10 Things You Should Know Before Owning a Boxer (2023)

10They Can Get Big

When you look into the eyes of a tiny little boxer puppy, you might feel your heart melt. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and decide that you absolutely need to bring that puppy home. The same thing can happen when you look at some of the older dogs that are still active. Unless you have experience with boxers though, you may not realize just how big they can get.

The average weight for a male boxer is between 65 and 80 pounds. Though that might not seem like a lot, it can definitely feel that way when the dog jumps on your chest in the early morning to tell you that it’s time for a bathroom break. Females of the breed are usually a little smaller but can still hit weights of between 50 and 65 pounds.

Female boxers generally reach a length of at least 21.5 inches, but some girls can measure nearly 24 inches in length. If you decide on a male boxer, you’re looking at an overall size of at least 23 inches. Some dogs of this breed can reach a size of at least 25 inches too. Don’t let the weight and the size scare you off from opening your home to a boxer though. While pure breeds fall within these categories, mixed breeds can be slightly smaller or larger. Pure breed puppies will reach sizes that are similar to those of their parents. Most breeders will let you interact with the puppy parents.

9Requires Little Grooming

Have you ever thought of buying a new dog but worried that it required too much grooming and maintenance? Boxers are a great choice for anyone who wants a dog that requires little in the way of upkeep. While you will need to take your pup on regular walks and give it time to play outside, you don’t need to spend nearly as much time on grooming as you would with another breed.

Boxers need little grooming because of their short coats. As long as you have a good brush, you can keep your dog clean. Wire brushes are generally the best for boxers because the bristles remove any hair that the dog sheds without hurting its skin. As boxers don’t shed very much, the breed is also a good choice for homes where one or more people suffer from allergies. Brushing your dog just once a week is satisfactory.

Another thing to keep in mind is how often you need to bathe your boxer. Many boxers love playing in the water and won’t mind jumping right into your bathtub. If the weather is nice, you can take your pup outside and give it a bath in a kids’ swimming pool, using your garden hose to fill the tub with water. It’s often helpful to bathe the dog regularly when it’s a puppy. This helps it feel comfortable in the water and helps it understand what bath time entails. When bathing a boxer, pay special attention to its ears and tail.

8Bred in Germany

Boxers are one of the newer breeds and one that the American Kennel Club and other organizations only recognized over the last century. Originally bred in Germany, the first historical note of the breed was in the late 19th century. Prior to that though, artwork and tapestries depicted similar dogs that shared some of the same characteristics as the boxer.

Most breeders today credit George Alt with the widespread introduction of the dog. Alt was a dog breeder living in Munich, Germany who bred Bullenbeisser dogs he imported from France. Those dogs looked similar to boxers but were a little larger. Alt decided to focus his breeding efforts on a little lady named Flora. Though her first pups looked similar to Bullenbeissers, she later gave birth to puppies that looked just like modern boxers.

There are two stories behind the name of the breed. Some claim that Alt took the Bullenbeisser name and condensed it down to come up with the name boxer. Others claim the name came about because of the way the puppies played with each other. The dogs would punch the air and their littermates with their paws, which made them look like little boxers. There are some who say the boxer name relates to boxl, which is a German word that means slaughterhouse. Early breeders and owners used boxers to keep cattle and other animals safe in slaughterhouse settings.

7They Have Unique Characteristics

The boxer stance that these dogs have is something that never really goes away. Boxers are solidly built dogs with large chests shaped like barrels and taut muscles. Whether taking the dog for a walk around the block or just handing out treats in your home, these dogs tend to stand like little boxers. They plant all four of their feet on the ground and stare directly at you. If you have a treat or a toy in your hand, you can expect to see your dog’s eyes following your every movement.

One of the more unique characteristics that this breed has is the way it plays like a boxer. Both puppies and older dogs often use their front paws to bat toys around and to play with their humans and any other animals in the area. You may even see your dog stand on its hind legs and box at the air with its front paws.

