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The Boxer dog is medium-sized, very muscular, sturdy and deep-chested. They have a short muzzle and a slightly upturned chin.
The Boxer breed is classified as brachycephalic; problems associated with this condition include;
- Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome: a condition in brachycephalic breeds (those with a short nose and squashed face) where breathing is obstructed and can lead to reduced ability to exercise, or even severe respiratory distress.
- Skin inflammation/infection: brachycephalic breeds have a short nose and a normal amount of facial tissue. This means there is often excess skin around their face which leads to skin folds. The skin inside these folds can become sore and infections are prone to develop.
- Eye ulcers: ulcers are painful erosions on the surface of the eye. They are more common in brachycephalic breeds due to their conformation, as their eyes tend to be more bulbous.
The breed is also predisposed to:
- Hip dysplasia
- Aortic stenosis which is a narrowing of one of the blood vessels lead from the heart and can result in heart failure.
- Boxer cardiomyopathy, which affects the heart muscle tissue which means the heart cannot work properly and may fail.
- Cancers including lymphoma¹ a cancer in one of the cells that makes up the immune system and haemangiosarcomas², a cancer in the cells that line the blood vessels.
- Epilepsy³ which is a condition where abnormal brain function can lead to seizures which damage the brain.
- Cruciate disease which is where the ligaments in the knee become diseased and damaged which can lead to pain and limping.
Priority Kennel Club health schemes and testing:
None but there are several recommended schemes that the Kennel Club recommends which can be found here.
¹ K. Craun et al, 'Genetic and environmental risk for lymphoma in boxer dogs.', July 2020, Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
² P. C. Schultheiss, 'A Retrospective Study of Visceral and Nonvisceral Hemangiosarcoma and Haemangiomas in Domestic Animals', Nov 2004, Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation.
³ C. Rusbridge, 'Canine idiopathic epilepsy', May 2016, Veterinary Ireland Journal.
Boxer dogs remain puppy-like throughout their lives, making them quite a handful! Lively, strong and loyal, they make great pets for all the family, adults and children alike, but can be boisterous so may not be suitable in a home with very young children - or where owners don't have time to give them the attention and exercise they need as they can get bored easily!
Fearless and very self-assured, they are not quick to pick a fight, but more than able to defend themselves if they have to. They do not like being left home alone and can become distressed and destructive.
| Family-friendly: | 4/5 |
| Exercise needs: | 5/5 |
| Easy to train: | 4/5 |
| Tolerates being alone: | 1/5 |
| Likes other pets: | 3/5 |
| Energy level: | 5/5 |
| Grooming needs: | 3/5 |
| Shedding: | 4/5 |
The ancestors of this now well-known breed were the German Bullenbeisser and the English Bulldog - and for a while the breed was known as the German Bulldog. The Bullenbeisser was a formidable hunting dog who originally was able to tackle deer, boar and even bears, holding them by the nose until hunters arrived. By the late 19th century however, faster, lighter dogs became more useful than strong ones and so the breed became smaller before being crossed with the English Bulldog to create the Boxer breed.
After in-fighting between rival breeders as to what the Boxer should look like, the breed eventually stabilised in 1910, but then war broke out and the Boxer was drafted as a military dog acting as a highly successful messenger dog. After the war, many soldiers returned home and took the dogs who had fought alongside them with them where they became popular as family companions.
Boxer owners should enjoy walking, training, wiping up drool and have an endless quantity of patience for a breed that will never grow up, always remaining a clown. Boxers often upset other dogs without intended to – their facial features and stance makes them look challenging and rude, so you’ll need strong diplomatic skills and some training and behaviour knowledge to mitigate this. As with all short-nosed dogs, Boxers may suffer costly health problems.
The Boxer is a high-energy breed that does require plenty of exercise and a lot of training and enrichment as they are always on the go. Two hours plus walking a day is recommended along with regular training and games.
The Boxer really is a country dog as they need plenty of free-running exercise and their sheer exuberance and love of life needs lots of space both indoors and out!
Large breed dogs, as well as having large appetites, benefit from a different balance of nutrients including minerals and vitamins compared to smaller-breed dogs. Boxers are prone to bloating and stomach problems; smaller, more frequent meals can help minimise this risk.
The Boxer dog's coat is easily kept clean, as it is very short. A rubber grooming mitt can be used once in a while to keep the coat in good condition. Any nose wrinkles need to be kept clean and dry.
With their high-energy and juvenile behaviour, the Boxer needs on-going training from a very early age in order to be controllable and well-behaved. Thankfully this is a joy as they are clever and enjoy working with their owner so can easily be the stars of their training class. You do need to have a sense of humour though as the Boxer can get bored easily and will then have much more fun playing the clown instead!
Boxers make fabulous family dogs as they are devoted to all and are excellent with children. They can be overly-boisterous for smaller children however and so are better suited to older families.
While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.
