All About Your Boxer

He loves to play with his family and sometimes even forgets his size when running and jumping.

They are big, playful, lively and very smart! Boxers can scare, right away, because of their size and their slightly wrinkled face, but contrary to what many imagine, they are quite affectionate and friends of the whole family.

Originally, they were created to play the role of medium-sized watchdog, but today they stand out a lot as companion dogs. The Boxer is a large and muscular dog that stands out for its docility and tolerance. Boxers are very fond of playing and most of the time, they forget their size and become clumsy, friendly and super funny.

Size

The height varies from

53 to 63 cm

Weight

Weight varies from

25 to 32 kg

Coat

Boxers have short, hard and very shiny hair when well looked after. The space between one hair and the other is almost nil, but the hair remains very low in relation to the skin. The most common colors are fawn or fawn and usually they have very discreet stripes along the body, especially on the back. Several colors are accepted by the breed standard, and several of them have a white “glove” on all legs.

Health

The Boxer is not a dog to live outdoors, its short snout and low coat, although abundant are not good characteristics for a dog outdoors. Despite this, as they are extremely playful, they like to have a very large space to run and jump.

Most of the times they are very clean dogs that do not like dirt, they can even do a self cleaning, as cats do, so the baths can be more spaced. Boxer’s hair is short, so brushing a week already helps eliminate dead hair (this can be done with gloves, for example, and not necessarily with brushes).

The nails of dogs of this breed have a tendency to grow faster and if it does not cut as often as necessary, it can even hurt the pads of the feet. Also, as they like to jump while playing or to greet someone who arrives, it is good to keep your nails trimmed to avoid possible scratches.

Brushing your boxer teeth is also very important to prevent the accumulation of bacterial plaque (tartar), something common to brachycephalic breeds. For genetics, it is common for boxers to suffer from tumors in different parts of the body. Always be aware of changes in behavior, the appearance of nodules, lack of appetite, etc. Seek assistance from a veterinarian whenever you notice something different about your fur. The breed has a tendency to develop cancer.

Temperament

As we have said several times, the biggest characteristic of a Boxer is being playful! He loves to play with his family and sometimes even forgets his size when running and jumping.

It is a dog that does not bark very normally, but in moments of euphoria, he likes to show his happiness through good and loud barks! The Boxer is not a pet to live alone, he can feel sad and bored, so it is good for families to stay always present in the dog’s life so that he does not become destructive (eating the wrong things, for example).

They adapt very well to the family routine, are very friendly with children and can sometimes be more friendly with other cats than with other dogs.

It is necessary to socialize the Boxer from the first weeks of life, as he is protective and territorial, he can become somewhat antisocial when it comes to wanting to protect his humans, so therefore, introducing several people and other animals is essential so that it grows smoothly.

Intelligence

Boxers are very smart. Training is essential for the proper development and socialization of this breed. Because they are very large and playful, they can often hurt without intending to do so.

To teach a Boxer his limits, it is necessary to educate him with patience, consistency and love. And remember: reward methods will always work best in training any dog.

With a good snack or affection, they learn more than with screams or punishments – which can even cause trauma to the animal. As they are energetic dogs, before teaching tricks, for example, it is recommended to walk your dog for a few minutes so that he is not too agitated to learn.

They can be a little stubborn at times, but with a lot of patience and persistence, he will concentrate and learn the commands, especially because he likes to impress his family by learning new things and doing what he is asked to do.

Life Expectancy

A Boxer’s life expectancy is eight to ten years when well looked after.

Care

For having a very short hair, Boxers can be uncomfortable when the hair comes off the skin, so a weekly brushing is ideal for your pet. In spring, when the hair changes, brushing should be done at least twice a week. Boxers can have severe skin allergies, so it’s always good to watch your four-legged child’s ears, paws, ears, snouts and eyes. If you experience redness or a bad smell, you should see a veterinarian as soon as possible so that appropriate treatment is indicated.

Curiosities

Because of the flattened snout, they can snore a lot and should not do physical activities on hot or dry days. The type of snout, called “brachycephalic”, also makes Boxers sensitive to changes in temperature and anesthesia. White boxers can be born deaf.