Boxer

Breed History

The Boxer descends from a now extinct German breed named the Bullenbeisser (meaning bull biter), that was developed to hunt deer, boars, bears and other large animals. To develop the modern day Boxer breed It is thought that Bullenbeissers were crossed with Bulldogs.

General Appearance

Boxers are a medium sized, short-haired breed. They are muscular in appearance and deep-chested with a short muzzle (brachycephalic). You’ll find boxers in a variety of coat colours including red, white, fawn and brindle. Your average boxer will reach heights up to 63cm and weigh in at up to 32kg. 

Temperament

Boxers have a noble appearance though many will have a goofy and cheerful personality. They are energetic and fun-loving with some breed members being very easy to excite. Keeping your Boxer calm can be a challenge at times and they need a good deal of exercise each day.

Health Considerations

As the Boxer is a brachycephalic (short skulled) breed, they can be prone to Brachycephalic Upper Airway Syndrome. Affected dogs can have narrow nostrils, overly long soft palates and constricted windpipes. Signs can include snoring, loud breathing and an exercise intolerance. Those who are worst affected may benefit from surgical correction. Owners are advised to walk these dogs with a body harness rather than a neck collar, to take pressure off their neck.

Trainability

Boxers need firm and consistent training as they are a strong and stubborn breed. Those who are particularly exuberant may benefit from a calming diet such as Pooch & Mutt Calm & Relaxed kibble. This diet contains high levels of L Tryptophan, the precursor to Serotonin. Serotonin is the ‘feel good hormone’ that can improve both mood and sleep when present in high enough concentrations.

Grooming

Due to their short, soft coats, Boxers do not need much grooming. Aim to bathe your Boxer every few months with a mild dog shampoo, anything more frequent and you may experience skin problems such as dry skin and itching.  Due to the shape of their ears, Boxers can be prone to ear infections so it’s best to incorporate regular ear cleaning into your routine.

Exercise

Boxers require a minimum of 2 hours of exercise each day. This can be split into a few shorter walks (30 - 40 minutes) mixed with off-lead exercise in a secure space. You may find the more excited Boxers of the bunch may need a little longer to burn off excess energy.

Feeding Considerations

Opting for a wheat-free diet will benefit your Boxer. Thankfully all Pooch & Mutt dry food products are free from wheat and grains. You may find your Boxer has stomach sensitivities, in which case a diet that helps calm the stomach, browse our full range of dog food and treats for sensitive stomachs.

You'll find a handy feeding calculator on every product page here at Pooch & Mutt to help you identify how much of our health led recipes are right for the age, size and weight of your dog.