The Ultimate Boxer Puppy Ownership Guide

15 minute read By Lucy Hughes
Reviewed by: Pawrade Team
August 02, 2023

a Brown and black boxer and a tan and white boxer run toward the camera

Put up your dukes! One-two-PUNCH! Bob, duck, and weave!

Today, we’re talking about the Boxer dog breed, not lightweights and heavyweights! If you were looking for how to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee, we hate to disappoint. However, we guarantee you that you won’t be disappointed in the Boxer dog breed after taking in all this delightful, spunky breed has to offer. 

Boxer puppies for sale are a fascinating and beloved dog breed with a rich history of working and being loyal companions. Their playful and affectionate nature combined with their unique behaviors and characteristics make them cherished family pets for many people around the world.

Learn fun facts about Boxer puppies for sale that make them unique and interesting in our ultimate Boxer puppy ownership guide. 

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image courtesy of American Bull & Terrier Kennel Club

History and Origin of Boxer Puppies For Sale

The name "Boxer" is said to have come from the breed's tendency to use its front paws when playing and fighting, similar to how a human boxer uses their fists. It’s also said the name is a nod to their slaughterhouse days, as “boxl” means “slaughterhouse” in old German. 

The Boxer dog breed originated in Germany in the 19th century. It is believed to be a descendant of the now-extinct mastiff Bullenbeisser breed, which was used for hunting large game such as bear, wild boar, and deer and was descended from Roman times. The other primary dog breed combined with the Bullenbeisser was the Old English Bulldog, and some people think Great Danes, terriers, and other mastiffs were included in the crossbreeding. The Boxer was later refined and developed into the breed we know today, recognized for its versatility and loyalty. 

Boxers were originally bred for hunting, livestock guarding, bull baiting and fighting, and a more interesting use as working dogs in slaughterhouses. Police and military also utilized Boxers to help them keep the peace and carry out military exercises. However, over time, these working dogs quickly became more of a family companion. 

The first Boxer club recognizing the breed was formed in Munich, Germany in 1895, and the first show was in 1896, where they were featured in a new dog breed exhibit. 

The first Boxer was registered with the AKC in 1904. Once Boxers came to America, they experienced growing popularity, especially in the 1940s. In the 1950s, a Boxer that won the Westminster Dog Show became an overnight celebrity. 

Since the 1950s, Americans continue to love Boxers so much that they’re steadily climbing the AKC’s Most Popular Dog Breed list, coming in at #16 in 2022, consistently ranking in the Top 20. 

Several celebrities have enjoyed their Boxer companions, including Luke Perry, Chelsea Handler, Ryan Reynolds, Gisele Bundchen, Jordan Knight, and Jennifer Love Hewitt, among others. 

Because Boxer puppies are so ridiculously silly, they make excellent subjects for social media accounts dedicated to their hilarious antics. We could watch them all day, as they never cease to make people around the world throw back their heads and laugh at this comical breed. 

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What Do Boxer Puppies For Sale Look Like? 

While you can easily browse our site for Boxer puppies for sale, it helps to have the details about the variations and types of Boxers you will see so you can have an idea of which Boxer puppy is right for you. 

A trio of Boxers

Did you know there are actually 3 variations in Boxers that all fall under the official breed type: The American Boxer, the German Boxer, and the English Boxer? Each type showcases distinct traits and characteristics that cater to different preferences and purposes. 

The American Boxer dog is known for its athleticism and compact frame, excelling in agility and obedience. The German Boxer dog is robust and muscular, renowned for its protective instincts and versatility as a working dog. Meanwhile, the English Boxer dog has a more refined appearance, exhibiting elegance and gentleness, making it an excellent companion. 

However, they are all good boys and girls! Most likely, you won’t know which type of Boxer you have because these differences are not typically named, as they are all considered Boxers. Whichever type of Boxer you end up with, you’re sure to fall in love.

