The Boxer is one of the few dogs who, even at eight years old, still look as if they have just done something naughty. He stays playful for a long time, is exceptionally good with children and is one of the most approachable large breeds there is. The catch is not his character but his health: the Boxer is among the breeds with the highest cancer rates, and you should know that before you fall in love, not afterwards.
Boxer in numbers
- Origin: Germany, Munich, developed at the end of the 19th century from the Brabant Bullenbeisser
- Size: Males 57 to 63 cm, females 53 to 59 cm, 25 to 32 kg
- Coat: Short, smooth, close-lying, fawn or brindle, usually with a black mask
- Life expectancy: 10 to 12 years
- Temperament: Playful, affectionate, child-loving, watchful without sharpness, late to mature
Temperament: the eternal adolescent
A Boxer matures late, some say never completely. Until about his third year he stays a young dog in his head, jumping, dancing, boxing with his front paws and delighted to see you as if he had not seen you for weeks. This joy in life is the reason so many families love him, and at the same time the reason he can knock a child over with a 30-kilo run-up without meaning to.
He is extremely devoted to his people and suffers when he is shut out. With strangers he is usually open and friendly, but reliably lets you know when someone is there. Aggression is untypical for a well-bred Boxer, his watchfulness works through presence and voice, not through sharpness.
He was bred as a versatile working dog for guarding and companionship. He was one of the first service dogs in Germany. This past explains his steady nerves and his willingness to cooperate, but also his tendency to get involved whenever something happens in the household.
The five points that really count
1. The cancer rate is typically high for the breed
The Boxer is one of the breeds in which tumours are particularly common, above all mast cell tumours, lymphomas and brain tumours. Many Boxers fall ill as early as middle age. There is no gene test and no reliable prevention for it, only attention: new lumps under the skin should be checked promptly in a Boxer and not just watched. This one habit saves lives in this breed.
2. The short nose costs air
The Boxer is brachycephalic, meaning he has a shortened muzzle. Depending on the breeding line, this ranges from mild to clearly problematic. The consequences are snoring, loud panting, poor heat tolerance and, in pronounced cases, real breathlessness under exertion. At the breeder, look for open nostrils and a muzzle with visible length. A Boxer who breathes audibly even at rest is not cute, but a dog with a problem. Similar considerations apply to the French Bulldog and the Pug.
3. Heat is dangerous, not just unpleasant
Because of the shortened nose, a Boxer cools down less well than other dogs, as panting works less effectively for him. On hot days he does not belong in the midday sun, in the car or on long hikes. Heatstroke develops faster in this breed than many owners expect.
4. Heart and joints need monitoring
Boxer cardiomyopathy, also called arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, is a heart muscle disease typical of the breed that leads to disturbances in the heart rhythm. Add to that aortic stenosis as well as hip and elbow dysplasia. Reputable breeders have the heart and joints examined, so ask specifically for the results of both parent animals.
5. Cropped ears and tails are banned
The old image of the Boxer with pointed ears and a stub tail comes from a time when both were amputated. In Germany, cropping is banned under the Animal Welfare Act. A Boxer bred here has drop ears and a long tail. Offers of cropped puppies come from abroad and usually without any health testing.
Care: what he really needs
- Exercise in moderation. Plenty every day, but adapted to weather and breathing. No long runs in warm weather.
- Brainwork. He is clever and gets bored quickly. Search games, tricks and companion dog training suit him well.
- Early impulse control. Jumping up and exuberance need working on in puppyhood, because later the same dog weighs 30 kilos.
- Cool retreats in summer. Shade, cool floors, walks in the morning and evening.
- Regular health checks. Heart and skin, every year from middle age.
Who is the Boxer right for?
For active families who want a cheerful, people-oriented dog and take a longer adolescent phase with humour. For owners who have time every day and do not leave the dog alone for hours. And for people who face the health risks honestly instead of hoping it will all be fine.
Not for people who expect a calm dog from day one. Not for households with very small children without supervision, simply because of his momentum. And not for anyone living in a hot attic flat without cooling. If you are torn between several large breeds, you will find the comparison in our book Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir? (Which dog REALLY suits you?).
Frequently asked questions
Is the Boxer on a banned breeds list? The German Boxer is not on a breed list in any German federal state. Mix-ups arise with similar-looking bull terrier types. Because dog regulations are a matter for the individual states and change, it is still worth a quick look at the current rules of your state before buying.
How good with children is he really? Very. Boxers are among the most patient large breeds with children. The real risk is not his character but his momentum: an excited Boxer knocks over a toddler without noticing.
Does he drool a lot? Yes, more than most breeds. Because of the shape of his lips, quite a lot drips, especially after drinking and in warm weather. If you are sensitive about drool on trousers and sofa, factor that in.
Mask and brindle in the picture
The expressive head with the big dark eyes and the black mask is unmistakable. Brindle coats look especially lively as an oil painting, while the typically cheerful expression works really well in cartoon style. Photograph him from the front at eye level in a calm moment, ideally right after a walk, when he lies contentedly for a moment.
The cartoon style captures exactly the face that makes the Boxer what he is. The framed canvas is ready to hang straight out of the box, with no need to buy a frame and no fiddling with a mount. Everything else on offer is at the dog portraits.
Keep reading
- Doberman: sensitive velcro dog with a heart risk: similar size, a different health topic
- What the French Bulldog's breathing trouble costs in everyday life: the same short nose, much more extreme
- Old dog, new rules: with the Boxer, prevention becomes an issue earlier
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