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Boxer

Description: The Boxer is a powerful, squarely built dog of medium size, easily recognized by its distinct muzzle and face. The head is clean, with a noticeable stop and wrinkles on the forehead and the sides of the muzzle. Ears are set high on the sides of the skull, long and generally cropped. The eyes are dark and, along with the forehead, primarily responsible for giving the Boxer an intelligent, highly expressive visage. The muzzle is blunt and broad, and topped with a nose that is wide and black. The Boxer’s bite is undershot and very strong. The neck is round, muscular and long, and flows smoothly into the back, which is short, powerful and sloping toward the back. Overall, the body gives the impression of efficient strength and power. The dog’s coat is short, lying close to the body with a smooth sheen. The Boxer’s color is either brindle or fawn, often with white markings; these markings can appear on the chest, legs, feet and face, but should not take up more than one third of the coat. The face has a black mask. 

Temperament: An exceedingly versatile dog, the Boxer is many things to many people, and it is difficult to describe his personality precisely. The Boxer is energetic, playful, intelligent and curious. This dog is always ready for a game or adventure, and tackles challenges with gusto and joy; the Boxer is often said to be an “eternal puppy,” in that it does not begin acting like an adult until two-and-a-half to three years of age. However, the other half of the Boxer’s personality is very serious and deliberate, and harkens to the breed’s working dog history. The Boxer is heroically brave and uncommonly devoted to its family, and though the dog is not inherently vicious or aggressive, it will repel a perceived attack against its masters with brutal tenacity. For this reason, proper socialization is imperative. The Boxer is neither overtly friendly with nor aggressive toward strangers; if the dog detects that its master approves of the stranger, it will take on an accepting and slightly guarded attitude toward the newcomer. This response is also common with strange dogs, though the Boxer tends to be a bit more aggressive in this area. The Boxer is respectful of other pets and playful and protective with children.  

Caring for a Boxer: In order to stay happy and healthy, the Boxer needs physical and mental exercise every day. A challenging game in the park or a good jog are usually sufficient. The Boxer should have a yard to play in, but it prefers to sleep indoors and does not do well in either hot nor cold climates; particularly in the heat, the short-muzzled Boxer can have difficulty breathing and keeping cool. Coat care is very basic and entails a weekly or biweekly brushing; Boxers are very clean and tend not to smell. Major health concerns for the Boxer include subvalvular aortic stenosis, boxer cardiomyopathy, and canine hip dysplasia. Other health concerns in the breed include colitis, low thyroid, corneal erosion and gastric torsion (Bloat).