Brains, beauty, and brawn: The Boxer

By Lauren Rey

The Boxer

Boxer – Fast Facts

The ultimate blend of brains, beauty, and brawn, Boxers are the complete canine package. With their fun-natured, spirited personalities and loyal, protective instincts, Boxers offer the best of both worlds when it comes to dog breeds.

From warriors on the battlefield and showstoppers in the Westminster ring to loyal friends and family favourites, Boxers have excelled in every role they’ve been given. While Boxers can be a ton of fun, they can also be a challenge for some. Here’s an in-depth look at owning this bright and bouncy breed!

History of the Boxer

The Boxer originated in Germany during the late 19th century, descending from the Bullenbeisser, a now-extinct breed of hunting dog. Bullenbeissers, which were believed to be mixes of Mastiffs and English Bulldogs, were eventually bred down to be smaller and more agile for multipurpose work. These dogs were noted for their tendency to play and fight by using their front paws in a punching-like motion, thus resulting in the breed being called the Boxer.

At the turn of the 20th century, Boxers were brought to North America and began serving as military dogs in a variety of roles during WWI and WWII. After the wars ended, many Boxers accompanied their soldiers home and went on to become guard dogs, family companions, and even made their way into the show ring.

In the 1950s, a Boxer named Bang Away reached celebrity status after winning 100 Best in Show titles, including the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club. Bang Away was featured in newspaper and magazine articles around the world, furthering the popularity of the breed. Today, Boxers still shine in the show ring, are popular family dogs, and often place among top 10 breed lists.

Boxer traits and characteristics

There are several unique attributes that help define the Boxer breed. Here’s what you can expect from a purebred Boxer.

Boxer size and appearance

The Boxer is a medium to large-sized dog with a sturdy, muscular build. Males of the breed weigh 65 to 80 pounds and stand 23 to 25 inches tall. Females are slightly smaller, weighing 55 to 70 pounds and standing 21 to 23 inches tall.

Boxers have a short, smooth coat that comes in three colors – brindle, fawn, or white. Their eyes are typically a shade of dark brown.

Hallmarks of the Boxer breed include their signature “smushed” noses, droopy jowls, wrinkled foreheads, and wide expressive eyes that often give them a sweet and endearing look.

Key traits of a Boxer

When it comes to dog breeds, Boxers are often known as the complete package. They are highly intelligent, loyal, and protective, but are also known for their playful, affectionate, and “silly” side. When it’s time to work, the Boxer is always ready, but when it’s time to play, that’s where the Boxer really shines!

Because they’re such an energetic and playful breed, proper training and exercise are key to a happy, well-rounded Boxer. Like all active breeds, without an outlet for their energy, Boxers may become destructive or try to run off. They’ve been known to dig under fences or even leap right over them if something catches their eye. Unfortunately, Boxers are one of the top breeds commonly reported missing. You can protect your Boxer with a microchip and a 24Petwatch Lifetime Protection Membership with access to 24/7 lost pet recovery specialists and the largest microchip data registry in North America.

Boxer health and lifespan

The Boxer is considered a generally healthy breed with a lifespan of 10 to 12 years, however, like all purebred dogs, Boxers can be predisposed to several health conditions such as:

Due to their high rate of heart conditions like right ventricular cardiomyopathy which is so common in the breed it has become known as “Boxer cardiomyopathy,” some Boxers may need additional health screenings with veterinary cardiologists.

While not every Boxer will be impacted by one of these health conditions, pet insurance is always a good safety net to help cover veterinary expenses. Especially in the event that emergency and/or specialty care is needed. Protect your Boxer with a pet insurance plan.

Living with a Boxer

Being the playful, high-energy dogs they are, Boxers are best suited to spacious homes with owners that have an active lifestyle. Boxers need plenty of exercise, typically one to two hours a day (broken up into walks and activities). They make great hiking partners and are always up for a backyard game of fetch. Care does need to be taken to ensure they don’t overheat since Boxers are a brachycephalic breed (with shortened airways) and can be at a higher risk of developing heat stroke.

Boxers are also highly intelligent and need mental stimulation like puzzle toys, snuffle mats, and nose work games. While their energy can be a lot to handle, Boxers do offer easy upkeep when it comes to grooming as their short coats don’t shed much and they are a generally clean breed.

Top things to consider before owning a Boxer

Boxers are wonderful companions, but as with all breeds, these dogs are not suited for everyone. This breed can be challenging for certain lifestyles so it’s important to make sure you are prepared before bringing one home. Here are the top things to consider if you’re thinking about owning a Boxer:

In general, Boxers are a wonderful breed. They’re loving, loyal, and playful but they do need proper training and an outlet for their energy.

Boxer FAQs

Are Boxers good family dogs?

When well-trained and socialized, Boxers typically make great family dogs. They are loyal and affectionate with their families and are known to be gentle and patient with children but, as with all dogs, individual Boxer temperaments may vary and interactions with children should always be supervised.

Are Boxers high maintenance?

Boxers can be considered high maintenance to some due to their playful nature, exercise needs, and health risks. But, for owners who enjoy an active lifestyle and are willing to accept the potential veterinary costs associated with the breed (which pet insurance can help with), the Boxer can be a great match.

Are Boxers protective?

Boxers are known to be protective of their homes and families and will often take on the role of “guard dog” whether you intended them to or not. Training can help curb any undesirable behaviours or reactivity but overall, most Boxers will still be somewhat protective.

Why do Boxers use their paws so much?

Boxers use their paws both as a form of communication and play. It’s common for a Boxer to paw at their owner or another dog for attention. They’re also known to use their paws with each other while playing. It’s this very motion that earned the Boxer breed its name.

Are Boxers hard to train?

While Boxers are certainly not the hardest breed to train, they’re not known as the easiest either. Due to their high energy, they can have trouble focusing or staying on-task during training sessions. They are very intelligent and motivated so they do tend to pick up things quickly but as with all dogs, early training, socialization, and positive reinforcement with your Boxer puppy is vital.

Ready for a Boxer?

Owning a Boxer comes with a lot of responsibilities but also a lot of rewards. These energetic, fun-loving dogs will keep you on your toes and provide lots of love and laughter. Just be sure you have the time, space, and most importantly – the energy, to devote to this special breed!

Writer Bio: Lauren Rey

With 15 years of experience in the veterinary industry, Lauren is well-versed in the world of pet health. She’s a content writer for several online pet publications and loves to help pet parents stay informed. When not researching the latest pet news, you’ll probably find her off on an adventure with her rescue dog Pickles.