Breed Group: Working Group
Shoulder Height: 21-25 in.
Weight: 55-70 lb.
Life Span: 9-10 years
Colors: Fawn, brindle, white
Interesting Facts
- The Boxer is the eighth most popular breed in the United States
- Often described as being tall bulldogs due to their broad, short skulls and square muzzle
- Can possess pointy fox-like ears or floppy ears
- Originally bred in Germany for the purpose of boar and deer hunting
- Hybrid between the English Bulldog and the extinct Bullenbeisser
Overview
Boxers have been popular family dogs in the United States since they were first introduced in the early 1900s. Famed for their loyalty, good nature, and distinctive look, Boxers are extremely powerful dogs and make for fantastic guard dogs.
They are one of the best large breeds for families and children as they have a sweet temperament and a loving attitude towards their masters. They crave affection from humans and will stop at nothing to make sure they are happy. Boxers are also quite intelligent and have exhibited prowess in problem-solving, making them something of a challenge to train, especially as a pup.
Boxers do get along well with other dogs, but are suspicious of strangers, so good social training is definitely needed. Boxers also make for great apartment dogs as they do not shed and require very little grooming. They do, however, require a lot of exercise.
Health Facts
Boxers, for a larger breed, are rather healthy dogs but do possess some problems of which you need to be aware.
- The occurrence of cancer in Boxers is abnormally high. Not only is it the number one killer in the breed, no other breed has as high of an occurrence rate as Boxers do.
- The most common health issues are cancers (mast cell tumors most common), heart conditions (aortic stenosis and "Boxer Cardiomyopathy"), hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, degenerative myelopathy and epilepsy
- Boxers are sensitive to a commonly used veterinary sedative called acepromazine
- Boxers are also extremely sensitive to heat and humidity, so exercise with caution in these kinds of conditions
Notable Animals
- Boxers are popular pets in Hollywood with many actors and actresses keeping some, such as Jessica Biel and Cameron Diaz
- Greg Biffle, the famous NASCAR driver, has kept Boxers his entire life
- Chance, the young dog from the Homeward Bound films, is an American Bulldog that has often been mistaken as a Boxer
Photo ©iStock.com/AlonaRjabceva, ©iStock.com/JannoVaan
