Boxers are a working breed that originated in Germany. Though they were once hunters, they’re now guardian dogs and playful companions.
Along with their characteristic muzzles and underbites, they’re loyal, loving, smart, and always ready to work. Boxers are a perfect addition to a growing family.
Characteristics of Boxers
Size.Boxers are bigger than their long, skinny legs might suggest. Males tend to be taller and heavier than females.
Male boxers range from 23 to 25 inches tall at the shoulders. They weigh between 65 and 80 pounds. Female boxers are between 21.5 and 23.5 inches tall and weigh between 50 and 65 pounds.
Unique head shape. As descendants of Old English Bulldogs and Bullenbeissers, boxers developed a characteristic skull and jaw shape. Their skull is broad and short with a square snout and an underbite.
Coat. The boxer coat is short, smooth, and tight-fitting. Their coat can be brindle, fawn, or white with (or without) a variety of markings, including:
- White
- Fawn
- Black
- Brindle
- Black mask with white
Lifespan. Boxers can live up to 12 years. They are susceptible to several health problems, though, so early treatment is necessary to make sure they live healthy lives.
Personality. Boxers are incredibly social and affectionate. They’re a perfect household protector and friend for a family with children.
Be careful, though; they like to jump and, due to their size, can pose a problem for older adults and small children. They can be easily trained not to jump if that poses a problem.
Boxers have high energy, and they are eager to play and protect. As long as they’re stimulated and doing their job, they’ll be perfectly content.
In the early days of boxers in Germany, they were hunting dogs. This still manifests in their personality, as demonstrated by their alertness, desire to work, and trainability.
Caring for Boxers
Coat care. The coat is low-maintenance, though outside dogs require more frequent grooming to get the dirt out of their fur. Boxers who spend their time snuggling on the couch don’t require as much coat maintenance.
Generally, you should brush your boxer once a week with a rubber curry brush to get rid of dead hair and dandruff. Regular brushing will keep their shedding to a minimum.
You will not often need to give your boxer a bath. They tend to stay clean by licking themselves like cats.
Diet. Boxers aren’t picky when it comes to food. As long as they get an appropriate amount of high-quality dog food in accordance with their size and age, they’ll be happy.
Exercise. Boxers need to play. They have a lot of energy that needs to be worked out through daily exercise.
As former hunting dogs, they need physical and mental stimulation. They prefer activities that involve running, jumping, and playing games. Obedience training and agility courses are also great outlets for their intelligence and energy.
Parasite prevention. Boxers need protection from fleas, ticks, and other parasites, especially if your dog plays outside regularly. Your vet can recommend preventative medications for your boxer.
Tooth care. Boxers aren’t at greater-than-average risk of developing gingivitis or other dental diseases, but dental care is still important. Proper dental care can prevent dental diseases like canine periodontal disease, which can affect your boxer’s overall health.
You can take care of your boxer’s teeth with:
- Teeth brushing
- Tooth wipes
- Dental treats
- Dental chews
- Professional cleanings
Nail care. If your boxer’s nails are too long, it may be difficult for them to stand, or they might accidentally scratch you. Their nails are too long if you hear them making a clicking sound on the floor. You can trim their nails using toenail clippers or a grinder.
Temperature sensitivities. Boxers are sensitive to extreme temperatures. They prefer staying indoors to avoid the cold or summer heatwaves. Never leave your boxer outside for extended periods to avoid any risks to their health.
Vet visits. If your boxer is 6 months old or younger, monthly visits are necessary to make sure they’re developing healthily. Your vet will give them vaccinations for parvo, rabies, and other diseases during these early visits.
For boxers 1 year and older, an annual checkup is all they initially need. Your vet will monitor changes in your boxer’s size, examine any abnormal changes in their health, and keep their records updated.
For senior boxers older than 10 years, a checkup every 6 months is recommended to monitor their movement, sight, hearing, and other signs of age. These visits are important if you hope to catch health problems early.
Health Problems to Watch for in Boxers
Boxers are predisposed to several conditions.
