Although they vary, Boxers are generally energetic, playful dogs that are active both inside and out well into adulthood. Always excited to greet family members, they often do the “Kidney Bean” wiggle of their bodies back and forth in excitement to compensate for their lack of tails. Though too exuberant for toddlers, when taking into account their exceptionally high marks in being both gentle with and protecting children you have an ideal companion for an active family. Although Boxers may be aggressive toward strange dogs, they can be socialized to live peacefully with household dogs and other pets. Intelligent, playful, and active, Boxers need daily mental and physical exercise. A fast agile dog, he needs a good run in a fenced area. Also a jumper, fences should be 8 feet high. But he loves his family far too much to be kept outside. He is a good all-around watchdog with an imposing presence but when tested, he is only an average guardian. He’ll go from a roughhousing children’s playmate to an imposing, cleanly chiseled work of art at the snap of a finger and swipe of a brush. Very clean dogs, they groom themselves like a cat. They tend to snore as well as drool but this trait is frequently exaggerated. However, their tendency toward flatulence is cannot be exaggerated and is made worse by rich food.

The Boxer’s large body combines strength and agility. Male Boxers grow to be 22.5-25 inches tall and weigh 65-80 pounds at maturity. Females are slightly smaller, growing to be 21-23.5 inches and weighing about 50-65 pounds. They have a shiny, short coat that takes virtually no grooming to keep shedding within an average range. Coat color can be either fawn or brindle with white markings. A Boxer’s unique chiseled head has a broad, blunt muzzle and black mask. They tolerate neither hot nor cold temperatures well. Their short hair requires that they be indoors during cold periods, and their shortened muzzles make hot humid weather uncomfortable.

Early training should include special attention to socialization, plus basic obedience. They are not the easiest dog to train but training methods must be kept positive to help him develop confidence. They are “leader-sensitive” dogs that become depressed if they fail to please and negative training methods are then used. Boxers are frequently trained for agility, obedience, tracking, search and rescue, and as therapy dogs.