Out of the 16,456 dogs in the 'Working Breed' category registered in 2013, the most popular was the Boxer; with 4003 being registered, topping the second highest, the Dogue de Bordeaux, by over 1600. Making up nearly a quarter of the number of working dogs registered, the reason for the Boxer's extreme popularity is its bubbly, out-going personality and its eagerness to learn and please.Key Facts
| Size | Large |
| Exercise Requirements | 2 hour+ |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Lifespan | 11 - 14 years |
Personality & Training
Don't let its stocky, powerful body fool you, Boxers are absolute sweethearts and, if raised well, will be one of the most loyal and affectionate dogs you are ever likely to come across. Boxers are extremely intelligent and incredibly social, quickly forming bonds with the people surrounding it. They are also capable of getting on well with others of their kind, as well as other non-canine species.
Boxers are however very protective and energetic, so they are prone to jumping up at people, especially if they do not know them, which is something they should be trained not to do from a young age. In terms of how they are trained, you should be confident and stern yet calm and consistent, as it is important to establish yourself as the dominant party as early in it's life as possible.
Exercise & Living Conditions
Boxers are incredibly lively dogs, and their athletic build will allow them to remain active even as they begin to advance in years, so you will need to be quite active yourself if you intend to keep up with it; especially as it is often recommended that Boxers are given at least 2 hours of exercise a day.
If they are not challenged mentally and physically on a regular basis Boxers can become agitated and restless, and as its stamina is left unspent it will overflow in bouts of excitement and hyperactivity.
Their short coat also makes them rather sensitive to temperature changes, becoming overly hot or cold quickly and with ease; for this reason a dog coat may be required during the winter months, or when raining.
Grooming
A Boxer's idea of a good time is getting wet and muddy, which may happen often considering the amount of exercise they require. Fortunately their coat never grows overly long or thick, which means any dirt they pick up can easily be cleaned out.
Boxers do shed, but no more than your average dog would, and will often take steps toward grooming itself, so you will only need to bath it as regularly as it rolls around in dirt and gets itself all filthy.
