Boxer

Boxers are high energy dogs and are often described as being exuberant extrovert while at the same time being the clowns of the dog world. They love being entertained and to entertain with their silly dances and fun-loving outlook to life. If there is one thing a Boxer is not it's a couch potato. These dogs are extremely loyal and the fact they are so outgoing by nature it means they are great fun to have around. It is said that once a person has owned a Boxer they would never dream of sharing their home with another breed of dog.

The breed originates from Germany where they were bred as working dogs and it's believed that Boxers boasts having several well-known and loved breeds in their ancestry. This includes the Bulldog and Great Dane. Their name comes from a German word "beisser" which was corrupted to Bullenbeisser which translated to English means "bull biter". Boxers are exceptional watchdogs even in a home environment and are very quick to let their owners know if there are any strangers or people about.

The Boxer has consistently been a popular choice of family pet for many years not only here in the UK but elsewhere in the world and for good reason. They are loyal fun-loving extremely good with children of all ages and they are always ready to join in a game with as much gusto as you would hope for from a reliable loving and comical family pet. In short the Boxer is a true and much-loved all-rounder.

The Boxer is a relative newcomer to the dog world having been first bred in Germany in the late 1890's. The very first German Boxer was exhibited at a dog show in Munich five years later in 1895 and was called a male called Flocki. He was bred using an English Bulldog called Tom and his mother was Brindle German dog who boasted having an interesting lineage with the Bullenbeissen being in her ancestry. The Bullenbeisser was a fighting dog that was used for blood sports which included bull baiting back in the day before it was outlawed.

It was only in the thirties that Boxers arrived on English shores and a few years later enthusiasts of the breed got together in London to establish "The British Boxer Dog Club". It was not long before the club's membership doubled with six fans of the breed becoming twelve.

That same year in 1936 The Boxer Club was accepted as being an affliate of The Kennel Club and Cruft's Dog Show started including Boxer Classes in their events. A breed standard was established and in 1939 and Boxers were granted Championship status. The first Champion Boxer in the UK was called Champion Horsa of Leith Hill and was awarded the title in 1939. A year later in 1940 the number of Boxers registered with the Kennel Club rose to 33 dogs.

World War II put a stop to things for the next few years but with the help of Mrs. Caro who owned the very first Champion Boxer to be bred in the UK the club survived and prospered gaining new members and before long a revival of the breed took place.

Today the Boxer is known the world over as being among one of the kindest and most fun-loving albeit highly energetic dogs to own. The added bonus being they are extremely kind when around children and other pets rarely showing an aggressive side to their personalities.

Interesting facts about the breed

• Is the Boxer a vulnerable breed? No they are among the most popular dogs in the UK and elsewhere in the world thanks to their devoted and loyal natures
• Boxers are a relatively new breed having been first bred in Germany in the late 1800's
• They are descendants of the Bullenbeisser a German breed of fighting and bull baiting dog
• Boxers were also used to hunt wild boar in days long past
• There is no such thing as a “black” boxer but rather a reverse brindle
• Boxers often like to stand on their back legs and punch at the air with their front ones much like a boxer
• White Boxers are not prone to suffering from more health issues they are however like other white dogs more predisposed to having hearing issues with some being totally deaf and they are more likely to have eye issues too

Height at the withers: Males 57 - 63 cm Females 53 - 59 cm

Average Weight: Males 30 - 32 kg Females 25 - 27 kg

One of the most noticeable and endearing physical traits of Boxers is their undershot jaw and unlike in many other breeds this is one trait that is highly desirable in the breed. Their jaw structure means a Boxer has a very strong grip when they take anything in their mouths. They are extremely proud looking dogs that always hold themselves well. They are extremely well-muscled and nicely proportioned from the heads right down to the tips of their tails.

A Boxer's head is another of their defining physical features which should always be well in proportion to the rest of a dog's body and should never show any sort of exaggeration with their occiput never being too pronounced. Boxers have a well-defined stop and the bridge of their noses should never be too far back in a dog's forehead and it should not be downfaced either.

