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Hound Handbook
Breed profile

Boxer

Bouncy, clownish and loving. Stays a teenager for years.

Brindle Boxer lying in a meadow dotted with yellow flowers, looking up
A Boxer pauses mid-play in a spring meadow.Photo: OleNeitzel / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Weight
25–32 kg55–71 lb
Height
53–63 cm21–25 in
Lifespan
10–12 yrs
Group
Working
Origin
Germany
Popularity
#18 US#15 UK · 2025

Known for: Family dogsLow grooming

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Playful, Energetic, Loyal, Clownish.

Health problems to know about

Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breed. Veterinary organisations in several countries urge buyers to choose dogs with longer muzzles or health-tested parents, because breathing problems are common and can be severe.

  • Cancers, especially mast cell tumours
  • Boxer cardiomyopathy (ARVC)
  • Aortic stenosis
  • Mild brachycephalic airway issues

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Lots of exercise and play; avoid heat. Consistent, patient training.

A good fit for

Active families with kids, people who want a fun dog.

Probably not ideal for

Frail or very small households (they jump), hot climates without care.

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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