The boxer is an energetic, intelligent, athletic, and loyal dog breed with a sweet and playful temperament that makes it an ideal companion. Boxers often get along very well with children and possess an instinct to protect the family, making them wonderful family dogs, despite their history as fighting dogs.
Boxer Facts
The boxer is an energetic, intelligent, athletic, and loyal dog breed with a sweet and playful temperament that makes it an ideal companion. Boxers often get along very well with children and possess an instinct to protect the family, making them wonderful family dogs, despite their history as fighting dogs.
- Breed Group: Working
- Height: Female: 53-60 cm, Male: 57-63.5 cm
- Weight: Female: 23-29 kg, Male: 29-36 kg
- Life Span: 10-12 years
- Coat: Short-haired
- Colour: Fawn or brindle with black or white markings
What Does a Boxer Look Like?
The Boxer is a large muscular dog with a square head and high tucked abdomen. Its ears are erect and its lips are droopy.
Boxers are also brachycephalic, which means that they have wide, short skulls, with square muzzles. They also have an underbite, which, in combination with their long jowls, can lead to some very amusing head-out-of-the-car-window situations.
An interesting fact: since boxers lack a specific gene for having a pure black coat, there are no black boxer dogs. Their short and slick coat is usually tan or fawn but can also be brindle or black and white.
Boxer
Boxer Temperament: High energy
Boxer dogs are loyal, affectionate, high-energy, and need plenty of attention. They’re also intelligent, so they can be stubborn. But with the right training, they can be very well-behaved. And despite their sometimes intimidating appearance, boxers aren’t particularly aggressive or vicious.
They do tend to be focused on their loved ones, which makes them good watchdogs. You can count on a boxer to let you know something’s up, but because they tend to like people, they don’t make the best guard dogs unless they’re trained to do so.
Keeping Boxers Healthy: 5 Issues to Watch Out For
Boxers are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain health conditions. Not all Boxers will get any or all of these diseases, but it's important to be aware of them if you're considering this breed.
In the realm of minor health concerns, many boxer owners worry about their dog’s snoring. Some snoring is to be expected, especially in brachycephalic breeds. However, if the snoring starts suddenly when there was none before, or if snores come with excessive mucus and other allergy symptoms, tooth decay, or lethargy and fever, it’s time to go to the vet.
Cancer:
Boxers are especially prone to the developing mast cell tumours, lymphoma, and brain tumours. White Boxers and Boxers with excessive white markings can be sunburned and may even develop skin cancer. If your Boxer is light-coloured, apply sunscreen on their ears, nose, and coat when they go outdoors.
Aortic Stenosis:
This is one of the most common heart defects found in Boxers. The aorta narrows below the aortic valve, forcing the heart to work harder to supply blood to the body. This condition can cause fainting and even sudden death. It's an inherited condition, but its mode of transmission isn't known at this time. Typically, a veterinary cardiologist diagnoses this condition after a heart murmur has been detected. Dogs with this condition should not be bred.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy:
Also called Boxer Arrythmic Cardiomyopathy (BAC), Familial Ventricular Arrhythmia (FVA) and Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC). BCM is an inherited condition. The dog' heart sometimes beats erratically (arrhythmia) due to an electrical conduction disorder. This can cause weakness, collapse, or sudden death. Because it is difficult to detect this condition, it can cause an unexpected death. Boxers who show signs of this condition should not be bred.
Deafness:
White Boxers are especially susceptible to deafness. About 20 percent of white Boxers are deaf.
Hip Dysplasia:
This is a heritable condition in which the thighbone doesn't fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. Hip dysplasia can be hereditary, but it can also be triggered by environmental factors, such as rapid growth from a high-calorie diet or injuries incurred from jumping or falling on slick floors. Treatment ranges from supplements that support joint function to total hip replacement.
Caring for Your Boxer Dog
Boxers are housedogs. Their short noses and short coats make them unsuited to living outdoors, although they'll enjoy having a fenced yard to play in. Like any dog it is get to develop a good routine for their care.
Grooming:
Because boxers have very short hair coats, they have relatively simple grooming needs. Most boxers need occasional bathing, every month should do it unless they find something muddy or smelly to play in and a weekly brush to remove any loose hair. Although an active boxer may wear down its nails, keep an eye on them and trim any that get too long.
Brush their teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and the bacteria that lurk inside it. Daily brushing is even better if you want to prevent gum disease and bad breath. Good quality dental toys and treats will also aid in supporting their dental health.
Nutrition:
Your boxer will likely do best with two meals of two to three cups of high-quality dry dog food per day. As boxers have been known to have stomach torsion, a condition that occurs when the animal's stomach twists around its axis, you may want to provide a feeding station that is elevated so your dog doesn't have to bend down to eat. Also slowing down their feeding with slow feeders and enrichment toys can help as well as provide mental stimulation.
As for the best dog food for your Boxer, go for a balanced, large breed dog food, like Royal Canin Large Adult dry dog food or you can feed a Boxer breed specific food such as Royal Canin Boxer Breed Specific dry dog food.
Feed Boxer puppies appropriate amounts of food specifically formulated for puppies, like Royal Canin Maxi puppy food or breed specific food such as Royal Canin Boxer dry puppy food. Use the feeding chart on the bag as a guide, or ask the PetDirect Customer Care Team how much to feed your particular puppy.
Monitor your dog's weight to prevent obesity; a change in diet, as well as more exercise, may be in order. Discuss any special dietary issues with your veterinarian.
Exercise:
The high energy level and athletic physique of the boxer means the breed needs a significant amount of exercise every day. Make sure you provide the exercise needed to keep your boxer physically fit and mentally stimulated. Invest in a good quality collar, harness and lead and take your boxer for a 30-45minute walk at least twice a day. Active games of tug and fetch will also help to keep your boxer busy.
Training Your Boxer
Training is essential for the Boxer. They're so big and strong that they can accidentally hurt people by knocking them over if they don't learn to control their actions. The Boxer's temperament plays a role in their trainability. They're happy and excitable, bouncy, and a bit of a mischief-maker. Getting them to take training seriously requires starting early and using firm, fair training methods and positive motivation in the form of praise, play, and food rewards. Be consistent. Your Boxer will notice any time you let them get away with something, and they'll push to see what else he can get away with. Before you head to training class, settle them down a little with an energetic walk or play session. They'll focus better once they've worked off some excess energy.