Answer:  The Boxer is a medium-sized dog, of good substance with a short back, strong limbs and a tight-fitting coat. They have well developed muscles. They should have a broad, blunt muzzle and an expresion of alertness. Adult males are 22 1/2 to 25 inches; females 21 to 23 1/2 inches at the withers. Their weight is usually between 55-75 pounds. The Boxer likes people and adapts well to children. Their hearing is keen so they often are seen as alert, dignified and self-assured. Their energy is high, so they need a fenced yard in which to have a daily run. With family and friends, their temperament is playful, yet patient and social with children. They are deliberate and wary with strangers, will exhibit curiosity, but most importantly, have fearless courage if threatened.

Question:  WHAT'S THE BEST COLOR? 

Answer:  Boxers are either fawn or brindle. There are various shades of fawn, from tan to mahogany. Brindles have clearly defined blackish stripes on a fawn background. If there are white markings, they should be distributed so they enhance the boxers  apperance but should not exceed one-third of the entire coat. Boxers with nicely appointed white markings are often called " flashy". Boxers with very little white markings are often called "classic".

Question:  WHAT ABOUT WHITE BOXERS? 

Answer:  Almost every litter will have a white Boxer. The white Boxer has all the attributes of its fawn and brindle littermates. White Boxers do not qualify as show dogs since more than one-third of their coat is white but they still make wonderful pets. Some people try to charge more for white Boxers because they are rare. WHITE BOXERS ARE NOT RARE OR UNUSUAL SO DON'T BE FOOLED. Most breeders will charge less for white Boxers.....not more!

Question:  WHERE DOES THE BOXER GET IT'S NAME? 

Answer:  Boxers are very playful and fun to be with. They will stand up on their hind legs and use their front paws to punch (as if they were fighting), hence the name Boxer was given.

Question:  WHAT ARE THE HEALTH CONCERNS? 

Answer:  Like any purebred dog, there are health concerns. The Boxer is susceptible to hip dysplasia, cancer (tumors in older dogs), allergies and heart problems. Before purchasing a Boxer, the buyer should inquire as to the health history of the sire and dam. Most reputable breeders will offer a health guarantee.

Question:  HOW LONG DO THEY LIVE? 

Answer:  The Boxers life expectancy is 10-12 years, however, some live longer.

Question:  WHAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT IS BEST FOR THE BOXER?

Answer:  Boxers are full of energy and are perfect companions for active families. They require mental and physical exertion and are not recommended for people who are easy going and slow moving . The best owner for a Boxer is someone who is strong, confident, an active leader with time to train and work with the Boxer.  Boxers are sensitive to both hot and cold weather. So it's best to divide their time between house and yard. Boxers make wonderful house pets!

Question:  ARE THEY HARD TO CARE FOR AND TRAIN? 

Answer:  Boxers are low maintenance for grooming. Their nails need regular attention. They do need lots of exercise so a well-fenced yard is best. Their learning rate is high. Training can be a challenge due to their high intelligence and dynamic nature. They require a patient owner willing to spend extra time and energy on their training.

Question:  WHAT ABOUT CRATE TRAINING? 

Answer:  We highly recommend it. To learn more about this, go to  http://www.showboxers.com/articles/crate_training.htm 

Question:  ARE THEY GOOD WITH CHILDREN?

Answer:  Boxers are usually good with children. However, there should be no roughhousing, chasing or wrestling because the Boxer will interpret this as having fun and can mistakenly knock down a small child. Boxers are protective and were originally used in Germany for protection.

Question:  WHERE DID THE BOXER ORIGINATE? 

Answer:  They were originally bred in Germany during the mid-nineteenth century. History has it that a small Bullenbeisser (mastiff-type of breed) female was mated to a local dog that produced a female who was then mated to an English bulldog (although these English bulldogs didn't look like those of today).

Question:  WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BOXER? 

Answer:  We recommend the American Kennel Club at www.AKC.org and the American Boxer Club at www.americanboxerclub.org