Boxers are much funnier than some think too. They often wiggle their hips and butts when they’re happy, which lets you know that you’re a good pet parent. The dogs often have a tendency to run and move as much as possible until something gets in their way. Don’t be surprised if you see your boxer run full tilt through your house until it crashes into a piece of furniture or the wall. Boxers also act out in other ways. They may lay flat on their backs and slide across the floor or dance to the music only they can hear.

6Warm Weather Dogs

If seeing someone walking down the street with a dog in boots and a coat makes you want to laugh, a boxer might not be the right dog for you. Though this breed originated in Germany, it dislikes cold weather. That doesn’t mean you can’t welcome a boxer into your home just because you live in the Midwest though. It simply means that you need to use some caution when caring for your dog in the winter months.

The dense coats that these dogs have to offer little in the way of protection against the cold temperatures, ice, and snow. You may notice that your dog shakes quite a bit when you take walks in the winter. Instead of taking several long walks each day in the cold, it’s better to take a larger number of short walks. This limits the exposure that your dog has to the cold and helps it stay warm.

A good way to protect that boxer from the cold is with a simple coat. You can find one that fits well based on both the weight and the length of your dog. It’s often helpful to give your dog boots or booties too. A pair of waterproof boots will keep your dog’s paws from touching the ice and the snow and keep its little feet warm. You should dress your boxer appropriately for the weather outside.

5Health Concerns

When you buy a boxer puppy from a breeder, you should immediately make an appointment with a vet and have your new dog checked out. Your vet can let you know if the dog is healthy and give it the shots and vaccinations that will help the pup live a long and healthy life. Boxers live an average lifespan of between eight and 10 years, but that lifespan depends on any of the health conditions that the dog develops over time.

Colitis is the most common condition that boxers can develop. This is a type of bowel disease that affects the dog’s colon lining. You might notice blood and/or mucus in your dog’s feces and find that it suffers from frequent bouts of diarrhea. Colitis can also cause some discomfort and leave your dog straining when it attempts to defecate. The symptoms of colitis typically present before the dog turns two years old.

As boxers are so active, these dogs can develop arthritis and other joint and bone conditions. Arthritis that affects the hip joints is the most common version of this disease. As your dog ages, you may need to limit how often it climbs or jumps and use small stairs to help it easily climb on on your couch or bed. Boxers that are entirely white are more likely to be deaf too. As a boxer parent, you can keep your dog healthy and safe with regular check-ups and appointments with a licensed veterinarian.

4Celebrities Love Boxers

As a boxer owner, you’re in good company. Some of the top celebrities in the world own boxers that they either adopted from rescue groups or purchased from breeders. Cesar Milan of Dog Whisperer fame loves his boxer so much that he often takes it on trips to meet with clients. He uses his dog to introduce other breeds to different types of dogs. During his career as a full-time NASCAR driver, Greg Biffle seldom visited a track without his boxer in tow. Even after his wife gave birth to their first child, they still brought the dog on trips.

Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake are fans of the breed too. Paparazzi often spotted Biel taking their two boxers for walks around Los Angeles and taking them with her as she shopped. Fans of The Bachelor might remember Sean Lowe who looked for love during the show’s eighth season. Lowe loved his dog so much that he brought it on the show with him and gauged the way the women responded to the pup. Other celebrities who love this breed include Cameron Diaz, Hugh Jackman, Luke Perry, and Ryan Reynolds. Even Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have a boxer.

Many celebrities who appreciate this breed have children and love how gentle their dogs are with kids. Boxers really love children and like playing with kids. While aggressive breeds can attack or scare kids, boxers know when to be gentle with those kids and when they can be a little rougher.

3Boxers Get Bored Just As Humans Do

Have you ever had one of those days where you just felt restless and couldn’t find anything to occupy your time? Boxers feel the exact same way and can get bored, especially if you leave them at home for long hours on their own. Their large jaws and strong teeth can do some serious damage to anything in your home. As a boxer owner, it’s important that you keep them occupied to reduce the risk of damage to everything from your furniture to your shoes.

