Box-a-Shar (Boxer & Shar Pei Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

Getting a new canine companion can be so exciting! But you have so many options that finding a dog that can mix with your lifestyle can be a bit of a challenge. Whether you have seen a Box-a-Shar mix at a shelter or someone had an accidental litter of puppies they’re trying to rehome, you probably want to learn all you can about their overall care needs and personality.

Here, we’re going to give you a pretty good rundown on what you can expect when you own this mixed breed.

Breed Overview

The Boxer is a medium to large size, brachycephalic dog that is a favorite of many canine lovers. The Shar Pei is a less common, but equally adorable dog with some unique care requirements.

When you put these two dogs together, you’re going to get a fiercely loyal companion, with a strong desire to protect and defend their family. In this article, we’re going to go over the good and the bad potential outcomes for the breed.

Box-a-Shar Characteristics

Box-a-Shar Puppies

The Box-a-Shar puppy is essentially a mixed breed, though some call them hybrids. If you find a Box-a-Shar, you have likely stumbled upon an accidental litter or rescue dog. There is no standard for this hybrid breed, and anyone who is breeding these dogs strictly for profit should be avoided at all costs.

These puppies might be small at first, but they grow quickly into a medium to large size dog. Often, a whole grown Boxer Shar Pei mix will be unsuitable for apartments with certain weight restrictions.

It’s always best to know exactly how large the puppy will get to make sure that it won’t interfere with your ability to own them as adults. If you are getting this puppy from a private seller, it is important to know any vet care or socialization that has been done up to the point of purchase.

To get a well-rounded dog, it is best that they have already started socialization, and it’s always a good thing if they have been vet checked. However, if they haven’t, it’s something you’ll need to do as soon as you get your puppy anyway. Take them to the vet of your choice and let your vet get to know the individual dog.

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Box-a-Shar

If there’s one thing we can be certain of, the Boxer Shar Pei mix should make a very intelligent dog. Both parents have a moderate to high amount of intelligence if we’re comparing it to other breeds. They should be capable of learning basic commands and concepts with ease.

Since both of these breeds can be a little territorial without proper socialization, it is important that you teach them discernment when judging newcomers and situations. Since these dogs are typically highly receptive to their owner’s guidance, it should not be much of a problem if you start training early.

However, the concept of taking the alpha role can happen with any dog. You don’t want that. You want to assert yourself as the dominant party so your dog knows to follow your commands and won’t distrust your decision making skills.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

The Box-a-Shar might be a little aloof or unsure about strangers. On the other hand, you might get a dog that loves everybody and everything. It really depends on the individual dog ultimately. Boxers can be very people friendly, but they can also have reservations. Shar Peis are notoriously unsure about new situations and faces.

Because of that, it’s best to start socializing your dog as soon as you get them. Take them for car rides and to family barbecues, and to the park, on walks, and on vacations. Expose them to a lot of stimuli when they are younger, so they aren’t phased by it much after they reach sexual maturity. If your dog isn’t familiar with the big world out there, they can become suspicious and unsure, leading to potential aggression or other unsavory behaviors.

Since both of these dogs are fiercely loyal, they take it upon themselves to guard and watch the household. If they feel like someone is an intruder, it can cause some friction, leading you to put your dog in another room or kennel when you have people over. If that is something that you want, you can easily allow it to happen. But often people find that they would like to have control over their dogs’ impulses.

These dogs can do particularly well with children when they are raised together. However, because children can be rambunctious and loud, it can interfere with your dog’s comfort level, making them unsuitable to be around children due to unpredictability.

If you are committed to training and guiding your dog, you can end up with a well-rounded animal with impeccable judgment. However, they can also be problematic and hard to handle for certain individuals. We recommend this breed combination to experienced dog owners, who either have a training plan or experience with training.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

The Shar Pei Boxer mix will likely do pretty well with other canines if they are raised alongside them. While less common, the same can be true for house cats. However, this breed combination can make for a territorial animal, or one with a high prey drive.

So, if you have existing pets, expose them as much as possible while they’re young. This breed might never be compatible with poultry and other small farm animals. The best thing you can do is use your discretion.

If you have future plans of having your very own mini farm one day or already have quite the collection of animals going on, you need to be ready to train your pet formally, or put measures in place that will keep your flocks safe in the presence of this breed.

