FCI-Standard N°144 / 08. 02. 2006 / GB BOXER (Deutscher
Boxer)
TRANSLATION : Mrs C. Seidler, revised by Mrs Sporre-Willes
and R. Triquet.
ORIGIN : Germany.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 13.03.2001.
UTILIZATION : Companion, Guard and Working Dog.
CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer-
Molossoid breeds- Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs and other
breeds. Section 2.1 Molossoid breeds, mastiff type. With
working trial.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : The small, so called Brabant
Bullenbeisser is regarded as the immediate ancestor of the
Boxer. In the past, the breeding of these Bullenbeissers
was in the hands of the huntsmen, whom they assisted during
the chase. Their task was to seize the game put up by chasing
hounds and hold it firmly until the huntsman arrived and
put an end to the prey. For this job the dog had to have
as wide jaws as possible with broadly spaced teeth, in order
to bite firmly and hold on tightly. A Bullenbeisser which
had these characteristics was best suited to this job and
was used for breeding. Previously only the ability to work
and utilization were considered. Selective breeding was carried
out which produced a dog with a wide muzzle and an upturned
nose.
GENERAL APPEARANCE : The Boxer is a medium sized, smooth
coated, sturdy dog of compact square build and strong bone.
His muscles are taut, strongly developed and moulded in appearance.
His movement is lively, powerful with noble bearing. The
Boxer must be neither cumbersome or heavy, nor light or lacking
in body substance.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS : a) Length of body / Height at withers
: Square build, which means that the horizontal line of the
back is perpendicular to the vertical line passing through
the point of shoulder and to the other vertical line passing
through the point of buttock, thus defining a square outline.
b) Depth of brisket / Height at withers : The chest reaches
to the elbows. Depth of chest is half the height at withers.
c) Length of nose bridge / Length of head : Length of nose
bridge in relation to skull should be 1 : 2 (measured from
tip of nose to inner corner of eye or, respectively, inner
corner of eye to occiput).
BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : The Boxer should be fearless self-confident,
calm and equable. Temperament is of the utmost importance
and requires careful attention. Devotion and loyalty towards
his master and his entire household, his watchfulness and
self-assured courage as a defender are famous. He is harmless
with his family but distrustful of strangers. Happy and friendly
in play, yet fearless in a serious situation. Easy to train
on account of his willingness to obey, his pluck and courage,
natural keenness and scent capability. Undemanding and clean,
he is just as agreeable and appreciated in the family circle
as he is as a guard, companion and working dog. His character
is trustworthy, with no guile or cunning, even in old age.
HEAD : This gives the Boxer his characteristic look. Must
be in good proportion to the body and appear neither too
light nor too heavy. Muzzle should be as broad and powerful
as possible. The harmony of the head depends on the balance
between muzzle and skull. From whichever direction the head
is viewed, from front above or sideways, the muzzle must
always be in the right proportion to the skull i.e. it must
never appear too small. It should be clean, not showing any
wrinkle. However natural folds are formed in the cranial
region when alerted. From root of nose, folds are always
indicated running in a downward direction on both sides.
The dark mask is confined to the muzzle and must be in sharp
contrast to the colour of the head so that the face does
not appear sombre.
CRANIAL REGION : Skull : The cranial region should be as
lean and angular as possible. It is slightly arched, neither
round and short nor flat; neither should it be too broad.
Occiput not too pronounced. Furrow in forehead only slightly
marked, must not be too deep, especially between the eyes.
Stop : The forehead forms a distinct stop towards bridge
of nose. Bridge of nose must not be forced back into the
forehead as in the Bulldog, nor should it be downfaced.
FACIAL REGION : Nose : Nose is broad and black and only
slightly turned up with wide nostrils. Tip of nose is placed
slightly higher than root of nose. Muzzle : The muzzle is
powerfully developed in three dimensional volume, neither
pointed or narrow, nor short or shallow. Its appearance is
influenced by : a) Shape of jaw. b) Position of canine teeth.
c) Shape of lips. The canines must be placed as far apart
as possible and must be of good length, making the front
of the muzzle broad, almost square and forming a blunt angle
with bridge of nose. In front, the edge of the upper lip
rests on the edge of the lower lip. The part of the lower
jaw with lower lip curved upwards, called the chin, must
not markedly protrude over upper lip, seen from front. Nor
should it be hidden by the lip but should be well defined
from front and side. The canines and incisors of the lower
jaw must not be visible when mouth is closed, neither should
the tongue show. Median groove in the upper lip (philtrum)
is clearly visible. Lips : The lips complete the shape of
the muzzle. The upper lip is thick and padded and fills the
space formed by the undershot lower jaw; it is supported
by the lower canines. Jaws/Teeth : The lower jaw exceeds
the upper jaw and is slightly curved upwards. The Boxer is
undershot. The upper jaw is broad where it joins the cranial
region, tapering only slightly towards the front. The teeth
are strong and healthy. The incisors are as even as possible,
set in a straight line. Canines wide apart and of good size.
