AKC - About the Boxer
Average sizes and life expectancy of the breed.
HEIGHT
23-25 inches (male)
21.5-23.5 inches (female)
WEIGHT
65-80 pounds (male)
females are about 15 pounds less than male
LIFE EXPECTANCY
10-12 years
Loyalty, affection, intelligence, work ethic, and good looks: Boxers are the whole doggy package. Bright and alert, sometimes silly, but always courageous, the Boxer has been among America's most popular dog breeds for a very long time. A well-made Boxer in peak condition is an awesome sight. A male can stand as high as 25 inches at the shoulder; females run smaller. Their muscles ripple beneath a short, tight-fitting coat. The dark brown eyes and wrinkled forehead give the face an alert, curious look. The coat can be fawn or brindle, with white markings. Boxers move like the athletes they are named for: smooth and graceful, with a powerful forward thrust.
Boxers are upbeat and playful. Their patience and protective nature have earned them a reputation as a great dog with children. They take the jobs of watchdog and family guardian seriously and will meet threats fearlessly. Boxers do best when exposed to a lot of people and other animals in early puppyhood.
Fun-Loving / Bright / Active
Boxers are very playful, high-energy dogs. They need ample exercise every day, on leash or in a securely fenced area. The Boxer must never be allowed to run loose. The breed's heritage as a chaser of wild game means that they spend a good deal of time jumping and leaping about' ”as young dogs, they are constantly in need of reminders to teach them to stay 'down.' Because the Boxer is a powerful, active, and playful dog, he may not be the best choice for a very frail adult, nor for a small child who could be overwhelmed by a well-meaning but bouncy puppy.
The Boxer's short, shiny coat requires very little grooming. A good once-over with a rubber curry-brush or a hound glove once or twice a week should keep him looking his best. The Boxer tends to be a clean dog, needing a bath only occasionally. His nails should be trimmed at least once a month unless naturally worn down on a hard surface, and to prevent tartar buildup his teeth should be brushed often' ”daily if possible.
Early socialization and puppy training classes are vital in channeling the breed's energy and exuberance in a positive way. Boxers are highly intelligent, but can become bored with repetition. They tend to have a mind of their own and are excellent problem solvers. Not always tolerant of other dogs of the same sex, most Boxers of opposite sexes enjoy each other's company. Boxers excel in a wide range of canine sports, including obedience, agility, and herding, and they perform brilliantly as service, assistance, and therapy dogs, and in roles such as drug detection and search-and-rescue.
The Boxer should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog's age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog's calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog's weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.
Boxers are fun-loving, loyal, and alert dogs with an athletic build. Bred originally for big-game hunting, the Boxer is considered a medium to large-sized dog. They are excellent with children and astute watch dogs. Today, they’re known for being one of America’s top ten most popular dog breeds and having the longest tongue among dogs. If you have a Boxer puppy, you may be asking yourself how large can a Boxer grow and how do I know that my Boxer is finished growing?
Everything you need to know about Boxer growth:
Boxer Growth & Weight Chart
The following numbers are all estimates to help you approximate how big your Boxer will be at certain ages. These are estimates, so don’t worry if your Boxer is slightly behind or ahead of these numbers. Simply continue taking your Boxer to regular veterinary appointments to make sure they are happy and healthy.
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Male Boxer Growth and Weight Chart
Age Weight
1 month 5.5 - 9 lbs
2 months 16 - 20 lbs
3 months 22 - 26 lbs
4 months 30 - 35 lbs
5 months 35 - 41 lbs
6 months 41 - 48 lbs
7 months 48 - 55 lbs
8 months 50 - 57 lbs
9 months 52 - 61 lbs
10 months 55 - 63 lbs
11 months 57 - 66 lbs
1 year 57 - 68 lbs
1.5 years old 60 - 70 lbs
2 years 60 - 70 lbs
Female Boxer Growth and Weight Chart
Age Weight
1 month 4.5 - 8 lbs
2 months 11 - 17 lbs
3 months 22 - 26 lbs
4 months 28 - 30 lbs
5 months 33 - 37 lbs
6 months 39 - 44 lbs
7 months 44 - 50 lbs
8 months 50 - 52 lbs
9 months 52 - 59 lbs
10 months 52 - 59 lbs
11 months 52 - 59 lbs
1 year 52 - 61 lbs
1.5 years old 55 - 63 lbs
2 years 55 - 65 lbs
At what age is a Boxer full grown?
