Box-a-Pug

20-25 lbs
14-20"
​United States
Boxer
Pug
​Poxer

The Box-a-Pug is a hybrid dog made up of a Boxer and a Pug. Depending on which parent breed is dominant, the Box-a-Pug could be small or medium sized. They are also known as Poxers and are short haired dogs who can be light brown, black or brindle. They usually have curly tails but can also have straight ones, and their muzzles are usually longer than a Pug’s and shorter than a Boxer’s. They are intelligent, lively dogs who make great companions and are good with children. They love to snuggle but can also make good watchdogs, despite their size.

purpose Purpose
​Companion
history Date of Origin
2000s
ancestry Ancestry
Boxer, Pug

Box-a-Pug Health

Average Size
Male Box-a-Pug size stats
Height: 14-22 inches Weight: 20-26 lbs
Female Box-a-Pug size stats
Height: 14-20 inches Weight: 20-25 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Bloat
  • Cancer
  • Brachycephalic Syndrome
Minor Concerns
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Problems
Occasional Diagnoses
  • PDE (Pug Dog Encephalitis)
Occasional Tests
  • X-Rays
  • Physical Examination
  • CT or MRI scan
  • Blood Work
  • Radiography

Box-a-Pug Breed History

Pugs are an ancient breed and were bred as lap dogs, and prized by Chinese Emperors. Buddhist monks also reportedly kept Pugs as pets in their monasteries while modern Pugs are descended from dogs imported to Europe from China in the 16th century. It is believed a Pug named Pompey saved the Prince of Orange’s life by warning him of assassins in 1572 leading to him becoming the House of Orange’s official dog. The breed later became popular throughout Europe and in Italy, Pugs would be dressed in matching pantaloons and jacket. Besides being companion dogs, they were also used as military trackers and guard dogs. Queen Victoria was fond of the breed and kept many Pugs. Both Marie-Antoinette and Josephine Bonaparte, the wife of Napoleon, owned and doted on Pugs. They were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 while the Pug Dog Club of America was founded in 1931. Boxers were bred in Germany and their ancestors were the German Bullenbeisser, descended from Mastiffs, and the Bulldog. The Boxer is regarded as part of the Molosser group who all descend from a large Shepherd dog known as a Molossus and who were believed to have been the favored war dogs of the Ancient Romans and Greeks. During World War 1 Boxers carried messages and were also used as guard and attack dogs. Boxers were one of the first breeds used for police work. The American Kennel Club registered the first Boxer in 1904 but it was only around the 1940s that they started becoming popular. Boxers today still have the strength and bravery of their ancestors but their loyalty and affectionate natures have made them popular family pets and they are also used as service and therapy dogs.

Box-a-Pug Breed Appearance

The Box-a-Pug is a small to medium sized breed depending on which of the parent breeds is more dominant. They can be light brown, fawn, silver, black or brindle and their coats are short. They usually have a short muzzle, slightly longer than a Pug’s but shorter than a Boxer’s. Pugs have quite prominent eyes that bulge from their faces while a Boxer’s eyes don’t protrude and are usually dark brown with an alert expression. A Pug’s teeth usually meet in an underbite while the typical bite of the boxer is undershot. A Box-a-Pug is likely to have tail, taking after the Pug side as Boxers usually have their tails docked.

Eye Color Possibilities
brown Box-a-Pug eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Box-a-Pug nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
brown Box-a-Pug coat
Brown
fawn Box-a-Pug coat
Fawn
silver Box-a-Pug coat
Silver
black Box-a-Pug coat
Black
brindle Box-a-Pug coat
Brindle
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Box-a-Pug straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Box-a-Pug Breed Maintenance

Box-a-Pugs will need to be brushed two or three times a week keep their fur looking good. They don’t tend to shed excessively but brushing will help remove any loose hair or any bits of dirt. Pugs have wrinkles on their heads and foreheads and if your Box-a Pug has wrinkles, these need to be kept clean and dry. These folds can be breeding grounds for bacteria and yeast otherwise. Additionally, some Boxers have sensitive skin and your Box-a-Pug could inherit the predisposition. Check your pet’s eyes and ears for any dirt and wipe gently with wet cotton wool. Nails always need to be checked and clipped when necessary and it is a good idea to brush your dog’s teeth with a veterinary approved canine toothpaste.

Brushes for Box-a-Pug
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Box-a-Pug requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Box-a-Pug Temperament

Box-a-Pugs are good family pets who love to cuddle and thrive on attention. They will take on many of the traits of the parent breeds who are good companion animals with lots of energy. Boxers are alert and intelligent dogs with a lot of spunk and love to play, making them good pets for families. They are good watchdogs and can be very protective. They can be a little wild as puppies and never really lose their desire to play. They get on well with children and other pets, including cats. They are described as canines with a lot of personality and are constantly curious and full of life. They will respond to training but it is best to start early. Pugs are also full of energy and have big personalities for their size. They are also good with children and love to get lots of attention. They can be a little stubborn but can be trained.

Box-a-Pug Activity Requirements

The Box-a-Pug are playful dogs and like all dogs will need regular exercise to be at optimum health. But it will depend on which parent breed your pet takes after as Pugs can be quite lazy and don’t need much physical activity, whereas Boxers are the opposite and are high energy dogs needing tons of exercise and plenty of play sessions or they will become destructive. Both parent breeds can adapt well to living in an apartment so a Box-a-Pug will too, as long as they have an exercise routine to keep them healthy, mentally stimulated and well behaved. Neither parent breed is tolerant to extreme weather so make sure your pet doesn’t get too hot or too cold.

