Boxer Jack Russell Terrier Mix: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits

At shelters and with certain hybrid dog breeds, you will see two purebreds create a litter of adorable pups. While this is frowned upon in many cases, these cute pups still need loving forever homes. If a Boxer Jack Russell Terrier mix caught your attention, we have all the information of what you can expect.

The Boxer and Jack Russell are both very different dogs in terms of appearance, size, and personality. So, there can be a few different outcomes when you combine them. Let’s get to know the possibilities a little better. Is the Boxer Jack Russell a match for your home?

Breed Overview

The Boxer Jack Russell mix paves the path for many outcomes. You could wind up with a very active, hard-to-train dog with poor manners (until properly trained, of course). Or, you could wind up with a peppy, affectionate dog that is easy to manage. It’s tough to tell.

So, we will discuss the spectrum of potentials so you won’t have any false expectations about the pups.

Boxer Jack Russell Terrier Characteristics

Boxer Jack Russell Puppies

If you located a litter of Boxer Jack Russell pups, it was likely an accidental litter between two purebreds. They may have wound up in a shelter or for sale on a local selling wall. If you have the privilege of potentially getting one of these cuties, there are some things you should know.

These puppies are likely to be highly energetic, potentially destructive, and sometimes difficult to train. Jack Russells are notoriously hard to train, having trouble in specific areas like potty training and obedience.

Boxers can also have their share of bad habits—like excessive chewing and potential territorial issues. They also take some time to grow into their feet, so they may easily knock down toddlers and smaller kids. When you combine these traits, it’s a gamble. So, while these are sometimes avoidable, it’s best to know what you might be getting yourself into before you commit.

These puppies will require an extensive amount of exercise. You need to be prepared to spend a lot of time working on basic commands and potty training. These dogs are stubborn and challenge you occasionally, so it’s important to be consistent and patient.

These dogs love to be part of everything, so they will love every moment spent with people and other pets.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Boxer Jack Rusell Mix

The Boxer Jack Russell mix is often too smart for its own good. This combination can lend to a very brilliant litter of puppies. However, both parent breeds are known to be a little stubborn, which might be challenging for novice owners.

Getting appropriate training early on is very crucial to the overall experience you will have with your dog. It is important to correct any poor behaviors that might arise with efficiency and timeliness.

If properly trained, these dogs can make incredible companion animals and are capable of learning a variety of tasks. As far as personality, these dogs can be anywhere between the two parent breeds. It will completely depend on the individual puppy.

And don’t let appearances fool you. If the puppy looks more like one breed or the other, that doesn’t necessarily mean they will have the personality traits of that parent. Jack Russells tend to be high-energy, alert dogs that live life with a glass-half-full mentality.

Boxers are goofy, assertive dogs that are incredible at guarding and protecting. When you combine these two together, there are several possibilities in the overall attitude and potential problems.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

A Boxer Jack Russell mix can make a wonderful addition to many home settings, permitting you have a compatible lifestyle. If you have a pretty nonchalant life or don’t like to be quite as active, this might not be a great choice.

Both parent breeds bond extremely well with their families. They can be fantastic playmates for children, permitting they are raised together and learn to treat one another with respect. Plus, their energy levels can be a wonderful match, resulting in lots of fun playtime. Boxers also tend to be particularly good with children. So, if you want a dog that will acclimate into your growing family, this can be an exceptional choice, as long as they have the proper socialization.

Both of these dogs can be a little iffy about strangers. The Jack Russell tends to be a high barker, even sometimes to the point of being overly vocal. However, the Jack Russell tends to be pretty chipper and will warm up to people and other animals once they get used to them. Boxers, on the other hand, can have very serious territorial aggression, particularly same-sex dog aggression. They also might be aloof or suspicious of strangers, which can cause some aggressive tendencies.

Typically, if these problems are handled early on, they are manageable later. However, some traits are simply character traits that can’t be changed. Depending on the size they will be as adults, they can make good candidates for apartment living. It might be hard to know which puppies will be smaller and which will be larger at 8 weeks. So, keep that in mind if your apartment has weight restrictions.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽 

This breed can get along very well with other pets, permitting they are adequately socialized. While every dog has a different personality and will mesh with other dogs accordingly, dogs tend to be pretty sturdy pack animals. So, if you have any other dog in the home, they will make friends eventually.

Regarding cats or smaller pets, this particular breed combination might have a high prey drive and like to chase. While they might not be as aggressive, intentionally trying to kill something, they can accidentally hurt another animal if they get too rough.

This breed combination might also have issues with same-sex dog aggression. It might be best to get the opposite sex of whatever dog you have currently, if any.

Things to Know When Owning a Boxer Jack Russell Mix

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Because these dogs will likely be highly energetic, you should always choose a dog food that can keep up with their bodily requirements. These dogs need to keep up lean muscle tone, meaning they will do best with a high protein, high-quality diet in the form of dry kibble, wet canned food, or fresh food.

As time passes, more and more pet owners are adopting the concept of fresh foods for their animals because they tend to be more species-specific and appetizing. However, dry kibble and wet canned food are still viable options and entirely up to your preference and your dog’s dietary requirements.

