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Hill’s Brand Horizon

Boxer

dog Breed Profile

Boxers are stocky, muscular and powerful.

Attributes

Brachycephalic (squashed face), droopy eyes, floppy ears (naturally)

Size

Weight

65-80 lbs.

50-65 lbs.

Height

22 in.

(at withers)

24 in.

Coat

Length

Short

Color

Fawn, brindle, with or without white flashing and black mask

Care

Exercise

>40 minutes/day

Energy level

Very energetic

Longevity

8-10 yrs.

Needs

High

Traits

Barking

Low

Snoring

Moderate

Drooling

High

Digging

Low

Grooming Needs

Low

Social Needs

High

Club recognition

AKC Class.

Working

UKC Class.

Guardian Dog

Prevalence

Common

The Boxer Dog Breed

Boxers are intolerant of hot weather, and care must be taken to prevent them from getting overheated.

About the Boxer

Boxers are stocky, muscular and powerful.

Boxer personality

Boxers are intelligent, high-energy, playful dogs that like to stay busy. Their temperament reflects their breeding. They prefer to be in the company of their owners and are loyal pets that will fiercely guard their family and home against strangers.

Few boxers bark excessively. If a boxer barks, chances are there is a good reason. Many boxers are vocal, however, and make a growling noise that's really just the dog's way of talking.

What to expect

The boxer has a high need for companionship and exercise. If these needs are not met, boxers can be destructive if left alone in the house. Boxers are ideal for people who want a canine companion with them most of the time or for larger busy families with homes that are often occupied by someone. They can do well on a country estate or in a city apartment as long as they have the opportunity to romp and expel energy. If you live in an urban area, regular walks are necessary.

Boxers are intolerant of hot weather, and care must be taken to prevent them from getting overheated. They also need protection from the cold since they are short-coated. Their coats, however, are very easy to care for and will be shiny and bright as long as they have a good diet, are bathed occasionally, and are given regular rub-downs with a grooming mitt or brushings with a rubber curry.

Some boxers drool excessively, and some snort and snore. Like other larger dogs, boxers are not particularly long-lived. Their life expectancy ranges from about seven to 10 years.

History of the Boxer

Boxers are descendants of extinct bullenbaiser breeds crossed with mastiff, bulldog and possibly Great Dane and even a terrier. They were developed in Germany in the 19th century, initially as bull baiting dogs and later as butcher's helpers, controlling cattle in slaughterhouses. Some breed historians say boxers are named from the German word boxl, their slaughterhouse designation. Other fanciers contend the name boxer comes from the characteristic way that they use their forepaws to play, sparring much like a human boxer. Boxers were not imported to the United States until after World War I. After 1940 the breed rose to become among the most popular in America.

Boxers are considered working dogs. They were one of the first breeds employed as a police dog, and they have been used as seeing-eye dogs. But they are also bred to be companion and guard dogs, perhaps best known for being loyal family pets that are especially fond of children.

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