Physical description

Body Type

As a compact dog with a powerful, muscular build, the Boxer has a proportionately sized head with a short blunt muzzle and a well-defined stop. With the strong jaw causing the teeth to come together it its characteristic underbite, the large nose is black with wide open nostrils and the round-shaped eyes are usually dark brown. When the ears are cropped, they stand erect high on the head and taper to a point; however, when the thin ears are left natural, they fall forward to lie close to the cheeks.

Without a noticeable dewlap, the Boxer’s neck should be rounded, muscular, and strong leading to a deep broad chest. Despite the fact that docking is now illegal in many parts of the world, the American Kennel Club severely penalizes a natural long tail. Male Boxers are typically between 22 to 25 inches at the shoulder height with a weight ranging from 60 to 70 pounds, females are slightly smaller at 21 to 24 inches and weighing between 53 to 65 pounds.

Color

According to breed standard, the recognized coat colors for the Boxer include fawn, brindle with black stripes, light tan, yellow, reddish tan, mahogany, dark honey blonde, or white. Often referred to as “flash,” the dogs have white markings that extend from the neck or face down to the underbelly and feet.

Coat

Among the short-haired breeds, the Boxer possesses a shiny smooth coat that lies tight to the entire body with extremely close-fitting short hairs.

Grooming

Since Boxers have such a short coat, they have very minimal grooming requirements that are relatively easy for keeping the dog in peak condition. Classified as an average shedder, it is recommended that owners brush the dogs with a firm bristle brush to remove dead hairs, particularly during seasonal changes. Due to the fact the excessive bathing will remove natural oils to create dry skin and Boxers have a tendency to groom themselves, they will only need a full bath every few months with a mild dog shampoo. If a Boxer has a propensity for rolling in the dirt between baths, wiping the dog down with a wet washcloth will likely solve the problem.

History

Originating in Germany in the early 19th century around the 1830s, the Boxer is believed to be a descendent of the two German Mastiff-type dogs known as the Bullenbeiszer and the Barenbeiszer. As part of the Molosser dog group that was later breed with the powerful ancestors of the Mastiff and the Bulldog, the breed was originally used for dog fighting, cart pulling, rounding up livestock, catching wild boar, and bull baiting. Allegedly named for the dog’s tendency to fight by standing on its hind legs and “boxing” with its front paws, the Boxer also became increasing popular as theatre performers and circus dogs for entertainment.

As one of the first breeds to be employed as a police and military dog in Germany, the Boxer had become established as a general working dog by 1900. Although the breed was officially recognized soon after in 1904 by the American Kennel Club, it was not until the 1940s that the Boxer began the steady climb towards the top of the popularity charts. Acting as a valuable messenger, pack carrier, and guard dog during World War II, the returning soldiers introduced the dogs to a wider audience and soon the Boxer became a favorite companion worldwide.

Temperament

Known for the way they bond so readily with children, Boxers are often described as being happy, playful, affectionate, high-spirited, energetic, loyal, curious, intelligent, trainable, and eager to please their human families. A well-raised and properly socialized Boxer will likely get along with other dogs as well as other non-canine household pets, including cats and rabbits. Needing high levels of human leadership and obedience training to avoid becoming overly boisterous, the Boxer thrives with a dominant owner.

Since the dogs are extremely athletic even into later adulthood, it is important that owners give their Boxers plenty of mental and physical exercise with a daily long pack walk. In addition, the dogs enjoy fetching balls and engaging in other playtime sessions for a good romp in a large fenced-in yard. That being said, Boxers is suitable for apartment living if given sufficient exercised. Being very temperature sensitive, the breed is easily overheated and chilled.