| Boxer
|
 Brindle boxers with natural and cropped ears |
| Alternative names
|
| German Boxer
|
| Deutscher Boxer
|
|
| Country of origin
|
| Germany
|
| Classification
|
| FCI: | Group 2 Section 2
|
| AKC: | Working
|
| ANKC: | Group 6 (Utility)
|
| CKC: | Group 3 - Working Dogs
|
| KC(UK): | Working
|
| NZKC: | Utility
|
| UKC: | Guardian Dogs
|
|
| Breed standards (external links)
|
FCI, AKC, ANKC, CKC
KC(UK), NZKC, UKC
|
Boxers are a breed of stocky, medium-sized, short-haired dog with a smooth fawn or brindled coat and square-jawed muzzle. They were developed in Germany in the mid-1800s.
Appearance
An adult boxer typically weighs between 25 and 32 kg (55 to 70 lbs) and is between 53 and 63 cm (21 to 25 inches) tall at the withers.
Cropping of the tail and ears remains popular, although it is now prohibited in most European breed standards and is slowly becoming banned in many other countries.
In color, boxers are typically either fawn or brindled with a white underbelly. The whiteness often extends onto the shoulders or face, and some boxers are entirely white, though white boxers are occasionally deaf. Conversely, some brindled boxers are so dark as to appear black. In the UK, fawn boxers are typically richer in color and are called "Red".
Temperament
Boxers are a bright, energetic and playful breed and tend to be very good with children if trained correctly. It's best if obedience training is started early since they also have a strong personality and therefore can be harder to train when older.
Health
Boxers can develop skin cancers and can suffer with heart murmurs, although most good breeders test their breeding stock before breeding and the incidence is slowly decreasing.
External links
