All About Boxers

The tallest of the flat-faced breeds, Boxers are dogs that never grow up! They are bouncy, energetic, fearless risk takers, although males can be wary with strangers. The typical Boxer's mantra is “All I wanna do is have fun!”

The Boxer is a breed for active families. They make excellent companions for young children because they are, in thought and action, similar to a three-year-old child. Although Boxers muscularity, size and intimidating appearance suits it to a role as house protector, these dogs are unfailingly gently with children.

Boxers were first developed in Germany – possibly from the Brabant Bullenbeisser (bull biter) from Belgium and similar dogs in the region. Bavarian dogs and maybe even the English Bulldog may have been used in its original development. By the turn of the 20th century, they were essentially as they are today. No one knows exactly how the name “Boxer” developed.

Unfortunately, there are serious health problems within the Boxer breed and these lead to a shorter life-span than the average dog breed.

On a side note: There are white or almost completely white Boxers, that may be registered with kennel clubs – but these dogs may not be shown in the dog ring. In the United States, Boxers with more than 1/3 of their body covered in white may not be shown. Mostly or whilly white Boxers are much more prone to deafness.

In some countries a Boxers tail is still amputated, leading to a high speed metronome like vestigial wagging which I turn can lead to painful bony changes in the dogs back near the sacrum (tailbone). Skin cancer occurs more frequently in Boxers than any other breed, and a heart condition causing a ballooning of the lower chambers, a “dilated cardiomyopathy” is sadly all too common.

Essential Boxer grooming care needed is minimal with their short coat. The training time is about average compared to other breeds, but it is essential if you are thinking of showing your Boxer in the show ring.

The most common colorings of the Boxer breed are fawn and white, fawn, brindle, and occasionally white. They have a wrinkled brow which makes them look like they are concentrating terrible hard. (Probably trying to figure out what fun to have next). They have a short, muscular back and neck, and a very deep chest.