BOXER

Temperament: Bright, Fun-Loving, Active
Height: 23-25 inches (male), 21.5-23.5 inches (female)
Weight: 65-80 pounds (male), females are about 15 pounds less than male
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
Group: Working Group 

ABOUT THE BOXER

Boxer dogs were originally bred to be medium-size guard dogs. Today, although they are a part of the AKC’s Working Group, Boxers mostly find homes as loving family companions. That said, they still retain their high energy levels and need plenty of exercise.

Boxers are large, muscular, square-headed dogs who look imposing–that is, until you look into their eyes and see the mischief and joy of life reflected there. Because of their playful nature and boundless energy, they are sometimes called the “Peter Pan” of the dog breeds. Boxers aren’t considered fully mature until they are three years old, meaning they have one of the longest puppyhoods in the world of dogs.

Boxers are renowned for their great love of and loyalty to their families. They often are distrustful of strangers at first, but will not be aggressive unless they perceive a threat to their families. Boxers are so loving that they often think they are lapdogs and try to lie as close to you as possible.

If you’re looking for a high-energy, easy-to-groom, family-friendly pooch, then this just may be the breed for you!

PERSONALITY

Boxers are upbeat and playful. Their patience and protective nature have earned them a reputation as a great dog with children. They take the jobs of watchdog and family guardian seriously and will meet threats fearlessly. Boxers do best when exposed to a lot of people and other animals in early puppyhood.

FEEDING

An ideal Boxer diet should be formulated for a medium-sized breed with high energy. Look for a high quality food for your pup so they can have the best chance for a long healthy life.

Boxers may gain weight if they are overfed, so you should stick to a regular feeding schedule. Usually two meals per day is recommended. Limit treats and don’t leave food out all day. Follow your veterinarian’s guidelines for a healthy diet.

As with all dogs, the Boxer’s dietary needs will change from puppyhood to adulthood and will continue to change into their senior years. 

HEALTH

The Boxer does not have a high tolerance for either extreme heat or cold, and he should always be kept inside the house as a beloved member of the family. Responsible breeders screen their stock for health conditions such as hip dysplasia, heart conditions such as aortic stenosis and cardiomyopathy, thyroid deficiency, degenerative myelopathy, and certain cancers. The website of the breed’s national parent club, the American Boxer Club, provides in-depth details about the breed’s health and care.

Recommended Health Tests from the National Breed Club:

• Hip Evaluation
• Elbow Evaluation
• Thyroid Evaluation
• ASSAS Cardio
• Aortic Valve Disease
• Boxer Cardiomyopathy
• ARVC DNA Test
• Degenerative Myelopathy DNA Test

CARE

Boxers are housedogs. Their short noses and short coats make them unsuited to living outdoors, although they’ll enjoy having a fenced yard to play in.

Boxers love to play. To keep their muscles toned and satisfy their need for exercise, plan on playing with them or walking them at least twice a day for half an hour. Giving your Boxer plenty of daily exercise is the best way to ensure good behavior. A tired Boxer is a good Boxer.

Training is essential for the Boxer. They’re so big and strong that they can accidentally hurt people by knocking them over if they don’t learn to control their actions. They’ll focus better once they’ve got their ya-ya out.

Patience is the key to housetraining your Boxer. Some are housetrained by four months of age, but others aren’t reliable until they’re seven months to a year old. Take your Boxer out to potty on a regular schedule and praise them wildly when they do their business outdoors. Crate training is recommended.

GROOMING

The Boxer is an easy-care dog. His short, smooth coat benefits from weekly brushing with a firm bristle brush or rubber curry brush to keep it shiny and healthy and to remove dead hairs that would otherwise find their way to your clothes and furniture.

Frequent baths are not necessary unless he gets dirty, but with the gentle dog shampoos available now, you can bathe a Boxer weekly if you want without harming his coat.

Clean the ears as needed with a solution recommended by your veterinarian. Don’t use cotton swabs inside the ear; they can push gunk further down into it. Wipe out the ear with a cotton ball, never going deeper than the first knuckle of your finger.

Trim the nails every couple of weeks or as needed. Don’t let them get so long that you can hear them clicking on the floor.

Source: dogtime, akc, vetstreet.