The tip of a Boxer's nose is set a little higher than the root of their muzzles which adds to their unique look. Cheeks are well developed and powerful without any hint of a bulge. The only time a Boxer has any wrinkles on their faces is when they are excited. Their muzzles are always that much darker as compared to the rest of their faces and bodies.

Their eyes are always alert dark brown in colour and have an "intelligent" look about them which is enhanced by the dark rims around them. Their ears are set wide apart on the top part of their head falling to the front when a dog is excited but otherwise they lie flat close to a dog's cheeks. As previously mentioned one of the defining features of the breed is their undershot jaw and their extremely powerful bite.

Their neck is supple and strong being well-muscled with a distinct arch in it that goes right down to a dog's withers. Their forequarters are powerful and square in appearance when seen in profile. Boxers have very deep chests with well arched and well-defined ribcages. Their backs are short and slope downwards to their hindquarters giving these dogs a very powerful appearance even when they are at rest. Their feet are small and very cat-like in appearance with arched toes and their back feet are slight longer than their front ones. A Boxer's tail is set high and dogs tend to carry them high.

When it comes to a Boxer's coat this is short and tight to their bodies being smooth to the touch and glossy looking. These lovely dogs boast a variety of colours which includes the following:

• Black Brindle
• Black Brindle & White
• Brindle
• Brindle & White
• Brindle Black Mask
• Dark Brindle
• Dark Brindle & White
• Fawn
• Fawn & White
• Golden Brindle & White
• Light Brindle
• Light Brindle & White
• Red
• Red & White
• Red & White Black Mask
• Red Black Mask
• Red Brindle
• Red Brindle & White
• Tiger Brindle
• Tiger Brindle & White
• White

Gait/movement

When a Boxer moves they do so powerfully covering a great deal of ground with lots of strength coming from their hindquarters. When seen from the side a Boxer has a free-moving stride and a noble appearance about them.

Faults

The Kennel Club frowns on any exaggerations or departures from the breed standard and would judge all faults on how much they affect a Boxer's overall health and wellbeing as well as their ability to perform as they should.

Male Boxers must have both testicles fully descended into their scrotums and it is worth noting that a Boxer can be a little taller or shorter and they can be slightly lighter or heavier than set out in their Kennel Club breed standard which is given only as a guide to a dog’s appearance.

Known to be real clowns Boxers are often referred to as the "jokers of the dog world". They are energetic playful and fun characters to have around and they take a long time to mature. Boxers are always eager to please and extremely loyal dogs by nature. However they need to be handled gently but firmly so they understand their place in the "pack" or they can become a handful and a bit wilful and stubborn when the mood takes them. Boxers must know who is alpha dog and who they can look to for direction and guidance otherwise they will take on the role and show a more dominant side to their natures which is something to be avoided at all costs.

Boxers also need to be well socialised and introduced to new people animals and different situations as early as possible to curb any unwanted behaviours like jumping up when they greet someone which if not nipped in the bud can develop into a real problem. They rarely show any aggressive behaviour but due to their size jumping up can be a little intimidating to people and a dog could accidentally knock a child over by doing so.

Some Boxers can be a little wary when around people they don't know and they are quick to let an owner know when there are strangers about. They need to be kept busy because if a Boxer gets bored through lack of exercise or because they are not given enough mental stimulation they can become quite destructive around the house which includes chewing on furniture and digging up carpets.

Being such hyperactive characters Boxers are a great choice for families and people who love to spend as much of their free time with a canine companion in the great outdoors. They adore playing interactive games which includes things like Frisbee. In general the Boxer is a quick learner because they are intelligent although at times they are known to be a little head strong but with the correct training and handling Boxers are a real pleasure to be around.

Boxers are independent thinkers by nature and will always "test" the limits and commands they are given which is why they must be handled with a firm and fair hand right from the word go and throughout their lives and even then a Boxer would always "try it on" when the mood takes them.

More about White Boxers

There has been a lot of myths about White Boxers and the fact they are rare which is not true at all. In fact 25% of Boxers when first born are white. They are not "albino" either they simply have less pigment in their skin and although some completely white dogs might be thought of as being albino they would have to have "pink" eyes to truly be so. A simply white dog would have normal coloured eyes.

