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

The Box-a-Shar, also known as the Boxpei, is a designer dog that is the result of cross-breeding a purebred Boxer with a purebred Chinese Shar-Pei. The Box-a-Shar is a relatively new breed, having only been developed in the United States in the early 2000s.

Box-a-Shars are large, strong dogs that can weigh up to 65 pounds and stand 18-24 inches high at the shoulders. Yet despite their size, they are gentle and loving dogs that make great family pets and are excellent with children of all ages.

Box-a-Shar Puppies

The Box-a-Shar is not one of the most common designer dog breeds, and finding a breeder with puppies for sale can sometimes be challenging. Be ready to be put on a waiting list and do your research when looking for a reputable breeder. Be wary of breeders who offer low prices as this can mean you are dealing with puppy mills or backyard breeders. You can also find these dogs through online community groups and social media.

These rare dogs tend to be loyal and affectionate pups. They’re a great fit for families who can offer this dog plenty of space to run around in to burn off all of their energy.

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

1. The Box-a-Shar is quite a good watchdog.

Despite their loving and friendly personalities, Box-a-Shars are protective dogs that will bark to alert their owners in the event of any threat.

While their bark is generally worse than their bite, the size and general appearance of the Box-a-Shar may be enough to make anybody who is considering breaking into your house or yard think again.

2. Box-a-Shars parents are both working dogs.

Both the Boxer and Chinese Shar-Pei were originally bred as working dogs. As a result, the Box-a-Shar is an active dog that needs plenty of daily exercise and mental stimulation.

In the case of the boxer, these dogs were initially used as military messenger dogs, pack carriers, and guard dogs. In contrast, the Chinese Shar-Pei has a long history of herding and guarding livestock in Southern China.

3. Despite their size, Box-a-Shars can live happily in apartments.

There are not many large dogs that are suited to apartment living, but the Box-a-Shar is. Provided that they are taken out for a good long walk each day, Box-a-Shars are happy to spend their time indoors with their owners.

They do not, however, like to be left alone for long periods, and left to their own devices, they can become quite destructive or develop a barking habit.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Box-a-Shar 🧠

The Shar Pei Boxer mix is a reasonably intelligent dog that is usually eager to please. Because of this, they are generally easy to train and will happily go along with any training activity that involves spending time with their owner.

The Box-a-Shar is a big softy at heart. They are loving and loyal dogs that love spending time with their families and will happily curl up at your feet, run around the yard with your kids, and trot along with you while you take your daily run.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Box-a-Shars are excellent family dogs. They are extremely patient dogs and are capable of putting up with a little poking and prodding from young kids and a bit of rough play with older members of the family. When a Box-a-Shar has had enough, they are far more likely to simply move away and find somewhere else to lay down and snooze than to get snappy or aggressive.

Of course, no dog should ever be left alone with small children, but in the case of the Box-a-Shar, you at least know that you won’t have to be watching them closely every time they’re around your kids.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Box-a-Shar is generally okay with other pets. They make friends easily, and it is more likely that you’ll find your cat curled up asleep next to your Box-a-Shar than you will find them chasing each other about the house.

As with all dogs, however, the best way to avoid any problems is to get them as puppies at the same time as your other pets and allow them to all grow up together.

Things to Know When Owning a Box-a-Shar

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Being a large dog, it is a given that a Box-a-Shar will need to eat quite a large amount of food. The exact amount will vary and depend upon a few different things, including the type of dog food that you buy, your dog’s age, and their activity level. To make this calculation easier, all dog foods produced and sold in the United States have a feeding guide on the packaging that will allow you to see just how much food your dog needs.

Of course, some dog foods are better than others, and we strongly recommend that you look for a premium quality dog food that’s been specifically formulated for large dogs. You will also find that most premium brands offer a variety of age-specific products that will ensure that your pet gets the right balance of vitamins and minerals that they need to live a happy and healthy life.

Exercise 🐕

The Box-a-Shar is quite an active dog and needs to get a moderate amount of exercise each day. Typically, a nice long walk around the neighborhood or a run in the park is enough for them. However, in practice, you’ll likely find that your dog will model their activity levels on your own. If you are extremely active, your Box-a-Shar will quite happily exercise with you. Conversely, if you lead a more sedentary lifestyle, they’ll also be content spending more time curled up inside.

Of course, you should remember that just as exercise is important for good human health, it is also an important part of keeping your dog fit and healthy, which means that a dog that exercises more frequently is likely to stay healthy longer than one who gets less regular exercise.

Training 🦮

Box-a-Shars are intelligent dogs that like to please their owners, and as such, they are usually relatively easy to train. They respond well to praise and encouragement, and it’s essential that you reward positive behaviors and maintain your patience with them when they don’t quite get things right.

Punishing or scolding a Box-a-Shar is likely to be counterproductive and may just cause them to withdraw from the task or activity that you’re trying to teach them. Also, these dogs can occasionally become a little stubborn, and as frustrating as that is, the best way to move past this may be to change up what it is you are doing and try to turn the activity into a game for your dog.

Grooming ✂️

Despite their short coats, Box-a-Shars needs a moderate amount of grooming to keep them looking their best. Ideally, you should brush them at least once or twice a week to remove any loose hair from their coat. When it comes to bathing, it is best to limit their baths to when they need it. For the most part, any dirt that they pick up will fall off their coat, but when a bath is required, you must use an approved dog shampoo because human shampoo can strip the oil from their hair and cause your pet’s skin to dry out.

Box-a-Shars should also have their teeth brushed once or twice a week with a canine toothpaste, their ears checked for obstructions regularly, and their nails clipped every other month to prevent them from growing too long and breaking.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Box-a-Shars are typically healthy dogs; however, like most dogs, they can be susceptible to several health conditions. With hybrid breeds, it is difficult to say with any certainty whether conditions that typically affect one of their parent breeds will be passed on to your puppy, but unless you have veterinary advice to the contrary, it is always best to assume that they can.

Careful and selective breeding practices can reduce the impact of many hereditary health problems. For this reason, you should always purchase a puppy from a reputable breeder. You can also lessen the risk by asking to see any health clearances that your breeder has for your puppy’s parents.

The conditions to which the Box-a-Shar is susceptible include:

Male vs. Female

Unless you have a particular preference, selecting a Box-a-Shar puppy based on their gender is not the best way to ensure that you get the dog that is right for you and your family. Male Box-a-Shars do tend to be larger and stronger than female Box-a-Shars, and females can be a little more territorial than males, but the difference in temperament between the sexes, particularly if they are spayed or neutered, is usually quite minor.

A much better way to choose your dog is to identify the particular traits and temperament that will suit your lifestyle and then pick a puppy best matches your needs. In this regard, when it comes to identifying the different personality traits of the dogs in the litter, your breeder is best placed to help you choose the right puppy.

Final Thoughts

As the popularity of the Box-a-Shar is growing, they are still quite rare dogs, and it can be difficult to find them. However, tracking down a breeder and checking out their puppies is worth the effort, as they make exceptionally loving, gentle, and affectionate pets and companions.

See also:

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

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Featured Image : Left: larstuchel, Shutterstock; Right: Liliya Kulianionak, Shutterstock