​
So you're thinking of a boxer...
Boxers can be loving companions, playful pets, fearsome protectors, or helpful work dogs, but they can also be quite a handful. You need to be sure that you have what it takes to provide the perfect environment, financial needs, and health care needed before you decide to take one of these wonderful companions home. All boxers will need a lot of exercise, proper socialization, training, loving, and of course, food! Dogs take up a lot of your time, (and space for that matter) so be sure that you're more than 100% okay with a 55+ pound boxer (who's positive they can fit on your lap) joining your family. Long hours at the office or away from home may leave your new boxer feeling lonely and destructive, so this breed may not be the best fit in a household that works full time out of the home. This breed can also live upwards to 10-15 years old, so please think ahead, because once you take them home, you are committed for the rest of their life!
​
​
Exercise:
Boxers are one of the most high energy breeds, and never seem to truly outgrow puppy-hood. They need daily exercise, that can be easily provided in a lot of different ways. The easiest is to have a large yard that they can run around in, but we understand that sometimes that isn't an option. Daily walks or jogs (after your pup matures) are good for both you and your boxer. If you're not one to go on long walks, a simple trip to the (preferably empty) dog park will usually do. If, for whatever reason, you are unable to provide your boxer with the necessary exercise, he or she may become very restless and even destructive of your most valued household items. Boxers, as with any animal, need down-time also. A proper balance of rest and exercise is essential. Boxers and all dogs benefit greatly from being crate trained. It is not cruel when done and used properly, and can not only save your boxers from being harmed, but also give you piece of mind knowing they are safe and comfortable while away. Overall, if you would prefer a 24/7 couch potato dog, the boxer is NOT the best breed for you. ​
ALL POTENTIAL NEW GRASSELANDS BOXER FAMILIES MUST SHOW PROOF OF A
PROPERLY SIZED CRATE THEIR NEW PUPPY WILL BE GOING HOME TO.
​
​
Feeding:
Boxers tend to have sensitive stomachs, which is why we always recommend high quality products manufactured within the country, or possibly even a raw diet if it suits your lifestyle. Always check the label to see exactly how much to feed your dog, as the amount can vary for different ages of different breeds of dogs as well as brand & flavour of food. We feed our boxers a salmon and brown rice kibble mainly, and a delicious raw diet occasionally. Spreading out feeding times throughout the day instead of all at once helps to prevent bloat, and possible vomiting as well as other gastrointestinal issues. It's also best to avoid excessive exercise shortly after eating to avoid possible stomach twisting. While some boxers have an excess amount of gas that can clear a room in a matter of seconds, if fed a proper diet that meets the individual boxer, this 'problem' can be kept at bay.
​
​
Environment:
The boxer is an INDOOR dog. While they may enjoy regular play and exercise outside, they are not suited or built for outdoor living. Their short coats cannot protect them from long exposures to cold temperatures and their short muzzles make them susceptible to high temperatures.
​
​
Temperament & Physical Features:
~Boxers are EXTREMELY "people-oriented" and have a great need for human companionship. Those who receive insufficient attention may resort to "bad" behavior in an attempt to gain it.
~Boxers are typically gentle and friendly; they are a very affectionate breed that require constant interaction and will follow you around all day if permitted. Boxers need to be with their family, love children and thrive on this connection.
~Boxers require minimal grooming. The occasional bath, toenail trims, some soft brushing and a little brushing of the teeth will make your pup good to go! Please note, they do shed, although not excessively, and are NOT hypoallergenic.
~The Boxer is a natural protector of his or her home, but should NOT be purchased for the sole purpose of doing so. All dogs require intensive training in order to perform properly as protection animals. Only those with sound temperaments are suitable.
~A boxer's coat is smooth to the touch and can come in a few colours/patterning. Please don't be fooled by any breeder stating a colour is "rare", or a "black" boxer. There is no such thing as a "black" boxer. There should always be a underlying fawn/golden tone to the (sealed) brindle coat to appear. It all has to do with the parent dogs and genetics. White & sealed brindle boxers are every bit of a boxer as a fawn or standard brindle. It is estimated that 25% of Boxers are born white. When two flashy parents are bred together, white puppies are always possible. See the "genetics" section further down for more information.
