The boxer dog is a medium-large German breed that originated during the 18th century from crosses of the bulldog with the bullenbeisser, a molosser-type dog from Germany that used to be used for hunting big game before becoming extinct.
Today, Boxers are among the most popular dogs in the world, both for their beauty and elegant appearance, as well as for their temperament friendly and fun Well socialized, the Boxer tends to be an excellent playmate for children, whom they will protect thanks to their enormous courage.
Being such a popular dog, it is natural that many people seek information, curiosities or the care that Boxers need. But in addition, it is still common to find references to different types of Boxer: the German Boxer, the English Boxer and the American Boxer. However, Are there really any types of Boxers? To find out the answer, keep reading this article on our site!
Types of boxer dogs: myth or reality?
No, there are no Boxer types All Boxers belong to a single breed that has no varieties or subtypes. References to different types of boxer dogs derive from some confusion caused by some morphological differences between dogs of this breed originating in different countries, which are reflected in the official standards of the main international canine societies.
But let's understand all this a little better… The Boxer dog breed originates from Germany and quickly gains great popularity all over the world for its numerous qualities. As they are introduced to other countries, "original" or "typically German" Boxers begin to be selectively bred to highlight certain characteristics that were pleasing or desirable to the society of that time. In this way, boxer dogs are emerging with some differences in their appearance, but that continue to preserve the genetic inheritance and the fundamental traits in their morphology and temperament that characterize the boxer dog breed.
However, when drawing up the official breed standard, the main international canine societies have prioritized the characteristics of the Boxer dogs in their country or region. And that is why we find slight differences in the standards created by the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale), which respects the pattern of the originally German boxer (known as "boxer German"), the UKC (United Kennel Club), which reflects the morphology of the boxer dog in the United Kingdom (known as "English boxer", and the AKC (American Kennel Club), which reflects the typical traits of the Boxers predominant in the United States (known as "American Boxers").
Therefore, there are not different types of boxer dogs, but rather the standards reflect the different styles that were – and still are – prevalent – in each society and that have logically influenced the standardization of dog breeds popular in each country or region.
German Boxer
The German Boxer is often regarded as the "quintessential Boxer"It is the most similar to the first standardized boxers thanks to the efforts of Friedrich Robert, Elard König and R. Höpner, the founders of the first club of the breed in the world, the "Deutscher Boxer Club". But curiously, the standard associated with the German boxer is the last to be published, being approved by the FCI in 1955.
Morphologically, it is characterized by being slightly larger and stockier than the other "Boxer types". Their bones are larger and denser. As a consequence, their legs turn out to be longer and the leg muscles have more abundant musculature. It also exhibits a remarkable relief. Another typical trait of the German Boxer is the 1:2 ratio between the length of its snout and the length of its skull. At first glance, its snout is broader than that of the English Boxer, and smaller compared to that of the American Boxer.
In the photograph we see a boxer breed dog as "Best Baby" at the World Dog Show 2016 Moscow - Russia.
UK Boxer
The standard of the so-called English Boxer is published by the United Kingdom Kennel Club (UKC) in 1948, consisting of the second standard ratified of this breed. In addition, there is a very famous hypothesis that says that the name of the breed would come from the English language, referring to the way these dogs usually use their front legs, which would be similar to boxers in full action. However, there are several theories about the origin of the name Boxer, one of them states that derives from the term " boxl ", which used to be used in Germany to popularly designate to bullenbeisser.
Beyond the controversies over its name, the English Boxer stands out for being more athletic, light and elegant than the other "types boxer." His stylized body and "dry" and well-developed muscles allow him to develop agile and precise movements without ever losing the grace that characterizes him. They are generally the smallest within the breed, with shorter, thinner legs (although extremely strong). They can also be identified by their higher knuckles compared to other boxers.
American Boxer
Although the American Boxer was the last to be developed, its standard was the first to be published by the United States Kennel Club, in the year 1904. Probably the easiest "boxer type" to recognize, thanks to the absence of wrinkles in adult individuals. In addition, we can see that its coat is denser, stronger and brighter than the coat of the other "types of boxer dogs". And its snout is broader than the individuals of this breed with German or English origins.
Likewise, it is possible to find boxer dogs that are born from crosses between different "types of boxer", so their morphological differences may not be as accentuated. However, if you decide to foster a Boxer puppy from a professional breeder, you can request his genetic lineage to find out where his parents came from. And if you decide to adopt a puppy or adult Boxer and want to know more about its origins, you can consult your veterinarian about the possibility of doing a genetic analysis.
Is there a white boxer dog?
One of the concordances between the standards of the Boxer dog breed is that its coat can present a wide variety of colors and patternsGenerally, the brindle Boxer is the most popular, but their coats can show different shades from brown or chestnut to black, with or without white spots on their chest, legs and snout.
In turn, the white boxer is an albino animal that, although it exists, is not accepted by the FCI, AKC or UKCConsidering the he alth problems that are usually associated with albinism in dogs, these societies often discourage crossings with albino boxers, so as not to spread this characteristic to future generations. Likewise, if you have decided to adopt a white boxer, here on our site you can learn about the care of an albino dog to provide your best friend with an excellent quality of life.