Aortic Stenosis. This heart condition is often genetic and appears when the boxer is a puppy or senior. In either case, mild cases may go undetected and won’t impact your dog’s lifespan. Severe cases can be treated with antiarrhythmic therapy.
Cardiomyopathy. This heart condition occurs in adult boxers and disrupts their normal heartbeat rhythm. Symptoms include weakness, and severe cases can even lead to heart failure or death.
Infections, diabetes, heatstroke, and other health problems can lead to cardiomyopathy. Genetics is the most common cause in boxers. A blood test can reveal if your boxer carries the genes that lead to cardiomyopathy.
Cancer. Boxers are susceptible to many types of cancer. In fact, cancer is the cause of 38.5% of boxer deaths, followed by old age at only 21.5% of deaths.
As with humans, cancer in boxers is treated with surgery and chemotherapy. You can’t predict or prevent cancer, but keeping your boxer healthy will give them the best chance. Regular vet visits will help your vet catch cancer early.
Degenerative myelopathy. Degenerative myelopathy is a neurological disease that targets the spinal cord and hindquarters. The disease isn’t painful, but it eventually affects the boxer’s ability to walk and control its bladder.
A boxer with degenerative myelopathy is still alert. There are devices that can provide the dog with some mobility, but preserving their quality of life can be a challenge for many owners.
Degenerative myelopathy manifests in boxers who are middle-aged and older. There’s no way to prevent degenerative myelopathy, but there’s a blood test available to determine if your boxer is likely to develop the condition.
Hip dysplasia.Hip dysplasia occurs when the thigh bone and hip socket stop working together and the joint weakens. Boxers usually show the first signs of hip dysplasia between 4 months and 1 year of age.
Signs include:
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Pain
Hip dysplasia is mostly genetic, but diet and physical activity also play a role. X-rays reveal if your boxer has hip dysplasia. Treatment focuses on relieving pain caused by the condition.
Thyroid deficiency. Boxers are susceptible to thyroid deficiency caused by an autoimmune disease, tumors, or other existing conditions. Symptoms of a thyroid deficiency include:
- Hair loss
- Weight gain and obesity
- Anemia
- Infertility
- Lethargy
A thyroid panel blood test reveals a thyroid deficiency, and treatment for the symptoms is lifelong. Treatment for a thyroid deficiency is effective and relatively inexpensive.
Special Considerations for Boxers
Children and pets. Boxers are great with children and other pets, but they don’t always get along with dogs of the same sex. It’s better to introduce your boxer to other household animals when they’re a puppy so they learn to channel their energetic personality.
Allergies. Though boxers don’t shed much, they still have dander. They’re close to being hypoallergenic, but they can still cause a reaction in people who are sensitive to dog dander.
Barking. Boxers aren’t overly vocal. If they bark, it’s usually for a reason like; for instance, they’re playing or they’re trying to communicate something.
Drooling. One of the cutest things about a boxer is their jowls, but those jowls drool a little more than other dogs. It’s not too much. You may find them drooling more at mealtime or playtime.
Intelligence. Boxers are smart. They can be too smart for their own good, often having a mind of their own. This, though, is just another facet of their charming personality.
Because of their intelligence, boxers can get bored easily. Repetition may lead them to seek something new (and potentially poorly behaved) to do. Therefore, engaging and stimulating activities are essential when owning a boxer.
History of Boxers
The earliest boxers were bred in Germany in the late 1800s. The Bullenbeisser, the boxer’s ancestor, was a powerful hunting dog that originated in Germany. They would seize bears, boars, and deer for their hunters.
As the Bullenbeisser was bred, smaller and faster variations of the breed became popular. In 1894, the smaller breed size stabilized, was entered into dog shows, and became the modern-day boxer.
The boxer spread to the rest of Europe and to the United States around the turn of the century. During World War I, the boxer was used for a variety of military jobs, including:
- Messenger dog
- Pack carrier
- Attack dog
- Guard dog
After both World Wars, soldiers returned home with boxers, and their popularity has spread around the world. They remain one of the most popular dogs in the United States.
