Colors: The under-colour should be tan or brindle a mixture of brown with a sort of marbling,, though the ta

Living: Boxers happily adapt to home life, though keeping them in an apartment is not advised. they are rath

Recognized: FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, CCR, CKC, APRI, ACR

Description

The Boxer"s body is compact and powerful and the shiny, close-fitting coat comes in fawn, brindle, white and various shades of red, with white markings. White Boxers cannot be registered with some Kennel Clubs. The tail is usually docked. Ear cropping is optional. Docking and cropping is illegal in some countries., Its head should be in proportion to its body, lean and unwrinkled. Its lower jaw extends beyond its upper one, curving upward. Neither teeth nor tongue are to show when the mouth is closed. The nose is large and black with very open nostrils. Eyes dark. The neck should be round, strong, and muscular, without dewlap. The body should be square. The tail is carried high. Its front legs should be straight and parallel.

Temperament

The boxer is playful, exuberant, inquisitive, attentive, demonstrative, devoted and outgoing; it is a perfect companion for an active family. It can be stubborn, but it is sensitive and responsive to commands. It may be aggressive toward strange dogs, but it is generally good with other household dogs and pets.

Excercise

The boxer needs daily mental and physical exertion. It likes to run, but its exercise needs can also be met with a good jog or a long walk on leash. It does not do well in hot weather and is generally unsuited to living outdoors. It does best when allowed to divide its time between a house and yard. Some snore. Its coat needs only occasional brushing to remove dead hair.

Grooming

The Boxer"s smooth, short-haired coat is easy to groom. Brush with a firm bristle brush, and bathe only when necessary, for it removes the natural oils from the skin. Boxers are very clean and groom themselves like cats. This breed is an average shedder.

Health

Major concerns: cardiomyopathy, SAS, CHD

Minor concerns: gastric torsion, tumors, intervertebral disc degeneration, corneal erosion, colitis

Occasionally seen: none

Suggested tests: cardiac, hip

Note: sensitive to heat and anesthesia; white boxers may