equally well-tempered family pet and will do well in just about any environment.
Photo credit: mickeybobby55
Dachshund Boxer Mix – At a Glance
| Weight: | 25–50 pounds |
| Height: | 12–20 inches tall |
| Lifespan: | 12–16 years |
| Coat colors: | tri-coloured coat of brown, white and black. |
| Temperament: | Energetic, gentle, loving, playful, independent, stubborn. |
| Suitable for: | Family with or without children, singles, elderly, and first-time owners. |
What Does a Dachshund Boxer Mix Look Like?
The Dachshund Boxer mix is generally a shorter breed than other dogs, owing to its Dachshund parents. This short breed will have an upright curved tail, longer snout and floppy ears. Its body will be roughly the same size as the Dachshund, making it a very energetic little dog.
Photo: @mickeybobby55
The History of the Dachshund Boxer Mix
The history of the “Boxie Doxie”, as it is colloquially known, is unfortunately not very well documented. This is typical of most designer dog breeds. The mix isn’t even recognized by any of the major American (or international) kennel clubs.
However, what we can glean from their parent breeds is that they were likely designed to mix the athleticism of the Boxer with the intelligence and energy of the Dachshund, mostly for use (we surmise) as a hunting companion.
Dachshund History
The Dachshund has its roots in Germany, when hunters were searching for a dog that would be suitable to accompany them on hunts and chase foxes and badgers down their holes and into their lairs, but also tough enough to kill these animals once there. Therefore, they created the “Dachshund”, literally translating to “badger dog” in German. The smooth-coated, short-legged dog was the perfect hunting partner.
How Popular Are Dachshunds?
The Dachshund remains one of the most popular dogs in the United States, likely owing to their independence and size. For these reasons, they’re frequently great family companions and are mostly good with young children. They ranked 11th in the 2021 Most Popular Dog Breeds by the American Kennel Club.
Who Are Dachshunds a Good Dog For?
The Dachshund is the perfect dog for just about anyone, though they can be a bit nippy sometimes if they’re annoyed, so beware of that. But in general, the Dachshund owes its popularity to its aloof, calm nature.
How Did Dachshunds Come About?
Dachshunds were first bred by the Germans in the 17th century as badger hunting dogs – their name translates to “badger dog”.
When Did First Cross-Breed Dachshunds?
While the initial history of cross-breeding the Dachshund is spotty, we do know that our Dachshund companions are frequently cross-bred with other dogs of similar size. Each one of these crosses produces unique characteristics and they’re often bred to give larger dogs a smaller footprint.
Some of the modern popular crossbreeding of Dachshunds includes:
- Corgi Dachshund Mix (Dorgi)
- Cocker Spaniel Dachshund Mix (Cockshund)
- German Shepherd Dachshund Mix (Dachshund Shepherd)
- Dachshund Husky Mix (Dusky)
- Border Collie Dachshund Mix (Bordershund)
Boxer History
The Boxer’s history lies across the pond. Originally bred in Germany in the 19th century, their lineage stretches back to the Mastiffs, crossed with a “bullenbeisser”, translating to a “bull baiting dog”. The Boxer was originally bred as a bull-baiting dog by the Germans of the day, and then later as a fighting dog when Europeans across the continent frequently engaged in the bloodsport.
How Popular Are Boxers?
Despite its blood-soaked history, the Boxer has evolved largely into a family dog and is fiercely protective of its humans and home. They’re the fourteenth most popular dog in the United States, according to the AKC’s listings for 2021.
Who Are Boxers A Good Dog For?
Given that the Boxer is a medium-sized dog with plenty of build strength, they might not be the best dog for the elderly, but for a small family, or even a single person, the Boxer could be a great addition to the household, providing you can keep up with their exercise needs.
How Did Boxers Come About?
Boxers were originally bred as bull bait and bloodsport dogs in the 19th century in Germany, crossed between the Mastiff and bulldog, their short-and-stout frame is backed by a huge amount of muscle power.
How Did First Cross-Breed Boxers?
While the history of cross-breeding the Boxer is somewhat spotty, we can surmise that those who began to cross-breed the Boxer did so out of a desire to incorporate their muscular frame and boundless energy into another dog’s temperament and size.
Some of the most popular Boxer crosses include:
- Corgi Boxer Mix (Coxer)
- Golden Retriever Boxer Mix (Golden Boxer)
- Boxer Chihuahua Mix (Boxachi)
- Boxer Mastiff Mix (Boxastiff)
- Boxer German Shepherd Mix (Boxer Shepherd)
What is the Temperament of the Dachshund Boxer Mix?
The Dachshund Boxer mix is typically a fairly energetic dog, it’s no wonder – two running breeds crossed together? Make sure that you have the time and energy necessary to devote to giving this dog at least 45 minutes of walking every day. The Dachshund typically will be quite independent and aloof and may bring this to bear in their temperament, so don’t always expect your Dachshund Boxer to be all play, all the time.
Are Dachshund Boxer Mixes Friendly?
In general, the Dachshund Boxer mix is a very friendly dog. Their smaller size allows them to not look so menacing, resulting in an easier time acclimating them to new environments and people.
Are Dachshund Boxer Mixes Easy to Train?
Given that both dogs were bred for obedience and hunting, they make remarkably easy-to-train animals!
How Much Can Dachshund Boxer Mixes Weigh?
Dachshund Boxer mixes typically weigh in at anywhere from 25-50lbs.
How Tall Can Dachshund Boxer Mixes Get?
Dachshund Boxer mixes will sometimes reach between 12 and 20 inches tall at shoulder height.
Similar Sized Breeds
Though the Dachshund is considerably smaller than your average Boxer, many medium-sized dogs like the Samoyed, or any cross of Boxer and Dachshund are likely to produce a breed of similar size.
Does a Dachshund Boxer Mix Shed?
As both of these dogs are short haired dogs, you are unlikely to notice too much shedding from the Dachshund Boxer. Though it’s always good to regularly groom your mixed puppy to prevent any skin disease or other issues with their coats.
How Much Exercise Does a Dachshund Boxer Mix Need?
As these are both hunting dogs historically and genealogically, expect them to require an intense amount of exercise! At least 45 minutes of walking per day, or you could bring them with you on a half-hour run.
How Long Does a Dachshund Boxer Mix Live?
The lifespan of the Dachshund is between 12-16 years, while the Boxer is between 8-10 years.
Therefore we can assume the life expectancy of the Dachshund Boxer mix is anywhere between 10-12 years.
Like with any dog, there are a number of factors that will determine the number of years your specific Dachshund Boxer mix lives like diet and exercise.
What Health Conditions Could the Dachshund Boxer Mix Have?
While the Dachshund Boxer is a relatively healthy breed, it does pick up some health consequences from either of its parents.
These are the following:
How Can You Find a Dachshund Boxer Mix For Sale?
While we recommend adoption over buying your Dachshund Boxer from a breeder. If you want to find a reputable breeder, be sure to check the AKCs list of reputable breeders.
For those looking to adopt, check out this link to see what adoptions are available in your area.
How Much Does a Dachshund Boxer Mix Cost?
These are relatively high-cost puppies, as they range anywhere from $1000 to $1500! That’s yet another reason to check out your local rescue shelter before going down the buying route!
Is the Dachshund Boxer Mix the Right Breed For You?
The Dachshund Boxer mix might be the right breed for you if you’re looking for a loving and loyal, outdoorsy dog with an even temperament. It’s perfect if you have a small family and a lot of land for running, or the time to take it to the dog park for outdoor exercise every day. The Dachshund Boxer is a great breed for almost anyone that can keep up with it!