​
​
Health Concerns:
Boxers are at a higher risk for ARVC (arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy), and can be more susceptible to DM (degenerative myelopathy) than other breeds. ARVC affects the heart, while DM affects the nerves. DM will eventually cause the dog to lose the ability to walk. We test our parents for ARVC, DM, OFA Cert. Hip Dysplasia, OFA Elbows, Thyroid and general organ and bone health. Our boxers routinely visit the veterinarian, and we keep puppy parents informed on their puppy's parent's health. In addition, we expect the new parents of our puppies to keep us informed about any changes in their puppy's health which helps us better our breeding program for the future. See the "genetics" section below for more information.
​
​
​
Genetics:​​
Coat Colour- The boxer coat comes in 3 colours: Fawn, Brindle, and White. Genetically, all boxers are either fawn or brindle, with the coat appearing white when a puppy gets 2 flashy genes from their parents. Brindle is the look of dark stripes appearing over the top of a fawn coat. Flash, or checked, is when a boxer has white markings on their face, and/or rolling up from the chest to around the neck (see Maverick, Penny, Morgan and Captain on our "Sires & Dams" page). Therefore, in flashy x flashy litters, there is a 25% chance of each boxer puppy being born white. If a white boxer is bred to a flashy boxer, this would increase to 50%. Similarly, a puppy will be born fawn when it inherits 2 fawn genes from its parents. Every fawn boxer can only pass on fawn genes (it is a recessive gene). Therefore every fawn x fawn breeding will result in 100% of puppies being fawn. The brindle gene, however, is dominant. Therefore, inheriting one copy of the brindle gene will result in a puppy being brindle. If the puppy also has a fawn gene, it could produce both fawn and brindle puppies if bred (for example, Morgan and Penny). If one parent has 2 brindle genes, they are called "brindle locked", and all of their puppies will be brindle, regardless of the dog they are bred with. We do not have any brindle locked parents at this time. A boxer may appear black if they inherited the sealed brindle gene. Boxers will never be gray or have long fur. If you see this, it is not a purebred boxer.​
​
DM- Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) (a progressive disease of the spinal cord in older dogs) in the boxer has been researched well and its inheritance is clear. A boxer can only develop DM when they carry 2 copies of the mutated gene (one from each parent). Having 1 or 0 copies of the mutated gene means a puppy will not develop DM. Thus, if one parent is clear (does not carry the mutated gene-ex Maverick), NONE of their puppies will develop DM. If a boxer does have 2 copies of the mutated gene, there is around a 70% chance that they will develop DM late in life (age 7-9 years). We test all of our parents for DM and only breed clear (0 copies) or carriers (1 copy). This is the suggested breeding method by many boxer enthusiasts.
​
ARVC- Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) has been extensively researched in the boxer, but its exact reasons for development are not fully understood. What researchers do know, is that there are 2 genes that definitely contribute to the likelihood of developing this disease. We test for these in all of boxers. Unlike DM, ARVC is not as clear cut. If a puppy has 2 copies of the mutated ARVC genes, there is a high likelihood they will develop ARVC (around the age of 4). If they have only 1 copy, there is still a chance, but it is lower. If they have 0 copies of the mutated gene, there is a very low chance they will develop ARVC, but it has occurred in some instances, which is why research is still ongoing. Like DM, we would not breed any parents that carry 2 copies of the mutated gene, we only breed clear (0 copies) or carriers (1 copy). This is the suggested breeding method by many boxer enthusiasts.
​
Inbreeding- We have a 0% inbreeding rate. All CKC, AKC and UKC registered puppies have a traceable pedigree, by which you can request to see your puppy's lineage. The CKC offers a 4 generation pedigree (some breeders advertise this as "5 generation", including your own puppy as a generation). Inbreeding can produce beautiful dogs, but they are often unhealthy. Research shows that huge health defects occur when inbreeding levels are above 12.5%. The Canadian Kennel Club suggests staying under 5%. Looking at the pedigrees under our "Sires and Dams" page, you will see that there are no repeated names in the pedigrees of Maverick and Penny. This means that there was no breeding of any relatives including siblings, cousins, parents, grandparents, or great grandparents, and that Penny and Maverick themselves are not related to each other (Morgan and Captain's litters are also 0% inbred, but not shown as they are now retired).
​
Please do more of your own research if you are new to the boxer breed or feel free to ask us.
