Are you in search of a dog breed that resonates with your energetic, smart, and engaging character? Consider welcoming a Boxer Husky mix, commonly referred to as a “Boxsky,” into your family. This hybrid is celebrated for its vigilance and vitality, providing unwavering friendship to individuals who possess the stamina and availability to meet their requirements.
Here we take a look at the pros and cons of a Boxer Siberian Husky mix breed. A Husky Boxer mix isn’t a common hybrid dog, so there is no guarantee which traits this dog will inherit from its Boxer and Siberian Husky parent.
For this reason, each Husky Boxer mix can be somewhat different. But we’ll go over their physical characteristics, exercise requirements, temperament, health issues, and more–so you can decide if a Boxer Husky mix might be right for you.
What is A Boxer Husky Mix?
While it might be hard to predict what characteristics a Husky and Boxer mix will end up with, we could take a look at the history of Boxer Husky’s parents to get an idea of which personality traits their pup could inherit.
Developed in Germany in the late 19th century, Boxers are part of the Molosser dog group. These dog breeds came from the now-extinct Bullenbeisser, a canine descendant of Mastiff brought from Great Britain.
In 1894, three Germans decided to stabilize them and set them on exhibition at a dog show. Thus, the first Deutscher Boxer Club was established. In 1904, this club went on to publicize the first Boxer breed standard. It wasn’t until after World War II when the breed became well-known around the world. They were brought home by returning soldiers and soon became favorite dogs.
Siberian Huskies breed, on the other hand, is a descendant from the original sled dogs. It is believed that the word, “husky” originated from the nickname, “Esky,” which once used by the Eskimos and their dogs.
These breeds were previously located throughout the northern hemisphere from Siberia to Alaska, Canada, Labrador, Greenland, and Baffin Island. During the gold rush in 1908, dogs from the Anadyr River and surrounding areas were imported into Alaska to be used as sled dogs.
The first person to run in the 1925 serum to Nome using Huskies was Gunnar Kaasen. The purpose was to deliver the diphtheria serum from Nenana, more than 600 miles to Nome. This was an effort made by multiple sled dog mushers and teams.
Boxer Husky Mix Traits
Appearance
Boxer Husky mix puppies can inherit the facial structure of a boxer or a husky depending on their genetics. Their ears can also be either floppy like the boxer or pointed like a husky so the general appearance of this mixed breed is super unique. Eye color variations should also be considered. If a Boxsky pup has blue eyes, it means it’s an inherited Husky trait whereas brown eyes are a Boxer trait.
Height and Weight
The average height of a Boxer is around 21 to 25 inches. Likewise, Siberian Huskies have about 21 to 23.5 inches withers height so you can expect Husky Boxer mix puppies to be in the same range of 20-25 inches.
Weight estimations, however, will be between 35 to 70 pounds. Boxers can carry more weight at 55 to 70 pounds whereas Huskies are generally more lightweight at 35 to 60 pounds so the weight range of a boxer husky mix puppy can vary.
Coat
To help them deal with freezing temperatures, Siberian Huskies have a thicker coat, including a topcoat and undercoat. Their coat color can range from black and white to grey, copper-red, or brown. Boxers, on the contrary, are easier to distinguish from their classic short hair coat. Most of this breed is brindle or fawn-colored with a white underbelly.
So, the mix of the two coats can result in a variety of patterns and colors for your new pup. Because of this, many boxer mixes with husky can have a more adorable and unique facial patterning.
While boxer is short-haired, Siberian husky has a long coat type, meaning you can expect medium to high shedding, and your mixed breed puppy will need regular brushing.
Temperament
A Boxer mixed with Siberian Husky can inherit plenty of great characteristics from both breeds. They are famous for being intelligent, affectionate, and loyal which makes them great family pets. Since both breeds are working dogs, a husky mixed with a boxer can be very active and may require a lot of exercise.
They are highly independent, so training can take a lot of dedication and patience as well. But with their innate dog nature, a Siberian Husky Boxer mix puppy can learn to follow commands in time. Your Boxsky will probably want to play with you more every day.
Although not aggressive, they do have a predatory instinct that can be triggered if you let them roam free. Don’t be surprised if you end up chasing your pet for miles when they see another small dog or a cat as their primal nature kicks in. Huskies are described as escape artists who love to dig, jump, and chew, so it’s possible that your Boxsky can inherit this.
