Boxer: temperament, size, care and health

About the Boxer

The Boxer is a medium to large dog with a square, muscular frame, a short broad muzzle and an expressive wrinkled forehead. Adults stand around 21.5 to 25 inches tall. The glossy coat is fawn or brindle, commonly with white on the chest, feet or face, and some Boxers are mostly white. Ears are cropped and tails docked in some countries, while natural ears and tails are normal elsewhere.

The breed was developed in Germany as a catch dog for big game and later as a messenger, guard and police dog. Most Boxers now live as family pets, kept for their humor, their loyalty and their lively personality.

Temperament and family life

Boxers stay puppyish for years. They are demonstrative, bouncing and wiggling when excited, and they usually want to be in the middle of whatever the household is doing. They have a reputation for leaning against people and for clownish antics that can be funny but wearing. Their devotion to the family is strong, and they are protective without being routinely hostile.

The breed tends to be good with children, tolerating noise and play with enthusiasm, though an adult Boxer can knock over a small child by accident. Some dogs are pushy with other dogs, especially of the same sex. Boxers do not like being alone for long and can become anxious or destructive when isolated.

Exercise and training

Plan on an hour or more of active exercise daily, such as running, fetch, hiking or agility. The Boxer's short nose makes it tire and overheat faster than many breeds, so avoid hard work in hot weather and have shade and water on hand. A fenced yard is valuable, but a Boxer left to entertain itself outside may dig or bark.

Training requires patience. The breed is smart but easily distracted, and it can be slow to settle and a little stubborn. Short, upbeat sessions with rewards and play work much better than long drills or harsh correction. Starting in puppyhood helps manage jumping and pulling on the lead.

Grooming and shedding

The short coat is among the easiest to maintain. A weekly rub with a rubber brush or a damp cloth removes dead hair, and baths are needed only when the dog is dirty. Boxers shed lightly but steadily, and the hairs are fine and short. Fawn dogs show little loose hair; white patches show more.

Check the facial folds for moisture, trim the nails and wipe the drool that often collects around the lips. White Boxers have less pigment and can sunburn on exposed skin.

Health

Boxer cardiomyopathy, an inherited heart rhythm and muscle disease, is a recognized concern, and breeders commonly screen with cardiac evaluations and heart monitoring. The breed has a high rate of cancers, including mast cell tumors, and is also prone to hip dysplasia, an underactive thyroid and bloat. Because of the short muzzle, some Boxers breathe noisily and handle heat poorly. A Boxer typically lives about 10 to 12 years. This is general information, and questions about a particular Boxer belong with a veterinarian.

History

The Boxer developed in Germany in the late nineteenth century from the Bullenbeisser, a now-extinct large hunting dog, crossed with bulldog-type breeds. German breeders published the first standard in 1904, and the dog served as a military and police animal before spreading as a pet. Soldiers returning home after the Second World War helped make it popular worldwide.

Is the Boxer right for you?

A Boxer suits a household that enjoys activity, can include the dog in daily life and can handle a bouncy adult. It is a poor fit for someone who wants a quiet, low-effort dog, who is away much of the day or who lives in a hot place without cooling. People who like the face but want a less energetic dog may look at the Bulldog, while those who want a bigger guardian may consider the Bullmastiff. The Doberman Pinscher is another short-coated working breed with greater sensitivity.