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
9 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
40 minutes
activity minutes

Box-a-Pug Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
3 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.20 - $1.40
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$34.00 - $45.00
food bag monthly cost

Box-a-Pug Owner Experiences

Rosie
5 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Snuggle
Dock Dive,
Fetch
Rosie was a rescue from our local shelter and are unsure of her age. We also have a boxer sheppard rescue, Utah. They will chase the tennis ball ALL DAY LONG, most importantly in the summer these two love to dock dive. Its the coolest thing and never gets old. Rosie loves to snuggle under the covers, requires both of your hands when petting her and has the softest coat of fur. GREAT DOG
1 year, 11 months ago
Winnie-the-Pooh
1 Year
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
Tug-of-war
Fetch
she is high energy and doesn't listen well. She started off pretty good walking but now freaks out and sounds agressive with people and dogs. She's a pain to walk most of the time although I try consistency and sending same messages
2 years, 7 months ago
Lucy
9 Months
2 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
Play
Very high level of energy. I think the people who had her before did not interact with her so she was very ill-mannered when we adopted her. But she is improving.
5 years, 7 months ago
Titto
3 Years
2 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
cuddle
Walk
sleep
My boy is super friendly with people but other dogs can make him a little bit nervous. He is very Obedient and "polite". He is also very lazy and likes to sleep a lot. He likes to cuddle and his main focus is on getting food non stop. Titto is the most amazing dog ever, and we feel so lucky to have him!
5 years, 5 months ago
Beau
2 Years
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
Run
Catch treats
Fetch
Bath time
Speak
Shake
Chew Bones
Got Beau at 6 weeks so he was really too young but so cute and no idea what the breed was at first. Full of energy but pretty severe separation anxiety in beginning (too early from litter) He trained to a doggy door at 71/2 weeks in 1 day on his feet own and have a video of it that I wish I could post here. The pug side loves his toys to chew but the boxer side loves activity. We have only owned dachshunds in the years past and wanted another but he was given to us to heal our broken hearts of the 4th loss that was just heart wrenching. He is so much different and so very smart and a good looking dog! Originally his hyper activity made us think he needed a better home, but he's 2 and neutered now and he just gets better. U can't believe how awesome this dude has become. Lots of training by myself but he is a very quick study! Lol!
5 years, 3 months ago
Bailey
4 Years
2 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Walking, snuggling together
She listens to me. she follows me where ever I go. She doesn't like for me to be upset ormad at her
4 years, 9 months ago
Covid
4 Months
2 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Hes full of energy all the time never sits still
4 years, 2 months ago
Mötley
3 Months
6 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Look out the window
Fetch
Tug-of-war
Run
Chase
Mötley is a energetic, curious, and friendly puppy! I recently got him about 3 weeks ago and when we got him he was a little shy. He started to get comfortable around us a few days later. He gets super excited when he meets new people! His training has been good. He knows the basics which is to “sit” and “stay” and “no” etc... We are currently training him on the pads which has been pretty difficult.
4 years, 1 month ago
Maggie Mae
9 Months
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking, hiking, playing catch.
We only get her in 2 weeks so I'm doing research on the breed before we get her cannot wait!!
3 years, 11 months ago
Thor
8 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I’ve had Thor for many years when I got him he was almost given to a shelter. He was the first dog I was able to train myself. He isn’t fully trained but to the extent of sit and stay and house broken it’s pretty nice. He’s very friendly and always follows me around everywhere so companionship is definitely a thing with these pups. He’s my best friend. He does get very territorial however if I’m not around and by me I mean if I’m not in distance and someone new comes to the house they cannot go near him at all or he thinks they are a threat. Not sure where he learned it from, I found a lot of articles that stated it’s the boxer breed of being a guard dog. Other than that he loves to go for walks and a play. He can also get tired out very easily but that’s also his age now a days. We love our Thor baby!
3 years, 10 months ago
Cello
1 Year
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Chase
Fetch
cuddle
Look out the window
Tug-of-war
Walks
We got when Cello was about 6 weeks. When we got him he was filled with fleas so for the first couple of days of having him, he slept in the kitchen but he mostly whined. We gave him multiple baths until the fleas were gone. He is beyond smart. Around 7 weeks old he learned how to climb over his doggy gate. He does have some behavioral issues such as being potty trained and not going potty in the house to going in the house, he tries to run away but he doesn't ever go very far. He loves babies. Whenever we have other little kids over he love to lay with them! We got him neutered because we heard that it makes them calmer.
3 years, 10 months ago
Lacey
8 Months
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Lacey is very active and loves to cuddle. She is also very good with my Grandchildren. She was a rescue dog, but I believe she rescued me.
3 years, 6 months ago
Winnie-the-Pooh
6 Months
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
sit
Walk
throw ball
take nice
shake paw
Winnie is definitely high energy - jumpy. Has to be touching you somehow, even to lie across you. definitely a cuddler and excellent sleeper at night. She pushes obedience but we repeat and attempt consistency wherever possible because she is still a baby.
3 years, 3 months ago
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
Sketch of smiling australian shepherd