How to Identify a Boxer

Boxers were imported to America after World War I.

The boxer was developed in Germany in the 19th century. The breed was originally used to chase and hold large game until the hunter could arrive. The boxer is an intelligent breed and has an alert expression. Boxers love people. They have worked as couriers during the war and as seeing-eye dogs. The boxer is one of the more popular dogs in the United States. The breed was imported to America after World War I and become immensely popular in the late 1930s. Boxers are great with children and are very patient. They are also protective and make a popular choice for families.

Instructions

1. Look at the boxer's general appearance and size. The boxer is a medium-sized dog and is quite square built with a short back. It has strong limbs and a short, tight coat. The muscles should be well-developed and hard, and should appear smooth under the tight skin. The boxer was bred to serve not only as a guard dog, but as a working and companion dog. It is a strong breed combined with agility and style. Adult males are between 23 to 25 inches and the females are about 21 1/2 to 23 1/2 inches at the withers.

2. Make sure the head is chiseled. This gives the Boxer its unique stamp. The muzzle is broad and blunt, and is the distinctive feature. The muzzle should be about 1/3 the length of the head from the occiput to the tip of the nose, and is 2/3 the width of the skull. Wrinkles should not be deep and should appear on the forehead when the ears are erect. They are always present from the lower edge of the stop, running down both sides of the muzzle.

3. Take note of eyes and ears. The eyes are dark brown and are closer to the front of the face. They should not protrude too much, nor should they be too deeply set. The third eyelids have pigmented rims. The ears are set at the sides of the skull, at the highest point of the skull. They are usually cropped to a long and tapering shape, and when the boxer is alert, the ears are raised. If the ears are uncropped, they should be a moderate size, thin and lay flat and close to the cheeks. They fall forward with a crease when the boxer is alert.

4. Check the forequarters and hindquarters. The body is square-looking because a horizontal line from the front of the forechest to the rear projection of the upper thigh should be equal in length to the vertical line from the top of the withers to the ground. The Boxer should look sturdy and large boned, but males will be larger-boned than females.

5. Notice the neck. The neck should be lengthy and muscular without dewlap (excessive hanging skin). It should be arched and blend smoothly into the withers. The chest is fairly wide and the forechest should be visible from the side. The depth of the brisket is quite deep, and reaches down to the elbows. The depth of the body at the lowest point of the brisket should equal half the height of the dog at the withers. The ribs are arched, but should not be barrel-shaped. The tail is high and docked, and usually carried up.

6. Make sure the dog's coat is shiny and lies smooth and tight to the body. The boxer should be either fawn or brindle. Fawns vary from light tan to mahogany. The brindles range from sparse black stripes which are clearly defined on a fawn background to heavy. If the dog has heavy black stiping, the fawn background may barely show through. There may be white markings, but they should not be more than one-third of the entire coat. The boxer has a black mask on its face, but white may replace part of the mask.

Tips & Warnings

• The boxer has a steadfast temperament.

• The boxer may be deliberate and wary with strangers, so it is a good idea to socialize this breed at an early age.