The Boxer came into being in the late 1880’s in Bavaria, Germany. Some books say it was out of the union between a Bullenbeisser, ( a dog that was used for Boar and Bear hunting), and an English Bulldog, as it was then. Others say that it was several breeds, including the Great Dane. The first Boxer to be shown was in 1894, and the first champion was in 1897, Blanka von Angerthor, she was white-coated.

A very warm-hearted dog, they love children and thrive on as much attention as they can get. They are a very loyal dog, not just for one person but for the whole family, and one of the best guard dogs for the home that you can get. They are clowns the way that they play and act, and have an enormous amount of energy, even when they are older. They are a ‘people’ dog, they want to be wherever you are, even if it is in bed! They love to please.

They are not an outside dog, their coat is very short, so they are bothered by the extreme cold or heat. A good diet and regular exercise are essential to keep them in top shape. Cancer is quite common in the Boxer, more than in some other breeds, also Cardiomyopathy has become a concern

The life-span of the Boxer has lengthened to what it used to be, a few years ago 10-12 years was a good age, now you can expect it to live up to, ( and over in some cases), 14 years. An early obedience training is essential as they have a mind of their own, and try to out-think you. Sometimes winning!

They love being brushed and grooming should be done on a regular basis, taking special care with the ears, especially if the ears are not cropped. The teeth also need brushing regularly, and the nails clipping. The head should be striking, with a good proportion between the skull and muzzle. The nose tip should be black.

The ears can be natural or cropped. The eyes should be dark brown in colour, neither prominent nor sunken. The hind-quarters are sleeker than the fore-quarters, the chest well set down between fore-legs and belly drawn in.

The legs are powerful, muscular and straight, hind legs slightly angled. Tails are still docked in U.S.A. and Canada, but not in England. There should be good proportions between the head and the body, and the fore - and hind-quarters. The colours are fawn and brindle, although there are numerous shadings, the fawn can sometimes be more like a dark rich red, and the brindle can be very light markings or the stripes so dark that it looks almost black.

The height should be between 21 - 25 inches, and the weight between 55 - 70 lbs.

Contributed By: Helene Deissner

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