Breed Standards for the Boxer

The boxer is a sturdy, athletic dog used historically as a fighter, courier and now a seeing-eye dog. Today, the American Kennel Club regards the boxer as one of the most popular and personable breeds in the United States. People who breed and show boxers must maintain bloodlines that conform to specific AKC-defined standards. Boxers who do not meet these standards may be penalized or disqualified at professional dog shows.

  1. Build

    • A female boxer should measure between 21.5 and 23.5 inches inches at the withers, or the ridge between the shoulder blades. Male boxers are slightly larger; AKC standards stipulate that they should have a withers height of 23 to 25 inches. The dog should have a square, muscular build and a sturdy appearance. A horizontal measurement from the dog's forechest to his upper thigh should be the same measurement as the height of his withers. Boxers should always have docked tails; any boxers with undocked tails are harshly penalized or disqualified from shows.

    Head

    • According to the AKC's standards, a boxer's muzzle should measure at one-third the length of the skull. The muzzle's width should be two-thirds the total width of the skull. Although a boxer will develop wrinkles in his forehead when he holds his ears erect, there should be no deep folds when he has a neutral expression. Boxers should have black noses that rise slightly above the roof of the muzzle. A well-bred boxer's ears may be cropped or uncropped, depending on show guidelines and the owner-handler's feelings regarding the practice.

    Jawbone

    • Boxers are known for their characteristic "underbite," a trait also seen in breeds such as the English bulldog. While boxers should have a slightly protruding lower jaw that curves upward, dogs with disfiguring underbites are severely penalized at shows. The boxer's teeth and jaws should not be exposed at all when his mouth is open, and his chin should be prominent when viewed from either the side or the front. The AKC additionally penalizes dogs with elongated lips that partially or completely overlay the chin.

    Coat

    • The AKC accepts both fawn and brindle coloration in boxers, and all other colors are disqualified from shows. Fawn boxers can range in color from beige to mahogany, and brindle dogs should have sparse black markings scattered over a fawn background. Some boxers have white markings on the paws and chest. Although the AKC allows these markings if they enhance the dog's general appearance, white markings should not exceed one third of the boxer's overall coat. Boxers' coats should be short, shiny and smooth.