As a medium to large-sized dog breed, Boxers need more time to fill out and reach their full size than smaller dog breeds. As a general rule, expect your Boxer to grow until they are 18 to 24 months old. Keep in mind that this range is an estimate, so there are always exceptions.
(Image Source: Canva)
How big should a 6-month-old Boxer be?
A 6-month-old male Boxer should weigh around 41 to 48 pounds, while a 6-month-old female Boxer will weigh about 39 to 44 pounds.
According to Care.com, puppies reach about 75% of their full height at six months of age. For a male Boxer puppy, this would be around 17 to 19 inches tall. 6-month-old Female Boxer puppies will be approximately 16 to 18 inches tall.
Pro Tip: Check out this downloadable new puppy checklist covering topics like vaccination schedules, setting up the home for a new puppy, teething, veterinary visits, and more!
How much bigger will my Boxer get?
There are several ways to estimate how much bigger your Boxer will grow.
If your Boxer is less than two years old, they are likely still growing. Some Boxers stop growing closer to 18 months, but many Boxers will continue to fill out in weight and body size until they are two years old.
Another possible way to estimate their size is to contact your Boxer’s breeder. Many breeders can give you a more accurate estimate based on previous litters and their parents’ exact height and weight. A puppy will rarely be larger than either parent, so this can give you a clearer idea of their maximum size.
Lastly, take a look at your Boxer’s paws. Do their paws look oversized compared to their legs and the rest of their body? This is a strong sign that your Boxer is still growing and filling out!
What is the size of a full-grown Boxer?
According to the American Kennel Club Official Boxer Standards, a full-grown male Boxer will stand around 23 to 25 inches tall, while a female Boxer will stand about 21.5 to 23.5 inches tall. A fully grown male Boxer will weigh around 60 to 70 pounds, with their female counterpart will weigh about 55 to 65 pounds.
(Image Source: Pexels)
How do I make sure my Boxer is healthy?
As with many things, prevention is always better than treatment. Taking your Boxer to regular veterinary appointments is one of the best things you can do for their health, along with consistent love and care at home.
One of the best things you can do at home is brush your dog's teeth regularly to help prevent painful periodontal disease and avoid pricey dental treatments in the future. Periodontal disease can cause bad breath and oral pain for your pup and may require your Boxer to have a dental cleaning or tooth extractions under anesthesia at some point in their lives if not attended to at home.
Keeping your Boxer at a healthy weight is crucial for their longevity, overall health, and happiness. If your Boxer is overweight, talk to your veterinarian to develop a weight loss strategy so that you can get them back on track. Consult with your veterinarian about the ideal food and exercise for your Boxer.
Like all dogs, Boxers have certain conditions that they are prone to. Boxers are a purebred dog breed prone to heart problems, like cardiomyopathy, heart valve narrowing, and congenital heart defects. Boxers are also known to have more breathing issues due to their brachycephalic syndrome, which gives them their classic “squished nose” appearance, but also gives them shorter airways in their nose making it harder to breathe at times. Brachycephalic syndrome increases their risk of respiratory distress, allergies, heatstroke, and sinus problems.
While we as pet parents know our dogs well, your veterinarian is well trained and experienced in screening and monitoring your pup’s health and growth. Regular veterinarian appointments are crucial in finding and treating illness early to give your Boxer the healthiest and longest life possible.
Unfortunately, veterinary bills can be costly with many treatments for emergencies and illnesses, such as heart problems, being thousands of dollars to treat.
When surveyed, 49.7% of pet parents said they would be unable to cover a $5,000 vet bill, and another 30.86% of pet parents would need to find financing options to cover this expense. The financial safety net provided by pet insurance is why pet insurance is worth it for many pet parents. When the worst happens, whether that’s an accident, injury, or diagnosis, having peace of mind that you can financially handle the situation because the pet insurance you got when your Boxer puppy was young and healthy will cover up to 90% of the cost of their treatment, is the best gift you can give yourself and your dog.
Final Considerations
Your veterinarian is an excellent resource in determining your Boxer’s ideal weight and lifestyle. Consult with them today to assess your Boxer’s current health and what can be improved.