The other difference between an albino dog and a White Boxer is that they are the result of two White Boxers that have the "recessive gene" being mated whereas a white dog that's albino would be the result of having the "albino gene mutation".

Another myth is that White Boxers are more prone to developing and suffering from more health issues but there is no evidence of this being true. With this said because they have lower levels of melamine they are more prone to being sunburnt and of developing skin cancer. Another issue with a lot of white coated dogs including the Boxer is that they are more predisposed to impaired hearing and vision.

Are they a good choice for first time owners?

Boxers are not a good choice for first time dog owners because they are very independent thinkers which can make training them more of a challenge. They are extremely high energy and intelligent dogs as such owners must have the time needed to socialise and train their canine companion correctly from a young age. Owners also need to understand the specific needs of a powerful dominant and high prey drive dog so they never get the best of them.

What about prey drive?

Boxers are fun-loving dogs and they have "fighting dog" in their lineage as such they have a high prey drive and can be quite aggressive if not well socialised and trained correctly from a young enough age. Boxers are "bouncy" dogs and love chasing anything that moves in a joyful but often deadly way which often gets them into trouble especially if they are being walked in the countryside off their leads. Young Boxers must be taught the "no" and the "leave it" command from a young age to prevent them from taking off after other animals which includes other dogs when the mood takes them**.**

What about playfulness?

The Boxer is renowned for being the "clowns of the dog world" and thrive on being around their families and owners loving nothing more than to entertain with their silly antics and dances. They remain very playful throughout their lives which is another reason they are such fun to have around in a home environment.

What about adaptability?

Boxers need to have enough space to express themselves and therefore they are not suited to apartment living. They do a whole lot better when they have a large back garden to romp around in as often as they can making sure the fencing is secure enough to keep an athletic Boxer safely in.

What about excessive barking?

Boxers are not known to be "barkers" although they are natural guard dogs and therefore they are quick to let an owner know when things they don't like are happening in their environment. With this said any dog that’s left on their own for long periods of time would start barking incessantly to let people know how unhappy they are about the situation.

Do Boxers like water?

Some Boxers love being in water although they are not built to be "water dogs" and as such care should always be taken when a Boxer jumps in to take a swim. Because of their build and their shorter noses Boxers find it harder to stay afloat which is part of the reason why care should always be taken when these dogs are around swimming pools or ponds.

Other Boxers don't even like getting their feet wet and it would be a mistake to make them go in water because it would just end up scaring them even more. Care should be taken when walking a Boxer that does like swimming anywhere near more dangerous water courses just in case they decide to leap in.

Are Boxers good watchdogs?

Boxers are exceptionally good natural watchdogs a trait that's deeply embedded in their psyche which in short means they don't need to be trained to guard over and protect anything which could end up making a Boxer a little too over-protective and could even lead to a dog turning aggressive.

Boxers are intelligent dogs but they need to be well handled and given the right sort of guidance from a young age for them to be truly obedient dogs. They also need to be well socialised as soon as possible so they get to meet new people other animals and new situations for them to grow up to be calmer more rounded dogs.

Boxers can be boisterous when young which means it can prove difficult to get a dog to focus when they are being taught anything new. With this in mind it's essential for these dogs to be handled firmly right from the word go so they understand their place in the "pack" and who is alpha dog. Boxers can become unruly and wilful if they are not given the right sort of direction and they are extremely quick at picking up any bad habits which need to be nipped in the bud gently but firmly.

It would be a mistake to keep "bribing" a Boxer to get them to do something because it generally means they have succeeded in "training" their owners rather than the other way around. Boxers are highly intelligent even though they play the fool and as such they are extremely fast learners with the downside being they are just as quick to pick up some bad habits as well as the good.

