Intelligent, playful and energetic, Boxers can adapt to most environments as long as they get plenty of exercise. They might come from a hunting background, but their even temperaments make them kind and charismatic pets.
Facts & advice
Boxer
An adoring pet with boundless energy and a mischievous sense of humour
Vital stats
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| Size: | Medium to large |
| Coat: | Short and smooth, with minimal grooming required. |
| Exercise | 2 hours a day |
| Life span: | 10+ years |
| Flat-faced: | Yes, consider this breed's additional health needs before buying |
| Breed group: | Working |
| Temperament: | Playful, energetic, confident |
Boxer temperament & personality
Boxer dogs are loyal, loving and athletic. This firm, muscular breed is considered a good dog for families, especially if you have an active lifestyle.
- When properly socialised, Boxers are patient and protective making them a good fit for households with children and other animals, including cats.
- This breed’s loyalty is returned by their owners – it is said that once you have a Boxer, you’ll never have another breed.
- Boxers are known for their high-energy personalities, so be prepared for plenty of walks and playtime to keep this fun-loving canine out of mischief!
- Because of their loyalty, Boxers can be wary of strangers, but will rarely show aggression. Good socialisation from an early age will help your Boxer take meeting new people and pets in their stride.
- Despite their size and muscular build, Boxers have a tendency to think they’re lapdogs, and will try to lie as close to you as possible for maximum cuddles.
Boxer training & exercise
Bright and willing to learn, Boxers have been used as military messengers, guide dogs and in rescue operations. They thrive on human interaction and playtime, including running after tennis balls and even swimming.
Training tips
- An intelligent breed, Boxers love to learn – tap into this from a young age by taking them to puppy obedience classes from around 3 to 6 months old. This will help you teach them the basic commands and provide essential socialisation experiences for your pup!
- Whilst they are intelligent and loving, Boxers can also exhibit a stubborn streak. For this reason, they respond best to positive reinforcement training methods.
- Since Boxers are stocky, muscular dogs, early lead training is essential, before they get too strong to manage.
- Boxers can take a while to housetrain and crate training is recommended for this breed.
Exercise
- Whilst Boxers do need lots of exercise (around 2 hours a day), moderation is key when it comes to this breed. Due to their short snouts and propensity for overheating, it is best to spread walks and exercise out throughout the day.
- Between walks, make sure your Boxer’s brain is getting a workout too – this intelligent breed needs plenty of mental stimulation to stop them from becoming bored.
Keeping them happy
- Boxers are a brachycephalic breed, meaning they have a short snout. This can mean they are prone to overheating, especially in hot summer months. Make sure they have access to plenty of water as well as shady spots to escape the heat.
- Due to their loyal natures, Boxers can be prone to separation anxiety so are usually happiest in households where someone will be around most of the day. If you do have to leave your dog alone for a few hours, make sure they have plenty of toys to keep them busy or have someone check in on them.
Game ideas
- Boxers love to chase, so a simple game of “fetch” is enough to keep your Boxer happy. Just be careful your dog doesn’t overexert themselves and keep an eye out for signs of overheating such as excess panting.
Common Boxer health conditions
As a dog owner you will want what’s best for your pet’s health so they can live a long, happy life. Like all breeds, Boxers are prone to certain health conditions. To help you be more aware and prepared for these potential ailments if they should arise, we have put together information on the health issues that we see the most in Boxers.
Like all dogs, Boxers can develop lumps and bumps in the layers of fat, skin and muscle that cover their bodies. These might be warts, cysts and abscesses, or tumours. The breed is prone to cancerous growths, with experts estimating that up to two in five Boxers may develop some form of cancer. These might include mast cell tumours and sarcomas, which you may see or feel on your dog’s body. Boxer dogs can also develop non-cancerous lumps, such as histiocytomas, lipomas and a gum condition called epulis. Once these have been differentiated from cancerous tumours, treatment will depend on the location, size and nature of the growth, but often involves surgical removal.
Bred to have a flat face, Boxers have relatively exposed eyes that can be damaged easily. Eye injuries can result in a corneal ulcer, which will need urgent veterinary attention. They also have facial folds that can harbour bacteria, increasing the risk of both eye and skin infections. Entropion is a disorder where the eyelid scrolls inwards towards the sensitive cornea, causing irritation and sometimes needing surgery. Another common health issue in this breed is cherry eye, which sees the tear gland’s soft red tissue poke out of the eye socket.
