Boxer Breed Standard
Working Group
General Appearance
The ideal Boxer is a medium-sized, square-built dog of good substance with short back, strong limbs, and short,
tight-fitting coat. His well-developed muscles are clean, hard, and appear smooth under taut skin. His movements
denote energy. The gait is firm yet elastic, the stride free and ground-covering, the carriage proud. Developed to
serve as guard, working, and companion dog, he combines strength and agility with elegance and style. His
expression is alert and his temperament steadfast and tractable.
The chiseled head imparts to the Boxer a unique individual stamp. It must be in correct proportion to the body. The
broad, blunt muzzle is the distinctive feature, and great value is placed upon its being of proper form and balance
with the skull.
In judging the Boxer first consideration is given to general appearance and overall balance. Special attention is then
devoted to the head, after which the individual body components are examined for their correct construction, and
the gait evaluated for efficiency.
Size
Adult males 23 to 25 inches; females 21½ to 23½ inches at the withers. Proper balance and quality in the individual
should be of primary importance since there is no size disqualification.
Proportion
The body in profile is square in that a horizontal line from the front of the forechest to the rear projection of the
upper thigh should equal the length of a vertical line dropped from the top of the withers to the ground.
Substance
Sturdy, with balanced musculature. Males larger boned than females.
Head
The beauty of the head depends upon the harmonious proportion of muzzle to skull. The blunt muzzle is 1/3 the
length of the head from the occiput to the tip of the nose, and 2/3rds the width of the skull. The head should be
clean, not showing deep wrinkles (wet). Wrinkles typically appear upon the forehead when ears are erect, and are
always present from the lower edge of the stop running downward on both sides of the muzzle.
Expression
Intelligent and alert.
Eyes
Dark brown in color, frontally placed, generous, not too small, too protruding, or too deepset. Their mood-mirroring
character, combined with the wrinkling of the forehead, gives the Boxer head its unique quality of expressiveness.
Third eyelids preferably have pigmented rims.
Ears
Set at the highest points of the sides of the skull, the ears are customarily cropped, cut rather long and tapering,
and raised when alert. If uncropped, the ears should be of moderate size, thin, lying flat and close to the cheeks in
repose, but falling forward with a definite crease when alert.
Skull
The top of the skull is slightly arched, not rounded, flat, nor noticeably broad, with the occiput not overly
pronounced. The forehead shows a slight indentation between the eyes and forms a distinct stop with the topline of
the muzzle. The cheeks should be relatively flat and not bulge (cheekiness), maintaining the clean lines of the skull
as they taper into the muzzle in a slight, graceful curve.
Muzzle and Nose
The muzzle, proportionately developed in length, width, and depth, has a shape influenced first through the
formation of both jawbones, second through the placement of the teeth, and third through the texture of the lips.
The top of the muzzle should not slant down (downfaced), nor should it be concave (dishfaced); however, the tip of
the nose should lie slightly higher than the root of the muzzle. The nose should be broad and black.
Bite and Jaw Structure
The Boxer bite is undershot, the lower jaw protruding beyond the upper and curving slightly upward. The incisor
teeth of the lower jaw are in a straight line, with the canines preferably up front in the same line to give the jaw the
greatest possible width. The upper line of the incisors is slightly convex with the corner upper incisors fitting snugly
in back of the lower canine teeth on each side. Neither the teeth nor the tongue should ever show when the mouth
is closed.
The upper jaw is broad where attached to the skull and maintains this breadth, except for a very slight tapering to
the front. The lips, which complete the formation of the muzzle, should meet evenly in front. The upper lip is thick
and padded, filling out the frontal space created by the projection of the lower jaw, and laterally is supported by the
canines of the lower jaw. Therefore, these canines must stand far apart and be of good length so that the front
surface of the muzzle is broad and squarish and, when viewed from the side, shows moderate layback. The chin
should be perceptible from the side as well as from the front. Any suggestion of an overlip obscuring the chin should
be penalized.