Keep in mind that even healthy behaviors, like exercise, can be overdone. Consult with your veterinarian about how much exercise is prudent. Medium to large-sized dogs that are still growing may suffer from joint damage if they are over exercised. Make a plan with your veterinarian today to provide your Boxer with the ideal amount of exercise to keep them lean, healthy, and happy.
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History
The Boxer’s ancestors, the war dogs of the Assyrian empire, go back as far as 2,500 B.C. But what we think of today as a Boxer can be traced to Germany of the late 1800s and early 20th century. The breed is thought to have been bred down by German dog fanciers from a larger, heavier German breed called the Bullenbeisser (“bull biter”).
In medieval times the Bullenbeisser was Germany’s premier big-game hunter, used by noblemen to run down, catch, and hold such formidable opponents as bear, bison, and wild boar on vast ducal estates. By the early 1800s, the political situation in the German states was changing. German nobles were out of favor. Their estates were broken up, and the cherished tradition of lavishly appointed boar hunts came to an end. By 1865, the mighty Bullenbeisser was out of a job.
Through judicious crosses to a smaller, mastiff-type breed from England, the obsolete big-game hunter gained a new lease on life. By the late 1800s, the modern Boxer—a sleeker, more elegant dog—had come into focus. (The English name Boxer refers to the way the breed spars, like a prizefighter, with their front paws when playing or defending themselves.)
Over the years, Boxers have done many jobs: athlete, cattle dog, police dog, war dog (in both world wars), watchdog, protection dog, and guide dog for the blind. The AKC registered its first Boxer in 1904, but the breed’s U.S. heyday began in the 1950s, when a Westminster-winning Boxer named Bang Away became a national celebrity. Since that time, Boxers have reigned as one of America’s top 10 most popular breeds.
DID YOU KNOW?
8 Boxer Facts You Might Not Know
There are so many reasons to fall in love with a Boxer. Consider that powerful body, expressive face, clownish sense of humor, innate intelligence, and intense attachment to his people. If you haven’t fallen in love yet, some of these interesting facts may do the trick. Even seasoned Boxer owners may learn a few surprising things about their beloved breed.
1. Boxers have a long, interesting history.
Along with their cousins, the Bulldog and Mastiff, Boxers have ancestors that can be traced to the ancient Assyrians, as long ago as 2000 B.C. They were powerful, brave dogs, often used in war. Centuries later, these dogs were named for the ancient city of Molossis, in what is now Albania.
For centuries, the Bullenbeisser, the Boxer’s more recent antecedent, was used as a hunting dog for wild boar, bear, and deer. The breed spread all over continental Europe and England and can be seen as early as the 16th century in Flemish tapestries. Most experts agree that this smaller Bullenbeisser, from northeast Belgium, is the direct ancestor of the modern Boxer. However, it was in Germany that the breed’s development reached a peak of development to become the remarkable dog we know today.
2. Boxers made relatively late arrivals in America.
The Boxer, as we know it today, was first imported to the U.S. after World War I, but didn’t reach any real degree of popularity until the late 1930s.
Four dogs, in particular, are considered the foundation of the American Boxer. They’ve even been nicknamed “The Four Horsemen of Boxerdom.” The first was Sigurd, born in Germany in 1929. Ten of his puppies were imported to America and became champions or were the progenitors of champions. The next two were Lustig and Utz, and each sired dozens of champions. Lustig sired 41 American champions, and Utz sired 35. The last of the four was Dorian, and he won the Working Group at Westminster in 1937.
According to AKC statistics, Boxers are now the 14th most popular breed in the country.
3. Boxers have excelled in dog shows.
The breed has won Best in Show at Westminster four times, in 1947, 1949, 1951, and 1970.
4. Your Boxer can succeed in dog sports like agility and rally, but you’ll have to work at it.
When he’s racing the agility course, performing in rally, or strutting his stuff in obedience trails, the Boxer can be absolutely glorious. But this extremely intelligent dog has a mind of his own. As his trainer, you must be patient, consistent, and creative. A Boxer becomes bored with repetition and may, given his sense of humor, invent his own idea of obedience or agility during training, and even during performance.
