All Dogs Welcome

Varieties:

     Boxer
     Bobtail Boxer

Overall this is a medium breed of dog that is strong and sturdy and displays clean lines that suggest grace and agility. His muscles are taut, well-developed and molded in appearance under taut skin.
It is the head and face that makes the boxer unique among dogs of similar size and build.  The skull is smooth and wrinkle free though folds will display in the cranial region when the dog is in an alert state.  Wrinkles are always present from the lower edge of the stop running downward on both sides of the muzzle.  The breed has a bulldog like muzzle with a black nose. The black mask is a must for a show quality Boxer.  If the ears are cropped they are kept somewhat long and come to an erect point. If left natural the ears fold over and lie close to the cheeks.  This distinctive head and face sit upon a clean graceful neck attached to a deep chest.
The coat of the Boxer is smooth, short and shiny lying close to the body. The primary colors of the coat are fawn, which ranges from a pale yellow to a deep red, or, brindle.  White markings are frequently present around the black mask, on the feet or even the underbelly.
The general appearance of this dog is lively and powerful with noble bearing.  His movements denote energy and his expression is one of intelligence and alertness.

The Boxer is one of the most playful, fun loving and affectionate breeds that exist.  Remember, that puppy is going to weigh up to 80 pounds when all grown up so be careful that he doesn't get to think he's a lap dog!  Maybe it is the playfulness of this breed that causes them to love children so much.  And they know to be gentle, protective, sensitive and exuberant with the children they love. This is a naturally inquisitive breed, highly intelligent, and extremely responsive and loyal to their family members.
They can, however, be wary of strangers.  Though alert and protective they are rarely aggressive unless threatened.  In the latter case they are quite fearless.  But, in fact, they are not the best watch dogs as they are so friendly that they are easily won over even by strangers.
Boxers are sometime a bit short tempered or aggressive with strange dogs or other small animals.  However, with the proper introductions and socialization they live quite nicely in multiple pet households.

Boxers require both physical and mental exercise.  Given the choice they would split their time between being indoors with their beloved family and being outdoors running and wondering.  But this is an extraordinarily playful breed and you can incorporate playtime and athletics into their daily exercise.  They will fetch, swim, romp, jog and just wonder along with you or your children.  But daily activity is a requirement to keep the dog from becoming bored and possibly troublesome.
The good news is this is a very low maintenance dog.  Regular brushing will help to minimize shedding.  A bath when necessary will make you both very happy.  And if the ears are not cropped they should be cleaned regularly to avoid infections. "Floppy" ears allow debris to become trapped inside the ears and need to be cleaned a bit more often than erect ears.

Boxers are prone to heart conditions such as Aortic Stenosis and Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (the so-called "Boxer Cardiomyopathy").  Some other ailments common in the Boxer include hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy epilepsy, gastric dilatation and torsion (bloat), intestinal problems, and allergies.
Another health problem that is common in Boxers is often referred to as Boxer Colitis. It is called this because it most often occurs in Boxers. Boxers who get this are picky eaters and get upset stomachs easily. When they have this problem their backs are hunched up. The best way to solve this problem is keep the dog on bland food with healthy digestive enzymes.
After age 8 Boxers have a higher than average likelihood of developing tumors, both cancerous and non-cancerous.
Boxers are known to be very sensitive to the hypotensive and bradycardiac effects of a commonly-used veterinary sedative called acepromazine. It is recommended that the drug be avoided in the Boxer breed.

• Remember, the Boxer requires daily physical and mental exercise.  No cheating!
• His favorite exercise might be running - but he'll be happy to slow it down and jog right alongside of you.
• Like most brachycephalic dogs (they have broad, short skulls), and have a square muzzle, the Boxer does not to well in hot weather.  Be sure to keep him from overheating.
• Boxers also chill quite easily.  So this is a breed that truly needs to live indoors with their family.
• Also like many  brachycephalic dogs, your Boxer may snore quite loudly.
• Although the Boxer is physically capable of defending its familythe breed is often too friendly to be a viable watchdog.
• Care should be taken not to over-exercise young Boxer dogs, as this may damage growing bones; however once mature Boxers can be excellent jogging or running companions.

• Based on 2009 American Kennel Club statistics, Boxers are the sixth most popular breed of dog in the United States for the third year in a row—moving up in 2007 from the seventh spot, which they'd held since 2002.
• When showing a Boxer the coloring of these dogs must be  fawn or brindle. White markings cannot exceed one-third of the entire coat.  A black mask is a must.
• Boxers that are all white were destroyed at birth by breeders for many years.  While white dogs are still not acceptable for showing we now find many of them make it safely into a home as a family pet.
• White Boxers are not Albinos.  Genetics prove that these dogs are actually fawn but with white markings that are so extensive as to 'cover' the fawn coloring.
• White boxers have a higher than average instance of deafness.
• This breed actually craves human attention and affection - especially from children.
• Both cropping of the ears and docking of the tail have been prohibited in many countries around the world.  There is a line of naturally short-tailed (bobtail) Boxers that was developed in the United Kingdom in anticipation of a tail docking ban in that country. After several generations of controlled breeding, these dogs were accepted in the UKC.  The bobtail line can be found in many countries around the world but are not accepted by the AKC.

The Boxer is a great family pet.  Its love of and affection for children coupled with its loyalty and fearlessness make it the perfect pet for growing families.
Although a Boxer would prefer to spend its time split between indoors and outdoors, the Boxer can do OK in an apartment setting if exercised, mentally and physically, on a daily basis.  This dog is ideal for a jogger!  But it would not be happy left alone in an apartment for long periods each day even if exercised upon the owner's return.

Some believe the Boxer to be a descendant of Tibetan fighting dogs and cosuins to the bulldog.  However there is somewhat more proof that the Boxer was derived from two german breeds that no longer exist:  the large Danzger Bullenbeiser and the smaller Brabenter Bullenbeiser.  'Bullenbeiser' means 'bull biter.'  These were then crossed with German Mastiff type dogs to increase size, terriers to add tenacity and finally bulldogs.  This resulted in the tough yet agile and streamlined dog that came to be known as the boxer in 1895.

The name boxer may stem from their propensity to use their front legs and paws when fighting.  However, according to Andrew H. Brace's Pet owner's guide to the Boxer, this theory is the least plausible explanation for the name as he claims "it's unlikely that a nation so permeated with nationalism would give to one of its most famous breeds a name so obviously anglicised".   It is more likely that the name comes from the German word 'Boxl' as the dogs were known when working at slaughterhouses in Germany before the breed was officially recognized and standardized.

The Boxer was originally used in Germany as a hunting dog. They were also used for fighting and bull baiting in Germany until outlawed in mid 19th century. Boxers have been used as police dogs and as military dogs in Europe in World War II.  US servicemen noticed the breed and became interested in them, bringing some back to the US where they have grown steadily in popularity.

AKC, Working Group
CKC, Mastiff Group
UKC, Guardian Dog Group

FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, CCR, CKC, APRI, ACR, DRA

View a list of designer and mixed breeds that are based on the Boxer.