Barrels (chests) of fun

A Boxer puppy boasts a powerful, muscular physique with a square, well-proportioned body. They have a deep barrel chest with long, muscular straight legs and big paws. While female Boxer puppies are smaller than males, Boxer puppies for sale will grow to be medium-sized dogs weighing 50-80 lbs. and standing 21.5-25 inches tall. 

Short snouts

Boxer puppies for sale are brachycephalic dogs, meaning they have short snouts and flat faces. This characteristic can sometimes lead to breathing difficulties, especially in hot and humid weather, due to the shape of their airways. 

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“Teefs”

Boxers are known for their underbite, which is a result of their unique skull structure with short snouts and slightly protruding lower jaws. This gives them their characteristic "pushed-in" face and “smiling” look. Owners affectionately call this their “teef” look as a play on “teeth.” 

Those eyes!

The Boxer dog's eyes are expressive and soulful, often displaying intelligence and curiosity. They are typically dark brown in color and exude a warm and affectionate demeanor, reflecting their loving nature. On the flip side, those droopy eyes might make them look sad – or even guilty for any naughty behavior! 

Ears and tails

A Boxer puppy for sale may have natural or altered ears and tails. Boxers are one of the few dog breeds that can be born with a naturally bobbed tail. Historically, Boxers had their tails docked for various reasons, including the belief that it reduced the risk of tail injuries while working.

If a Boxer puppy’s ears are cropped, they are cropped to a tapered, upright appearance. Natural, uncropped triangular ears lie flat across their heads and often flop down in a cute manner. 

A colorful array 

The Boxer breed commonly exhibits a striking brindle coat pattern, which consists of streaks or stripes of varying shades of the base color. The brindle pattern is highly prized among Boxer enthusiasts. 

Boxer puppies for sale come in other colors as well. While the AKC breed standard recognizes brindle and fawn with a black mask and white markings, their short, smooth coats range in color from all white to parti to more interesting combinations like flashy seal reverse brindle and other colors and patterns. It’s common to see white patches on a Boxer puppy’s chest, face, and feet.

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Fun Facts About a Boxer Puppy’s Personality 

If you’re wondering, “What’s the personality like of Boxer puppies for sale near me?” you’ll learn they’re an absolute delight with their bright, upbeat, happy personality and devotion to their family. Read on to find out what else makes a Boxer puppy for sale so special. 

Energetic and playful

Boxers are renowned for their high energy levels and playful nature. They are often described as "eternal puppies" due to their youthful exuberance, even as they grow older. Boxers are natural athletes that love to run, jump and play. They have a muscular build and are great companions for those who lead active lifestyles.

Human-like expressions

Boxers are known for their expressive faces, which often resemble human emotions. Their wrinkled foreheads and soulful eyes can convey joy, curiosity, or concern, making them endearing companions. Boxers have a unique personality and are often entertaining and funny to watch. They are known to make their owners laugh with their silly antics.

Protective instincts

Boxers are naturally protective of their families and can be excellent guard dogs. Their loyalty and vigilance make them feel responsible for their loved ones' safety. Boxers are incredibly loyal to their owners and are known to be very protective of their families. They are not known to be big barkers, but will let out a warning bark if they feel their family or home is threatened. 

However, a Boxer’s definition of a “threat” is definitely on a different level than a human’s understanding. They may valiantly and courageously try to warn you about a marching line of sugar ants or leaves blowing down the sidewalk! 

Social and affectionate

Despite their protective nature, Boxer puppies are typically friendly and sociable with people, including children. They form strong bonds with their families and are affectionate companions. With proper socialization, they love meeting new doggy friends as well. 

Playful "kidney beaning"

One unique behavior specific to Boxers is "kidney beaning" or the "wiggle butt" dance. When particularly excited, Boxer puppies may wag their tails while spinning in a circular motion, resembling a kidney bean.

