With his distinguished face and muscular carriage, the boxer is a striking dog. Part of the American Kennel Club's working group, a full-grown boxer weighs between 50 and 70 pounds and stands 21.5 to 25 inches at the shoulder. The boxer is an active dog who requires vigorous exercise and excels at agility and other dog sports.
Boxer Growing Time
Dogs mature at different rates. Generally, the smaller the dog the quicker he reaches his adult weight: It takes about twice as long for a Great Dane to reach full size than it does for a Chihuahua, for instance. The boxer will be growing beyond his first birthday, perhaps not finishing until he turns 2 years old. According to the Pet Education website, a general rule of thumb is to double a puppy's weight at 4 months old to get an idea of his weight when he's fully grown.
Boxer Build
The boxer is considered a medium-size dog. According to the American Kennel Club's breed standard, females should stand between 21.5 and 23.5 inches. Males are slightly larger, ranging between 23 and 25 inches at the shoulder. The males are larger-boned than the females, but both should show square builds in profile and have well-developed muscles.
Boxer Health
The boxer has a life expectancy between 10 and 12 years, according to the American Kennel Club. He is at higher risk for certain health concerns, including cardiomyopathy, aortic/subaortic stenosis, degenerative myelopathy, gastric torsion, and skin problems including allergies and cancers. The boxer can't tolerate acepromazine, a sedative frequently prescribed by veterinarians; it causes heart arrhythmia in boxers, potentially leading to cardiac arrest or collapse.
Boxer Life
Ample exercise is crucial for a boxer's sound body and mind -- and it doesn't hurt his owner, either. Exercise before training to burn off energy so your boxer will be ready to focus on the session. The boxer is an intelligent dog, but stubborn, so his owner must be consistent and firm in training. The effort is worth the reward, for the boxer is an affectionate, loyal dog and family member.