5. Boxers are lovers, not fighters.
In spite of their heritage as powerful and courageous hunters, one of the modern breed’s most appealing traits is a tremendous love for their humans and a need to be loved in return. A Boxer is happiest when he’s with his family, especially children. He’s protective and patient with kids and makes an ideal family dog.
6. Boxers have their own distinct antics that are both lovable and (sometimes) annoying.
When excited, which is every time they greet a beloved human, they are known for jumping up and down in exuberance and leaping about. “Down” may be the first command to teach them. And almost any lover of the breed can tell you about the “kidney bean” dance Boxers do. They twist their bodies into a sort of semicircle and, in their excitement, start turning in circles.
7. Boxers are excellent service dogs.
With their innate attachment to humans and their intelligence, Boxers are often used as guide dogs for the blind and even as alert dogs for people who suffer from epilepsy, alerting them to an imminent seizure.
8. The Boxer was the breed of choice for a pair of famous movie stars.
Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall were both dog lovers. They received their first Boxer, Harvey, as a wedding gift, and he appeared in many of their publicity photos. They acquired two more Boxers, Baby and George, as well.
Fun Facts: By Jan Reisen
Nov 06, 2020
Click the links below for more information on the followings:
American Boxer Club - ABC Information
The NKC recognizes all known purebred dogs.
Click on the link above for a list. If your breed is not listed please call the NKC office at 865-932-9680 or email any request regarding breed verification to contactus@nationalkennelclub.com
Click on the link above for a list. If your breed is not listed please call the NKC office at 865-932-9680 or email any request regarding breed verification to contactus@nationalkennelclub.com
Want to know more about Genetics?
COLOR
Excerpt from American Boxer Club Illustrated Standard
The colors are fawn and brindle. Fawn shades vary from light tan to mahogany. The brindle ranges from sparse but clearly defined black stripes on a fawn background to such a heavy concentration of black striping that the essential fawn background color barely, although clearly, shows through (which may create the appearance of reverse brindling).
Excerpt from American Boxer Club Illustrated Standard
The colors are fawn and brindle. Fawn shades vary from light tan to mahogany. The brindle ranges from sparse but clearly defined black stripes on a fawn background to such a heavy concentration of black striping that the essential fawn background color barely, although clearly, shows through (which may create the appearance of reverse brindling).
Coat Colors in Boxers and the American Boxer Club
By: Dr. Robert Conrad & Ann Gilbert (Revised: 12/17/2017)
By: Dr. Robert Conrad & Ann Gilbert (Revised: 12/17/2017)
For each breed that is recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the AKC also recognizes an organization termed, "the parent club." Each parent club (in this case the American Boxer Club [ABC]) is responsible for establishing and writing a breed standard, a document describing the characteristics of that breed. Breed standards are not written to discriminate.
Quite simply, the standards are designed as guides to determine the structure and desirable traits to be used for selecting breeding stock and to instruct judges in the show ring. The currently approved Boxer Standard explicitly defines the allowable coat colors and markings for Boxers. There are two acceptable coat colors, fawn or brindle.
There are no stripes in fawn coats. Those Boxers exhibiting black stripes on the fawn background are termed brindle. The fawn coat ranges from light yellow to dark red. Brindling can be sparse or heavy, and sometimes it is so heavy the animal appears to be black with fawn stripes (this is called reverse brindling -- boxers do not carry the gene for an all black coat color). The ABC's Boxer Standard defines the desired colors and markings one should strive for in the ideal Boxer.
The Boxer Standard requires that two-thirds of the coat color on the total surface of the skin must be either fawn or brindle. If white markings exceed one-third of the total surface of the skin, the Boxer would be excused from competition by the judge. In show terminology this is called a disqualification. Such color restrictions are very common in breed standards.
In The Inheritance of Coat Color in Dogs [1954], Clarence C. Little indicated that white Boxer puppies are not true albinos as albinism is defined by geneticists (a complete lack of pigment in the skin or hair and blue eyes), as evidenced by their dark eyes and nose. Approximately twenty-five percent (and this is an estimation as exact records have not been maintained) of all Boxer puppies born to parents having white markings are either white or almost all white, making white puppies neither" rare" nor "unusual." Some of the pups may have brindle or fawn spots on the head, trunk, or base of the tail. These almost all-white puppies are sometimes referred to as "checks" or "parti-colored."
