The Boxer The Pet Place Steinmere Boxers Good information about Boxer breed, health, Genetics and such According to Matthew Cowley, in his article, “Canine Clowns,” a boxer is all that is good in a dog. He is “a laugh a minute, lives life to the fullest, a maximum velocity version of canine slapstick. But he is also a sympathetic soul, a shoulder to cry on, a confidante.” Indeed, boxers are friendly outgoing people dogs. They can become so happy that their whole pelvis moves when they wag their tails. Popular in the United States since the 1940s, the boxer is a wonderful family dog who got his name from his habit of beginning a fight by standing on his hind legs and boxing with his front paws. The boxer was one of the top 10 breeds for the year 2006. Click here for the complete story on Top Dog Breeds of 2006. Appearance and Size The boxer is a medium sized, square built dog with a noble appearance. He combines strength and agility with elegance and style. The breed has a short back, strong limbs and a short square muzzle with a protruding lower jaw and facial wrinkles. His well developed muscles are hard and appear smooth under taut skin. Most boxers in the United States have docked tails and cropped ears but in some countries, these cosmetic procedures are outlawed (one or both practices). The hair coat is short, shiny and lies smooth and tight to the body. It can be brindle, fawn or brown, with or without white markings. Completely white boxers are not common since breeders typically cull them due to their high risk of deafness. The adult boxer stands 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder and weighs 65 to 70 pounds. Personality The boxer is the ultimate people dog. He is deliberate and wary with strangers but curious, and he will exhibit fearless courage if threatened. Boxers can adapt to nearly any environment, as long as they are with people. Boxers are very intelligent but can be boisterous. For that reason, obedience training is a must. The breed enjoys training and learns easily. Some have worked as guide dogs as well as guard dogs. Home and Family Relations The boxer is a friendly breed, devoted to his family. His temperament is fundamentally playful, yet he is patient and stoical with children. He is tolerant of their antics and loves to play. He is a natural protector and, if trained, can be a good watch and guard dog. Without training, some boxers tend to be too friendly and would rather lick and play with an intruder instead of guarding. Special Concerns Boxers are low maintenance but they require consistent exercise. Their short hair coat requires minimal grooming. Though they are excellent family pets, they tend to fight among themselves, especially if the other family boxers are the same sex. The most significant concern regarding the boxer is the high rate of cancer compared to other breeds. Common Diseases and Disorders Gastric torsion (bloat) is a life-threatening sudden illness associated with the stomach filling with air and twisting. Epilepsy is a seizure disorder that develops between the ages of 2 to 5 years. Intervertebral Disk Disease is a disorder that affects the spinal disks resulting in pain, difficulty walking and possibly paralysis. Dilated cardiomyopathy is a serious heart condition that results in a large, thin walled heart muscle. Mast Cell Tumors are malignant tumors than can occur in the skin or within the body. In addition, although these occur infrequently, the following disorders have also been reported: Hyperadrenocorticism is a disorder affecting the adrenal glands. When overactive, the adrenal glands secrete excessive cortisol, resulting in illness. Cryptorchidism is a condition in which one or both testicles do not descend into the scrotum. Hypothyroidism results when the thyroid gland does not function adequately. Without enough thyroid hormone, illness can occur. Progressive axonopathy is a debilitating nervous system disease, which thanks to diligent boxer breeders, is now uncommon. The boxer is prone to various tumors and malignancies, cherry eye, demodicosis, atopy, acne, deafness and urinary incontinence. The life span of the boxer is 9 to 11 years. We realize that each dog is unique and may display other characteristics. This profile provides generally accepted breed information only.