Life expectancy: 10-12 years
Size: 23-25-inches (male); 21.5-23.5 inches (female)
Coat: Short, smooth
Temperament: Energetic, confident, loyal, friendly, playful, intelligent
Exercise needs: More than two hours a day
Origin/native country: Germany
Boxers were originally bred as hunting dogs and they can trace their roots to the ancient Assyrians, although the breed we love today dates back to the late 1800s in Germany.
Once prized for their high prey drive, they’ve proven to be highly adaptable and flexible, used as war dogs, cattle dogs and watchdogs as well as serving with police officers. They became popular as pets after World War II when returning soldiers began introducing them into their homes.
Independent-minded, energetic and strong, boxers remain popular today even though they can be rather demanding of an owner’s time and attention. But that’s because, with solid investment, these dogs give so much back in return. So let’s take a look at what drives these dogs and whether or not you should be considering one for your home.
Do boxers need a lot of exercise?
If you’re considering introducing a boxer into your family, you need to be sure you can devote plenty of time to exercise.
“Boxers have a lot of energy,” says expert vet Dr Hannah Godfrey. “It’s quite common for me to get a very energetic and friendly greeting when a boxer enters my consultation room, and they often race in with their owner who is desperately clinging on to the leash!”
Boxers require a minimum of two hours of exercise daily and this needs to be a mix of walks and runs, both on and off lead (avoiding the heat as much as possible because their shorter snouts means they overheat quickly).
To that end, it would be a good idea to identify a large safe and secure area for them to exercise freely and to choose routes that will allow them plenty of opportunity to sniff around and explore their surroundings.
At the same time, you should seek to mentally stimulate a boxer given they are one of the most playful dog breeds. This can be simple enough – there are some good games to play with dogs, such as hide-and-seek and tuggy, for instance. It’s also worth investing in the best dog puzzle toys and doing so will lead to a happier family life.
“With such a strong, powerful, and high energy dog, it’s really important to give boxers plenty of exercise otherwise, they tend to get bored and become harder to control, especially around the house,” Dr Godfrey says.
Are boxers easy to train?
According to canine psychology expert Stanley Coren, author of “The Intelligence of Dogs”, Boxers are ranked 48th in the “smart dog breed league”. This means it will take a good number of repetitions for a boxer to understand a new command and they’ll only tend to obey a first command half the time.
Even so, with perseverance, they’ll soon pick up on what you’re trying to teach and you just need to figure out when a boxer is going to be more receptive to training.
“While Boxers are clever dogs, they can have a short attention span and become bored easily, making training more difficult,” says Dr Godfrey. “Making sure that you wait until you have their full attention before beginning a training session is important.”
Try exercising a boxer beforehand to allow them to burn off some of their energy and keep training sessions short. Start them young, work on preventing them from jumping up at people, and socialize them too. With positive reinforcement, you’ll make great progress.
“Using a high-value treat or toy to really motivate them will make training more successful,” Dr Godfrey says.
Do boxers make good family pets?
When properly socialized and trained, boxers make good family pets. They’re protective, loyal and patient and among the friendliest dog breeds. Since they’re alert, they’ll also act as great guard dogs.
“Boxers are generally playful, affectionate, and good with children,” Dr Godfrey affirms. “However, being such large, strong, and energetic dogs means that they can easily play more roughly or knock small children over. Therefore, as with any dog, it’s important to supervise them closely around children and train them so that you have more control.”
Boxers will also be good around other pets and animals if they’re introduced early but you need to bear in mind their high prey drive which means you should only allow a boxer near a small pet under supervision.
Are boxers aggressive?
Boxers are not typically aggressive but they can show aggression or be reactive if they are not well-trained or if they are in a stressful situation. If they bark then it’s generally a sign of a problem rather than aggression. They may be tapping into their guarding instinct to alert you to strangers around the home, for example, or indicating boredom and lack of exercise.
It’s important to note that boxers love being around humans and can suffer separation anxiety which is another reason why you should only get a boxer if you have plenty of time for one.
Do boxers need a lot of grooming?
Since boxers have short coats, you only need to run one of the best dog brushes over their hair once a week and give them a bath once a month. There will be some seasonal shedding in Spring and Fall but it’s certainly nothing one of the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair can’t deal with.
Just pay special attention to any skin folds that may trap dirt and bacteria and regularly trim their nails. Be aware too that boxers – due to the shape of their mouth – can suffer excessive drooling but a quick wipe with a towel can suffice.
Common health problems in boxers
Boxers are generally healthy dogs but there are some issues that regularly crop up including hip dysplasia, brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (which is common in brachycephalic breeds) and dental disease.
“From my experience working in practice, I see boxers most often for itchy skin, ear infections, heart problems, and skin lumps,” says Dr Godfrey.
“Thankfully, although allergies in dogs [a common cause of itchy skin and rashes in boxers] cannot be cured, they can be controlled with medication. It’s really important to monitor your boxer for any lumps, as they are also prone to certain types of cancers.”
Should I get a boxer?
If you have a lot of time on your hands to train, exercise and keep a boxer company, then you will have a very social, loyal, loving dog on your hands.
They’ll help guard your property and family, make you smile with their goofiness and accompany you on runs (although you may struggle to keep up because being one of the fastest dog breeds they can reach speeds of 45mph!).
You’d preferably have a large yard or space to allow them to exercise but keep them stimulated mentally and physically and you’ll have few problems.
Want to learn more about this breed? Here are our favorite facts about boxers
Dr Hannah Godfrey is a small animal vet who graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011 and began work straight away at a busy mixed practice. Initially, she treated all species, but focussed on small animals from 2014. She has a passion for soft tissue surgery, ultrasound, and canine and feline dentistry, having completed additional training in these areas.
Edited by Georgia Guerin.
Recent updates
This feature was last updated on March 19, 2025.
