50-65 lbs
21-23"
Germany
Boxer dogs are very much a lesson in not judging a book by its cover. Yes, a Boxer dog is tough-looking, muscular and blessed with a name reminiscent of fighters slugging it out in the ring, but this marvelous breed is much less aggressive than it looks.
In fact, when given a stable home environment and effective training at an early age, a Boxer can be one of the gentlest, loyalest and most playful dogs you’ll ever encounter. This is why you’ll always see a Boxer towards the top end of the list of most popular dog breeds in the USA.
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In this overview of the Boxer dog breed, you’ll discover:
Thankfully, dogfighting isn’t mainstream entertainment in the 21st century, but back in the days in which it was, a Boxer dog was a formidable opponent. It isn’t hard to see why — as well as being covered in muscles, they’ve got a strong jaw and athletic tendencies, which were prized by game hunters, too.
In addition to these roles, Boxer dogs have proved to be adept in police, military, cattle-ranching, guard and seeing-eye jobs over the years. If there’s one thing to take away from this versatility, it’s that this breed responds well to training — especially Boxer puppies — and are unquestioningly loyal to those who teach them. This is what makes the breed such loving and well-behaved family pets.
You might think it’s obvious how the Boxer dog got their name — not only do they share the lean physique of many a fighter, but they’re also prone to standing on their hind legs and using their front paws to play or work.
However, this might not be strictly etymologically correct. Some historians think it’s unlikely that such an Anglicized word would be given to a breed that emerged in Germany midway through the 19th century and instead, the title likely derived from a word in the nation’s language instead.
It’s thought that the Boxer dog recognizable to us today was bred from two canine varieties no longer around today — the Danziger Bullenbeisser and Brabanter Bullenbeisser. However, there are a few other possible close relations, including Tibetan Mastiffs, the French Dogues de Bordeaux and Bulldogs.
As already mentioned, the Boxer was put to work almost as soon as they emerged as a distinct dog breed and proved to be a tireless colleague. However, by the start of the 20th century, dog-fighting and hunting had waned in popularity or been outright banned in some places.
Luckily, the Boxer dog breed didn’t go the same way. In 1904, they were recognized by the American Kennel Club and quickly became favored as family pets, as well as regular prizewinners at dog shows across the globe.
The Boxer dog is a medium-sized and compact canine that looks undeniably strong and powerful to the human eye. Height-wise, you can expect them to grow to between 21 and 25 inches tall, while weight averages between 50 and 80 pounds.
As is becoming increasingly common in the dog breeding world, Boxer dogs are being interbred to create mixes, so you may encounter different variations and types of boxer dogs. For example, Miniature Boxers are growing in popularity as a new hybrid and will be markedly smaller in stature due to their parentage, typically involving a Boston Terrier or even a Chihuahua to make a Boxachi.
Other distinguishing markers of the breed are a docked tail, wrinkly face and ears that can be flat or pointed up depending on the situation. Their coat is short and straight, and usually black, white, fawn or brindle when it comes to colorway. A white boxer dog and black boxer dog are common, but it’s not unusual for either type to have contrasting markings on their body as well. More often than not, eyes are a deep brown and noses are black.
As well as a fun-loving personality, many parents are fond of the Boxer dog for the lack of maintenance they require compared to other breeds.
Their short coat allows them to groom themselves in the manner of cats, although pet parents can also assist with a weekly session with a soft bristle brush. Overbathing is not recommended as this can play with the balance of natural oils. Fortunately, the Boxer isn’t known to be a smelly dog in general.
Although you won’t be spending too much time on their coat, parents still need to carry out the same tasks as they would for any other breed — this includes regular teeth brushing, nail clipping and checking the ears for signs of infection.
When it comes to the ideal living environment, this is a dog breed that needs temperate conditions — they don’t get along with prolonged exposure to very hot or cold weather. Boxer dogs also need ample space in which to run around and wear themselves out — ideally fenced as their prey drive is high and can sometimes get them into trouble.
It’s important to emphasize that a Boxer dog needs a lot more exercise than a bit of playtime in the backyard. We’d recommend at least 90 minutes of activity a day and up to ten miles of walking a week — if this doesn’t sound doable, you might be better off considering a less energetic breed.
Sadly, Boxer dogs are susceptible to a number of health conditions. Some of these can develop through sheer bad luck, but you can lower the odds by only dealing with reputable breeders who perform testing on their dogs — you should ask for proof of these when looking for a puppy.
