Boxer

Their affectionate and playful personalities make Boxers a great dog for children and adults alike. They’re loyal, attentive and can be gentle and patient with kids and other pets when socialised well (despite thinking they’re huge lapdogs!) Like all dogs, it’s important to always keep an eye on your dog and children to prevent any accidents or inappropriate interactions.

Due to their excitable energy, they tend to jump up at anyone, so Boxers are better suited to families with older children. Kids should be mindful when playing to not amp their Boxer dog up too much, or they’ll get over-excited and forget they’re big, strong dogs. 

Boxers should be matched to owners and families that can provide plenty of exercise, mental stimulation, and training. This will ensure they’re able to interact politely with all family members and other pets.

Absolutely! Boxers are incredibly affectionate, so be prepared for slobbery kisses and being squashed by a loveable lapdog on your sofa. This breed thrives on companionship and human attention, and you’ll certainly know when a Boxer loves you.

They’ll be glued to your side like a shadow, so as expected, this means they can struggle being at home on their own. So, they need lots of support and training to boost their confidence.

Boxers are incredibly playful and energetic. They love engaging in games, either on their own or with their favourite human and canine chums. Rough-and-tumble, chase, and tug-of-war are amongst their favourite activities. Like other breeds originally bred for bull-baiting, Boxers tend to use their mouths when excited or playing. This ‘mouthing’ is just their way of playing, but it can be painful if they aren’t taught that people aren’t chew toys from a young age.  

Boxers are versatile working dogs that love to use their minds, including the way they eat their food – they enjoy eating their meals in fun and interesting ways. This helps them slow down and keep their minds active. Because they’re so loyal and enthusiastic, they shine in almost any sport you’d like to work in, such as obedience, doggy dancing, obstacles, finding scents, and hoopers (agility without jumping).

Boxers aren’t commonly known as a barky breed, but they will bark to alert you to any strange or exciting things they notice. You’ll always know when you have a delivery or visitor at the door! They may also alert you to other people, dogs, and interesting or exciting things that pass by if they’re not taught what to ignore. 

So long as you train them from an early age and get them used to different sights and sounds, Boxers will learn to only bark when there’s something worth telling you about.

As Boxers are so energetic and playful, if they don’t get enough exercise and brain games, they can develop tricky behaviours such as being destructive, chewing, and separation-anxiety.

Boxers are known to struggle with controlling themselves, so they’ll often jump up, become over-excited, play-bite, and generally be over-the-top in their greetings to other dogs and people. This is something that can be easily prevented or controlled through training and socialisation.

Boxers can also become aware of strangers and dogs which can lead to them reacting by barking and lunging. This can be avoided by keeping introductions to strangers positive and at your dog’s pace.

A larger home with a secure garden is ideal for a Boxer due to their size and energy levels, so that they can run and play whenever they want.

They get along with other pets if introduced from a young age, but may be too boisterous for very small children or elderly pets. They can live in a flat or apartment if they’re taken out every day for plenty of exercise.

Boxers were originally bred to be bull-baiting and hunting dogs for their strong ability to chase and hold onto prey long enough for humans to catch up and collect it. They need an hour and a half to two hours of physical exercise a day to keep them happy, healthy, and entertained.

Their idea of a great workout includes brisk walks, chase games, and tug-of-war. Boxers are also incredibly intelligent and determined, so they love to exercise their minds too. Feeding them through food puzzles will keep them busy and out of trouble! Any dog sport you want to try, your Boxer will be up for it - they’re incredibly driven and bound to enjoy it! 

It’s important to know that Boxers are brachycephalic, this means they have very short noses, which can increase their risk of breathing difficulties. They should be carefully monitored during long and heavy exercise – especially in hot weather.

All puppies need to learn how to be around people, pets, and other dogs, in a calm and polite way (known as socialisation). They also need help to feel calm, comfortable, and confident in everyday situations like travelling, the sound of traffic, and being in busy places (known as habituation). This is essential to prevent tricky behavioural problems in the future, and you'll be off to a great start with your ongoing training.

Boxers are quite easy to train because they’re highly intelligent and eager to please. But they can get easily side-tracked, especially if they think they might have more fun doing things you don’t want them to do (like chasing other dogs in the park or pinching snacks from the kitchen counter)

All puppies require reward-based training (rewarding good behaviour and ignoring bad) and socialisation to learn basic behaviours, as well as how to interact with other dogs, animals, and people. Without this, they can develop anxiety or rude habits in certain situations which can make them tricky to manage. As dogs mature, they go through several life stages that can change their behaviour and require you to focus on certain aspects of training.

Common Boxer behavioural issues to watch out for are, over-excited greetings, jumping on people, reacting to dogs and people, separation-related behaviour, destruction (chewing and digging) and excessive barking.

Boxers have short, smooth coats, so a weekly brush is all you need to remove loose hair and keep their coat shiny. Give them regular baths every three months or so to keep their coat free from dirt. They don’t need any more than this or their skin may become dry.

Boxers also have wrinkled skin on their face, which needs to be gently cleansed every day to prevent irritation and infection. You can use a soft, damp cloth, hypoallergenic and unscented baby wipes, or veterinary wipes.

Like all dogs, Boxers also need routine nail trimming, ear cleaning, and dental care to maintain their overall health and prevent them from developing other health problems.

Boxers are vulnerable to several health conditions, including:
Hip Dysplasia: A genetic condition where the hip joint doesn't fit properly, leading to arthritis and pain.
Heart issues: Boxers are at higher risk of cardiomyopathy (a condition where the heart muscle degenerates and the heart becomes enlarged) and aortic stenosis (a narrowing at the aortic valve of the heart), which can be managed through medication and lifestyle changes.
Hypothyroidism: A thyroid disorder that can lead to weight gain, lethargy, hair loss, and skin issues. It can be managed by taking medication, which your dog will need for the rest of their life.
Cancer: Up to two in five Boxers may develop some form of cancer, including mast cell tumours and lymphoma. Boxers are also prone to developing non-cancerous lumps and bumps, so make sure to speak to your vet if you’re concerned.
Allergies: Skin allergies and food sensitivities are common in Boxers.