Neck
Round, of ample length, muscular and clean without excessive hanging skin (dewlap). The neck should have a
distinctly arched and elegant nape blending smoothly into the withers.
Back and Topline
The back is short, straight, muscular, firm, and smooth. The topline is slightly sloping when the Boxer is at attention,
leveling out when in motion.
Body
The chest is of fair width, and the forechest well-defined and visible from the side. The brisket is deep, reaching
down to the elbows; the depth of the body at the lowest point of the brisket equals half the height of the dog at the
withers. The ribs, extending far to the rear, are well-arched but not barrel-shaped.
The loins are short and muscular. The lower stomach line is slightly tucked up, blending into a graceful curve to the
rear. The croup is slightly sloped, flat and broad. The pelvis is long, and in females especially broad. The tail is set
high, docked, and carried upward. An undocked tail should be severely penalized.
Forequarters
The shoulders are long and sloping, close-lying, and not excessively covered with muscle (loaded). The upper arm
is long, approaching a right angle to the shoulder blade. The elbows should not press too closely to the chest wall
nor stand off visibly from it. The forelegs are long, straight, and firmly muscled, and, when viewed from the front,
stand parallel to each other. The pastern is strong and distinct, slightly slanting, but standing almost perpendicular
to the ground. The dewclaws may be removed. Feet should be compact, turning neither in nor out, with well-arched
toes.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters are strongly muscled, with angulation in balance with that of the forequarters. The thighs are
broad and curved, the breech musculature hard and strongly developed. Upper and lower thigh are long. The legs
are well-angulated at the stifle, neither too steep nor over-angulated, with clearly defined, well "let down" hock joints.
Viewed from behind, the hind legs should be straight, with hock joints leaning neither in nor out. From the side, the
leg below the hock (metatarsus) should be almost perpendicular to the ground, with a slight slope to the rear
permissible. The metatarsus should be short, clean, and strong. The Boxer has no rear dewclaws.
Coat
Short, shiny, lying smooth and tight to the body.
Color
The colors are fawn and brindle. Fawn shades vary from light tan to mahogany. The brindle ranges from sparse but
clearly defined black stripes on a fawn background to such a heavy concentration of black striping that the essential
fawn background color barely, although clearly, shows through (which may create the appearance of reverse
brindling). White markings, if present, should be of such distribution as to enhance the dog's appearance, but may
not exceed one-third of the entire coat. They are not desirable on the flanks or on the back of the torso proper. On
the face, white may replace part of the otherwise essential black mask, and may extend in an upward path between
the eyes, but it must not be excessive, so as to detract from true Boxer expression. The absence of white markings,
the so-called "plain" fawn or brindle, is perfectly acceptable, and should not be penalized in any consideration of
color. Disqualifications Boxers that are any color other than fawn or brindle. Boxers with a total of white markings
exceeding one-third of the entire coat.
Gait
Viewed from the side, proper front and rear angulation is manifested in a smoothly efficient, level-backed, ground
covering stride with a powerful drive emanating from a freely operating rear. Although the front legs do not
contribute impelling power, adequate reach should be evident to prevent interference, overlap, or sidewinding
(crabbing). Viewed from the front, the shoulders should remain trim and the elbows not flare out. The legs are
parallel until gaiting narrows the track in proportion to increasing speed, then the legs come in under the body but
should never cross. The line from the shoulder down through the leg should remain straight although not
necessarily perpendicular to the ground. Viewed from the rear, a Boxer's rump should not roll. The hind feet should
dig in and track relatively true with the front. Again, as speed increases, the normally broad rear track will become
narrower. The Boxer's gait should always appear smooth and powerful, never stilted or inefficient.
