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Animal register · DogIn the app

Boxer

German Boxer, Deutscher Boxer

The Boxer is a German working and companion dog of medium size, with a square build, strong bone and well developed muscles. Its standards describe a short, glossy, smooth coat in fawn or brindle with a black mask; white markings are allowed but should not cover more than a third of the coat. The muzzle should be broad and deep, never short, with wide nostrils. The tail was once customarily docked; the standard also describes the undocked tail, and PetPrep always shows the dog with natural ears and tail.

Its standard calls it equable, biddable, fearless and self-assured. The Royal Kennel Club calls it much loved as a family companion and recommends more than two hours of exercise a day and grooming once a week. The PDSA describes a very high-energy, playful dog that loves human company and can develop separation anxiety if left alone, has a very high prey drive and — because of its size and boisterous nature — is not recommended for homes with younger children or for first-time owners; some Boxers with shorter faces can have serious breathing problems. The Royal Kennel Club gives its lifespan as over 10 years.

Available in the 12-week PetPrep Challenge (paid breed).

Updated:

Boxer — photo (AI)
AI-generated photo

At a glance

Size
large — The Royal Kennel Club S215
Adult weight
males 30–32 kg, females 25–27 kg — The Royal Kennel Club S217
Daily exercise
more than 2 hours a day — The Royal Kennel Club S215
Brushing
once a week — The Royal Kennel Club S215
Shedding
sheds — The Royal Kennel Club S215
Lifespan
median 11.3 years — Dogs Trust S123; more than 10 years — The Royal Kennel Club S215

Key facts from the sources at the bottom of the page. Where sources differ, each value is listed.

Who it suits

Good for:

Keep in mind:

  • needs lots of exercise every dayS215S219
  • shorter muzzle — can have breathing problemsS216S219S220
  • large dog — not for homes with small childrenS219
  • powerful dog — needs an experienced ownerS219
  • loves company — best with someone home most of the dayS219
  • chews things when boredS219
  • shedsS215
  • strong prey drive — may chase small petsS219

The same tags as in the app. Each tag is backed by the sources listed at the bottom of the page.

What it needs

From breed standards, kennel clubs, veterinary charities and studies. Where sources differ, each one is shown.

Exercise

  • Daily exercise: more than 2 hours a day — The Royal Kennel Club S215

Coat and grooming

  • Coat: short — The Royal Kennel Club S215
  • Brushing: once a week — The Royal Kennel Club S215
  • Shedding: sheds — The Royal Kennel Club S215

Meals

General guidance for dogs (not breed-specific):

  • 8–12 weeks: 4 meals a day — ASPCA S18
  • 3–6 months: 3 meals a day — ASPCA S18
  • 6–12 months: 2 meals a day — ASPCA S18
  • Adult: at least 2 meals a day — VCA Animal Hospitals S19
  • Senior: 2–3 meals a day, smaller portions — Dogs Trust S14

Lifespan

  • Lifespan: median 11.3 years — Dogs Trust S123
  • Lifespan: more than 10 years — The Royal Kennel Club S215

Life stages

  • Reaches adult size at: about 15–18 months (guidance for its size class) — PetMD S10

General guidance for dogs (not breed-specific):

  • Puppy: until about 6–9 months — AAHA S11
  • Young adult: until 3–4 years — AAHA S11
  • Senior: the last 25 % of the expected lifespan — AAHA S11

Size and weight

  • Size: large — The Royal Kennel Club S215
  • Height at the withers: males 57–63 cm, females 53–59 cm — The Royal Kennel Club S217
  • Adult weight: males 30–32 kg, females 25–27 kg — The Royal Kennel Club S217

Training

  • No. 48 in Stanley Coren's ranking of working and obedience intelligence. — Wikipedia S35
  • FCI standard no. 144, group 2 (pinscher and schnauzer types, molossoid breeds and Swiss mountain and cattle dogs); origin: Germany. — FCI S214

Questions and answers

Answered only from the sourced facts on this page; every answer names its sources.

How much exercise does a Boxer need?

According to our sources, the Boxer needs this much exercise: more than 2 hours a day — The Royal Kennel Club S215.

How long does a Boxer live?

According to our sources, the lifespan of the Boxer is: median 11.3 years — Dogs Trust S123; more than 10 years — The Royal Kennel Club S215. The sources give different values, so each one is listed.

How big does a Boxer get and how much does it weigh?

