Boxer
A bouncy, clownish and deeply affectionate German working dog that stays puppy-like for years and loves family life.
At a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height at the withers
- Males 57–63 cm · Females 53–59 cm
- Weight
- Males 30–35 kg · Females 25–30 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10–12 years
- Exercise
- 60–120 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Smooth, short
- Colours
- Fawn, Brindle
- Bred for
- Guarding, Companionship
- Country of origin
- Germany
- FCI
- Group 2, no. 144 · Pinschers, molossers & mountain dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 5/5 – Very high |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Open to strangers | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 5/5 – Very high |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Prey drive | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Watchful and protective | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Barking | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Shedding | 2/5 – Low |
| Grooming effort | 1/5 – Very low |
| Drooling | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good for first-time owners | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Suits apartment living | 2/5 – Low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 1/5 – Very low |
| Copes with cold | 2/5 – Low |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a fun, affectionate family dog
- have an active household
- enjoy a dog with a sense of humour
Think twice if you …
- live in a hot climate
- want a calm, quiet dog in its first years
- have frail or very small visitors who could be bowled over
Care
Temperament
Playful, cheerful and very attached to its family. Alert and willing to guard, yet usually friendly once it has accepted a visitor. Some Boxers stay boisterous well into adulthood.
Exercise
Daily walks plus active play; fetch, agility and obedience suit it, but avoid hard exercise on hot days.
Grooming
The short, tight coat needs little more than a weekly brush; shedding is moderate.
Training
Intelligent but easily bored, so keep sessions short, varied and positive; start impulse control and polite greetings early.
Health
Boxers are prone to heart conditions such as aortic stenosis and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, as well as some cancers, hip dysplasia and breathing trouble in heat. Ask the breeder for the parents' heart and hip results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Heart
- Hips (HD)
- Spine
DNA tests
- DM (SOD1)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Boxer was developed in Munich in the 1890s from the old German Bullenbeisser and imported British bulldogs. Early breeders wanted a sturdy, versatile working dog, and the Boxer served as a messenger and guard dog in the First World War before becoming a popular family companion.
Life with a Boxer is lively. It greets people with its whole body, loves games and is usually patient with children, though its enthusiasm can knock little ones over. It needs daily exercise and company, and its short muzzle means it should be kept cool in warm weather.
Did you know?
White Boxers are not uncommon, but only fawn and brindle with limited white markings are accepted in the FCI standard.