Character and Temperament
These are of paramount importance in the Boxer. Instinctively a hearing guard dog, his bearing is alert, dignified,
and self-assured. In the show ring his behavior should exhibit constrained animation. With family and friends, his
temperament is fundamentally playful, yet patient and stoical with children. Deliberate and wary with strangers, he
will exhibit curiosity, but, most importantly, fearless courage if threatened. However, he responds promptly to friendly
overtures honestly rendered. His intelligence, loyal affection, and tractability to discipline make him a highly
desirable companion. Any evidence of shyness, or lack of dignity or alertness, should be severely penalized.
The foregoing description is that of the ideal Boxer. Any deviation from the above described dog must be penalized
to the extent of the deviation.
Disqualifications
Boxers that are any color other than fawn or brindle. Boxers with a total of white markings exceeding one-third of the
entire coat.
Approved February 11, 2005
as posted on http://www.akc.org/breeds/boxer/
Working Group
General Appearance
The ideal Boxer is a medium-sized, square-built dog of good substance with short back, strong limbs, and short,
tight-fitting coat. His well-developed muscles are clean, hard, and appear smooth under taut skin. His movements
denote energy. The gait is firm yet elastic, the stride free and ground-covering, the carriage proud. Developed to
serve as guard, working, and companion dog, he combines strength and agility with elegance and style. His
expression is alert and his temperament steadfast and tractable.
The chiseled head imparts to the Boxer a unique individual stamp. It must be in correct proportion to the body. The
broad, blunt muzzle is the distinctive feature, and great value is placed upon its being of proper form and balance
with the skull.
In judging the Boxer first consideration is given to general appearance and overall balance. Special attention is then
devoted to the head, after which the individual body components are examined for their correct construction, and
the gait evaluated for efficiency.
Size
Adult males 23 to 25 inches; females 21½ to 23½ inches at the withers. Proper balance and quality in the individual
should be of primary importance since there is no size disqualification.
Proportion
The body in profile is square in that a horizontal line from the front of the forechest to the rear projection of the
upper thigh should equal the length of a vertical line dropped from the top of the withers to the ground.
Substance
Sturdy, with balanced musculature. Males larger boned than females.
Head
The beauty of the head depends upon the harmonious proportion of muzzle to skull. The blunt muzzle is 1/3 the
length of the head from the occiput to the tip of the nose, and 2/3rds the width of the skull. The head should be
clean, not showing deep wrinkles (wet). Wrinkles typically appear upon the forehead when ears are erect, and are
always present from the lower edge of the stop running downward on both sides of the muzzle.
Expression
Intelligent and alert.
Eyes
Dark brown in color, frontally placed, generous, not too small, too protruding, or too deepset. Their mood-mirroring
character, combined with the wrinkling of the forehead, gives the Boxer head its unique quality of expressiveness.
Third eyelids preferably have pigmented rims.
Ears
Set at the highest points of the sides of the skull, the ears are customarily cropped, cut rather long and tapering,
and raised when alert. If uncropped, the ears should be of moderate size, thin, lying flat and close to the cheeks in
repose, but falling forward with a definite crease when alert.
Skull
The top of the skull is slightly arched, not rounded, flat, nor noticeably broad, with the occiput not overly
pronounced. The forehead shows a slight indentation between the eyes and forms a distinct stop with the topline of
the muzzle. The cheeks should be relatively flat and not bulge (cheekiness), maintaining the clean lines of the skull
as they taper into the muzzle in a slight, graceful curve.
Muzzle and Nose
The muzzle, proportionately developed in length, width, and depth, has a shape influenced first through the
formation of both jawbones, second through the placement of the teeth, and third through the texture of the lips.
The top of the muzzle should not slant down (downfaced), nor should it be concave (dishfaced); however, the tip of
the nose should lie slightly higher than the root of the muzzle. The nose should be broad and black.
Bite and Jaw Structure
The Boxer bite is undershot, the lower jaw protruding beyond the upper and curving slightly upward. The incisor
teeth of the lower jaw are in a straight line, with the canines preferably up front in the same line to give the jaw the
greatest possible width. The upper line of the incisors is slightly convex with the corner upper incisors fitting snugly
in back of the lower canine teeth on each side. Neither the teeth nor the tongue should ever show when the mouth
is closed.
