Boxer

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Boxer

Boxer Characteristics

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Boxer Breed Information

Breed Group: Working

Weight: Male: 65-80; Female: 50-65 lbs

Height: Male: 22.5-25; Female: 21-23.5 inches

Color(s): fawn and brindle, both with or without white flashing and black mask

Overview

The Boxer originated in Germany in the late 19th century. This breed's name was supposedly derived from the "boxing" motion they made with their front paws. Boxers are stocky and medium in size with strong jaws and a powerful bite. They are widely used in search and rescue, police work, and military work.

Character

Boxers are lively, strong, and extremely loyal. They have an exceedingly high energy level. They carry themselves with pride, but are never arrogant. They have a stoic stance, and are intelligent, loving, delightful companions.

Temperament

The Boxer is patient, dignified, and self-assured. They exhibit curiosity, but are wary of strangers. This breed is fearless and courageous if threatened. They are keenly alert and have a heightened sense of hearing, which make them excellent guard dogs. The Boxer adores children and other pets they have been raised with. They have an inordinate need for human companionship and do not like to be alone for extended periods of time. They are not well suited for a two career family. Insufficient attention may lead them into "bad" behavior in an attempt to be noticed.

Care

The Boxers tight, short coat requires minimal grooming. Occasional brushing with a firm bristle brush is recommended. Bathing should only be done when absolutely necessary to ensure the essential oils are not stripped from their skin. The Boxer is typically clean and will groom themselves. This breed has some major health concerns such as cardiomyopathy, sub-aortic stenosis, and hip dysplasia. They may also be prone to tumors, epilepsy, allergies, and skin problems. A proper diet is absolutely essential due to their sensitive stomach and tendency toward excessive flatulence. The Boxer is an indoor pet as their short coat cannot protect them from cold climates.

Coat

The Boxer has a shorthaired coat, which is shiny, smooth, and fits tightly to the body. The coat comes in such colors as fawn, red, and brindle, with "flashings" of white on their underbelly, chest, and all four feet. In some cases the "flashing" will appear on their face. The Boxer is an average shedder that sheds year round.

Training

The Boxer is clever and quick to learn. Obedience training is essential. They require a dominant owner capable of controlling them. They do not respond well to harsh treatment. Training must consist of fairness, firmness, and consistency. Boxers do well in competitive obedience and love to learn and perform tricks.

Activity

The Boxer enjoys regular play and outdoor exercise. They thrive on playing with their family and do best with a medium sized fenced yard. It is important to keep them stimulated and occupied indoors to prevent destruction brought about by boredom. The Boxer will do okay in an apartment if they are sufficiently and regularly exercised.

Ask a Question Boxer Questions & Answers

QUESTION: Why will one boxer sit on another boxer. My 8 month old boxer sits on the 4 year old boxer whether he is on the floor or on the couch. He sits on his head, he sits on his back or even butt..why?

Anonymous - 2/2/2012 10:03:17 PM

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QUESTION: I just got a five year old female Boxer and I notice she has very little I mean little front teeth is that normal in a boxer

Anonymous - 2/2/2012 8:58:45 PM

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QUESTION: have a "boxer/Pit" mix Brindle Sweet & loving, yet tend to stay AWAY from water!! Not a H2o dog?? Norman

Anonymous - 2/1/2012 2:04:44 PM

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QUESTION: Approximately how long is a boxers life span?

Anonymous - 1/31/2012 2:17:49 PM

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QUESTION: I have noticed a clicking noise in my 1 year old boxers hips when she walks. She is slow to get up from a sleeping position but has no trouble walking and running while playing. I got her from a well respected breeder. Should I start her on a supplement in case it is hip dysplasia or take her to the vet first. I have read that a supplement called Glucosamine is good. Has anyone else noticed a clicking in the dogs hips?

Anonymous - 1/31/2012 12:01:42 PM

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Well I think your boxer might have maybe pulled a muscle just feel around where she is having pain,or you hear the clicking, but be aware of her growling or bad temperrment because she will fell like you are trying to hurt her.Take her to the vet also

Anonymous - 1/31/2012 6:38:31 PM

QUESTION: is it bad that my 8 month old female boxer wont eat anything and is a little shorter then 20 inch and weighs about 35-40 punds? im really concerned

Anonymous - 1/31/2012 12:07:40 AM

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QUESTION: What are two week old Boxer puppy feces supposed to look like? I'm a bit concerned because feces just dont look normal to me.