They will “tell” you all about it

Boxer puppies are known for being vocal dogs. They may "talk" to their owners with a range of vocalizations, including barks, grunts, snorts, and "woo-woos," which often sound like they are trying to communicate. They are known to be “talkative” dogs and will often make noises that are similar to human grunts and groans. Due to their short muzzle, they also snore! 

The head tilt

Speaking of funny sounds, Boxers are famous for their head-tilting behavior when they hear interesting or unusual sounds. This endearing habit has captured the hearts of many Boxer owners.

One of the kids

Boxers are great with children due to their playful and gentle nature. They often become patient playmates for kids, making them an ideal family dog. Due to their playful nature, they will happily engage in a game of chase or tag with kids – not to mention being a willing accomplice to shenanigans.

@afvofficial I could watch this all day 🥹🧊 #afv #boxerdog #funnyvideos #dog #pets #cute ♬ original sound - AFVofficial

You'll never be sad

We guarantee it will be hard to stay sad around a Boxer. Even just looking at them can make you smile, especially when those "teef" are out or if they do something funny. You never know what antics they will pull next!

Sensitive souls

Boxers are sensitive dogs and can be easily upset by loud noises or sudden movements. You may have some intense days with fireworks or thunderstorms. Many Boxer owners can calm them down with special supplements, thunder shirts, and sitting with them reassuring that everything’s okay. Likewise, they will go hide during household arguments. As far as loud children’s screams, laughs, and crying, a Boxer puppy can be desensitized to these sounds from a young age. 

A slobbery greeting 

Because Boxer puppies for sale are super sweet, they love to show their affection with kisses. However, you will get more than just a kiss! Due to their floppy lips, Boxers are known to drool and slobber quite a bit. 

Velcro dogs

The Boxer dog breed is generally very needy and demand lots of attention from their humans to thrive. They need to feel secure in their place in the family. If your family is sitting on the couch for movie night, your Boxer is guaranteed to try and squeeze in between you for a seat on the couch sandwiched among everyone else. You won’t even be able to go to the bathroom by yourself without them trying to come along, too. They do best with lots of people around, so a big family or individual who is home a lot is a great choice so they don’t go very long being away from their loved ones.

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Keeping a Boxer puppy out of trouble

Boxers are very curious and enjoy exploring their surroundings. They’re always interested in something and will be very persistent in their investigations. Because they are working dogs, they do best with a “job” to do, whether that is playing fetch, setting up a scavenger hunt, or working on commands. 

A bored or anxious Boxer puppy is a recipe for disaster if left unsupervised. Their curious nature paired with anxiety can make it look like a tornado tore through your home in record time. It’s best to start by crate training your Boxer puppy, working on their separation anxiety, until you can trust them to stay out of the crate unsupervised with no regular messes or mishaps. 

Activity and exercise

Due to their energetic nature and history of a busy working dog, Boxer puppies for sale require regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. Make sure you give your Boxer puppy for sale at least 45 minutes a day. Daily walks, playtime, and interactive activities are essential to meet their physical and mental needs. They’re best suited for active families and individuals who have the time needed to devote to this breed always on the go. 

Boxers will do fine in apartments as long as you give them the exercise they need and let them run around in a secure area to get their zoomies out. 

Training Boxer Puppies For Sale

Boxers are highly trainable due to their intelligence and eagerness to please their owners. Boxer puppies are very quick learners and respond well to positive reinforcement-based training methods. 

Even though they are powerful dogs with somewhat imposing looks, never be harsh with your Boxer puppy during training. They’re an extremely sensitive dog breed and will not respond well at all to loud yelling or mean, forceful techniques. 

Boxers also excel in obedience and agility competitions due to their desire to please and powerful, graceful athletic nature. They love learning new tricks and commands, especially when you teach them novelty tricks to make admirers laugh even more. 

Boxers have a high-feeding drive, which can make training them a challenge if they are distracted by food. However, you can absolutely use this as an advantage since they’re food-motivated to train. Just use high-value treats and tiny pieces to prevent obesity. 