Always work diligently with your veterinarian to determine the best brand and texture of food to feed your pup. When they are puppies, they will require a puppy-specific diet with added ingredients like DHA or glucosamine for healthy joint and brain development.

Exercise 🐕

Both the Boxer and the Jack Russell are energetic breeds, meaning they will need a moderate amount of exercise, between an hour and an hour and 30 minutes per day. These dogs would do absolutely amazing with a fenced-in backyard where they could run and explore at their leisure.

They also require brisk walks and will love accompanying you on various adventures. Both dogs love to get out and see new things and can be quite adaptive to new situations with the right introductions. You can find lots of fun ways to interact with this breed mix.

Long trips at the park or trips to the backyard might be extremely beneficial if you’re playing games like fetch, scavenger hunting, and tug of war. You must be careful if you’re performing activities with your dog, such as running.

Boxers are brachycephalic, which means they can be predisposed to specific breathing issues. Activities that require a moderately intensive type of workout can trigger certain health issues and make it very difficult for your dog to catch their breath. So, if your dog has a flatter face, taking more after the Boxer parent, it might not be the best jogging companion.

Training 🎾

You will need to be very present during the training process. This pup can be very challenging for inexperienced owners or for folks who aren’t too assertive. Jack Russells tend to be very stubborn, intelligent, and alert.

These traits can benefit them sometimes, but it can make training difficult. It is important to assert your dominance efficiently and appropriately at a young age. It is never too early to start training a headstrong breed.

A Jack Russell can exhibit certain destructive behavioral tendencies. They often have issues with inappropriate chewing, excessive barking, and marking in the home. These can be very difficult to train out of the dog if it so happens to take after the Jack Russell parent.

Boxers can be territorial and even aggressive with strangers and other dogs. They might also have a high prey drive and chase smaller animals. Boxers tend to be more aggressive than Jack Russells, but both will chase after movements that stimulate their predatory instincts.

If you seem to have any complications with your Boxer Jack Russell puppy, you can opt for professional training. You can tailor a training regimen that works for you and your dog so that you can create a bond to formulate proper behavioral habits.

Grooming ✂️

Since the Jack Russell and Boxer both have easy-to-manage coats, grooming this hybrid breed should be no problem. While they will shed year-round, both of them have short hair that requires minimal brushing.

You should expect to spend approximately 5 minutes a day gently passing a brush over the coat to promote healthy blood flow, ensure even oil distribution, and remove debris or excess shed. Like any other breed, your Boxer Jack Russell mix will need a full body bath once every 4 to 6 weeks.

Due to the potential for allergies, it is best to buy a fragrance-free, all-natural shampoo that won’t irritate or disrupt the natural balance of the skin. You can always follow up at bath time to nail trims and toothbrushing. Remember to clean the ears!

Health and Conditions 🏥

The Boxer and Jack Russell each have certain genetic health issues that can show up in the breed. When you combine the two, you leave room for several possibilities to occur.

Because these are often accidental litters, proper genetic testing and selective breeding have usually not occurred. Therefore, when you get your pup, it is vital to keep up with routine vet visits and monitor growth and development.

If any issue pops up along the way, you and your vet can handle it as needed.

Male vs Female

Because this is a hybrid breed, it can be very difficult for you to pin down the exact differences between males and females. So, we’re going to give you an overview of each of the parent breeds so you can see how the potential sexes could vary in looks and personality.

As far as appearance goes, it won’t matter if your dog is male or female because the size difference between the Jack Russell and the Boxer are so drastic. You might have a male that is much smaller than another female in the litter.

Jack Russells have a little bit of small dog syndrome. This can affect both boys and girls, but it is more prevalent among the males. Boxers, on the other hand, have some issues with same-sex dog aggression. This is more common in females.

So when you combine the two, you can get a shake-up of any of these traits.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Boxer Jack Russell

1. Jack Russell and Boxers had very different duties.

The Jack Russell Terrier was bred in the United Kingdom and originally hunted foxes above and below ground. Boxers, on the other hand, were developed in Germany as companion and guard dogs.

---

2. This breed combo will make an excellent watchdog.

Jack Russells are highly alert, making very good watchdogs. Boxers were originally bred for companionship and guarding, making this breed combo perfect for protecting your household.

---

3. Puppies will look very different from one another.

The look and size difference between Jack Russell Terriers and Boxers is drastic. Jack Russells are tiny dogs with sturdy bodies and longer muscles. Boxers have very short muscles with a lot of wrinkles. They are much larger, getting up to 90 pounds as adults. So, puppies can be any variation between the two.

Final Thoughts

The Boxer Jack Russell mix can look and act very different from other members of the same litter. You just might not know what you’re going to get! The best way to tell is to meet with the potential dog or puppies to verify that you are OK with their energy levels and overall behavior.

If you are rescuing a dog, do all meet and greets and introduce every family member before committing. These dogs can be a fantastic addition to the right home. Does the Boxer Jack Russell mix sound like a suitable family member for you?

• See also: Schnauzer Jack Russell Terrier Mix: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits

---

Featured Image Credit: (L) Anita Peeples, Unsplash | (R) Gemma Regalado, Unsplash