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Breed Facts Life Expectancy: 12 years Size: 21-25in Noise: Fairly Quiet Common Health Problems: Hip dysplasia, heart problems, prone to cancer Breed Recognized By: AKC, CKC, FCI, KC Alternate Names: Duetscher Boxer, German Boxer Friendliness | Loyal and loving to family members, wary of strangers, can be aggressive to small animals | Energy | High, requires 60 minutes or more of exercise per day | Trainability | Responds best to positive reinforcement | The Boxer is descended from English Bulldogs and the now extinct Bullenbeisser. Originally, Boxer type dogs were used for hunting large game animals like boar and bears. The Boxer would use its strong jaws to hang on to the large animal until the hunters arrived to make the kill. The Boxer we know today was developed in Germany after 1890. While still used as guard dogs, most modern Boxers serve as faithful family pets. Boxers see themselves as guardians of their families and are unfailingly loyal to their owners. Boxers tolerate children and are sturdy and solid, making them good family pets. While Boxers will tolerate the presence of smaller dogs, they may be aggressive to larger dogs of the same sex. If raised with small animals, Boxers can live with them. Otherwise, Boxers’ strong prey drive makes them unsuitable to life with cats or other small pets. Boxer’s are wary of strangers and make good guard dogs. Boxers have short, smooth coats that require very little maintenance. Occasional brushing is all a Boxer requires. Boxers are a high energy breed that never seems to grow out of the puppy stage. Boxers will find a way to burn their energy if they aren’t exercised, sometimes with destructive and expensive results. Boxers should be allowed to run at least 60 minutes or several miles a day. Training for a headstrong Boxer is an absolute necessity. Boxers that are not properly socialized can become aggressive towards people and dogs and over-protective of their families. An intelligent, sensitive breed, the Boxer responds best to positive reinforcement and firm leadership. A Boxer will rarely listen to a human it doesn’t know and respect.
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