The upper jaw is broad where attached to the skull and maintains this breadth, except for a very slight tapering to
the front. The lips, which complete the formation of the muzzle, should meet evenly in front. The upper lip is thick
and padded, filling out the frontal space created by the projection of the lower jaw, and laterally is supported by the
canines of the lower jaw. Therefore, these canines must stand far apart and be of good length so that the front
surface of the muzzle is broad and squarish and, when viewed from the side, shows moderate layback. The chin
should be perceptible from the side as well as from the front. Any suggestion of an overlip obscuring the chin should
be penalized.
Neck
Round, of ample length, muscular and clean without excessive hanging skin (dewlap). The neck should have a
distinctly arched and elegant nape blending smoothly into the withers.
Back and Topline
The back is short, straight, muscular, firm, and smooth. The topline is slightly sloping when the Boxer is at attention,
leveling out when in motion.
Body
The chest is of fair width, and the forechest well-defined and visible from the side. The brisket is deep, reaching
down to the elbows; the depth of the body at the lowest point of the brisket equals half the height of the dog at the
withers. The ribs, extending far to the rear, are well-arched but not barrel-shaped.
The loins are short and muscular. The lower stomach line is slightly tucked up, blending into a graceful curve to the
rear. The croup is slightly sloped, flat and broad. The pelvis is long, and in females especially broad. The tail is set
high, docked, and carried upward. An undocked tail should be severely penalized.
Forequarters
The shoulders are long and sloping, close-lying, and not excessively covered with muscle (loaded). The upper arm
is long, approaching a right angle to the shoulder blade. The elbows should not press too closely to the chest wall
nor stand off visibly from it. The forelegs are long, straight, and firmly muscled, and, when viewed from the front,
stand parallel to each other. The pastern is strong and distinct, slightly slanting, but standing almost perpendicular
to the ground. The dewclaws may be removed. Feet should be compact, turning neither in nor out, with well-arched
toes.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters are strongly muscled, with angulation in balance with that of the forequarters. The thighs are
broad and curved, the breech musculature hard and strongly developed. Upper and lower thigh are long. The legs
are well-angulated at the stifle, neither too steep nor over-angulated, with clearly defined, well "let down" hock joints.
Viewed from behind, the hind legs should be straight, with hock joints leaning neither in nor out. From the side, the
leg below the hock (metatarsus) should be almost perpendicular to the ground, with a slight slope to the rear
permissible. The metatarsus should be short, clean, and strong. The Boxer has no rear dewclaws.
Coat
Short, shiny, lying smooth and tight to the body.
Color
The colors are fawn and brindle. Fawn shades vary from light tan to mahogany. The brindle ranges from sparse but
clearly defined black stripes on a fawn background to such a heavy concentration of black striping that the essential
fawn background color barely, although clearly, shows through (which may create the appearance of reverse
brindling). White markings, if present, should be of such distribution as to enhance the dog's appearance, but may
not exceed one-third of the entire coat. They are not desirable on the flanks or on the back of the torso proper. On
the face, white may replace part of the otherwise essential black mask, and may extend in an upward path between
the eyes, but it must not be excessive, so as to detract from true Boxer expression. The absence of white markings,
the so-called "plain" fawn or brindle, is perfectly acceptable, and should not be penalized in any consideration of
color. Disqualifications Boxers that are any color other than fawn or brindle. Boxers with a total of white markings
exceeding one-third of the entire coat.
