Dog Breed Guide

Boxer

Profile

Size

Medium - Large

Country of origin

Germany

Origin

19th century

Bred for

Watchdog, Police dog, Companion

Height

male 57 - 63cm (22 - 25in), female 53 - 59cm (21 - 23in)

Weight

male 30kg (66lb) and over, female about 25kg (55lb)

Life span

10 - 12 years

A lean, muscular dog with a short, square muzzle and a slightly undershot jaw. The short, glossy coat is fawn or brindle, often with white markings. All-white dogs are also born.

Cheerful and playful, the Boxer keeps a childlike innocence all its life. It is deeply devoted to its family and patient with children, which makes it a popular family dog all over the world. It also has the courage and alertness to protect its family, so it is a dependable watchdog too.

It needs a lot of exercise and plenty of play every day. Its fairly short nose makes it sensitive to heat. It is also known to be prone to heart disease and cancer.

Good to know

There are several theories about the name. The best known says it comes from the way the dog stands on its hind legs when playing and paws with its front legs as if boxing, but many think this story was added later. Another theory traces it to the Bullenbeisser, the German hunting dog that was the breed's ancestor and was also called the Bierboxer.

The Bullenbeisser was a hunting dog that seized and held large game such as wild boar and bear. In the 19th century, fanciers in Munich crossed it with the British Bulldog to develop the breed. They showed it at a dog show in Munich in 1895 and founded the first breed club the following year.

In World War I, Boxers served the German army as messenger dogs, pack carriers and sentries. Valued for their intelligence and courage, they were also among the first breeds used as police dogs in Germany.