Dog Breed
Boxer
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- Full Name
- Boxer
- Alternate Names
- Deutscher Boxer
- Your PupScore
- Take the best dog breed quiz to get your Pup Scores!
- Life Span
- 9 - 11 years
- Weight
- 50 - 70 pounds
- Description
Boxer dogs can look intimidating at first but are loving family dogs that make an amazing companion. They have a high level of energy and need tons of exercise. They are devoted, fearless and cheerful, and will stay by your side all day... it's impossible to feel lonely with a boxer by your side. Although they can be trained to be good guard dogs, and are naturally alert, they typically have a very friendly demeanor and welcome guests with an immediate desire to play.
- Origin
- Germany
- Bred For
- Bull-baiting, guardian
- Family Considerations
- Overall Ease of Breed
- Personality
- Home and Environment Considerations
- Physical Characteristics
Child Friendly
4/5
Is the Boxer good with children?
Yes, the Boxer is very friendly with children. We still recommend introductions to children while they are young so they get used to them, but the Boxer naturally loves children.
Stranger Friendly
4/5
Is the Boxer friendly with strangers?
Yes, the Boxer is very friendly with strangers. We still recommend early socialization while the Boxer is a puppy to introduce them to various new people, but in general they are friendly with everyone.
Dog Friendly
3/5
Is the Boxer friendly with other dogs?
The Boxer is about average in how friendly they are with other dogs. They can be timid or defensive, but with proper training and socialization can be fine for dog parks and living with other dogs at home.
Likes to Cuddle
4/5
Does the Boxer like to cuddle?
The Boxer appreciates affection and that includes kisses and snuggles!
Playfulness
5/5
Does the Boxer like to play?
The Boxer is always ready for play! It's important to keep in mind, as they need to be stimulated with games and affection throughout the day.
Service Dog Ability
4/5
Does the Boxer make a good service dog?
The Boxer can be a service dog with the proper training. Boxers are not the most common service dog, but they certainly can be if their personality matches- smart, patient, and extremely dedicated to their owner.
Ease for Novice
3/5
Is the Boxer good for first-time owners?
The Boxer is not the easiest breed for first-time owners, but can certainly still work out if the owner is willing to put the time into training and exercise.
Training Potential
3/5
How well can the Boxer be trained?
The Boxer is about average when it comes to training potential. The Boxer can be seen in competitions and can have advanced training, but it would require much dedication and oftentimes professional training.
Amount of Shedding
3/5
Does the Boxer shed a lot?
The Boxer is an average shedder. Boxer owners will probably still tell you it's a lot of shedding, but certain breeds shed even more.
Ease of Grooming
5/5
Is the Boxer easy to groom?
The Boxer requires very little grooming relative to other dog breeds, their coat is very low maintenance.
Exercise Need
4/5
Does the Boxer need a lot of exercise?
The Boxer has a lot of energy and getting daily exercise is very important, both for their well-being and for their focus, which is important when you train them.
Intelligence
3/5
How smart is the Boxer?
The Boxer has average intelligence. They are smart and witty, but do not need to be constantly challenged mentally, as some other breeds.
Amount of Barking
3/5
How much does the Boxer bark? Does the Boxer bark too much?
The Boxer barks an average amount. It can vary widely between Boxers - some may be much more expressive than others.
Guard Dog Ability
3/5
Is the Boxer a good guard dog?
The Boxer is not typically used as a guard dog, although they can be alert and oftentimes notify you if there is a stranger at the door or otherwise something to be concerned over.
Tolerates Being Alone
2/5
Is the Boxer good at staying alone? Is the Boxer independent?
The Boxer is not very independent and does not do great when left behind for longer than a couple of hours. This is one of the most important things to consider when getting a new dog.
Good for Apartment Living
2/5
Is the Boxer a good apartment dog?
The Boxer is not a good dog for apartment living for several reasons. It is still possible to make it work if the owner is dedicated to plenty of training and daily exercise, but it may be challenging.
Size
4/5
How big is the Boxer?
The Boxer is a large dog breed. A dog's size is important to consider when it comes to travel arrangements, budgeting for food, and how big of a living space you have.
Tolerates Heat
3/5
How much does the Boxer tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Boxer?
The Boxer can tolerate some heat, but should not be over-exposed to hot weather. In general, they can live in hot weather climates, but would do best with air conditioning or at least a fan in their home, especially where they sleep.
Tolerates Cold
3/5
How much does the Boxer tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Boxer?
The Boxer can tolerate some cold, but should not be over-exposed to cold weather. In general, they can live in cold weather climates, but may need clothing on particularly cold evenings or in snow.
Potential to Run Away
3/5
Does the Boxer try to run away?
The Boxer does sometimes run away. This is especially true if they are distracted, or see other cats or dogs. They probably won't go out of their way to "escape", but a fenced yard is still recommended.
General Health
2/5
Is the Boxer a healthy dog? The health of a Boxer should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.
The Boxer has many health problems that should be considered. The Boxer can still live a perfectly healthy life, but it's important to consider all of these health risks ahead of time.
Energy Level
4/5
How energetic is the Boxer?
The Boxer has a lot of energy and this needs to be considered before bringing the Boxer into your home. Can you give your Boxer enough exercise? They will need several small daily walks, or a large dog park trip to get all of the energy out.
Amount of Drooling
5/5
How much does the Boxer drool?
The Boxer is one of the dog breeds that drools the most. It may not be the most important factor, but something to consider if you live in a home where that may bother you.
Prey Drive
2/5
Does the Boxer have a large prey drive? Does the Boxer like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?
The Boxer has some prey drive, so should not be left alone with very small animals such as birds, mice, or gerbils, but with some gradual introduction should be fine living with a cat in the same home.
Athleticism
4/5
Is the Boxer atheltic?
The Boxer is very athletic and would be well suited for a family that frequently works out or goes on adventures.
Breed Variations
Fawn
Brindle
- Dog
- Working
- Mastiff
- Boxer
The Boxer is a purebred dog that belongs to the Mastiff sub group, which falls under the larger Working dog breed group.
Working group: Working dogs encompass a wide range of different breeds- but they all were bred to assist people, so they are used to working hard. It is important for them to feel they have a "job" as their roles traditionally have varied from rescuing people to pulling sleds.
Because of their large size and intensity, they may be a handful for first time dog owners. On the other side, they can be trained well, so any owner who can exercise and dedicate to training their working dog, will be well rewarded. A common misconception may be that the working dog's jobs are only in physically challenging jobs; actually working dogs can also make excellent service dogs, since they are also kind and attentive to their owners.
Mastiff sub-group: Masttiff breeds are the world's ancient and giant breed. They are thought to have originated from from Tibet and China, although there is evidence that they have been throughout Europe- the Roman Empire and Greece for thousands of years as well.
They were used as big game hunters and noble guard dogs. Mastiffs are not particularly high endurance or energy, but quiet intense in short bursts, which is perfect for protection and property protection. Through the years the mastiff has become more friendly and suitable for families, and their calm and composed temperament can actually be more suitable for a house (or even apartment) than it may seem.
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