Gait
Viewed from the side, proper front and rear angulation is manifested in a smoothly efficient, level-backed, ground
covering stride with a powerful drive emanating from a freely operating rear. Although the front legs do not
contribute impelling power, adequate reach should be evident to prevent interference, overlap, or sidewinding
(crabbing). Viewed from the front, the shoulders should remain trim and the elbows not flare out. The legs are
parallel until gaiting narrows the track in proportion to increasing speed, then the legs come in under the body but
should never cross. The line from the shoulder down through the leg should remain straight although not
necessarily perpendicular to the ground. Viewed from the rear, a Boxer's rump should not roll. The hind feet should
dig in and track relatively true with the front. Again, as speed increases, the normally broad rear track will become
narrower. The Boxer's gait should always appear smooth and powerful, never stilted or inefficient.
Character and Temperament
These are of paramount importance in the Boxer. Instinctively a hearing guard dog, his bearing is alert, dignified,
and self-assured. In the show ring his behavior should exhibit constrained animation. With family and friends, his
temperament is fundamentally playful, yet patient and stoical with children. Deliberate and wary with strangers, he
will exhibit curiosity, but, most importantly, fearless courage if threatened. However, he responds promptly to friendly
overtures honestly rendered. His intelligence, loyal affection, and tractability to discipline make him a highly
desirable companion. Any evidence of shyness, or lack of dignity or alertness, should be severely penalized.
The foregoing description is that of the ideal Boxer. Any deviation from the above described dog must be penalized
to the extent of the deviation.
Disqualifications
Boxers that are any color other than fawn or brindle. Boxers with a total of white markings exceeding one-third of the
entire coat.
Approved February 11, 2005
as posted on http://www.akc.org/breeds/boxer/
AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: Boxer
The well-conditioned middleweight athlete of dogdom, the Boxer is a powerful dog
with an intelligent and alert expression. While they are instinctive guardians, the
Boxer loves to be with his people. This personality has allowed them to succeed as
couriers during war time and as seeing-eye dogs for the blind. Appearing in both
fawn and brindle colors, the Boxer currently ranks as one of the most popular dogs
in the United States according to AKC® Registration Statistics.
A Look Back
Developed in Germany in the 19th century, Boxers were originally used for dog
fighting and to run down and hold large game such as wild boar and bison until the
hunter could arrive. The breed is known for standing up on its hind legs and
batting at its opponent, appearing to box with its front paws. Imported to America
after World War I, they began to grow in popularity in the late 1930s.
Right Breed for You?
One of the breed's most notable characteristics is its desire for human affection,
especially from children. They are patient and spirited with children, but also
protective, making them a popular choice for families. The Boxer requires little
grooming, but needs daily exercise.
If you are considering purchasing a Boxer puppy, learn more here.
http://www.akc.org/breeds/boxer/
Working Group; AKC recognized in 1904.
Ranging in size from 21½ inches to 25 inches tall at the shoulder.
Large game hunter, guard and companion dog.
© The American Kennel Club, Inc.
The well-conditioned middleweight athlete of dogdom, the Boxer is a powerful dog
with an intelligent and alert expression. While they are instinctive guardians, the
Boxer loves to be with his people. This personality has allowed them to succeed as
couriers during war time and as seeing-eye dogs for the blind. Appearing in both
fawn and brindle colors, the Boxer currently ranks as one of the most popular dogs
in the United States according to AKC® Registration Statistics.
A Look Back
Developed in Germany in the 19th century, Boxers were originally used for dog
fighting and to run down and hold large game such as wild boar and bison until the
hunter could arrive. The breed is known for standing up on its hind legs and
batting at its opponent, appearing to box with its front paws. Imported to America
after World War I, they began to grow in popularity in the late 1930s.
Right Breed for You?
One of the breed's most notable characteristics is its desire for human affection,
especially from children. They are patient and spirited with children, but also
protective, making them a popular choice for families. The Boxer requires little
grooming, but needs daily exercise.
If you are considering purchasing a Boxer puppy, learn more here.
http://www.akc.org/breeds/boxer/
Working Group; AKC recognized in 1904.
Ranging in size from 21½ inches to 25 inches tall at the shoulder.
Large game hunter, guard and companion dog.
© The American Kennel Club, Inc.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
