Boxers are sturdy, short haired dogs that come from Germany. A combination of Old English Bulldogs and the Bullenbeisser (extinct), Boxers possess square, wide skulls with powerful jaws and an under bite. Placed in the working group, Boxers first appeared in dogs shows in 1895 and the flagship Boxer club was started the following year. Based on AKC data, Boxers have garnered the placement of 7th most loved breed in the U.S. for 4 ensuing years. Boxers are said to have acquired their name from its proclivity to stand on its hind legs when playing and “box” with its front paws but no one knows the validity of that.
Boxers typically measure 21.5 to 25 inches in height and weigh between 55-70 lbs.They formally needed their ears to be cropped and their tails docked to be counted as breed standards but cropping and docking have been banned in a lot of countries around the globe due to them being unnecessary and cruel however it’s still the norm for show dogs to be docked and cropped. Boxers have short, smooth fur. Fawn and brindle are the most prominent coat colors, often with white on the under belly and feet. These white markings are known as flash and when the white stretches to the face or neck, the dogs that have these markings are deemed “flashy”. Solid white to mostly white boxers are normal but precaution must be extended – they are prone to sunburn and skin cancer and 18% of white boxers are born deaf in one or both ears. Purebred black boxers do not exist. The boxer does not posess the gene for a solid black coat.
Boxers can have many health issues but cancer outnumbers them all. 38.5% of Boxers deaths are attributed to cancer. They have a shorter lifespan than many breeds, at 9-10 years. They are also prone to heart conditions, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, bloat, intestinal issues, and allergies. Boxers are a sporty breed and require adequate exercise but being that they are brachycephalic care must be taken in extreme heat or cold.
This breed is happy, playful, curious, and energetic usually making them very good with children. They are not by nature an aggressive breed but they are very protective of their families, and they are excellent guard dogs. Boxers are highly intelligent and eager to learn. A well socialized Boxer makes a perfect family pet and with training, get along well with other household pets. They can be headstrong though, and need a lot of human leadership.
Fun Facts:
1. Because Boxers are so easily trainable, strong, and energetic, they used to be used as performers in the circus.
2. The now-extinct ancestor of the Boxer, the Bullenbeisser, was used to hunt wild boar and stag. This dog had incredibly powerful jaws and could seize and hold large prey until it’s master came.
3. The Guinness World Record for longest tongue belongs to a Boxer named Brandy who had a 17 inch tongue.
4. Boxers became popular in the United States after WWII when soldiers brought them home as pets after using them in the military as guard and attack dogs.
5. Celebrities who own or have owned include Alec Baldwin, Humphrey Bogart, George Clooney, Jodie Foster, Luke Perry, Sylvester Stallone, Justin Timberlake, and Robin Williams.
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