Boweimar (Boxer & Weimaraner Mix) Breed Info, Pictures & Traits
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Height: | 38–42 inches |
Weight: | 70–80 pounds |
Lifespan: | 10–14 years |
Colors: | Black, brown, pied |
Suitable for: | Large properties, families with kids, active families, those looking for guard duty |
Temperament: | Friendly, Energetic, Obedient, Anxious, Protective, Playful |
The Boweimar is a designer dog that results from crossing a Boxer with a Weimaraner. Since this mix is not yet registered with the American Kennel Club, there isn’t a lot of consistency among Boweimars so far, but there are a few things we can say for sure by studying their parents.
Weimaraners are German gun dogs bred to seek the thrill of the chase. Boxers, meanwhile, are tough, steadfast working companions. Put them together, and you get a big, energetic, excitable, fiercely loyal dog who craves your attention over all else.
Life with a Boweimar won’t always be easy, but you’ll have plenty of adventures. Read on to learn everything you need to know about this new mix.
Boweimar Puppies
Not many breeders currently specialize in Boweimar puppies. However, Boweimars frequently turn up in shelters, where you won’t have to pay anything except for much lower adoption fees. Before looking for a breeder, check the websites of all your local shelters to see if a Boweimar has arrived.
When you bring a Boweimar home, be ready to have a friendly and energetic dog by your side. They’re an excellent choice for active families who can offer their dogs large spaces to run around to burn off their energy.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Boweimar
1. Boxers Were Bred from Two Breeds That Are Now Extinct
The Old English Bulldog and the Bullenbeisser declined after bull-baiting matches became illegal in most of Europe. Some breeders are attempting to reincarnate the Old English Bulldog using the few remaining samples of their DNA.
2. Weimaraners Can Find Anything
These short-haired hunters are best known as the preferred hounds of German lords, but their pointing and tracking abilities have been prized all over the world. During the Cold War, when weapons engineers tested missiles, they would send Weimaraners out to gather the exploded parts for later study.
3. Boweimars Are Well-Known Barkers
Boweimars are famous for suffering unusually intense separation anxiety, a trait inherited by their Weimaraner descendants. When they can’t see their masters, Boweimars can erupt in barking frenzies, making them a poor choice if you live in an apartment.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Boweimar 🧠
The best way to examine the Boweimar is to research the parents. Weimaraners are one of the canine world’s best runners. They excel at everything to do with the hunt, from tracking and pointing to chasing and retrieving. As hunters, they have sharp minds that need to be challenged daily lest they get bored and destructive.
Boxers are in the working category and often serve as guard dogs. This makes them watchful, intelligent, brave, and highly loyal. Like Weimaraners, they have a tremendous amount of energy that needs to be burned off each day.
With traits from such illustrious parents, the Boxer Weimaraner mix will be an absolute champion for your family home. Spirited, intelligent, and supernaturally loyal, your Boweimar is ready to chase down a ball, play with your kids, and comfort you after a bad day—or do all three in the space of an hour.
The big caveat with Boweimars is that they inherit the Weimaraner’s separation anxiety. They will tell you loudly if you aren’t spending enough time with them.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡
Boweimars make excellent family dogs. It won’t take long for them to think of every family member as part of their pack. From then on, they’ll be protective, loyal, and a great playmate for the little ones. Furthermore, more people in the household means more people paying attention to them, which cuts down on separation anxiety.
However, Boweimars require a firm hand. They like to get their way and are smart enough to keep you on your toes. You’ll need to socialize them early and consistently teach them to let them know they can’t do whatever they want.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽
While Boweimars are excellent dogs for a big house full of humans, they’re not a good match for houses with cats or other small pets. Unless your Boweimar is well-trained, they won’t be able to resist the urge to chase every little furball that runs away from them.
Boweimars do much better in houses with other, similarly-sized dogs. Labs and other Retrievers, in particular, make great dog siblings. As always, meeting as puppies will significantly increase the chance that two dogs will get along.
Things to Know When Owning a Boweimar:
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Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Your Boweimar needs regular helpings of protein, fat, and fiber to stay in top shape. Seek out a large dog formula where the first five ingredients are real meat and vegetables.
A Boweimar eats about 3 cups of kibble every day. Since they’re susceptible to bloat, you can use a slow feeder to reduce the risk.
Exercise 🐕
Boweimars are high-activity dogs and need a lot of exercise; you’ll end up walking them up to 9 miles each week. You can split the miles up into 45-minute daily walks and supplement them with plenty of indoor and outdoor play with toys.
Boweimars take well to chasing and hiking. They also like training for agility and obedience competitions, where they can please their owners while burning off their energy at the same time.
Training 🦮
Training is incredibly important for a Boweimar. They can be challenging to handle, but early housebreaking and socialization training can transform a rambunctious menace into a stalwart family friend.
Focus on training your Boweimar to respect your boundaries, handle time apart from you, and keep barking to a minimum if you have neighbors. Until they’re fully socialized, keep them on a leash around strangers and young children.
Grooming ✂️
Boweimars have short, low-maintenance coats that shed only rarely. Brushing them once a week and bathing them once every month or so is sufficient to keep them comfortable. Note that despite their low-dander coat, a Boweimar is not hypoallergenic, so don’t bring one into a household with allergy sufferers.
Infections can occasionally occur on your Boweimar’s eyes, ears, nails, and teeth. To prevent this, clean their teeth with a toothbrush, and their ears with a damp cotton ball. Keep their nails properly trimmed, and if any discharges start leaking from your Boweimar’s eyes, contact your vet to ask about antibiotic treatments.
Health and Conditions ❤️
- Hip dysplasia
A malformed hip joint that can cause your dog pain over time.
- Cherry eye
A prolapsed eyelid results in a painful red lump in your dog’s eye.
- Epilepsy
Boweimars are infrequently prone to seizures.
- Cushing’s syndrome
Fatty deposits around the face are caused by overactive hormone glands.
- Bloat
As a common malady in large, deep-chested dogs, bloat occurs when stomach gases cause the stomach to twist into a knot. This is potentially fatal. The best way to prevent it is to use a slow-feeding bowl to ensure your Boweimar does not ingest their food too quickly.
- Cancer
Both Weimaraners and Boxers have an increased risk of certain kinds of tumors, a danger inherited by the Boweimar. Since some cancers can be removed from dogs if caught early, it’s vitally important that you take the early warning signs seriously. Take your Boweimar to the vet if you notice any unusual growths or if they suddenly lose their appetite or become lethargic.
- Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is another condition that occurs more often in big dogs. It refers to a deficiency of the heart muscles that prevents oxygenated blood from reaching every part of the body. It’s believed that diet plays a role, so if you’re concerned about your Boweimar suffering from cardiomyopathy, ask your vet about a medical diet for the pup.
Male vs Female
Boweimars are a non-standardized breed. Their shapes, sizes, and behaviors fluctuate so much that male/female Boweimar differences are tiny by comparison. You can learn more about a Boweimar by meeting their parents and seeing who they take after more than you can from their sex.
Final Thoughts
The Boweimar is an exceptional breed. Few other dogs have the courage, intelligence, and tenacious loyalty of these hardy pups. However, you’re not very likely to develop a rewarding relationship with a Boweimar if you just sit around on the couch all day or go off all night and leave them alone.
Your Boweimar needs to be with you, and they’re smart and stubborn enough to cause mischief that teaches you not to leave them alone. Patience and love are vital in bringing a Boweimar into your home. We can’t wait for you to start your adventure with one of these unique, majestic, huge-hearted dogs.
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