Other issues to be considered with the white Boxer gene include:
Some of the white pups, with little or no pigment in their skin, must be kept out of the sun because they sunburn. This is similar to a condition observed in Collies, which is called "Collie nose".
A certain percentage of the white Boxer puppies are deaf in either one or both ears. In Boxers and other breeds (Bull Terriers, Dalmatians, Great Danes, Collies, Shetland Sheep Dogs, etc.) in which deaf animals sometimes occur, it is known that deafness results when the cells of the skin lining the ear canals lack pigment. [1]
It has been reported that some white Boxer puppies may be blind, however, there are no sound statistics to establish this as a severe problem as this condition appears to occur at a very low frequency in the Boxer.
Originally the American Boxer Club wrote the standard clearly addressing the white coat coloring as undesirable because of the unfortunate traits associated with the lack of pigmentation. As a result of these observations, breeders are still forbidden in the use of white Boxers in their breeding programs.
On March 31, 2016 the American Boxer Club membership approved the placement of white puppies and the revisions to our Code of Ethics were approved by AKC on October 11, 2016. Currently, ABC members and members of affiliated clubs are now offered the option of placing and monetarily recouping the costs of raising their white puppies. Puppies can be placed in homes as companion or performance animals and offered an American Kennel Club Limited Registration. This Limited Registration offered by the AKC will assign the dog an AKC number for use in performance events. AKC will not recognize the use of the dog as a breeding animal by denying registration of any puppies produced by a dog with such registration. The American Boxer Club's Code of Ethics clearly defines the breeders' responsibilities and the guidelines for this option, which includes proof of spay/neuter prior to registration.
White Boxers have been a part of our breed's history from the very beginning. The introduction of the all-white gene into the Boxer gene pool is often blamed on early crosses to a white English Bulldog in the 1890s, yet white Boxers existed long before the crosses to the Bulldog were made (as demonstrated by a photo of a white Boxer from 1870 that was killed while being with his master in the Franco-German war of 1870/71[2]).
White Boxers were accepted for registration and breeding by the German club up to 1925. They were banned then because the club viewed the Boxer as a guard dog and white was considered unacceptable for that work. Any physical problems related to the white gene were not found until much later.
The American Boxer Club remains constant in their disqualification of the white boxer for either conformation classes or breeding. Other than the undesirable physical traits (deaf or blind) sometimes associated with the white gene, white Boxers are exactly the same in temperament and structure as their pigmented siblings. Please remember there are many Boxers (including white, check, parti-colored, fawn and brindle) with other undesirable traits that also should not be used for breeding. The color of a Boxer's coat has nothing to do with the wonderful Boxer personality we all have grown to covet and love.
Genetically Flashy vs. Genetically Plain or Classic:
Typically a plain/classic boxer is identified as one with little to no white on the face, no white above the toes and only a small amount of white on the chest. However, the marking pattern is affected by modifiers, so that a flashy Boxer, while genetically the same as another flashy Boxer, will not be phenotypically the same - one may have a full white collar, the other may only have white "stockings" and no white on the neck. Also, genetically plain Boxers do have a minimal amount of white markings on the toes, chest and belly. Because of the modifiers, a genetically flashy Boxer that is modified to have only a small amount of white markings may look phenotypically identical to a genetically plain Boxer. The only way to know for sure is to breed the dog understanding fully the genetic inheritance of white markings. A genetically plain/classic boxer bred to a genetically flashy boxer will not throw any white puppies.
More information on the genetics of coat color inheritance in boxers:
Brindle is a dominant color in boxers. Fawn is a recessive color. This means that if you breed fawn to fawn, you get 100% fawn puppies. If you breed Brindle, you need to know the genotype of that dog - does he/she have a fawn allele to contribute to a breeding? If the Brindle dog has a fawn parent, the answer is automatically YES. If the Brindle dog has a Brindle parent, you need to breed them to a fawn dog to find out what their genotype is. There is no gene test for coat color at this time.
