Great Dane Boxer Mix: Boxane Breed Information, Traits & More

The Boxane is a combination of two large but amazingly sweet breeds. The Great Dane and the Boxer are gentle giants that have a lot of love to give. This combination is generally one of the healthier Great Dane mixes, and they are likely to have a longer lifespan than that of a purebred Dane.

The Great Dane used to be a working dog but is now a loving companion with a joyful spirit. The Boxer is an athletic, strong dog that has an intense protective instinct and stops at nothing to keep you safe. The Boxane, despite its large size, can be trained by new dog owners. They are both sweet and kind enough to be handled by inexperienced dog trainers. They still need someone that is large enough to control them if they get out of hand, though.

As mentioned, they are quite large, so it’s best to have a large house, or they can start to feel claustrophobic. Do not get this breed if you live in an apartment or a home without a backyard. Would this gentle giant be the perfect companion for you? Sit back and get to know this big, beautiful breed.

Parent Breeds

It’s become quite popular to mix two purebred dogs into one new mixed breed. The Great Dane Boxer mix is another form of “designer dog” that has become a popular way of getting a dog breed with the traits you want from two purebred parents. These pups are hybrids blended from two dogs to get the best of both breeds.

The Beagle and the Great Dane have vastly different life expectancies, so a significant benefit to this designer breed is the extra years you get to spend with them. Although the length isn’t pushed that much, it’s still likely you’ll get an additional year or two.

The Boxane is huge, so be prepared to keep a large roof over their heads, preferably with a big backyard, too. You can also expect them to be heavy. This giant breed is susceptible to a few health problems. Many of them center around their joints, so make sure to have multiple check-ups.

Great Dane

The Great Dane is believed to have ancient origins around Germany. They were likely bred from the English Mastiff and the Irish Wolfhound, but they’ve been around for so long that it isn’t well known. Great Danes were bred as boar hunters, and their large size was the only thing capable of taking them down.

Although bred for hunting, the Great Dane was bred to be gentler, and they are now known as giant teddy bears. They were imported to the United States in the late 1800s and became quite popular over that decade. By 1887, the American Kennel Club officially recognized them. Great Danes top the list as the world’s largest dogs.

Great Danes are huge, but despite their size, they are kid-friendly, pet-friendly, and love to be playful. They love attention from anyone and everyone and are kind to strangers. They are truly gentle giants, and even though they are a lot to handle, they aren’t hard to train for first-time dog owners. The primary issue is finding somewhere big enough to put them.

These sweet pups give you as much affection as possible, but the tragedy is that they’re short-lived. 6 to 8 years is not a long time to spend with a friend, but lovers of the breed always say that it’s worthwhile. You can also bet they are heavy, at around 100 to 200 pounds, and tall, at 28 to 34 inches. Danes are common designer dogs, and one extremely popular mix is the Lab Great Dane mix.

Boxer

The Boxer descends from the Bullenbaiser, a now-extinct dog breed. The breed is likely a mix of the Mastiff and the Bulldog. Some people think that there may have even been a Great Dane introduced into the Boxer breed at some point. They are protectors and extremely loyal to their families. The name “boxer” originated from the fact the breed likes to jump on their hind legs and use their paws like a boxer would use their fists.

The Boxer is considered a working breed and has been used for various tasks, including military work and law enforcement. They are also very smart and have been used as seeing eye dogs at one point, which has largely become a German Shepherd’s responsibility. They are also considered “Nanny” dogs, just like the American Pitbull Terrier.

Boxers have short coats and shorter, flat noses. Their tails are docked, making this highly energetic breed look like it has even more spring in its step. These pups absolutely love their families and love being around children. They require little exercise and have similar needs in this category to the Mastiff and other large breeds. They have a lifespan of 8-10 years. Boxers are also a popular designer dog parent breed, and some other common mixes include the Boxer Mastiff mix or the Boaxador designer dog.

Great Dane Boxer Mix

The Boxane was likely bred around the time most designer breeds came to be, the 1990s and early 2000s. They are a blend of two very desirable breeds. The Great Dance and Boxer are so similar that both breeds together only boost their best qualities.