Boxer puppies for sale may have a tendency to playfully "mouth" or nibble on their owners during play. This behavior is often an expression of affection, but it's essential to teach them proper bite inhibition to prevent any unintentional harm.

You probably won’t need to worry too much about socializing your Boxer since they are so friendly to begin with, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get them used to other dogs, normal household sounds, kids, and strangers. You can start early with socialization and training the day you bring them home since it’s never too early to learn how to be a good canine companion. 

Dog jobs for Boxer puppies for sale

Originally bred as working dogs, Boxers were used for a variety of tasks, including hunting, cattle herding, slaughterhouse workers, and serving as military and police dogs.

Over time, Boxers fell out of police favor because they had a tendency to become too friendly and playful with suspected criminals, and other breeds like German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois became more favored. In addition, their short snouts and sensitivity to heat and cold also affected their use in official capacities year-round.

Today, the majority of Boxer puppies for sale have the most important job of being your #1 buddy. In addition to being superb family companions and great guard dogs without being aggressive, Boxers also make excellent search and rescue dogs due to their sharp noses, hunting tendencies, and eagerness to please their handlers. Finding an item or a person is the ultimate reward for a well-trained Boxer.

Some Boxer puppies for sale grow up to be service dogs, providing assistance to humans with disabilities such as blindness or mobility issues and other areas like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

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Boxer Grooming and Care

Boxers are very low maintenance when it comes to grooming needs. Their sleek, short haircoat will need to be brushed about once a week to keep their coats looking healthy and to help remove dead hairs and debris. They do shed moderately, so don’t put away your lint rollers and vacuum cleaners just because you see they have short hair. Boxer puppies will need a bath when they get exceptionally dirty or begin to develop a “doggy” odor. 

It’s important to make sure to keep up with proper dental hygiene, eye and ear cleaning, and nail trimming for proper care. Always make sure you are feeding the best puppy formula possible your budget can afford, and never skip out on regularly-scheduled veterinary appointments. 

Health concerns

Like all breeds, Boxers are prone to certain health issues. Common concerns include bloat due to their deep chests, hip dysplasia, heart conditions, and certain cancers. 

Their short snouts make a few extra challenges for Boxer puppies. Because of the shape of their airways and short coats, Boxer puppies have a hard time regulating their temperature. They are sensitive to extreme temperatures and need to be in climate-controlled environments. Don’t overexert your Boxer puppy in hot weather, and buy your Boxer puppy a dapper sweater or coat for those cold months. 

With proper care, your Boxer puppy for sale can live 8-10 years of laughter-filled good times.

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Where Can I Find Healthy Boxer Puppies For Sale? 

Due to the popularity of the Boxer breed, you may have a difficult time finding reputable, trustworthy breeders that are not scams or from puppy mills. That’s where Pawrade comes in. 

At Pawrade, we are committed to collaborating with reputable and passionate Boxer breeders who are deeply dedicated to the breed's well-being. They work tirelessly to produce exceptional and healthy Boxer puppies for sale. Our breeder partners possess extensive knowledge about the Boxer breed, encompassing its characteristics, temperament, and specific care requirements.

To facilitate a seamless experience, our Puppy Concierges are available to address any inquiries you may have about Boxer puppies for sale. To ensure security and transparency, all communications are tracked and recorded through the PetPay platform, a secure site that also houses essential travel information and documents for your convenience.

Rest assured, we are here to support you throughout the Boxer puppy buying process. Our team is excited to deliver a vibrant and healthy Boxer puppy directly into your loving arms. 

Check out our collection of Boxer puppies for sale eagerly awaiting new homes. Whether you prefer calling, emailing, texting, or any other means of communication, feel free to reach out to us. We eagerly await the opportunity to assist you in finding your perfect, silly Boxer companion!


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Lucy Hughes

Lucy Hughes has been teaching and writing professionally for half her life. She has a passion for helping people choose a puppy and lead an exciting life with their new furry companion. She enjoys spending quality time with her family and her beloved Golden Retriever, Bowie.

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