Boxers are more prone to developing hypothyroidism than other dogs. The thyroid is a gland in the neck which produces hormones that control metabolism. If the thyroid becomes underactive, not enough of the hormone is produced and causes hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is more common in boxers than in other dogs and can cause a range of symptoms such as hair loss (usually on their body, back legs and tail), weight gain despite a decreased appetite and general tiredness. A vet can diagnose hypothyroidism through blood tests and is normally treated via drugs that Boxers, like other dogs, will have to take for the rest of their life but will be able to live comfortably.
Among the more serious of the Boxer dog health issues are two heart conditions called cardiomyopathy and aortic stenosis. They’re a particular problem for large breeds and, unfortunately, can both result in sudden death before any other symptoms are shown. If your vet detects a heart murmur or irregular heartbeat during a routine examination, they will wish to explore further with an ultrasound scan. With a timely diagnosis, the symptoms of both conditions can be managed through medication and lifestyle changes, such as moderate exercise and preventing overexcitement.
Cruciate ligament disease is something we see frequently in Boxers. The cruciate ligaments are found inside the knee joint and hold it stable, but cruciate ligament disease means that this ligament slowly frays and gets weaker and can get worse over time, although they can also tear it. Treatment usually is surgery to help stabilise the knee joint. However, like all dogs they can also develop arthritis from this condition, and long-term treatment is often required to keep them active.
Boxer grooming
Do Boxers shed? Yes, at certain times of year they can heavily moult their short hair; this is known as “blowing coat” and usually happens in spring and autumn.
- Apart from in their heavy shedding seasons, Boxers are fairly low maintenance and don’t need much grooming. Brushing occasionally will help to keep shedding at bay.
- Some Boxers will even lick and groom themselves, like cats do.
- Boxers can be prone to sensitive skin, so it’s advised to only bathe them on a monthly basis if it’s necessary. Use a high-quality shampoo and rinse and dry properly to prevent any skin irritation. Pay special attention to drying their facial folds which can trap moisture and become infected.
- Grooming sessions are a good time to check your Boxer’s ears for signs of infection such as black or brown wax or a strange smell.
Boxer nutrition
Boxer puppies continue growing for a long time, and will continue to broaden into adulthood, so it’s important to support their growth with the right nutrition.
- It is recommended that the best meal plan for Boxers is a mix of wet and dry food. Crunchy biscuits will help to maintain good dental health, as Boxers can sometimes suffer from bad breath.
- To reduce the risk of gastric problems, it’s best not to feed your Boxer dog immediately before exercise
Boxer frequently asked questions
Boxers have received an unfair reputation as dangerous and aggressive over the years. However, these characteristics are not in their nature. Whilst a powerful and muscular breed, the Boxer temperament is actually playful, loving and loyal and they make ideal family pets. However, it’s worth noting that Boxers are strong, powerful dogs so need a fit and healthy owner who will be able to manage them.
When it comes to their families, Boxers are nothing if not loyal and this fun-loving breed is one of the friendliest. However, their intense loyalty can make the Boxer wary of new people and animals and early socialisation is key to nurturing a friendly, confident pet.
Boxers are generally friendly with anyone they consider to be part of their “pack” – cats included! Boxer dogs are usually a good fit for multi-pet households, but beware – their boisterous behaviour and playful nature might prove too much for other pets!
As a larger breed, Boxers can take a bit longer to reach their full size. Most Boxers will be fully grown by between 18 to 24 months. A typical height for an adult Boxer is between 53 to 63 cm and they can weigh in at anywhere between 25 and 32 kg.
The typical Boxer “hug” is also known as a “box” – it’s where they get their name! This is when a Boxer will sit or stand on their hind legs and kick out their front paws. As a playful breed, it’s no surprise that one of the main reasons a Boxer will adopt this stance is when they’re ready for games. However, this affectionate breed has also been known to use their front paws to “hug” their humans when they want some attention.
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Boxer insurance considerations
Boxers sometimes suffer with certain health conditions and may require treatment. Petplan dog insurance offers peace of mind that they will always be protected.
We always offer these things as standard:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy & pet therapies
Along with physiotherapy, which is covered within the Vet Bills benefit, we also cover Pet Therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim for hydrotherapy, up to £500 per illness/injury in dogs and cats (no additional limit for rabbits).
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