Boxer breed guide

Height

Up to 24.57 inches (to shoulder)

Weight

Males and females up to 79.2lbs

Lifespan

Between 11 and 12 years

History

Originating in Germany, in the Middle Ages, the Boxer was so named because of ‘boxing’ with their front paws whilst playing.

The Boxer is a result of cross-breeding between a now extinct Bullenbeissern and an English Bulldog and was first recognised as a breed in 1896 along with the establishment of The Deutsche Boxer Club.

Appearance

Medium-sized dogs, Boxers are strong with a large head, strong neck, prominent jaw and a slightly flattened nose. They have big, dark-brown eyes and large upper lips for a powerful bite.

Their short, smooth coats can be found in three colours: fawn, brindled (fawn with black stripes) and white. Tails are set high and are often docked. Boxers don’t carry a gene for black coat colours, so purebred black Boxers don’t exist.

Temperament

Boxers are incredibly energetic and require high levels of activity. Intelligent, curious and eager to play, they are especially good to train as they are very bright and quick to learn.

Very loyal and faithful to their owners, these dogs make great companions and trustworthy guardians. This breed gets along really well with children but can be suspicious around strangers.

If you get your boxer to socialise from an early age they should be able to get on with other dogs and pets.

Things to watch out for

Unfortunately, boxers are prone to various forms of cancer, so you should look out for changes in behaviour and report them to a vet. You should also avoid walking a Boxer in strong sunlight which could put them at more risk of the disease.

A Boxer’s diet needs to be high in calories as they expel so much energy. The main sources of their food should be chicken, lamb and fish.

Is a Boxer for me?

If you’re looking for a loyal, high-energy pet that requires little grooming, then the Boxer would be fantastic for you!

Their alertness, agility and strength makes them super guard dogs and these animals can be used as guide dogs for the blind.

They are fabulous devoted family pets as they are very friendly and will accept other pets you may have in your home.

Did you know?

Four in five white boxers are deaf.

Why not insure your boxer with Animal Friends? Visit our "Boxer insurance" page for more information on insuring your pet through our dog insurance policies.