The Boxane is a relatively new breed and hasn’t been studied in length like their purebred parents, but this mix can definitely vary depending on their parent. This is especially true when two different-sized breeds mate because you don’t know whether they’ll be big or small. In this case, the Boxane can be large as both the Great Dane and Boxer are bigger dog breeds.

Both the Great Dane and Boxer are kind towards children. They absolutely love being around them, although their large stature could tip them over if they get too excited. It would be difficult to find a more people-friendly breed, as the Boxane loves attention even from strangers. Boxanes don’t make good guard dogs, although their hefty size intimidates intruders. Despite their large size, the Boxane is easy to train but difficult to handle if you’re small. It’s best to have someone tall and sturdy handle them because they can get as big as 200 pounds.

Appearance & Grooming

Your Great Dane Boxer Mix’s appearance depends on the parents, but even knowing the parents won’t determine what they’ll look or feel like. You can count on them to be huge. They have long legs, muscular torso, floppy ears, and large brown eyes.

The coat of the Boxane mostly depends on which parent they take after. Great Danes are known for their Dalmatian-like spots, but they can also be fawn, blue, black, or black and white. Boxers commonly have brown fur with splotches of black.

Be prepared for the Boxane to be over 100 pounds because they may likely be even bigger than that. They are also going to be tall and can stand as high as 30 inches. Most of the Bixane is made up of legs. The Boxane sheds a lot, but their glossy coat is easy to maintain and doesn’t require brushing more than once a week.

Nail trimming should happen on a regular basis, especially for larger pups, because their nails can become quite destructive. You’ll want to keep on top of nail trimming and grinding to keep your home and furniture unscathed.

Training

Boxanes are super smart and easy to train, so the most difficult part is handling them if they get out of control. This doesn’t mean they’re known for snapping at people, as they love everyone they meet. However, they sometimes don’t know how large they are and often jump on people – even children. It’s best to socialize them as puppies and teach them not to jump on strangers.

Positive reinforcement is the best method for any dog. Do not try to slap them or scold them when they do something wrong as your pup may grow to resent you and make them harder to train. Giving them cuddles, treats, or toys for a job well done trains them up fast.

Obedience training should be done as soon as possible so they can tell the difference between what you consider right and wrong. Dogs look up to their alphas for guidance and are less likely to disobey if they see you as an authority.

Large Boxanes have a large bladder, so you won’t have to worry about accidents in the house. They also grow up really fast and can be fully grown in 6 to 8 months. You can potty train them immediately out in the backyard or on walks.

Exercise & Living Conditions

Your Boxane has endless bouts of energy and wants to play with you almost constantly. Those long legs need to run. They have one of the largest exercise requirements of most breeds, so if you won’t be able to spend a lot of time with them, it’s best to pass them up.

You’ll need to exercise them daily for a minimum of two hours a day. It’s recommended to take them out twice daily. Some dog training websites even recommend three hours because bigger Boxanes need more time running outdoors. Boxanes need a lot of room and need to be given a large area to stretch out their legs. If you have the funds for a queen-size mattress, this suits them nicely.

Boxanes don’t like spending a lot of time outside or away from you. They should only be outside for playtime, and shouldn’t be kept out overnight. They have a high tendency to bark when stressed and suffer from separation anxiety. It may be hard to believe, but the Boxane needs a lot of attention and love despite their intimidating looks.

Health

As with most designer breeds, the Boxane is less likely to have health problems because of their genetic blend. Having genes from two different breeds helps diversify the gene pool and provide better health results. This huge pup has a lifespan of nine to 11 years.

Boxers are at risk for a lot of health problems, unfortunately. These include epilepsy, intervertebral disk disease, eye problems, hypothyroidism, aortic stenosis, cardiomyopathy, degenerative myelopathy, patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, allergies, back problems, gastric issues, and ear infections.

Great Danes are also at risk for health issues, and they are similar to the Boxer. Along with all the ones mentioned above, they can also develop cardiomyopathy and Wobbler’s Syndrome. This can cause the Great Dane to develop a wobbly walk because of spine compression.