If you wish to review the simple genetics that are understood about coat color inheritance such as fawn vs. brindle, this is an excellent page that shows dominance vs. recessive alleles in coat colors:
If you wish to review the simple genetics that are understood about coat color inheritance such as fawn vs. brindle, this is an excellent page that shows dominance vs. recessive alleles in coat colors:
General Appearance
The ideal Boxer is a medium-sized, square-built dog of good substance with short back, strong limbs, and short, tight-fitting coat. His well-developed muscles are clean, hard, and appear smooth under taut skin. His movements denote energy. The gait is firm yet elastic, the stride free and ground-covering, the carriage proud. Developed to serve as guard, working, and companion dog, he combines strength and agility with elegance and style. His expression is alert and his temperament steadfast and tractable. The chiseled head imparts to the Boxer a unique individual stamp. It must be in correct proportion to the body. The broad, blunt muzzle is the distinctive feature, and great value is placed upon its being of proper form and balance with the skull. In judging the Boxer first consideration is given to general appearance and overall balance. Special attention is then devoted to the head, after which the individual body components are examined for their correct construction, and the gait evaluated for efficiency.
The ideal Boxer is a medium-sized, square-built dog of good substance with short back, strong limbs, and short, tight-fitting coat. His well-developed muscles are clean, hard, and appear smooth under taut skin. His movements denote energy. The gait is firm yet elastic, the stride free and ground-covering, the carriage proud. Developed to serve as guard, working, and companion dog, he combines strength and agility with elegance and style. His expression is alert and his temperament steadfast and tractable. The chiseled head imparts to the Boxer a unique individual stamp. It must be in correct proportion to the body. The broad, blunt muzzle is the distinctive feature, and great value is placed upon its being of proper form and balance with the skull. In judging the Boxer first consideration is given to general appearance and overall balance. Special attention is then devoted to the head, after which the individual body components are examined for their correct construction, and the gait evaluated for efficiency.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size: Adult males 23 to 25 inches; females 21½ to 23½ inches at the withers. Proper balance and quality in the individual should be of primary importance since there is no size disqualification.
Size: Adult males 23 to 25 inches; females 21½ to 23½ inches at the withers. Proper balance and quality in the individual should be of primary importance since there is no size disqualification.
Proportion: The body in profile is square in that a horizontal line from the front of the forechest to the rear projection of the upper thigh should equal the length of a vertical line dropped from the top of the withers to the ground.
Substance: Sturdy, with balanced musculature. Males larger boned than females.
Head
The beauty of the head depends upon the harmonious proportion of muzzle to skull. The blunt muzzle is 1/3 the length of the head from the occiput to the tip of the nose, and 2/3rds the width of the skull. The head should be clean, not showing deep wrinkles (wet). Wrinkles typically appear upon the forehead when ears are erect, and are always present from the lower edge of the stop running downward on both sides of the muzzle.
The beauty of the head depends upon the harmonious proportion of muzzle to skull. The blunt muzzle is 1/3 the length of the head from the occiput to the tip of the nose, and 2/3rds the width of the skull. The head should be clean, not showing deep wrinkles (wet). Wrinkles typically appear upon the forehead when ears are erect, and are always present from the lower edge of the stop running downward on both sides of the muzzle.
Expression: Intelligent and alert.
Eyes: Dark brown in color, frontally placed, generous, not too small, too protruding, or too deep-set. Their mood-mirroring character, combined with the wrinkling of the forehead, gives the Boxer head its unique quality of expressiveness. Third eyelids preferably have pigmented rims.
Ears: Set at the highest points of the sides of the skull, the ears are customarily cropped, cut rather long and tapering, and raised when alert. If uncropped, the ears should be of moderate size, thin, lying flat and close to the cheeks in repose, but falling forward with a definite crease when alert.
Skull: The top of the skull is slightly arched, not rounded, flat, nor noticeably broad, with the occiput not overly pronounced. The forehead shows a slight indentation between the eyes and forms a distinct stop with the topline of the muzzle. The cheeks should be relatively flat and not bulge (cheekiness), maintaining the clean lines of the skull as they taper into the muzzle in a slight, graceful curve.
Muzzle and Nose: The muzzle, proportionately developed in length, width, and depth, has a shape influenced first through the formation of both jawbones, second through the placement of the teeth, and third through the texture of the lips. The top of the muzzle should not slant down (downfaced), nor should it be concave (dishfaced); however, the tip of the nose should lie slightly higher than the root of the muzzle. The nose should be broad and black.
