AKC Boxer

The first AKC Boxer Champion was recognized in 1915, but the breed was registered by the AKC in 1904. Nowadays, this breed is very popular in the USA and abroad for its working abilities, guarding instinct, and friendly personality. This breed has many uses: guards and personal protectors, playing companions for children, guide dogs for the blind, service and therapy dogs for the disabled. Boxers are excellent police and military dogs. During war time, they served as couriers. Nowadays, they succeed in many dog sports: agility, obedience, conformation, tracking, and many others.

The AKC Boxer standard has not changed much since the early 20th century. The only exception is optional ear cropping. Today, ear cropping and tail docking are banned in many countries and most owners prefer to leave their Boxers in a natural shape. According to the AKC breed standard, the tail of the Boxer should be short. It can be achieved without a cruel operation, but through selective breeding. Some bloodlines of Boxers have a short tail that fits the breed standard.

The AKC Boxer should be square-built, substantial, with a short back, large and massive head, long and strong limbs, and very short coat. The muscles of these dogs should be clean and appear smooth. The movements of the Boxer should be very energetic; the gait should be elastic; the carriage proud. The general expression of a purebred Boxer is intelligent and alert.

Though Boxers are originally bred for work, the appearance is very important in show quality dogs. The main beauty of the breed is its large and broad head with a short muzzle and well-defined stop. There are no strict restrictions of size and weight, but overall proportions are very important. The only accepted coat color in the Boxer is fawn, which can vary from light brown to mahogany red. Brindle, the only accepted coat pattern, is actually a stripped fawn. Black stripes can be of any shape and size, but they should not cover most of the coat. A solid black or white AKC Boxer is disqualified from the conformation, but can compete in agility and obedience.