Sometimes, when considering adding a new canine companion to the family, you want to find a breed that’s just a bit out of the ordinary. If that’s what you’re looking for, look no further than the American Foxhound Boxer. This designer canine breed is on the newer side and quite rare, but they’re a fun, good-natured pup who loves to play. However, they can also be a bit stubborn at times, so they aren’t the best for first-time dog owners.
Want to find out if this is the right breed for you and your family? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about these adorable and energetic canines!
Breed Overview
Height:
21–28 inches
Weight:
45–80 pounds
Lifespan:
10–14 years
Colors:
White, black, tan, brown, brindle, red, fawn, and combinations of these
Suitable for:
Active families with older children, those who enjoy being outdoors, experienced dog owners
Temperament:
High-energy, playful, friendly
The American Foxhound Boxer is a mixed breed bred from a combination of the American Foxhound and the Boxer. As such, these pups offer a delightful mix of traits inherited from their parent breeds, including friendliness, playfulness, and intelligence. Overall, this dog is a fun addition to the family!
American Foxhound Boxer Characteristics
Energy
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High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability
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Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
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Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Lifespan
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Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Sociability
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Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.
This mixed breed is relatively rare, so chances are good you’ll need to use a breeder to get an American Foxhound Boxer puppy. Whenever going through a breeder, you should always ensure that you’re using a reputable one. You can do this by asking questions about how puppies are raised until they’re adopted, what kinds of health testing have been done, and viewing where puppies are kept, ensuring the area is clean.
There is a slight chance you could find one of these dogs at a shelter, as mixed breeds show up at shelters all the time. They may not be labeled as an American Foxhound Boxer, though, so you’ll need to take a good look at any available dogs to see if one is this breed.
When it comes to personality, these pups will be a mix of their parent breeds, and their personality will depend somewhat on which parent they take after the most. All American Foxhound Boxer puppies will be active and ready to play, though!
American Foxhound Boxer Origin & History
The American Foxhound Boxer is such a new mixed breed that it’s unclear how they originated, and they don’t have much of a history yet. However, we do know about the origins and history of their parent breeds.
The American Foxhound is one of the oldest U.S. breeds and was originated, in part, by George Washington. Washington (and others) bred English and French hounds to create a hound perfect for fox-hunting parties. Later, during the post-colonial era, these canines were further bred to produce the American Foxhound known today. These pups are, of course, hunting dogs and require an extremely active lifestyle.
The Boxer’s ancestors go as far back as 2500 B.C., but the Boxer we know today didn’t truly develop until the late 1800s. The canines who became today’s Boxer have roots in Germany, where the breed was used as hunters and guard dogs. The Boxer of today is most often found as a loving, playful pet.
Image Credit: Left- Olga Aniven, Shutterstock | Right – Sue Thatcher, Shutterstock
Temperament & Intelligence of the American Foxhound Boxer
The American Foxhound Boxer gets their temperament from their parent breeds, so these pups will have traits of both the American Foxhound and the Boxer. Overall, these dogs are friendly, loving, good-natured, and highly active. Their friendliness mostly extends to those they know and love, though, so early socialization is vital for the breed; without it, they may become a touch overprotective of their families.
They’ll form strong bonds with their families and mostly be eager to please. This eagerness to please might not always extend to training, though, as these are intelligent pups who can be stubborn and ready to do things their own way. However, for the most part, these dogs will be happy to go with the flow and be a part of family life!
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🧑🧑🧒
Due to their good-naturedness and playfulness, these pups can make fantastic family pets. However, due to their size, they will do better with older children. As energetic and playful as this mixed breed is, there’s a risk they could accidentally knock over a small child if playtime gets out of control. These dogs will also do better with families who are on the active side; without enough activity in their lives, American Foxhound Boxers could turn to destructive outlets for entertainment.
This breed can get along well with other canines, especially if they’ve been properly socialized from a young age. However, due to their high prey drive, they will not be suitable for households with smaller pets, such as cats, hamsters, rats, etc. Both parent breeds of this mix were hunters, so the hunting instinct is strong in the American Foxhound Boxer!