Due to the higher likelihood of a Boxane developing health conditions, you may want to consider pet insurance. It can be very beneficial and help make care accessible in an emergency or serious medical condition. Pet insurance may not cover all the care costs but can be very helpful in an emergency or illness. Learn more about what pet insurance covers in our guide, as well as the best pet insurance for large breeds.

Nutrition

Boxanes need a proper diet that mostly consists of protein and fat with low carbs. According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), a Boxer Great Dane mixed puppy should have a diet of 22% protein, while an adult should have 18%. It’s also recommended that you feed your Boxane whole meats like fish, beef, and chicken.

It’s hard to recommend a calorie amount for any dog, especially a mixed breed of such varying sizes and weights. A standard food amount could cause your pup to become obese. You’ll need to watch their diet, as these pups can become prone to overeating and obesity.

Consider looking for large or giant-breed-formulated dog food. This is especially important when your Boxane is a puppy. Larger breeds like this have a slower metabolism but need to eat more. So they need food that is less calorie-dense. You can also consider adding fresh dog foods like Ollie or Spot & Tango to your pup’s bowl for added flavor and nutrients.

As Family Pets

There are multiple considerations you’ll need to think through if you intend to adopt one of these gentle giants. Boxanes are giant dogs with a heart of gold, but are they the perfect pup for your family? Let’s look at the different facts you’ll need to consider if you intend to bring this mixed breed into your home.

1. The Boxane is gentle, loving, and enjoys friendly company.
2. They need a lot of attention and require a large amount of space.
3. Grooming requirements are low, but they should still be groomed once a week.
4. Boxanes shed a lot, and they can blow out their coat based on the seasons.
5. Exercise requirements are very large, at two to three hours per day.
6. Energetic and ready to please, you’ll need to play with them a lot.
7. A calm personality, but they do bark often.
8. Health problems are large. Pay extra attention to their joints as they age.

This is a designer dog that you’ll likely need to go to a breeder to find as a puppy, but you also may be able to find one at a local rescue or shelter.

Breeders & Puppy Prices

Finding a breeder that specializes in Boxer and Great Dane mixes might be easy as they are one of the most desirable designer breeds. They are recognized by multiple clubs, including the Designer Dogs Kennel Club. A well-bred Boxane could cost you $600-$900, which is on the pricey side for a large dog. You’ll want to stay away from cheaper backyard breeders that don’t have papers to ensure your pup has optimal health.

You should always do your research before buying a puppy to ensure that you aren’t getting health problems from the start. Boxanes are known for having health issues, especially with their joints. If you aren’t interested in buying from a breeder, searching for a rescue in your area is another option. Contact your local Great Dane and Boxer clubs for local breeders and rescues.

Boxane Rescues

Boxer and Great Dane mixes aren’t normally surrendered due to their temperament, but if you do find them, they were likely past race dogs or ring fighters. The tragedy is that they often come with behavior issues due to their mistrust and poor handling by their previous owners. Care is needed to take on these pups, but they still need a loving friend to give them a home.

It’s always great to rescue, as you’ll be giving a dog a home and preventing them from potentially being euthanized. It’s also more cost-effective. Check out the Across America Boxer Rescue or the Great Dane Rescue Inc. for potential Boxane mixes.

Other Large & Giant Breeds To Consider

The Boxane is a big, lovable goofball, but there are a few other larger and giant breeds to consider. If you have a soft place in your heart for giant doggies, consider the Tosa Inu, Tibetan Mastiff, or Boerboel. Just remember, with an extra big dog comes extra care needs. These pups are huge and need more food, more room, and bigger everything, including beds and extra-large doggie crates.

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Danielle has shared a special bond with dogs since childhood. She has over three decades of experience with dogs of all sizes and dogs with special needs. Danielle is a dedicated professional researcher and pet product reviewer. She spends countless hours researching the latest pet care, health, food, and training developments to help owners learn what’s behind the label. Her two dogs, Daisy and Falkor, serve as in-house product testers and loyal research assistants. Danielle works with a professional and experienced team to bring our readers the best, most accurate, and most up-to-date information to better their lives.