Anonymous - 1/30/2012 1:11:18 PM

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QUESTION: How can u tell if your Boxer is pregnant how long does it take for her boobs to fill up with milk.

Anonymous - 1/26/2012 6:38:07 PM

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usally you just have to wait it out vet can tell by 21 days but not very safe. boobs will get milk about a week before, you will see nipples start to get big as well as her vulva if she was tied together with a male dog more than likley you can count on your boxer being pregnant

Anonymous - 1/27/2012 10:45:48 AM

QUESTION: I have a four month old boxer, and he is losing hair in three spots. His skin is not red or irritated and he does not scratch these areas. Any ideas what this is?

Anonymous - 1/21/2012 1:36:52 PM

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it all depends on the spots you need to post where the spots are

Anonymous - 1/27/2012 10:47:12 AM

QUESTION: I have just adopted a 2yr old male brindle boxer from the pound.. He was with another female boxer but she was hit by a car and didn't make it. He didn't leave her. My question I guess is, Can he still be trained to do things? Hes a great dog well behaved walks great on a leash so far only one time has he peed in the house and when I wasn't lookin he jumped up on the counter and ate what was gonna be dinner.. But he don't sit and comands he don't do well with.. Like down, sit.. Can he still be taught to do these things? Thanks for your help Melissa

Anonymous - 1/19/2012 10:49:11 AM

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Dogs can be trained to do anything-but the reality is the training is usually with the owner-the owner is the one allowing bad behavior. Try rewarding your boxer for the behavior you want, and ignoring the behavior you dont want. But really, if you want a well trained dog invest in a class by an excellent dog trainer-one that will tell you its not the dog who needs to be trained, but the owner that needs training.

Anonymous - 1/25/2012 8:45:48 PM

QUESTION: I have a rambunctious boxer that scraches. I am getting hurt, HELP!

John@ - 1/16/2012 12:11:10 PM

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They make rubber toe nail covers you can purchase.

Anonymous - 1/17/2012 3:09:13 PM

QUESTION: Im in the prosses of breeding boxers, I have a male but he seems to be to tall for the female and doesnt get close enough...what can I do any help will be appreciated...

Anonymous - 1/15/2012 2:23:59 PM

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just let nature take its course your boxer will find the hole trust me i have seen this before

Anonymous - 1/27/2012 10:39:23 AM

QUESTION: My boxer is almost 2 and has a rough looking coat. She is on a high grade food, takes a flaxseed supplement, and gets groomed regularly. She sheds like mad so I was wondering if she may have an allergy. It is winter where I live but it's been cold out for a while. Thanks!

Anonymous - 1/15/2012 11:20:58 AM

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put raw egg in your boxers food or vegetable oil - wll make coat sheen and smooth not really believing the whole worm thing thought - just comb the dog

Anonymous - 1/27/2012 10:40:46 AM

Your boxer could have worms, when a boxer has worms it gets a dry and scruffy coat, becomes less playful and breaths rapidly after walks

Anonymous - 1/18/2012 6:08:14 AM

QUESTION: I asked a question a few days ago about my Boxer. He has a growth in his mouth and the Vet said he has to biopsy the growth in order to see exactly what the mass is so I scheduled the surgery for this Friday. But the cost is almost $450.00 and I don't have the money. So again, my question is ARE THERE ANY ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAN PROVIDE FINANCIAL HELP FOR A FAMILY UNABLE TO PAY this much money for the critical care he may need. I can't bare the thought of having to euthanize him. Please let me know; I love my dog so much and I don't want to lose him.

Anonymous - 1/11/2012 2:48:32 PM

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Iam so sorry for your boxer I got boxer too and I know how much they mean to their owners I don't know any organizations but you can ask vet or look for them on internet

Anonymous - 1/23/2012 4:43:36 PM

Could be Epulis. This is very common in Boxers, my last Boxer had a lot of them, but they did not interfere with her feeding or anything else, and they were not painful, so I left them.

Anonymous - 1/18/2012 6:07:29 PM

QUESTION: A week ago, as I was doing a check inside my 5 year-old Boxer's mouth, I noticed a pea-sized lump right above one of his teeth. I initially thought perhaps it was a bee sting but it isn't going away and, in fact, has grown slightly. I am taking him in to see his Vet tomorrow morning but my question is...if this is cancer, ARE THERE ANY ORGANIZATIONS TO APPEAL TO FOR MONETARY ASSISTANCE? He is, without doubt, the best dog I've ever owned and the thought of possible euthanasia has me greatly distressed.

