Boxer Vizsla Mix: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits
Updated on
The Boxer Vizsla Mix, also known as the Bozsla, is a cross between the comical Boxer and the Vizsla. Both dogs are hunting dogs, and the mix has similar instincts. They are fun and energetic dogs and are great with adults and children, making them ideal for families.
Bozslas are loyal, loving, and affectionate with family and will shower everyone in the family with affection. These dogs began to appear in the US after the introduction of the Vizsla after World War 2. To learn more about this gorgeous dog mix, read our guide below.
| Height: | 21–25 inches |
| Weight: | 45–70 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10–14 years |
| Colors: | Red, black, fawn, brindle, or white |
| Suitable for: | Active families, those looking for a low-shedding dog |
| Temperament: | Loyal & loving, intelligent, easy to train, energetic, gentle, friendly, gets along with other pets |
It’s tough to predict the exact appearance of a Boxer Vizsla mix since it can resemble one parent or both. However, the mix will inherit some physical characteristics from both parents. They typically have long ears and soft, cute faces. Maintenance is usually easy since they don’t shed a lot.
Boxer Vizsla Mix Breed Characteristics
Boxer Vizsla Mix Puppies
Boxer Vizsla mix puppies are rare, so you might have to start your search months in advance if you are set on acquiring one. You can get a Boxer Vizsla puppy from a breeder or through adoption—if you are set on a breeder, ensure you purchase from a reputable one. You can expect to get a puppy for about $1,000. The breeder should be willing to show you the health certificates of both parents and let you see and interact with the parents to judge their physical health and temperament. The puppies should be vaccinated against common canine conditions and have a vaccination certificate.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Boxer Vizsla Mix
The Boxer Vizsla mix was initially bred as a hunting dog, and they have powerful instincts. They also make excellent guard dogs since they are aloof toward strangers. Boxer Vizsla mixes are not aggressive and don’t bark excessively—they will only bark under certain circumstances.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
Bozslas are very affectionate, and they enjoy spending time with their families. They are child-friendly, and with the proper training, they can live under the same roof as young children without incident. Whether you get them as puppies or adults, they’ll follow family members from room to room and like being cuddled by their owners. However, socialization is required, preferably when they are puppies, especially in homes with children.
Boxer Vizsla mixes are suitable for first-dog owners as long as they are active and can give the dog the required exercise. However, they can suffer separation anxiety when left alone for more than a few hours. If you won’t be around for a few hours every day, consider getting a dog sitter.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
With proper training and socialization, this dog mix can get along well with other dogs. However, if they take after the Boxer parent, they may not get along well with larger dog breeds of the same sex. Bozslas can get along with cats, especially if they are raised together and socialized when they are both young.
However, this dog breed does not get along with other small pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, and birds. They have a strong prey drive, and their instinct can take over when the small pets take flight.
Things to Know When Owning a Boxer Vizsla Mix:
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Bozslas are highly active and need to eat high-quality meals to keep them healthy. You can feed them wet or dry food so long as it has a high amount of protein and nutrients. Obesity puts additional stress on their heart and joints, so it’s crucial to control their calorie intake and ensure it matches the amount of daily activity. Keeping them at the ideal body weight can improve their chances of good health.
To prevent health issues and ensure a healthy coat, supplement their diet with probiotics and oils with omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 promotes cardiac health and helps ward off joint issues. Also, ensure they have access to clean, fresh water to prevent them from getting dehydrated, mainly when you feed them dry food. If you are unsure of the diet requirements, consult a vet who will instruct you on the amount of food to give them, depending on their age, size, and activity levels.
Exercise 🐕
With their lively personality and high energy levels, Bozslas enjoy spending their time outdoors. They have a lot of energy to burn off and require a lot of physical activity; otherwise, they can become quite destructive. Although they love going on walks, they need at least an hour of strenuous physical activity daily to remain fit and happy.
If you have a fenced backyard, you can let them run around. When taking them out for walks, they may display a high prey drive and, therefore, must be kept on a leash at all times. They also enjoy playing with interactive toys because they stimulate them mentally and physically. Puppies, on the other hand, should only exercise for short periods to avoid injuries and getting over-exerted.
Training 🎾
Training and socializing your Boxer Vizsla mix at a young age is crucial to making them familiar and comfortable with specific situations. Bozslas are easy to train since they are more adept at quickly forming an association between a prompt or command and consequences. Since they were initially bred for hunting, they are intelligent and can concentrate for long periods.