Boxers do well with interactive toys that let them focus their jaws and teeth on something directly in front of them. This can include stuffed animals with water bottles or squeakers inside. Stuffed animals and similar toys may not last as long as you would expect though. Those sharp and powerful teeth can rip through the shell of the toy in minutes. You should avoid any type of toy with small plastic pieces inside and stuffed animals with plastic eyes on the outside. Dogs can swallow the plastic and become quite sick.

If you need to leave your home for a few hours or longer and want to reduce the damage your boxer does, there are a few things you can do. You can use a cage or a kennel, but you’ll want to give your boxer some comfort items such as a favorite blanket and a soft bed. Owners of this breed often find it helpful to hire a dog sitter or walker too.

2They Need Training

There is nothing cuter than seeing an adorable little boxer puppy instantly sitting down when you give the command at meal time. It takes quite a bit of time and energy to reach that point though. This breed requires a lot of training to follow simple commands. Experts recommend that pet owners teach their boxers the down command first. The large amount of energy that these dogs have can cause them to act out in various ways. They often jump up on people, including both their family members and any strangers visiting the house. With proper training, boxers become excellent emotional support dogs and can function as service animals too.

You may want to consider agility training such as obstacle courses too. Boxers are popular at dog shows and won Best in Show multiple times over the years. During those shows, the dogs must run around a ring and go through an obstacle course. As these dogs have such a short attention span though, you may need to work on one leg of the course at a time. You can then slowly work your pup up to running the whole course.

If you don’t feel confident or comfortable training the dog on your own, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Professional trainers working in obedience schools can do all the hard work for you and teach your dog simple commands. Most pet stores offer obedience training classes for pet owners and will accept both puppies and older dogs.

1Boxers Come in Different Colors

Boxers are loyal to a fault and love the humans they see every day. Though most are accepting of strangers, some will act out when they see someone new because they worry about their families. If you have your heart set on one of these loyal dogs, you’ll find that breeders offer the puppies in a wide range of colors. Genetics play a key role in how the dogs look. Their coloring and markings rely quite a bit on the markings and colors of their parents.

The most common colors include fawn and brindle. Fawn is a pale tan color that can darken into an aeeper brown shade. Bridle boxers are usually brown but have shades of other colors in their coats. Some brindle dogs are mostly one color and have streaks of other shades, but others are primarily one color and have spots of another shade.

Many know boxers for the pops of color on their muzzles and paws too. These areas are usually white, though some boxers have black spots on their bodies and faces. Boxers often have two front paws that are white but can have black paws or four paws of different colors and shades. The appearance of the dog doesn’t matter to all pet owners because they simply love how sweet and loving boxers are. If you want to breed your pup in the future, you may want to choose one based on color and appearance because you want an idea of what the puppies will look like.

Conclusion

Owning a boxer can change the way you feel about coming home for work every day. These dogs are incredibly loyal and put their masters above everyone else. They tend to do well with a set routine that includes playtime a few times a day and regular walks. You can also let your dog play outside in a fenced-in yard and watch as it races around and chases everything it sees. Boxers especially love toys that make noise and those that items that provide them with some comfort such as a treasured blanket or pillow.

Though boxers are sweet and affectionate, they do require more training and work than other breeds do. You should start training as soon as possible after bringing home a new dog. Teaching it how to sit and get down can keep the dog from jumping on your family members and going crazy during meal times.

Boxers do suffer from some health problems such as colitis, which occurs when the lining of the colon is inflamed. There is a risk that your new family member might develop arthritis, which will interfere with the way your dog plays and walks. It’s extremely important that you talk to your vet at the first sign of any problems. This will help you get your dog the help that it needs. Before adopting or buying one of these dogs, you really need to check out the 10 things you should know before owning a boxer to make sure you’re ready for the commitment.