Bite and Jaw Structure: The Boxer bite is undershot, the lower jaw protruding beyond the upper and curving slightly upward. The incisor teeth of the lower jaw are in a straight line, with the canines preferably up front in the same line to give the jaw the greatest possible width. The upper line of the incisors is slightly convex with the corner upper incisors fitting snugly in back of the lower canine teeth on each side. Neither the teeth nor the tongue should ever show when the mouth is closed.
The upper jaw is broad where attached to the skull and maintains this breadth, except for a very slight tapering to the front. The lips, which complete the formation of the muzzle, should meet evenly in front. The upper lip is thick and padded, filling out the frontal space created by the projection of the lower jaw, and laterally is supported by the canines of the lower jaw. Therefore, these canines must stand far apart and be of good length so that the front surface of the muzzle is broad and squarish and, when viewed from the side, shows moderate layback. The chin should be perceptible from the side as well as from the front. Any suggestion of an overlip obscuring the chin should be penalized.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck: Round, of ample length, muscular and clean without excessive hanging skin (dewlap). The neck should have a distinctly arched and elegant nape blending smoothly into the withers.
Neck: Round, of ample length, muscular and clean without excessive hanging skin (dewlap). The neck should have a distinctly arched and elegant nape blending smoothly into the withers.
Back and Topline: The back is short, straight, muscular, firm, and smooth. The topline is slightly sloping when the Boxer is at attention, leveling out when in motion.
Body: The chest is of fair width, and the forechest well-defined and visible from the side. The brisket is deep, reaching down to the elbows; the depth of the body at the lowest point of the brisket equals half the height of the dog at the withers. The ribs, extending far to the rear, are well-arched but not barrel-shaped. The loins are short and muscular. The lower stomach line is slightly tucked up, blending into a graceful curve to the rear. The croup is slightly sloped, flat and broad. The pelvis is long, and in females especially broad. The tail is set high, docked, and carried upward. An undocked tail should be severely penalized.
Forequarters
The shoulders are long and sloping, close-lying, and not excessively covered with muscle (loaded). The upper arm is long, approaching a right angle to the shoulder blade. The elbows should not press too closely to the chest wall nor stand off visibly from it. The forelegs are long, straight, and firmly muscled, and, when viewed from the front, stand parallel to each other. The pastern is strong and distinct, slightly slanting, but standing almost perpendicular to the ground. The dewclaws may be removed. Feet should be compact, turning neither in nor out, with well-arched toes.
The shoulders are long and sloping, close-lying, and not excessively covered with muscle (loaded). The upper arm is long, approaching a right angle to the shoulder blade. The elbows should not press too closely to the chest wall nor stand off visibly from it. The forelegs are long, straight, and firmly muscled, and, when viewed from the front, stand parallel to each other. The pastern is strong and distinct, slightly slanting, but standing almost perpendicular to the ground. The dewclaws may be removed. Feet should be compact, turning neither in nor out, with well-arched toes.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters are strongly muscled, with angulation in balance with that of the forequarters.
The hindquarters are strongly muscled, with angulation in balance with that of the forequarters.
The thighs are broad and curved, the breech musculature hard and strongly developed. Upper and lower thigh are long. The legs are well-angulated at the stifle, neither too steep nor over-angulated, with clearly defined, well "let down" hock joints. Viewed from behind, the hind legs should be straight, with hock joints leaning neither in nor out. From the side, the leg below the hock (metatarsus) should be almost perpendicular to the ground, with a slight slope to the rear permissible. The metatarsus should be short, clean, and strong. The Boxer has no rear dewclaws.
Coat
Short, shiny, lying smooth and tight to the body.
Short, shiny, lying smooth and tight to the body.
Color
The colors are fawn and brindle. Fawn shades vary from light tan to mahogany. The brindle ranges from sparse but clearly defined black stripes on a fawn background to such a heavy concentration of black striping that the essential fawn background color barely, although clearly, shows through (which may create the appearance of reverse brindling).
The colors are fawn and brindle. Fawn shades vary from light tan to mahogany. The brindle ranges from sparse but clearly defined black stripes on a fawn background to such a heavy concentration of black striping that the essential fawn background color barely, although clearly, shows through (which may create the appearance of reverse brindling).