Cheeks : Cheeks are developed in proportion with the strong
jaws without markedly bulging. They merge with the muzzle
in a slight curve. Eyes : The dark eyes are neither too small
nor protruding or deep set. Their expression conveys energy
and intelligence and must not be threatening or piercing.
Eye rims must be dark. Ears : The natural ears are of appropriate
size. They are set on wide apart on highest part of skull.
In repose they lie close to the cheeks and turn forward with
a definite crease especially when the dog is alert.
NECK : Topline runs in an elegant arch from the clearly
marked nape to the withers. It should be of ample length,
round, strong and muscular.
BODY : Square body resting on sturdy straight legs. Withers
: Should be marked. Back : Including loin should be short,
firm, straight, broad and muscular. Croup : Slightly sloping,
broad and only slightly arched. Pelvis should be long and
broad, especially in bitches. Chest : Deep, reaching to elbows.
Depth of chest is half the height at withers. Well formed
forechest. Ribs well sprung but not barrel-shaped, extending
well to the rear. Underline : Running towards rear in elegant
line. Short taut flanks slightly tucked up. TAIL : Set on
high rather than low. Tail is left natural.
LIMBS FOREQUARTERS : Front legs seen from front must stand
parallel and have strong bone. Shoulders : Long and sloping,
connected firmly to body. Should not be too loaded. Upper
arm : Long, making a right angle to shoulder blade. Elbows
: Neither too close to side of chest nor turned out. Forearm
: Vertical, long, clean muscles. Carpus (wrist) : Strong,
well defined, but not exaggerated. Metacarpus (Pastern) :
Short, almost perpendicular to ground. Front feet : Small,
round, tight, well cushioned and hard pads.
HINDQUARTERS : Very muscular, the muscles brick hard and
visible under the skin. Hindlegs : Seen from rear straight.
Thigh : Long and broad. Angles of hip and knee are open but
as little as possible. Knee (Stifle) : When dog is standing,
should reach so far forward that it would touch a vertical
line from point of hip to ground. Lower thigh : Very muscular.
Hock : Strong and well defined but not exaggerated. Angle
approximately 140 degrees. Metatarsus (Rear Pastern) : Short
with slight inclination, 95-100 degrees to the ground. Hind
feet : Slightly longer than front feet, tight; well cushioned
and hard pads.
GAIT / MOVEMENT : Lively, full of strength and nobility.
SKY : Dry, elastic without any wrinkles.
COAT HAIR : Short, hard, glossy and close fitting.
COLOUR : Fawn or brindle : Fawn comes in various shades
from light fawn to dark deer red but the most attractive
shades are in the middle range (red fawn). Black mask. The
brindle variety : fawn background of varying shades has dark
or black stripes running parallel to ribs. Stripes must contrast
distinctly to ground colour. White markings should not be
discarded. They can be quite pleasant.
SIZE AND WEIGHT : Height at the withers : Dogs : 57-63 cm.
Females : 53-59 cm. Weight : Dogs : over 30 kg when height
at withers is ca 60 cm. Bitches : about 25 kg when height
at withers is ca 56 cm.
FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should
be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the
fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to
its degree. · Behaviour / Temperament : Aggressive,
vicious, cunning, untrustworthy, lack of spirit, overly shy. · Head
: Lack of nobility and typical expression, sombre face, Pinscher
or Bulldog type head. Dribbling, showing of teeth or tongue.
Muzzle too pointed or slight. Bridge of nose falling away.
Leather or weather nose, pale nose leather. So called, "hawk
eye", lack of pigment in haw. In uncropped ears : Flapping,
half erect or erect ears, rose ears. Wry jaw, slanting teeth,
incorrect position of teeth, poorly developed teeth and unsound
teeth due to illness. · Neck : Short, thick and throaty. · Body
: Front too broad and low to the ground. Sagging body, roach
or sway back. Lean, long, narrow, sagging loin, loosely coupled
body. Arched loin, croup falling away. Narrow pelvis, hollow
flanks, pendulous belly. · Tail : Low set on, kink
tail. · Forehand : French front, loose shoulders,
loose elbows, weak pastern, hare foot, flat, splayed feet. · Hindquarters
: Weak muscles. Too much or too little angulation, down on
hocks, barrel hocks, cow hocks, narrow hocks, dewclaws, hare
foot, flat, splayed feet. · Movement : Waddling, insufficient
reach, pacing, stilted gait. · Colour of coat : Mask
extending beyond muzzle. Stripes (brindling) too close together
or too sparse. Sooty ground colour. Mingled colours. Unattractive
white markings such as a whole white head or white on one
side of the head. Other colours and white markings exceeding
one third of the ground colour. N.B. : Male animals should
have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into
the scrotum.