The Boxer Dog is a medium-to-large dog breed with short, smooth fur and an athletic, agile build that’s a member of the working group and originated in Germany. Boxers are generally energetic and loyal with a sweet and playful temperament. They often get along well with children, especially when socialized from a young age, and they possess an instinct to protect their family.
Strong, handsome, and very, very jowly? That’s a Boxer. While this breed can look intimidating at first, once you get to know them, their playful, affectionate, enthusiastic personality shines through. Read on to learn more about this popular breed, from Boxer dog facts to their impressive hunting and working history to their insatiable need for snuggles. We’ll help you decide whether this dog is right for you.
Boxer Dog Breed Characteristics
Boxers typically have a friendly and playful temperament. They love people and can be quite affectionate. These people-oriented personality traits also make them relatively trainable dogs.
| Affection Level | High |
| Friendliness | High |
| Kid-Friendly | High |
| Pet-Friendly | Medium |
| Exercise Needs | High |
| Playfulness | High |
| Energy Level | High |
| Trainability | High |
| Intelligence | Medium |
| Tendency to Bark | Medium |
| Amount of Shedding | Medium |
History of the Boxer
The ancestors of the boxer can be traced back thousands of years. But the breed began to take shape in Germany toward the end of the 19th century. Breeders downsized larger mastiff-type dogs—specifically involving a breed called the Bullenbeisser that had been used for big-game hunting. Bulldogs also played a role in the breed’s genetic makeup, as boxers are related to nearly all bulldog-type breeds.
The leaner, smaller boxer spread throughout Europe and then the United States in the late 19th century and 20th century. They unfortunately were involved in inhumane dog fighting and other blood sports. The loyal canines also were used on farms, as guard dogs, as service dogs, and in the police and military. In fact, boxers were one of the first dog breeds to work as police dogs in Germany.
The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1904, and today boxers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S.
Boxer Appearance
Boxers have short hair, strong, muscular bodies, and square jaws.
Boxer dogs 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.
Boxers can have a few different colorings, including the fawn Boxer and brindle (both sometimes with white markings). Some are entirely white. White Boxers aren’t albino, and they’re fairly common. Apart from white Boxers, many have what’s called a black mask, which is a patch of coloring, varying in intensity, around the eyes and mouth.
An interesting fact: since Boxers lack a specific gene for having a pure black coat, there are no black ones.
Because of that short coat, a Boxer’s grooming needs will be very minimal. They rarely need brushing and can get away with a bath every few months or a quick wipe-down with a towel after they get dirty.
Also, Read German Shepherd Dog Complete Details with Historical Background
Boxer Personality
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.
Ideal Environment for a Boxer
Boxers are, for the most part, versatile dogs. They’re happy wherever you are (wherever they’ll get plenty of love), and don’t mind spending time indoors. Of course, you’ll need to get out on a daily walk and work in play opportunities that your dog will enjoy.
If you have a family, you’ll find that a well-trained Boxer is very patient with children. But be wary of leaving your Boxer dog unattended with access to local pets in your neighborhood. Because Boxers were originally trained as catch dogs, they sometimes feel remnants of their hunting instinct, which can be directed at your neighbor’s cat or other unsuspecting animals. A strong fence without escape routes is a good idea.
On account of their short coat, it’s important to take steps to keep your dog warm in cold weather and limit unsupervised time spent outside in the cold. And although Boxers do well in hot weather, white ones might need some sunscreen. Yes, dog sunscreen is a thing.
Ideal Human for a Boxer
The ideal pet parent for a boxer has time to interact, exercise, and entertain their dog. A bored boxer will chew, lick, and dig to excess, so a kennel or crate may be necessary when you need to be away for longer than they like.
In the perfect world, a boxer owner would work part-time, or from home, so that they could spend maximum time caring for and bonding with their pet. That said, enlisting the help of a trusted pet sitter or daycare provider can be a lifesaver for those times when you can’t be there for a daily walk.
Boxer owners may also need to field questions from people who might be intimidated by their dog’s formidable presence and willing to provide extra structure and supervision when the situation calls for it.
Early Socialization and Training Go a Long Way
Training a boxer is not too difficult. But they’re smart enough not to fall for punitive measures, so positive reinforcement works best. Treats, praise, and clicker training all work well with boxer dogs.
Something to watch out for: they can be difficult around other dogs, particularly larger members of the same sex. Strong leash training and tight supervision are good ideas any time you’re out and about, depending on their disposition. As with all dog-dog issues, early socialization can go a long way to preventing unwanted growling, barking, and fighting.
Boxer Grooming
Like Pitbulls, Boxers have a short, tight coat—meaning you don’t need to take them in to get a frequent haircut. You can groom a Boxer at home by giving them a bath, trimming their nails, cleaning their ears, and brushing them regularly. If you don’t want to do this yourself, a groomer will do all of this for you. Plus, they’ll also typically express your dog’s anal glands, which many dogs need several times per year.
Boxer Health
Just like other dog breeds, these dogs are prone to particular health problems. These include hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, heart conditions such as aortic stenosis and Boxer cardiomyopathy, epilepsy, intestinal problems, and allergies.
Degenerative myelopathy, an incurable spinal disease, affects a large number of Boxer puppies (most of whom die before seven weeks of age), so it’s essential to buy from a reputable breeder with knowledge of congenital health conditions.
Skin cancer is also a common problem among white ones, who need extra sun protection (so remember that sunscreen).
Many Boxer owners worry about their dog’s snoring in the realm of minor health concerns. 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, lethargy, and fever, it’s time to go to the vet. Some pet parents opt for pet health insurance, just in case.
Also, Read Top 5 Most Popular Dog Breeds in America Full Details.
Boxer History
Boxer dogs were originally bred in late 19th century Germany, from a dog known as the Bullenbeisser. The Bullenbeisser (descended from Mastiffs) was crossed with the Old English bulldog to eventually produce the modern breed.
Bullenbeissers were generally used as catch dogs for hunting bears, wild boars, and deer. With their strong jaws, they would catch and hold the prey until their hunter masters came. The first Boxers were developed to be smaller, faster dogs for similar purposes.
Unfortunately, like their bulldog ancestors, Boxer dogs were sometimes used for bull-baiting, and, after the practice was outlawed, for dog fighting.
They became a recognized breed in the United States in 1904, and in World War I and World War II, they took roles as working dogs in a variety of military posts. Many are still working dogs, for the military and as police dogs. But most have taken an equally important place as the popular companion dog we know and love today.
Welcome a Boxer into the Family
Getting a Boxer is simple, but it’s important to be prepared. If you’re buying a puppy, you will spend plenty of time on basic obedience, socializing the puppy with other people and dogs, and teaching important skills like sleeping through the night and going to the bathroom outside.
Finding a Boxer puppy or adult dog can be as easy as an internet search, but be careful of puppy mills and internet scams. There are many ways to find a reputable breeder, and it’s good to ask around, visit before committing to payment, and trust your gut.
Boxer Rescues
Another way to find a dog is to adopt a rescue. Unlike puppies, savings often come spayed and neutered, and with all their shots. Many Boxer rescues are surrendered by individual owners, and these dogs are likely to know basic commands and are socialized. If not, that doesn’t mean you can’t work with them. Contact a trusted dog trainer for more information on how to teach a dog who hasn’t experienced much structure, or how to help a dog who has been traumatized to feel safe and welcome.
Boxer Breeders
To find breeders who have to meet stringent requirements, use the American Kennel Club (AKC) search tool to find a reputable Boxer breeder near you. When you visit, be sure to ask about any health issues in the dog’s bloodline, and discuss any genetic tests you might want to run.
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