Boxer
拳師犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Boxer is a muscular, square-jawed working dog from Germany with a short coat, a wrinkled brow and a playful streak that lasts well into adulthood. Boxers are alert and fearless yet patient with children and devoted to their people; they need ample daily exercise, and their short muzzle means they cope poorly with heat.
Facts
| Size | Large |
|---|---|
| Height | 53–64cm |
| Weight | 29–36kg |
| Life expectancy | 10–12years |
| Breed group | AKC: working FCI: 2 |
| Role | Working |
| Coat | Short coat |
| Shedding | 2/ 5 |
| Exercise | 60–150min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 4/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 5/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 1/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 2/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Elbow dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen elbows by X-ray. Ask your vet if you notice front-leg lameness, especially in a growing dog.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Subvalvular aortic stenosis
Subvalvular aortic stenosis is reported in the breed; a heart murmur in a puppy should be checked. Ask your vet about cardiac screening.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is reported in the breed. Ask your vet about thyroid testing if you notice weight gain, lethargy or coat changes.
Brachycephalic airway syndrome
As a flat-faced breed, breathing difficulties and heat intolerance are commonly reported. Ask your vet to assess breathing, keep exercise gentle in hot, humid weather and use a harness rather than a collar.
Cancer
Certain cancers are reported at higher rates in the breed. Ask your vet about regular check-ups and about any new lumps.
Degenerative myelopathy
Degenerative myelopathy, a progressive spinal cord condition of older dogs, is reported in the breed; a DNA test identifies risk. Ask your vet if an older dog shows hind-leg weakness.
Neuroaxonal dystrophy / neurological DNA-tested conditions
Inherited neurological conditions are reported in the breed and DNA tests exist for some. Ask your breeder which tests were done.
Behaviour
Playful with family, patient with children
The CKC says the Boxer should be alert and fearless, willing to make friends but not effusive — fundamentally playful with family and friends yet patient with children. The AKC describes the breed as upbeat and playful, wary of strangers but responsive to friendly overtures.
High energy, never off lead in open areas
The AKC says Boxers are very playful, high-energy dogs needing ample daily exercise on leash or in a securely fenced area and must never be allowed to run loose; they are intelligent but bore easily with repetitive training.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 4/5 (high) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "more than 2 hours per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 4/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Boxer
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Boxer (Working Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Boxer
Breed characteristics (size large, exercise more than 2 hours per day, lifespan over 10 years), plus the recommended pre-breeding health schemes and DNA tests.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Boxer (standard no. 144, group 2)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Boxer — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Boxer — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Boxer — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Boxer — FCI standard no. 144 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.