While the Boxer as we know it originated in 19th-century Germany, it has roots as far back as 2,500 B.C. Today, Boxers are known for their muscular build and broad, short-muzzled head. Their lively, sweet personality makes them a popular family pet.
This breed has a short, shiny coat that may present itself as fawn or brindle, both with white markings. Historically, Boxers have their tails docked and/or their ears cropped when they are puppies, but not all breeders submit to this practice anymore.
Boxers are intelligent and friendly. They grow close to their owners, but they can be hesitant to trust strangers. Early, consistent training is very important when it comes to raising a well-adapted pet. They are easy to train and like to learn and experience new things. Boxers are also known to be goofy, especially since their brains don’t fully mature until around 3 years. This gives them the longest puppyhood of all breeds.
As with most dog breeds, the Boxer cannot tolerate extreme hot or cold very well. They do best in moderate climates, but can do well in hotter or colder climates as long as they are indoor dogs. They are medium-sized, energetic dogs, so they do best in a home with a fenced-in yard and some room to run. They can adapt to apartment living as long as they get plenty of exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day.
Boxers have a lifespan of 10-12 years. Like all breeds, they may be susceptible to certain diseases. For Boxers, these include hip dysplasia, thyroid deficiency, degenerative myelopathy, and heart conditions like cardiomyopathy and aortic stenosis. The health of their parents, along with the Boxer’s lifestyle and diet play a large role in this.
Boxers will need to be trained for them to be a well-adjusted pet. Thankfully, a Boxer is one of the most trainable dog breeds and often excel at any task put before them. They are eager to please their owner and can adapt easily. Due to their intelligence and high energy, they can become bored, especially with repetition.
Because of their open, friendly nature and high-energy, they have a tendency to jump up at people, often in playfulness. However, these energetic puppies grow into powerful dogs; jumping up can often become a behavioral issue if they are not trained to stay “down”. It’s important to socialize early and enroll in puppy training classes, so you and your puppy learn how to channel their energy in a positive way.
The Boxer’s coat is short and sleek. They require minimal grooming. While Boxers do shed, they are also very clean and have been known to groom themselves as cats do. Beyond their coats, their nails should be checked and trimmed once or twice a month and their teeth brushed regularly.
Boxers are a high-energy breed that requires a lot of exercise. It is ideal that they get around an hour a day of physical exercise in order for them to stay healthy. Mental exercise is valuable to Boxers as well as they are excellent problem solvers.
Boxers typically weigh 55-71 pounds and stand 21-25 inches tall at the shoulder.
Boxers tend to live 10 to 12 years.
In Germany, the Boxer was one of the first dog breeds chosen for police training.
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