Anonymous - 1/6/2012 8:22:08 PM

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QUESTION: which breed dog is suitable for houses

chandrashekhar - 1/3/2012 3:11:33 AM

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Dachshunds are actully not very good house pets they are very adorable but very naughty. Golden retrievers, labradoodles, newfoundland, pug, labrador retrievers are very good famliy dogs an are just full of life they are just big kids.

Anonymous - 1/31/2012 6:50:35 PM

dachshund

Anonymous - 1/12/2012 2:47:08 PM

QUESTION: my baby (boxer) had 3 puppies this morning.. i was thinking she would have at least 5 or 6.. how can i tell that shes done giving birth? she seems fine and all placentas came out right after each pup.

Anonymous - 12/29/2011 11:11:08 AM

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My boxer had her first litter earlier this month...she had four and then five hours later she had five more. Keep an eye on her but the only way to know for sure is a vet visit. Feel her belly, you may be able to feel more in there.

Anonymous - 12/30/2011 12:29:50 PM

QUESTION: Our female boxer is pregnant with her second litter, and by the same father. We dog sit one male from her first litter, but didn't know at the time she was pregnant. She became very upset with him and attacked him every chance she got. We had to keep them separated his entire time at our house, and she also jumped our male boxer, the father of both litters. Why would she do this ? And is this normal behavior in this condition ?

Anonymous - 12/28/2011 1:09:47 AM

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Yes this is normal she is being protective. My female boxer never let the male near her when she was pregnant. She wouldn't let him near the litter of pups either. But once the litter was weaned and the pups were gone she went back to being friends w our male dog.

Anonymous - 12/30/2011 11:10:47 AM

QUESTION: I bred my female boxer last week of October/2011 and she is acting strange-how long does it take for her to have her pups?

Anonymous - 12/27/2011 12:54:26 PM

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ANY DAY NOW.. I WOULD SAY BY THIS WEEKEND YOUR BOXER WILL HAVE THEM... GOOD LUCK.

Anonymous - 12/29/2011 11:08:47 AM

QUESTION: Our 1 1/2 year old Boxer must always go out in the middle of the night. No matter if it is 2 am, 3 am, 4am or whatever time, we have lost a good night's sleep for 1 1/2 years now. How can we get her to sleep through the night? We always take her out before going to bed, but she still has to go a few hours later.

Anonymous - 12/23/2011 10:12:13 AM

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You must get a doggie door, We have had boxers for years, and they all seem to feel the need to go outside during the night. Also during the day, they never make any potty mistakes, as soon as they can get out of one they use it faithfully. It also will discourgage anyone from jumping in your yard at any time. Its really worth the investment

Anonymous - 12/28/2011 12:21:36 AM

QUESTION: how long do boxers usually live on average

Anonymous - 12/14/2011 3:09:49 AM

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Boxers live on average of 10-12 years

Anonymous - 12/24/2011 3:07:13 PM

QUESTION: I have a 4 month old female brindle boxer puppy, frustrating taking her outside after its rained or snowed...all she wants to do is lick the grass, flowers and concrete....is this a boxer/puppy trait if so how do I stop her from doing this?

Anonymous - 12/9/2011 11:30:57 AM

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LOL, my 11 year old AKC Boxer used to do the same CD thing! What I did is bought a clicker, pet training clicker, from the local pet store. I then used it in house to call her and as she responded I would click it and give positive praise. Then when she learned that the click meant I wanted her attention I used it outside, would click it when she started to like things to distract her and make her stop. It worked well! Hope it helps you as well!

Anonymous - 12/12/2011 6:37:59 PM

QUESTION: how heavy should my 4 year old male boxer be

Anonymous - 12/8/2011 6:20:51 PM

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QUESTION: My boxer pup Drama has bad breath is this normal?? Because I have an American Bull dog mix with pit and her breath never smelled like that

Anonymous - 12/8/2011 2:51:57 PM

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Get your boxers teeth checked or consider changing the diet. Cleaning teeth regularly help quite a bit

Anonymous - 1/12/2012 12:18:54 AM

QUESTION: I Just got a male boxer puppy and i've notice his breath smells real bad like bad what should i do

Anonymous - 12/8/2011 2:44:58 PM

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QUESTION: hi im 11 years old is it normal for a white boxer to be smaller than a brown and white boxer?