White markings, if present, should be of such distribution as to enhance the dog's appearance, but may not exceed one-third of the entire coat. They are not desirable on the flanks or on the back of the torso proper. On the face, white may replace part of the otherwise essential black mask, and may extend in an upward path between the eyes, but it must not be excessive, so as to detract from true Boxer expression. The absence of white markings, the so-called "plain" fawn or brindle, is perfectly acceptable, and should not be penalized in any consideration of color.
Disqualifications: Boxers that are any color other than fawn or brindle. Boxers with a total of white markings exceeding one-third of the entire coat.
Gait
Viewed from the side, proper front and rear angulation is manifested in a smoothly efficient, level-backed, ground covering stride with a powerful drive emanating from a freely operating rear. Although the front legs do not contribute impelling power, adequate reach should be evident to prevent interference, overlap, or sidewinding (crabbing). Viewed from the front, the shoulders should remain trim and the elbows not flare out. The legs are parallel until gaiting narrows the track in proportion to increasing speed, then the legs come in under the body but should never cross. The line from the shoulder down through the leg should remain straight although not necessarily perpendicular to the ground. Viewed from the rear, a Boxer's rump should not roll. The hind feet should dig in and track relatively true with the front. Again, as speed increases, the normally broad rear track will become narrower. The Boxer's gait should always appear smooth and powerful, never stilted or inefficient.
Viewed from the side, proper front and rear angulation is manifested in a smoothly efficient, level-backed, ground covering stride with a powerful drive emanating from a freely operating rear. Although the front legs do not contribute impelling power, adequate reach should be evident to prevent interference, overlap, or sidewinding (crabbing). Viewed from the front, the shoulders should remain trim and the elbows not flare out. The legs are parallel until gaiting narrows the track in proportion to increasing speed, then the legs come in under the body but should never cross. The line from the shoulder down through the leg should remain straight although not necessarily perpendicular to the ground. Viewed from the rear, a Boxer's rump should not roll. The hind feet should dig in and track relatively true with the front. Again, as speed increases, the normally broad rear track will become narrower. The Boxer's gait should always appear smooth and powerful, never stilted or inefficient.
Character and Temperament
These are of paramount importance in the Boxer. Instinctively a hearing guard dog, his bearing is alert, dignified, and self-assured. In the show ring his behavior should exhibit constrained animation. With family and friends, his temperament is fundamentally playful, yet patient and stoical with children. Deliberate and wary with strangers, he will exhibit curiosity, but, most importantly, fearless courage if threatened. However, he responds promptly to friendly overtures honestly rendered. His intelligence, loyal affection, and tractability to discipline make him a highly desirable companion. Any evidence of shyness, or lack of dignity or alertness, should be severely penalized.
These are of paramount importance in the Boxer. Instinctively a hearing guard dog, his bearing is alert, dignified, and self-assured. In the show ring his behavior should exhibit constrained animation. With family and friends, his temperament is fundamentally playful, yet patient and stoical with children. Deliberate and wary with strangers, he will exhibit curiosity, but, most importantly, fearless courage if threatened. However, he responds promptly to friendly overtures honestly rendered. His intelligence, loyal affection, and tractability to discipline make him a highly desirable companion. Any evidence of shyness, or lack of dignity or alertness, should be severely penalized.
The foregoing description is that of the ideal Boxer. Any deviation from the above-described dog must be penalized to the extent of the deviation.
Disqualifications
Boxers that are any color other than fawn or brindle. Boxers with a total of white markings exceeding one-third of the entire coat.
Boxers that are any color other than fawn or brindle. Boxers with a total of white markings exceeding one-third of the entire coat.
AKC Approval February 11, 2005
Effective: March 30, 2005
Effective: March 30, 2005
Puppy Aptitude Testing (PAT) = Canine Character
(PAT) has been around for many years, it is a widely used method for help selecting the “right” puppy for the “right” home. It also helps breeders in evaluation of obedience aptitude as well as working drive. Providing information about your needs and wants about this puppy/dog this test can provide the breeder with coinciding information to help achieve the perfect match. An assessment of both the family/other pets as well as any information helps the breeder decide which puppies would be the best match for your family’s needs.