Size and adult weight of the Boxer, according to our sources: Size: large — The Royal Kennel Club S215; Adult weight: males 30–32 kg, females 25–27 kg — The Royal Kennel Club S217.

How much grooming does a Boxer need?

Coat and grooming of the Boxer, according to our sources: Brushing: once a week — The Royal Kennel Club S215; Shedding: sheds — The Royal Kennel Club S215; Coat: short — The Royal Kennel Club S215.

Who is the Boxer a good fit for?

Our sources describe the Boxer as a good fit for: an active family — The Royal Kennel Club, PDSA S215S219; family life — The Royal Kennel Club, PDSA S215S219; a large house and garden — The Royal Kennel Club S215. Keep in mind: needs lots of exercise every day — The Royal Kennel Club, PDSA S215S219; shorter muzzle — can have breathing problems — The Royal Kennel Club, PDSA, Canine Medicine and Genetics 10:6 S216S219S220; large dog — not for homes with small children — PDSA S219; powerful dog — needs an experienced owner — PDSA S219; loves company — best with someone home most of the day — PDSA S219; chews things when bored — PDSA S219; sheds — The Royal Kennel Club S215; strong prey drive — may chase small pets — PDSA S219.

Game rules, not veterinary advice

How PetPrep simulates it

In PetPrep one real week is one month of the pet's life. These are the rules the game uses for this breed. PetPrep chose them from the sources on this page; they are not care instructions for a real animal.

Life stageStartsMeals a dayDaily step goal
Puppyarrives at 2 months4; from month 3: 3; from month 6: 21,000 steps per month of age (2,000 on arrival), up to 12,000 from month 12
Young dogmonth 929,000 → 12,000 steps
Adultmonth 36 (3 years)212,000 steps
Seniormonth 102 (8.5 years)29,000 steps
  • Step goal = minutes of daily exercise × 100 steps: an adult gets 2 hours, so 12,000 steps a day.
  • Learns commands as fast as the mixed breed of the free plan.
  • Becomes a senior in month 102 (8.5 years) — the last quarter of the breed's expected lifespan.
  • Walks count real steps from Apple Health or Health Connect (with permission, read-only) and the phone's motion sensor — no GPS.
  • Combing once a week.

Each game number is a PetPrep decision recorded with its sources. — PetMD, AAHA, Dogs Trust, ASPCA, VCA Animal Hospitals, The Royal Kennel Club, Purdue University Canine Welfare Science, Wikipedia, British Journal of Sports Medicine S10S11S14S18S19S21S24S35S45S123S215

Health

For information only, not vet-reviewed. Ask your vet about your own animal.

  • A moderately short-faced breed: some dogs with shorter faces can have serious breathing problems (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, BOAS). — PDSA S219
  • Eye problems such as corneal ulcers are more likely because of the skull shape and prominent eyes; eye testing is available. — PDSA S219
  • Skin problems such as allergies, warts, skin tags and sore skin folds on the face (skin fold dermatitis) can occur; the face folds should be kept clean and dry. — PDSA S219
  • Heart problems such as cardiomyopathy and aortic stenosis can occur in the breed. — PDSA S219
  • Hip dysplasia, a loose, poorly developed hip joint, occurs in the breed and can eventually lead to arthritis. — PDSA S219
  • Epilepsy, a brain disorder that can cause seizures, occurs in the breed. — PDSA S219
  • Certain cancers can occur in the breed. — PDSA S219

Before you buy: what to check with the breeder

Questions to settle before you take a puppy home. The points are advice from vets, welfare charities and kennel clubs; each cites its source.

For every breed

  • See the puppy with its mother, where it was born. — PDSA, RSPCA K1K2
  • The puppy should not leave its mother before 8 weeks of age. — PDSA K1
  • Ask for the pedigree. Under FCI rules a pedigree may be issued for correct parentage only. — FCI K7
  • Ask to see the health-test results of both parents. Which tests matter depends on the breed. — PDSA, British Veterinary Association, FOUR PAWS UK K1K9K10
  • National kennel clubs can set breeding rules that go beyond the FCI's — ask the breed club which tests the parents need. — FCI K7
  • Ask for a written sale contract that records the puppy's background and health. — British Veterinary Association, FOUR PAWS UK K9K10

Laws on the minimum age, microchipping and vaccination differ by country — check the rules where you live.