Anonymous - 12/7/2011 11:39:22 PM

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I have seen a white boxer that was bigger than the brown and white one.

Juneka - 1/16/2012 12:07:25 PM

QUESTION: How big does a boxer become and how much does it weigh?

Anonymous - 12/1/2011 8:16:08 AM

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Female 50-65lbs Male 60-75lbs . My Boxers father was 103lbs so it also depends on the genetics in different Boxers.

Anonymous - 12/22/2011 4:24:02 AM

Boxer boys get about 30 lbs bigger not 5-6 my mistake.

Anonymous - 12/5/2011 7:47:57 PM

My boxer is a little bit smaller than usual but not by much and shes a female so they are like 5-6 lb.s smaller and 3-4 in.s shorter. but she is about 21.5 in.s tall and about 50-60 lb.s

Anonymous - 12/5/2011 6:54:15 PM

I have a boxer who is 2 yrs 9mths and he weighs 110 lbs. He is huge, but normally boxers do not grow this big.

Anonymous - 12/1/2011 6:40:07 PM

QUESTION: My boxer, Rowdy, is 1 1/2 yr old, he isn't really eating his dog food and getting really skinny on us :( what can I do to help him??? Please help!!!

Anonymous - 11/29/2011 9:27:37 AM

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Is your boxer drinking more water then usual? Does he seem to not want to eat at all? Throwing up or coughing or choking when he does? Making any noises that would lead you to believe he is in pain? If yes to one or more I would have a vet look at him. It could be something small like infected or cavity in a tooth to if yes to most of the above something such as pancreantitis. If not eating at all, is really warm and panting alot and non-energetic, please see a vet. As boxers are playful.

Anonymous - 12/12/2011 6:26:16 PM

im pretty sure this is about the age when they start to lose thier teeth if it is you need to start feeding her soft canned dog food and then after a few months mix in some hard dog food and then ad more and more and slowly move your way back to hard food. hope this helps:)

Anonymous - 12/5/2011 6:35:01 PM

QUESTION: I have a one year old daughter and our boxer is 8 weeks old. I'm scared that the boxer will hurt my daughter or my daughter might hurt the boxer - what can I do?

Anonymous - 11/28/2011 9:50:46 PM

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Why would you get a Boxer if you are so concerned about your daughter to start with? Boxers love to play with children & normally aren't aggressive. Boxers need alot & I mean alot of attention & are very energetic as are young childern. I am more concerned about your daughter hurting the Boxer, than the Boxer hurting her.

Anonymous - 12/17/2011 7:28:07 PM

You shouldn't worry that much if anything worry for your boxer because he/she will take the beating, I have a boxer that got trampled by my little brother when he was younger and didn't really care at all.

Anonymous - 12/5/2011 6:52:33 PM

YOU SHOULD WORRY, MY DAUGHTER WAS ALL OVER OUR PUPPY BOXER...JUST REMIND THE PUPPY TO PLAY NICE! THEY WILL BE BEST FRIENDS.. MY BOXER SLEEPS WITH MY DAUGHTER AND NEVER LEAVES HER SIDE! WONDERFUL DOGS

Anonymous - 12/5/2011 4:45:17 AM

QUESTION: is ten years old to old to stud my boxer?

Anonymous - 11/28/2011 10:18:20 AM

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Watch out for spaying too early! I know its all the fad today to spay and neuter all your dogs "to keep from overpopulation" and such but spaying and neutering before a year old can cause more problems if the puppies dont get the right hormones at a young age and that goes for all breeds of dogs! I have two female dogs neither are spayed and live in perfectly I might decide to spay them at 2 - 3 years old after they are fully mature but NEVER EVER before!

Anonymous - 1/5/2012 12:55:07 PM

Of course it to late too stud him & it would have been a good thing to have had him neuterd as a puppy. Boxers have a very high risk of cancer & they get the same kind of cancers as people. Dogs not neutered or spayed can get breast cancer testical cancer. Every dog I have ever owned have been fixed from the very start.

Anonymous - 12/17/2011 7:33:12 PM

If you are looking for Boxer puppies for sale from reputable Boxer breeders or to adopt a Boxer from a Boxer rescue then make sure you understand as much about the dog breeds you are interested in as you can. Every puppy breed is different. Begin your research by reading the breed information about the Boxer puppy above. Search our dog breeds section to find Boxer puppies, dogs and puppies that make great pets.