Boxer puppies must be taught limits and boundaries right from the word go bearing in mind that they will also test any ground rules just for the fun of it. Puppies must be taught the basic commands as soon as they arrive in their new homes and this includes the following bearing in mind that it is in a Boxer’s nature to “test” the limits of how far they can go just for the fun of it:

• Come
• Sit
• Stay
• Quiet
• Leave it
• Down
• Bed

Boxers are generally very kind dogs when they are around children of all ages and when given the correct guidance they are extremely loyal and protective of their family pack which is something that must be taken into account when the kids have friends over to play. As with any other breed they need to be well socialised and introduced to as many new situations pets and people from a young age to be truly well-balanced and well-behaved dogs and even then their playfulness usually gets the better of them.

They are also known to be good around other dogs and family pets and as previously mentioned a Boxer rarely shows any sort of aggressive behaviour towards other animals providing they have been well enough socialised from a young age. However it's always best to make sure that any introductions to new dogs or other animals goes smoothly by keeping a close eye on things especially when smaller animals and pets are involved thanks to the Boxer's higher prey drive.

The average life expectancy of a Boxer is between 10 - 12 years when properly cared for and fed an appropriate good quality diet to suit their ages.

As with many other pedigree dogs the Boxer is known to suffer from specific health issues more than other breeds which are worth knowing about if you are thinking about sharing your home with one of these fun-loving dogs. The health disorders the breed is known to suffer from includes the following:

• Aortic Stenosis/Sub-Aortic Stenosis (AS/SAS) - Breed Club - Heart testing available and only murmur-free dogs should be used for breeding purposes
• Bloat/Gastric Torsion
• Boxer Cardiomyopathy (ARVC)
• Colitis
• Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
• Epilepsy
• Cataracts
• Hip Dysplasia - Tests available
• Hypothyroidism
• Cancer
• Cutaneous Asthenia
• Hives and allergies
• Corneal Ulcers
• Skeletal Scurvy Osteodystrophy
• Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome

Boxers have also been seen to react badly to a sedative commonly used by vets called acepromazine. As such vets avoid using the sedative when treating a Boxer. The other thing to bear in mind is that because Boxers have flatter muzzles and are a brachycephalic breed care must be taken when exercising these dogs in hotter weather to prevent them from overheating.

More about Aortic Stenosis

Aortic stenosis is a condition that affects a Boxer's heart. The aorta becomes narrower. As a result their hearts have to work much harder to pump oxygenated blood through it and around the body which over time puts it under a tremendous amount of pressure. Another consequence of the condition is when the left heart muscle becoming thicker which is a disorder known as hypertrophy. If the level of blood that flows through a dog's heart falls too low it can lead to dogs fainting and could even result in their sudden death in very severe cases. The noise of the blood as it travels through the narrower opening in a dog's heart can be heard using a stethoscope and is referred to as a heart "murmur".

Back in the eighties the number of Boxers that suddenly died were found to have developed the condition but through careful and selective breeding only using dogs tested clear of the disorder the number has dropped considerably. As such only murmur-free Boxers that have been tested and graded as 0.6 should ever be used in a breeding programme.

More about Boxer Cardiomyopathy (ARVC)

Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy or ARVC is a disorder seen in Boxers and it affects them more than other heart conditions seen in the breed. It is not the same as cardiomyopathies which can affect other breeds and the reason is due to fatty and fibrous tissues found in a Boxer's heart muscle which results in an electrical disturbance. In cardiomyopathies in other breeds the problem is caused by a thickening of a dog's heart muscle. With this said when a Boxer develops the condition their heart walls can thicken because of the electrical disruption.

A Boxer can suffer from the condition at any point in their lives and there are 3 categories of ARVC which are as follows:

• Concealed - a dog might experience arrhythmias but otherwise there are no other symptoms
• Episodic fainting (syncope) which is generally associated with a dog being excited or having been exercised
• Congestive heart failure
• Sudden death

For the moment Boxers cannot be screened for ARVC but a lot of research is being carried out to establish if and why some dogs develop the condition whereas others do not. The prognosis tends to be variable with many dogs living out their lives and enjoying a good quality of life. However if a Boxer's condition is severe they typically succumb to the disorder even when they are being carefully monitored and treated.