Health tests of the parents for this breed

Further tests for best practice

  • Elbow X-ray screening for elbow dysplasia (UK: BVA/KC scheme) — The Royal Kennel Club S215
  • Eye examination by a veterinary eye specialist (UK: BVA/KC/ISDS scheme; for some breeds with gonioscopy) — The Royal Kennel Club S215
  • Hip X-ray screening for hip dysplasia (UK: BVA/KC scheme) — The Royal Kennel Club S215

These lists come from the UK's Royal Kennel Club and are an orientation; national kennel clubs can set their own, stricter rules. Ask the breed club and the breeder which tests the parents have done.

Similar breeds

Other dogs in the register with similar needs — each with sourced facts.

Sources

Every fact on this page cites one of these sources.

  1. S10PetMD — S. C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP, 2025-05-20 — When Do Dogs Stop Growing?https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/when-do-dogs-stop-growing
  2. S11AAHA — 2019 AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines — Canine life stage definitionshttps://www.aaha.org/resources/life-stage-canine-2019/canine-life-stage-definitions/
  3. S14Dogs Trust (UK) — Caring for an older doghttps://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/life-with-your-dog/at-home/looking-after-an-older-dog
  4. S18ASPCA — General Dog Carehttps://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/general-dog-care
  5. S19VCA Animal Hospitals (2025-02-21) — Feeding Times and Frequency for Your Doghttps://vcahospitals.com/pets-first/know-your-pet/feeding-times-and-frequency-for-your-dog
  6. S21The Royal Kennel Club (UK) — Puppy feeding tipshttps://www.royalkennelclub.com/health-and-dog-care/health-dog-care/health/health-and-care/a-z-of-health-and-care-issues/puppy-feeding-tips
  7. S24Purdue University Canine Welfare Science (content: Pet Leadership Council 2019, bedogsmart.com) — Dog Fitness and Exercise (PDF)https://caninewelfare.centers.purdue.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Dog-Fitness-and-Exercise.pdf
  8. S35Wikipedia — The Intelligence of Dogshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Intelligence_of_Dogs
  9. S45British Journal of Sports Medicine (2018) — Tudor-Locke C. et al. How fast is fast enough? Walking cadence (steps/min) as a practical estimate of intensity in adults. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2017-097628https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6029645
  10. S123Dogs Trust (UK) — Life expectancy for 155 breeds and crossbred group (table of McMillan et al. 2024 data) (PDF)https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/downloads/life-expectancy-breeds-table-2024.pdf
  11. S214FCI — FCI breeds nomenclature — Group 2 list (Boxer row)https://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/2-Pinscher-and-Schnauzer-Molossoid-and-Swiss-Mountain-and-Cattledogs.html
  12. S215The Royal Kennel Club (UK) — Boxer — breed information page (Breeds A to Z, older address)https://thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/display.aspx?id=5116
  13. S216The Royal Kennel Club (UK) — Boxer - Category 2 — Breed Watchhttps://www.royalkennelclub.com/activities/heritage-sports/dog-showing/judging-dog-shows/breed-watch-health-and-welfare-of-show-dogs/boxer-category-2/
  14. S217The Royal Kennel Club (UK) — Breed standard: Boxerhttps://thekennelclub.org.uk/breed-standards/working/boxer
  15. S219PDSA — Boxer breed informationhttps://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/large-dogs/boxer
  16. S220Canine Medicine and Genetics 10:6 (2023) (PMC copy) — O'Neill D. G., Skipper A. M., Barrett K., Church D. B., Packer R. M. A., Brodbelt D. C. Demography, common disorders and mortality of Boxer dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. doi:10.1186/s40575-023-00129-whttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10234096
  17. K1PDSA — Getting a puppyhttps://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/getting-a-puppy
  18. K2RSPCA — Buying a puppyhttps://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/puppy
  19. K7FCI (copy hosted by Norsk Kennel Klub) — International Breeding Rules of the FCIhttps://nkk2023.stage22.coretrek.no/getfile.php/131987377-1520848467/Dokumenter/Registrering/FCIs%20avlsregler%202013.pdf
  20. K9British Veterinary Association — What should you consider when buying a puppy?https://www.bva.co.uk/news-and-blog/blog-article/what-should-you-consider-when-buying-a-puppy/
  21. K10FOUR PAWS UK — Questions to ask when buying a puppyhttps://www.four-paws.org.uk/our-stories/publications-guides/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-puppy

PetPrep is a simulation for families. This page is not veterinary advice — for a real animal, ask a vet or the breed club.

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