However, you must be patient and avoid using harsh methods when training them. The best method to use is positive reinforcement using treats or positive affirmations. Also, keep training sessions short to ensure they enjoy them.
Since Bozslas are active dogs and love running and hiking, you need to ensure they can obey recall commands. This can also come in handy when they get into an altercation with another dog.
Grooming ✂️
Boxer Vizsla mixes enjoy cleaning themselves, so they hardly need to be bathed. However, you should still brush them often to reduce shedding and prevent the fur from matting. Bathing them too often can lead to dry skin and itching, especially when the shampoo used is not dog-friendly.
You should also take them to the groomer often to check their nails for cracks and breaks and get their ears cleaned. If you can hear the nails clicking on the floor, they are too long. Trimmed nails keep the feet in excellent condition and prevent infections. Start examining your puppy’s paws when they are still young to make them less touchy about their feet and make grooming much easier in the future.
Health Conditions 🏥
The Boxer Vizsla mix is a relatively healthy dog breed, and several conditions can be prevented through careful gene selection. However, certain conditions can still affect them. Typically, these health conditions affect both parent breeds. You need to take them to the vet for regular checkups to catch some of these conditions before they become severe.
- Eye Issues
- Allergies
- Hip Dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Hypothyroidism
Serious Conditions:
These conditions can be deadly if they go unchecked. When getting a puppy from a breeder, ensure they use genetic testing on both parents to ensure they are healthy.
- Hip Dysplasia: This is a heritable condition in which the thighbones don’t fit comfortably into the hip joint. Some dogs with this condition show lameness in one or both rear legs; you may not notice any signs of this condition until it’s too late. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred since this condition can be passed down to the offspring.
- Epilepsy: Epilepsy causes seizures in Bozslas which can be fatal if they happen in an uncontrolled environment. Unfortunately, this condition can be managed with medication but cannot be cured. However, they can still live a healthy life with proper management.
- Hypothyroidism: This condition develops when the thyroid gland produces fewer hormones. One of the significant effects of the disease is infertility. Some other signs include mental dullness, obesity, low energy levels, and drooping eyelids. The dog’s fur might also become brittle and fall out, leaving the skin tough and dark. It can be treated with daily medication, which must continue throughout the dog’s life.
Minor Conditions:
- Eye Issues: Bozslas can get eye issues that cause their eyes to become red, watery, and inflamed. If you notice your pet having any of these symptoms, you must take them to the vet for a full evaluation. Some more serious eye diseases include glaucoma and retinal diseases that can cause blindness if untreated.
- Allergies: Allergies may be caused by several factors, including the environment and the type of products you use on your dog. If the allergies are genetic, there is little you can do about it apart from seeking medical attention for your dog. The typical treatment for dogs with skin allergies and itchiness is oral histamines and topical shampoo therapy.
Male vs. Female
Some characteristics and physical attributes differ between genders. Males are usually larger and heavier than females, with a blockier head and a more athletic and muscular body. Females, on the other hand, are usually leaner than their male counterparts.
Males also tend to mature slower than females, and they can stay puppy-like even after the 2-year mark. However, both genders portray the same level of intelligence in adulthood, are easy to train, and do well with positive reinforcement. No matter the gender you choose, they will make a loving, loyal companion.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Boxer Vizsla Mix
1. They are sometimes born with blue eyes
Bozslas are born with the hazy blue color of their Vizsla parent, which is captivating against their red fur coat. The blue color fades to a golden brown color as they age.
2. They are not hypoallergenic
Boxer Vizsla mixes are not hypoallergenic, although their shedding is minimal and manageable.
3. They are prone to some genetic health issues
Boxers and Vizslas suffer from several genetic health issues, and they can pass them on to their mixed offspring. The best way to avoid this is by preventing dogs with genetic health issues from breeding.
Final Thoughts
Bozslas are excellent pets to have, whether alone or with a large family. They get along well with children and the elderly and can be socialized to get along with other pets. The more affectionate the family, the better, since this dog breed does not like being left alone. They are also ideal pets if you enjoy physical exercise.
However, due to their high energy levels and the amount of exercise they require, they are not suitable for apartment living.
See Also:
- Vizsla Husky Mix Dog Breed Info: Pictures, Temperament & Traits
- GSP Vizsla Mix: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits
Featured Image Credit:
