| The Boxer is a stocky, medium-sized, short-haired dog. The head is the most distinctive feature of the Boxer. Boxers have a square muzzle, an underbite, and very strong jaws. Boxers were originally a docked (tail shorted) and cropped (ears) breed, and this tradition is still maintained in some countries. However, due to pressure from veterinary associations, animal rights groups and the general public, 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. Boxers with excessive white markings are conventionally called “white” Boxers. When white markings, called flash, extend onto the neck or face, the dogs that have these markings are known as "flashy". |
| Height: |
Male: 22-25 inches; Female: 21-23 inches |
| Weight: |
Male: 65-75 pounds; Female: 50-60 pounds |
| Color(s): |
Fawn or brindle, black mask, with or without white markings |
| Coat: |
Short, shiny, smooth, close-lying |
| Description: |
The Boxer was bred from the English Bulldog and the now extinct Bullenbeisser, a dog of Mastiff descent, and is part of the Molosser group. He has a powerful bite ideal for hanging on to large prey. These strong and intelligent animals have also been used as service dogs, guide dogs for the blind, therapy dogs, police dogs in K9 units, and occasionally herding cattle or sheep. The versatility of Boxers was recognized early on by the military, which has used them as valuable messenger dogs, pack carriers, and attack and guard dogs in times of war. |
| Temperament: |
Boxers are a bright, energetic, friendly, and playful breed and tend to be very good with children. As puppies, Boxers demonstrate a fascinating combination of worrisome expressions, energetic curiosity, flexible attention spans and charming characteristics. By nature, the Boxer is not an aggressive or vicious breed, however he does need socialization. The Boxer’s suspicion of strangers, alertness, agility, and strength makes him a formidable guard dog. Boxers are generally patient with smaller dogs and puppies, but issues with larger adult dogs, especially those of the same sex, may occur. Boxers are generally more comfortable with either human or dog companionship. |
| Training: |
Due to the Boxer’s intelligence and working breed characteristics, Boxers respond best to positive reinforcement techniques, such as clicker training, which affords the dog an opportunity to think independently and to problem-solve. Training based on corrections often has limited usefulness. |
| Care & Grooming: |
Boxers are active dogs, and require adequate exercise to prevent boredom-associated behaviors such as chewing or digging. Boxers are an athletic breed, and proper exercise and conditioning is important for their continued health and longevity. Care must be taken not to over-exercise young dogs, as this may damage growing bones; however once mature Boxers can be excellent jogging or running companions. Because of their brachycephalic head, they do not do well with high heat or humidity, and common sense should prevail when exercising a Boxer in these conditions. |
| Shedding: |
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| Health: |
Boxers are prone to develop cancers, heart conditions such as Aortic Stenosis and Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (the so-called "Boxer Cardiomyopathy"), hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, Epilepsy (seizures), and degenerative myelopathy; other conditions that may be seen are gastric dilatation and torsion (bloat), intestinal problems, and allergies (although these may be more related to diet than breed). Entropion is occasionally seen, a malformation of the eyelid requiring surgical correction, and some lines have a tendency to develop spondylosis deformans, a fusing of the spine. Like fair-skinned humans, white Boxers have a higher risk of sunburn and associated skin cancers than colored Boxers. The extreme piebald gene, which is responsible for white markings in Boxers, is linked to congenital sensorineural deafness in dogs. It is estimated that about 18% of white Boxers are deaf in one or both ears. |
| Lifespan: |
Average 10-12 years |
| Litter Size: |
Average 6-8 puppies |
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