Things to Know When Owning a Box-a-Shar

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Giving your dog the appropriate diet is incredibly important. Keep in mind that this breed will be a decent size as an adult and requires the proper nutrition during their puppy stages. You should buy a high-quality, protein-rich puppy chow throughout their growing months.

Once they reach adulthood, you can choose the diet that works best for your pup. While dry kibble and wet canned food are still viable options, many pet parents are selecting more species-specific fresh foods for their dog.

Ultimately, your dog should eat what works best in their system. Some Box-a-Shars with allergies or sensitivities may need specialized diets.

Exercise 🐕

The Box-a-Shar needs a moderate amount of exercise. They are certainly the kind of dog that is going to want to cuddle up with you for relaxation, but they want to burn off their steam, too. You will need to make sure you provide an adequate amount of exercise for your pal.

These dogs will likely enjoy games and activities of all kinds. Explore new toys and games to see what your dog responds to best. Also, these dogs work best with frequent trips outside, so a large fenced-in yard works very well.

Training 🎾

These dogs are incredibly smart and capable of learning various types of training. In fact, basic command and obedience training is recommended with this breed combo.

But training your Box-a-Shar might be a challenge. The parent breeds are known for being a little complicated and often have some power-struggle potential. While they are absolutely devoted to their family, they can be hard to handle with any inexperience.

If you find you have trouble training your pup to your satisfaction, you can always call a professional. These folks have prime experience in behavioral issues in dogs and would be happy to walk you through a plan that fits the special needs of your particular animal.

Regardless of the methods you select during training, one thing is for certain. The success of training comes down to the bond you have between you and your Shar-Pei. In this situation, it certainly takes two.

Grooming ✂️

Both the Boxer and the Shar Pei have relatively short coats, but they do shed year-round. Their hair should be dense and soft, but in some cases it can be sleek like a Boxer’s. It is relatively easy to maintain though it might get trapped on your fabrics and clothing.

These dogs will require frequent grooming as they will have lots of skin folds that can trap dander and debris. It is a good idea to brush your dog once a day to keep their coat shiny and healthy. Like all other dogs, these pups should take a full body bath once every 4 to 6 weeks with fragrance-free shampoo. After baths, you should follow up with tooth brushing, nail trims, and ear cleanings.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Boxers and Shar Peis have moderate health. They can have a number of health conditions due to poor breeding and other genetic factors, but they can also be quite healthy. Ultimately, it depends on the individual Box-a-Shar and their parents.

To stay ahead of any developing health issues, it’s best to get your Boxer Shar-Pei mix to the vet promptly. They should get to know their vet very well in the first year, going in for parasite prevention, vaccinations, growth, monitoring, and spay and neuter surgery. Afterward, they will need annual checkups, or more, depending on their overall health.

Here are a few health conditions that might plague the breed.

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Male vs Female

Because there is a little bit of a size difference between a Shar Pei and a Boxer, you will not be able to base the dog’s sex on their size. They are capable of ranging between 35 and 80 pounds regardless of being a boy or girl.

While personality is very individual but usually not too different based on sex, there can be issues with same-sex dog aggression. This seems to be a little more prominent in females.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Box-a-Shar

1. The parent breeds are from different continents.

The wrinkly Shar Pei hails from China, while the Boxer comes from Germany. Each of them has a quite different history. The Shar Pei was bred for guarding livestock and protecting the royal family. Boxers, on the other hand, were developed for bull baiting.

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2. A Shar Pei’s wrinkles serve a purpose.

The Shar Pei was carefully designed. Their wrinkles served as a sort of armor, filling a potential predator’s mouth with loose skin while protecting their vital organs.

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3. Boxers are brachycephalic.

Boxers have unique faces—those smooshed jowls we love so much! They are brachycephalic, meaning they have a short snout and protruding eyes. While it can sometimes affect breathing, it is a trait of many adorable dogs, like the Pug, Shih Tzu, and Pekingese.

Final Thoughts

So, what do you think about the Box-a-Shar? Do you think this dog could fit into your life? They are certainly beautiful and have the potential to make magnificent companion animals. While they might require a firm hand during training, they can grasp almost any concept with enough effort.

What was your favorite thing about this hybrid dog breed?

See Also:

• Great Wolfhound (Great Pyrenees & Irish Wolfhound Mix)
• English Boston-Bulldog (English Bulldog & Boston Terrier Mix)

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Featured Image Credit: Mary Swift, Shutterstock