Benefits of a Boxer Husky Mix
Affectionate Breed
Because of their protective nature, this mixed breed is famous for being great family pets. Deriving from tribes, Huskies are used to socializing well and living in groups with both humans and other dogs. But unlike Huskies, the boxer part makes them crave affection, so you can sneak in a cuddle on the sofa with this boxer mix husky breed.
Although great family dogs, they can be quite enthusiastic at playtime. Thus, it’s advised to supervise them with small children, though, they can share tons of love as well.
Energetic
If you’re in search of a running companion that will keep you motivated on a walk or a hike, then a Boxer mix with Husky is just the dog you need. As stated, their working dog background means they will need plenty of exercise to spend all their energy.
A Boxer mixed with husky will need about 60-80 minutes of exercise. Hence, if you’re not a super active pet owner, this might not be a beneficial trait for you.
Protective Instincts
This is a trait that makes them very affectionate and a great companion to help keep you and your family secure. If trained properly, Husky boxers can watch over your home and children and can be used as guard dogs. Inherently suspicious and curious, you can trust your Boxsky to always be aware of your surroundings which is great peace of mind when no one is at home or if you are out at work all day.
Downsides of a Boxer Husky Mix
Requires a Lot of Exercise
As mentioned above already, a Husky mix with Boxer will require a lot of exercise. If you’re an active owner who can dedicate your time to exercising these dogs, then you won’t have any issues. If a Boxsky doesn’t get enough exercise, however, they can become quite the handful in your home. These energetic breeds can be hyper if you haven’t depleted all their energy.
Need for Socialization
While some dog owners may welcome the protective nature of Boxskies, it’s still necessary to give these dogs proper socialization. You don’t want an overly protective or aggressive dog that makes it impossible to have a visitor in the house.
Thus, a Boxsky puppy should be given the opportunity to learn socialization skills at an early age to help gain your chances of having a rounded and balanced dog.
Requires Training
Boxskies can be challenging to train–especially if you aren’t able to start when your Boxsky is just a puppy–due to their stubborn personality. Although their Boxer parents are known to be very obedient, their Siberian Husky parents are not. So their husky spirit in this Husky mixed with Boxer dog can take over when it comes to training.
Huskies may be working dogs and know their purpose but when it comes to training to do anything other than pulling a sled, they are more stubborn compared to other mixed breeds. Any type of dog can be well trained to listen to its owner but Boxsky pups will demand a little more patience.
Thus, the trick here is to start training them as young pups. This will make sure that your Boxsky will be given the chance to socialize with other dogs and get along with other animals.
Is a Boxer Husky Mix the Dog Breed for You?
The Boxer Husky mix has a high probability of health problems. Owners should be aware of these potential health issues and their symptoms. These include progressive retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia [1], congenital heart defect, and cataracts.
That’s why you have to make sure your Boxsky dog remains in good health through a well-balanced diet and following their exercise requirements.
This breed also requires frequent exercise, plenty of attention, and early training and socialization. But if you’re lucky, you can expect a loyal, intelligent, and loving companion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Boxer Husky Mixes Good Family Dogs?
Yes, Boxer Husky Mixes are good family dogs. This is because of their high intelligence, playfulness, energy, bright temperament, and loyalty–without worrying about any aggression. They get along with other families and children as well.
Unfortunately, a Boxer Husky mix does have some health problems that could raise some concerns. For this reason, it is advised to look for an adult breed to avoid possible health issues such as hip dysplasia.
How Long Do Boxer Husky Mixes Live?
Boxer Husky mixes have a life expectancy of nine to 15 years. A Boxer Husky mix dog does not live as long as 10-12 years, the average lifespan of its Boxer parents, and do not inherit the 12-15 years lifespan of their Husky parents either. So make sure that you take good care of your dog and they remain in tip-top condition to be with you for 9 to 15 years.
Are Boxer Husky Mixes Aggressive?
No, Boxer Husky mixes are not aggressive. Even though a Boxer and a Husky require frequent exercise and tend to lick, chew, and dig, these won’t make an aggressive dog. While their Boxer parents are energetic, bright, and playful, they also tend to be patient with families and good with children which makes this breed a family favorite.
Conclusion
To sum up, Boxskies are large, exuberant breeds that blend the physical traits and temperaments of Huskies and Boxers. Although they are not the longest-lived types of canines, a Boxer Husky mix tends to be relatively healthy. Just make sure to feed your Boxsky anything other than high-quality dog food.
And remember to look for a reputable breeder rather than puppy mills where puppies and dogs are often kept in poor condition. While these pets do demand plenty of attention and exercise, they will reward you for that dedication with loyalty and steadfast devotion.
