Boxer
Country/Date of Origin: Germany/late 1800s
This is a breed whose exact beginnings are known. In the 1880s, George Alt who lived near Munich, created a new working dog by crossing a Bullenbeisser--a mastiff type dog that is now extinct--with an English Bulldog. The first dog to be considered a Boxer was a second generation of that mixture. The breed is one that combines power and agility. There is also a good head on the Boxer's working shoulders. It is so suited to doing man's bidding that it has been a favorite of police departments, military trainers and guide dog organizations. Boxers in the United States are lighter and more refined than those on the Continent. The first Boxer was registered by the American Kennel Club in 1904 but the first champion didn't finish until 1915. Boxers have had a slow and steady climb in popularity till they are now firmly fixed in the top twenty breeds.
Other Names Body Type Personality Coat Health Concerns
Back to TopNone
AKC Group: Working
Breed Club: American Boxer Club
Rescue Club: American Boxer Club Rescue
Back to TopBody Type:
- Strong, muscular, athletic build
- Has an undershot jaw and an upward-tipped muzzle
- Ears are usually docked in the US and are carried erect
- Docked tail is carried high
- Height: 21-25 inches ( at shoulder)
- Weight: 66-70 pounds
Personality:
- Highly intelligent and willing to please
- Loyal, and affectionate to family
- Suspicious of strangers but makes exceptions for children
- May be too possessive
Coat:
- Smooth, shiny and short
- Colors allowed are brindle or fawn generally with white markings and a darker face or mask. An all white dog is disqualified in the show ring
- Minimal grooming required
Health Concerns:
- The biggest problem in the breed and one which has almost wiped it out in England is a genetic nerve disease called progressive axonopathy
- Hip dysplasia
- Digestive disorders
- Heart problems
- Hypothyroidism
- Cornea ulcers
- Possible bleeding disorder
Tasty Tidbits:
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