More about hives and allergies

Some Boxers develop hives which is triggered by an allergic reaction to something. Occasionally finding the root cause of the problem is simple more especially if a dog has been stung by an insect. However finding the triggers can often prove challenging and often even with in-depth investigation the cause is never known. A Boxer with the condition develops lumps on their body which can be varying in size from 1 to 2 cm in diameter. Often dogs look like they have been "bubble-wrapped" when they develop hives which is accompanied by quite a bit of discomfort and itching.

It's very important to keep an eye on a Boxer when they do develop hives because it could lead to them suffering from anaphylaxis which can prove life-threatening due to the fact a dog's airways swell up and therefore prevents them from breathing and they would need to see a vet as a matter of urgency so they can be given an antihistamine.

More about corneal ulcers

Thanks to the way a Boxers eyes are constructed they are more at risk of scratching the surface which can lead to corneal ulcers forming. Unfortunately a Boxer's cornea does not heal as quickly as in other breeds and as such a trip to the vet would be well advised so they can examine the affected eye and treat it accordingly sooner rather than later to prevent things from getting any worse and to make a Boxer more comfortable as quickly as possible.

More about Skeletal Scurvy Osteodystrophy

Skeletal scurvy osteodystrophy affects puppies between the ages of 2 and 8 months when they are developing and growing rapidly. The disorder is extremely painful because it affects a puppy's growth plates which are found at the tip of bones in a dog's limbs. It is thought the condition is caused by a Vitamin C deficiency although there is a belief that the disorder is more complex than simply this. With this said a puppy's diet must be well balanced and correctly thought out so it is well balanced and offers all the correct levels of nutrients they need to grow and develop properly.

More about tail docking

Traditionally a Boxer's tail was always docked but since the law banning the procedure came into effect in 2007 tail docking Boxers is now illegal with the only exception being because a dog suffers from some sort of health issue that requires their tails to be docked and the procedure has been agreed and authorised before being performed by a qualified vet.

What about vaccinations?

Boxer puppies would have had their first vaccinations before being sold but it's essential for them to have their follow-up jabs at the right time with the vaccination schedule being as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old bearing in mind that a puppy would not have full protection straight away but would be fully protected 2 weeks after they have had their second vaccination

There has been a lot of discussion about the need for dogs to have boosters. As such it's best to talk to a vet before making a final decision on whether a Boxer should continue to have annual vaccinations which are known as boosters.

What about spaying and neutering?

A male Boxers can be neutered when they are 6 months old and females can be spayed when they are 6 months old too.

What about obesity problems?

Some Boxers gain weight after they have been neutered or spayed and it's importan to keep a close eye on their calorie intake and the amount of daily exercise they get to prevent obesity. An obese Boxers would be put at risk of developing certain health issues which could end up shortening their lives by several years.

What about allergies?

As previously mentioned Boxer are prone to developing hives which if left untreated can prove notoriously hard to clear up. Sometimes the reason why a dog has a flare up is quite evident but a lot of the time finding the trigger can prove challenging. The main goal is to make a Boxer comfortable as quickly as possible and to then investigate what might be the triggers. The most common causes of allergies and hives in Boxers are as follows:

• Environment
• A reaction to certain chemicals commonly found in household cleaning products
• Seasonal allergies which includes pollen and grasses
• Food which includes certain meats and cereals often used as ingredients in commercially produced dog food
• Tick and flea bites
• Dust mites
• Mould

Participating in health schemes

The Kennel Club strongly recommends that all breeders use the following schemes on all breeding dogs:

• BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme
• Breed Club - Heart testing (aortic stenosis)

What about breed specific breeding restrictions?

As of October 2008 Boxer puppies born with naturally bobbed tails are recorded on their registration certificates with the end goal being to identify lines that carry the tailless gene. Dogs with naturally bobbed tails are often referred to as "bobtail". A veterinary certificate must be provided proving that a puppy was born with a naturally bobbed-tail before being sent to the Kennel Club's litter registration department.

What about Assured Breeder requirements?

The Kennel Club strongly recommends that all Assured Breeders have their stud dogs tested using the following schemes and that other breeders follow suit:

• BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme
• Breed Club - Heart testing (aortic stenosis)