Things to Know When Owning an American Foxhound Boxer
There are plenty more things you should know about the American Foxhound Boxer before adopting one, like how much grooming and exercise they need. Here’s everything you need to know!
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
All dogs need to eat high-quality food rich in protein, but this particular breed should be fed one that is just a bit higher in protein than most to keep up with their high-energy needs. Feeding your American Foxhound Boxer a high-protein dog food designed for larger breeds should give them all the protein, minerals, and vitamins they need. Speak with your vet about how much to feed your pet each day, as this will vary by dog due to factors such as age, activity level, and metabolism.
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The American Foxhound Boxer is a high-energy dog who enjoys being active, so you’re looking at around an hour of exercise a day for this breed. Long walks will please them greatly, as they prefer going for rambles rather than runs. Hiking will also be excellent exercise for these canines. Playtime is a must for this breed, too. Games such as tug-of-war or fetch will be ideal for this breed.
You’ll know if your pet isn’t getting enough exercise and activity each day, as this breed will often seek destructive outlets when bored.
We’ve already said that this breed is intelligent but also occasionally strong-willed. As such, they can be a challenge to handle during training, which is why they aren’t recommended for novice dog owners. While this breed will likely enjoy training, they may sometimes want to do things their own way, which can lead to clashes. For the best results, stick to a consistent training schedule with short training sessions and plenty of treats and praise (be prepared to call in a professional if needed, though!).
One thing in particular you will likely have to train your American Foxhound Boxer on is not barking, as these dogs can be quite vocal at times.
Grooming the American Foxhound Boxer is relatively simple. Because they have short coats, this mixed breed only needs to be brushed once a week with a mitt or soft brush to keep their coat looking healthy. They should only require baths when they’re truly dirty, which makes things easier, too. You can also use pet-friendly wipes to give them a quick clean. Other than that, be sure to brush your American Foxhound Boxer’s teeth regularly and trim their nails when needed!
Health and Conditions 🏥
This dog breed is new enough that we don’t yet know all the health issues they might face. However, they could inherit a few conditions from their parent breeds.
As far as personality goes, male and female American Foxhound Boxers should have very similar personalities, though there will be minute variables in temperament according to which parent breed they take after the most. Other than that, males will likely be larger and heavier than females of this breed.
3 Little-Known Facts About the American Foxhound Boxer
1. The American Foxhound Boxer can suffer from separation anxiety.
These pups may be independent, but they don’t enjoy being on their own. If this breed is left for more than a couple of hours at a time, they can suffer from separation anxiety. So, those with someone at home most of the time will do better with these pups.
2. Boxers are among the top 10 most popular dog breeds in the U.S.
Boxers are an incredibly popular dog breed in America, so it’s no surprise that they are used to create many other designer dog breeds. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), this breed is on the top ten list of most popular pups in the States!
3. The American Foxhound is the official state dog of Virginia.
Because the American Foxhound is so connected to well-known Virginians like George Washington, this pup was officially made the state dog in 1966.
Final Thoughts
The American Foxhound Boxer is a fairly new and rare mixed breed, but because the breed is bred from two very popular canine breeds, these designer doggies will likely continue to grow in popularity. So, if you’ve been looking for a playful, energetic, and friendly dog to add to your family, consider this one. Just be aware that this breed can be a bit of a handful at times (particularly during training) and needs plenty of daily activity; if you can handle that, though, you’ll have a new best friend!
Misty Layne lives out in the woods in small-town Alabama with her two Siamese - Serafina & Jasper. She also has an array of stray cats, raccoons, and opossums who like to call her front porch home. When she’s not writing about animals, you’ll find her writing poetry, stories, and film reviews (the animals are, by far, her favorite writing topic, though!). In her free time, Misty enjoys chilling with her cats, playing piano, watching indie and foreign films, photographing abandoned places, and catching up on her never-ending TBR list.
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