WorkingGermany

Boxer

The class clown of the dog world.

Weight: 50–80 lbs
Height: 21–25 in
Lifespan: 9–11 yrs

In short

The Boxer is a Working breed from Germany, developed in the 1890s from bull-baiting mastiff types into a guard and all-purpose dog; adults weigh about 50–80 lbs and live 9–11 years. Boxers stay bouncy well past puppyhood, and their short muzzle makes them sensitive to heat.

Is it right for you?

A great match if you…

want a playful, affectionate family clown
have time for daily running and games
live in a cool or air-conditioned home

Think twice if you…

live in a hot climate without AC
want a calm dog in the first three years
are away from home most of the day

The daily plan

Exercise: 90–120 min
Training: 3–5 × 5–10 min
Treat limit: 120–165 kcal

At a glance

TrainabilityWilling learner7.5/10

EnergyAthlete9.0/10

Calm at homeCalm indoors8.5/10

SheddingSheds seasonally6.0/10

What sets it apart

01
Short muzzle, underbite
The undershot jaw and short face limit cooling, so hot, humid days need care.
02
The kidney bean
Happy Boxers curl their whole body into a wiggling C shape, part of a famously physical greeting.
03
Square, muscular build
Powerful and athletic, which means jumping and body-slamming must be trained out early.

Size & coat

Specification	Male	Female
Weight	65–80 lbs	50–65 lbs
Height	23–25 in	21.5–23.5 in
Lifespan	9–11 yrs
Coat	Short, shiny, tight-fitting coat

Side profile 21–25 in at the shoulder

Back in stock soon

Personality

Boxers are clowns with muscle: playful, affectionate and constantly in contact. They stay adolescent until about 3 years old. Alert and protective, they watch the door but love their own people without reserve.

With kids

Excellent with kids they know and very patient, but boisterous play can knock small children over. Teach both sides calm play.

With other pets

Often fine with dogs raised alongside; some are intolerant of same-sex dogs. Can chase cats unless raised with them.

With strangers

Watchful and protective at the door, then friendly once introduced. Early socialization keeps that balanced.

Alone time

Very people-focused and prone to boredom chewing. They manage a workday only with exercise beforehand and a midday break.

Training

Boxers are bright but easily bored and can be stubborn, so keep it upbeat and fast. They love games and work hard for food and play.

How often

3–5 sessions a day of 5–10 minutes each, ending each one on a win.
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)

Between 8–16 weeks, focus on calm greetings with strangers and polite play with other dogs. Teach gentle mouth and settle skills early.
Self-control

Four on the floor for greetings and a reliable settle on a mat matter most. Reward calm, ignore jumping and practice short down-stays after play.
What it works for

Food and tug both work well. Use small, high-value pieces within 10% of daily calories, freeze-dried liver being one option, and use tug sessions as a reward for focus.

Exercise

Boxers need athletic play and running, broken into shorter bouts in warm weather. Mix physical work with brain games.

Exercise a day 90–120 min

CouchModerateAthlete

Good outlets

Fetch and tug in a fenced yard
Agility or rally
Brisk walks and cool-weather jogs

Brain work

Food puzzles
Nose work searches
Trick training

Best home

House with a yard and an active owner; air conditioning needed in hot climates.

Watch for Heat and humidity are the main risk for this short-faced breed, so exercise in the cool parts of the day and watch for heavy panting.

Feeding

Adult maintenance for a typical Boxer (50–80 lbs) lands around 1,175–1,650 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.

Puppy (to 12 mo)

Daily calories: 1,450–2,075 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 16–20%
Treat limit, all treats: 145–210 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 7–10 pieces a day

Adult Maintenance

Daily calories: 1,175–1,650 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 14–18%
Treat limit, all treats: 120–165 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 6–8 pieces a day

Active / Working

Daily calories: 1,600–2,275 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 18–22%
Treat limit, all treats: 160–230 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 8–11 pieces a day

Senior

Daily calories: 1,025–1,450 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 12–16%
Treat limit, all treats: 105–145 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 5–7 pieces a day

Compare every life stage

Life stage	Daily calories	Protein	Fat	Treat limit (all treats)	Saylor's liver, suggested / day
Puppy (to 12 mo)	1,450–2,075 kcal	26–30%	16–20%	145–210 kcal	7–10 pieces
Adult Maintenance	1,175–1,650 kcal	24–28%	14–18%	120–165 kcal	6–8 pieces
Active / Working	1,600–2,275 kcal	26–30%	18–22%	160–230 kcal	8–11 pieces
Senior	1,025–1,450 kcal	24–28%	12–16%	105–145 kcal	5–7 pieces

The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Health & grooming

Heart disease (ARVC and aortic stenosis), cancers, hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism are the main concerns. Choose a breeder who screens hearts and get any lump checked promptly.

Watch for	Ask the breeder or vet for	When
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)	24-hour Holter monitor plus ARVC (Striatin) DNA test	Holter yearly in adults; DNA once
Aortic/subaortic stenosis	Cardiac exam by a veterinary cardiologist (OFA)	Once, in breeding dogs
Hip dysplasia	OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Hypothyroidism	OFA thyroid panel	Periodically in breeding dogs
Degenerative myelopathy	DNA test (SOD1)	Once (a DNA result does not change)

Official health tests for breeding dogs

The OFA's CHIC program asks Boxer breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.

Hip evaluation
Thyroid panel
Heart exam
Degenerative Myelopathy
ARVC DNA test

See the full list on OFA.org

Grooming Moderate year-round

A weekly once-over with a rubber curry brush is enough. Trim nails every 2–3 weeks, wipe facial folds and check ears weekly, and brush teeth several times a week.

History

Before 1850

Bullenbeisser roots

German hunters used mastiff-type Bullenbeisser dogs to catch and hold large game.
1890s

Breed created in Munich

Fanciers in Munich refined the type and founded the first Boxer club in 1895.
1900s

War and popularity

The AKC recognized the Boxer in 1904, and Boxers served as messenger and guard dogs in the World Wars before booming as family pets.

Questions owners ask

Are Boxers easy to train?

Moderately. Boxers are smart and eager to play but get bored and stubborn with repetition. Short, upbeat, reward-based sessions work best.

Are Boxers good with kids and other pets?

Usually yes with kids. They are patient and playful but bouncy, so supervise small children. With other pets, early socialization matters, and some dislike same-sex dogs.

How much exercise does a Boxer need?

Plan on 90–120 minutes a day, mixing running, play and brain games. Split it into shorter bouts on warm days.

Do Boxers shed?

Yes, moderately. The short coat sheds year-round but grooming is easy, about a weekly brush with a rubber mitt.

What health problems do Boxers have, and how long do they live?

Heart disease, cancers, hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism are the main concerns. Boxers typically live 9–11 years, and yearly heart screening is worth asking about.

Is a Boxer good for apartments or first-time owners?

Apartments are possible with real daily exercise, but a yard helps. Their energy and size can be a lot for first-time owners, though they are forgiving and affectionate.

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats

Back in stock soon

We're restocking. When it's back, a Boxer needs only 6–8 pieces a day, well inside the 120–165 kcal treat limit.

See the product

Where the Boxer ranks

Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.