Boxer Puppies

Boxers are upbeat, playful family dogs that have earned a reputation as protective guardians or watchdogs and silly, bright-eyed companions. They are very affectionate and difficult to provoke to anger, making them great with children. Boxers tend to be a bit distrustful of strangers at first, so socialization for this breed is a must. Due to their high energy level, Boxers need plenty of exercise. Lack of exercise can lead to boredom-based behaviors like digging holes or chewing through furniture. However, with the right amount of mental and physical stimulation, Boxers make excellent family companions.

Boxers can face health problems as a result of weather that is too hot or cold. This breed's squished face makes them it very susceptible to overheating in hot weather, and its short coat leads to heightened sensitivity in cold temperatures. Other than their inability to handle extreme temperatures, Boxers tend to be happy, healthy dogs. However, some health conditions Boxer owners should be aware of include hip dysplasia, cancer, aortic stenosis, cardiomyopathy, degenerative myelopathy, and thyroid deficiency.

Not unlike their namesake, this athletic breed does require a rather intensive level of exercise on a regular basis relative to others. Plan to spend up to two hours total per day entertaining and playing with your Boxer, whether in the yard, at a park or on a run.

Boxers don't need much grooming and should be given baths only when necessary. You can expect to give your Boxer a light brush around once a week to keep their coat healthy and to reduce shedding.

Boxers have short, shiny coats that shed moderately throughout the year. Because they shed a moderate amount, these dogs are not hypoallergenic.

With a distinctive, chiseled head and sloping shoulders, the Boxer is an athletic dog with dark brown eyes. Intelligent and alert, this breed has a proud, graceful gait and tail that is typically docked.

The Boxer descends from two dogs of the (now extinct) Bullenbeisser breed from Germany: the Danziger Bullenbeisser and the Brabanter Bullenbeisser, both of which were used by hunters for chasing large game. During the mid 1800s, German hunters began crossing their Bullenbeissers with Mastiff-type dogs and Bulldogs in an effort to combine the best traits of all three breeds. The resulting breed was a tough, strong dog with a powerful jaw. This dog was the foundation for a completely new breed: the Boxer, which became fully established by 1900. Despite being recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1904, Boxers were not well-known in the United States until soldiers started bringing them back from Germany at the end of World War II. Once they arrived in America, however, Boxers gained much more popularity and eventually ranked in the top 5 most popular dog breeds in America.