Many diseases from which dogs suffer are more easily treated when caught earlier on — a wellness plan for your pet can include regular testing and monitoring to help diagnose medical problems before they get bigger and more troublesome.
There are several heart diseases to which Boxer dogs are prone, but Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is one that’s rarely seen in other breeds. In layman's terms, this is an irregular heartbeat and can lead to fainting, coughing, rapid breathing and, sadly, even sudden death.
It usually affects adult dogs over two years old, but can affect the very young – even a Boxer dog puppy – and senior dogs, too. The condition can be quite hard to diagnose due to the inconsistency of the symptoms, but there are several treatment options available if your vet is sure your dog’s heart is affected — this includes medication, the avoidance of strenuous exercise and regular monitoring.
In addition to ARVC, Boxer dogs are more likely to suffer from Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis, which is the narrowing of the main artery that delivers blood to the rest of the body. This can often present as lethargy, fainting, heart murmur, weak pulse or sudden death.
As with ARVC, there are medications available that can alleviate some of the worst symptoms, but surgery is also an option, albeit a risky and expensive one.
Another body part of the Boxer dog that’s sensitive to disease is the eye. Often, this takes the form of Corneal Opacity, which is when the lens becomes cloudy and the vision impaired. Although this looks serious, it usually doesn’t require treatment and can be allowed to remain — even if it is a minor annoyance to your dog.
An active dog breed, a boxer dog loves to exercise, so it’s heartbreaking when the breed suffers from diseases that limit their ability to run around and play. However, it can happen.
Degenerative Myelopathy is a particularly nasty condition affecting a dog’s spinal cord as it gets older and a Boxer is no stranger to the disease. If you notice your dog’s hind legs getting weaker or causing them distress, this might be the reason why.
Once a vet’s diagnosed the problem — a lengthy process due to other possibilities — the only option available when it comes to treatment is pain management and trying to ensure a good quality of life throughout their remaining years.
Elbow and Hip Dysplasia are both something Boxer pet parents need to be aware of, too. These occur when one of the bones and joints in the elbows or hips become misaligned and they begin to move with friction rather than the smoothness normally observed.
Again, this can lead to limping and obvious discomfort. However, there are a lot more treatment options available — including medication, physiotherapy and surgery — and the long-term prognosis can be more positive than Degenerative Myelopathy.It’s a sad fact of life that all dogs can be struck down by cancer, but Boxers are more unlucky than other breeds when it comes to this disease. This includes tumors located in the brain, bones, breasts, lymph nodes and mast cells.
When it comes to prevention, there’s little a parent can do and often, treatment options are limited. However, if you share your life with a female Boxer dog, having them spayed before the first heat cycle can lower the risk of breast cancer. In addition, parents should apply sunscreen to white areas of their Boxer dog in order to ward off skin cancer.
The lifespan of a Boxer dog, when otherwise healthy, is typically between 10-12 years.
Boxer dog parents quickly learn that the breed has plenty of stamina and requires high-quality dog food — and plenty of it — to replenish this energy supply.
They aren’t particularly fussy when it comes to mealtimes, but there are a couple of things for parents to keep in mind.
Number one is the deep-chested breed’s predisposition to bloat, which can occur when a dog wolfs down its food at speed. Spacing out meals across the day or buying a bowl designed to slow your pet down can help avoid this common — but occasionally fatal — problem.
Secondly, the Boxer’s lean frame and short coat make it readily apparent when they’re being overfed. Be sure not to overdo it on treats during their training phase and speak to your vet if you’re ever concerned about their weight .
Boxer dogs need top-quality protein in their meals for fuel and joint support — our partner Dog Food Advisor has put together a list of the best dog foods for Boxers on the market today.
Although all dogs need to undergo an effective socialization period during their formative years, it’s especially vital for powerful breeds, like a Boxer. Getting them used to different people, dogs and environments prevents incidents of aggression in later life when they’re harder to control.
In the vast majority of cases, however, a well-adjusted Boxer dog temperament will be gentle, playful and affectionate — even in households with young children and other pets. They’re an innately social breed, which is great when you’re with them but can unfortunately manifest itself as separation anxiety when you’re away.
As veterans of dog shows and multiple jobs, Boxer dogs have a big brain, which pet parents should keep occupied with games, training and lots of different walking routes to help keep their pup stimulated.
Written by Joe Holyoake
Published: 08/30/2006, edited: 01/03/2024
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Is my dog a boxer because it has a pretty long and tall body and it’s face it’s a bit longer than any other boxer, but looks just like one besides those 3 features being slight more than other boxers I’ve seen.
