How to Tell a Boxer Is a Full Breed
Boxers were originally bred for dog fighting, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). In these fights, Boxers would stand on their hind legs and fight with their front legs, giving the appearance of a professional boxer. While they still make excellent guard dogs, Boxers are now used for more humane purposes, such as family pets or seeing-eye dogs. However, since Boxers are an extremely popular breed, it is important to know if the dog you're about to adopt is, in fact, a full-bred Boxer.
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Instructions
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Examine the dog's size and general appearance. Boxers are traditionally medium-sized, square-built, muscular dogs that range between 21 and 25 inches tall (measured from the ground to the shoulder).
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Check to see that the dog's coat is short and shiny. Acceptable colors include light tan, mahogany, black stripes and white markings. However, the AKC disqualifies Boxers with white markings on more than a third of their body.
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Verify that the dog has a lean, muscular head that is proportional to its body. Its muzzle should be flat and approximately 1/3 the length of the dog's head. The dog's nose should be wide in length and black in color. Its neck should be elegant and arched.
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Make sure the dog has thin ears that completely rise (when cropped) if the dog is alert. Breeders traditionally crop a Boxer's ears, although long ears that lie near the cheeks do not disqualify a Boxer from being a full breed. However, the ears should project from the uppermost point on the sides of the skull.
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Observe the dog's legs. The front quarters should include long shoulders, straight and muscular forelegs, and a somewhat slanted pastern (the space between the wrist and forepaw). The Boxer's hindquarters should boast broad and curvy thighs with angulated rear legs.
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Look at the dog's tail. You should be able to confirm that the dog's tail is set high, docked short and faced toward the air.
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Tips & Warnings
If you're still unable to verify that the dog is a full-bred Boxer, take a picture of the dog in question and show it to an American Kennel Club Certified dog breeder. He/she should be able to give you the advice you're looking for.
Although full-bred Boxers will meet a certain standard, it's important to remember that a dog will succeed or fail as a pet based on his internal qualities, not the length of his tail or the space between his eyes.
If buying from a breeder, be sure to ask for a copy of the American Kennel Club Certified Pedigree. If the breeder cannot supply such a pedigree, there's a decent chance they're not selling pure bred Boxers.
