Email Newsletter

What's Happening?

The German Boxer Dog

History of the German Boxer Dog

While there are many theories as to the origin of the boxer, the breed is said to have reached its perfection in Germany within the past century.

Most believe that the boxer comes from European line of dogs that have been around since the 16th century. Some evidence suggests that the boxer is one of the many descendants of the old fighting dog found in the high valleys of Tibet. It is also accepted that this breed is a cousin to just about all breeds within the bulldog type.

The Dogue de Bordeaux of France is a breed that is similar in appearance and size to the old Tibetan Mastiff. The Bouldogue de Mida (found in the south of France) was apparently developed from the Dogue de Bordeaux, and it shares many of the same characteristics of the boxer.

While it is generally believed that all the European breeds previously mentioned are in some way related to the boxer, this favorite breed of Germany was developed to retain all of its older qualities with a more attractive look.

Other sources claim that the boxer was derived from two breeds of dog found in central Europe that no longer exist: the Danziger bullenbaiser and the Brabenter bullenbaiser. In this account, it is believed that in the 1830s German hunters tried to create a new breed by crossing the bullenbaisers with mastiff-type dogs and bulldogs. This resulted in a tough yet agile dog that featured a streamlined body and a strong grip. This origin states that by 1895, the new breed, called the boxer, had been established.

The exact origin of the name boxer is rather obscure, but it may have taken from the German boxl. In addition to being related to the Bulldog, it is said that the boxer is also influenced by a strain of terrier. Others think that there is reason to believe that English Bulldogs were imported into Germany at one time, as evidenced by Reinagle's Bulldog, which was done in 1803. This work of art depicts a bulldog that is very similar in appearance to the boxer.

One of the first dogs to be used in military and police work, the boxer became better known as a family pet and show dog by the 1900s. The boxer was first registered with the AKC in 1904, but the first championship did not take place until 1915. It was about 1940 before Americans showed interest in this breed, a time when the boxer won in Group and Best in Show.

Interested in purchasing a Fully Trained Protection Dog, Select Imported Puppy, or Police K9? Fill out K9 Working Dog's "Personal Protection Dog Pre-Purchase Application"

For Sale -
Our Featured German Boxer Dog Listings:

Based on the limited number of suitable German Boxer Dogs which meet our high standards, we offer only 2 to 4 fully trained adult dogs for sale each year. Select German Imported puppies are available with advanced approval by reservation. To make a reservation, please apply here.

Other Protection Dog Breeds from K9 Working Dogs:

Licenses and Affiliations: