10 Things You Should Know About Brindle Boxers

(photo: boxerthechopper)

When it comes to choosing a dog, it can be overwhelming. There are so many breeds to choose from; how do you know which one is right for you and your family?

Well, if you’ve come to this article, you may have chosen a Boxer as the ideal dog for you. Boxers are a medium-sized dog that were originally bred to be guard dogs. Nowadays though, they make ideal family pets (as long as you can keep up with all that energy!).

So now you’ve decided on a Boxer, you’ll want to decide what type of Boxer you want. Generally, boxers have three main colors; white, fawn or brindle. Today, we’re going to be talking all about brindle Boxers.

1. Brindle coloring is a combination of two colors that express themselves as a pattern in the fur.

Usually one of the colors is beige or brown and the pattern can be long stripes along the back or shorter, more disturbed stripes.

Brindle Boxers are one of the most popular coloring there are, however, the colors and patterns of brindle Boxers can vary dramatically.

Other dogs that may have brindle fur include a Greyhound, American Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Mastiff, Great Dane and Dachshund to name a few.

2. Reverse Brindle Boxer

The most common or “normal” brindle type is a light colored background with darker markings. There is, however, a rarer reverse brindle coloring with a dark background and lighter markings. It is sometimes referred to as an inverted brindle boxer.

3. Sealed Brindle Boxer

Now this is the rarest coloring for a Boxer out of them all. They appear black because their black stripes are sealed shut so you can see hardly any fawn at all. Some people try to sell these Boxers as having a black coat but that is not true. It is impossible for Boxers to have a true black coat; those that appear black are actually brindle with very thick, close set black stripes.

4. Flashy Brindle Boxer

Boxers often have a white underbelly and white feet. Sometimes the markings go up the neck and onto the face too. This is known as flash. When a Boxer has a lot of flash on their coat they’re known as flashy.

5. Brindle Boxers are recognized by the AKC

Brindle Boxers and fawn Boxers are recognized by the American Kennel Club as purebred. However, white Boxers are not.The AKC determines any Boxer with more than ⅓ of their body with white markings as having white coloring and therefore disqualified by the breed standard.

(photo: 3meows2barks)

6. Brindle Boxers are not rare, they are one of the three standard coloring for the Boxer breed.

Certain types of markings and coloring are more rare than others though, like the sealed brindle.

7. Brindle Boxers are prone to certain health problems

Like all purebred dogs, there are some health conditions that Boxers are more prone to. These include:

• Heart problems
• Eye problems
• Skin problems
• Hip dysplasia; this is where their hip joint doesn’t sit quite right and it can cause arthritis later on in life
• BOAS (breathing problems for some with short faces)
• Epilepsy
• Certain cancers

Of course these are all just possibilities and this list is by no means a guarantee of what your pup will get. They’re just possible risk factors that you should consider and plan for.

To help reduce the risk of your puppy developing these conditions you should always buy from an AKC compliant breeder. They have to adhere to much higher standards than most and will undergo the necessary tests of the parent dogs to help reduce the chances of medical issues in the future.

For example; all parent dogs that are going to breed need to have x-rays to ensure their joints are healthy and are less likely to pass on genes to the pup that’ll cause hip dysplasia.

8. Brindle Boxers can cost up to $3000

On average, Boxer puppies can cost anything from around $800 all the way up to $3000 depending on the breeder and the genetics. You should always set a budget that you can realistically afford and don’t go looking at all the pups above that price range!

AKC registered breeders will usually cost more than private breeders but they come with more peace of mind about the genetics and the treatment of the parent dogs. However, that being said there are other options out there if you’re not so focused on the genetics of your Boxer and just want a happy, healthy family pup!

But this isn’t the only cost you’ll need to take into account. You’ll need supplies to get your new Boxer puppy settled into the family, enough money in the budget for food and toys and of course, some good pet insurance to cover all their medical needs. If you’re stumped at which insurance to go for there’s a more in-depth look here. Also, there are some pet insurance companies that focus on providing the best insurance for a specific breed, meaning they can cater to the likely health problems of that breed of dog.

9. How to Find a Reputable Brindle Boxer Breeder.

If you’re looking for an AKC registered puppy then you can visit the American Kennel Club Marketplace. Here you’ll find all the registered litters and breeders in the country that have taken care of their pups in the very best way possible.

Alternatively, you could look at the American Boxer Club website. They have a specific page all about breeder referrals. When you’re on the market for a purebred dog is it always best to use a reputable organization to ensure your puppy has the best start in life possible.

Finally, if you aren’t interested in only having a puppy, an amazing way to save a life is to rescue! There are even some organizations that specifically re-home Boxers!

Wherever you go looking, make sure you have a list of questions you want to ask the breeder about how the dogs have been cared for, tests they may have had etc. If you need a hand coming up with all the appropriate questions you should check out this resource.

10. Is a Brindle Boxer the Right Dog Breed For Me?

How do you know if a Boxer is the right dog breed for your lifestyle and situation? Well, there are some common characteristics that most Boxers share which can help you get an idea of what they might be like. Boxers are usually:
• Fun-loving
• Active
• Bright
• Loving and affectionate
• High-energy
• Brave

Boxers usually live for around 10-12 years. They’re usually between 60 and 70 pounds so if not trained correctly they can become quite a handful! If you work full-time or do not have a large outdoor space, a Boxer is probably not the ideal dog breed for you. They need to be stimulated physically and intellectually otherwise they’ll just become bored.

Boxers are the ideal dog breed for an active family where at least one adult is home for a large majority of the time. They would need to be walked for 1-2 hours every day. If you think you can keep up with a loving, energetic and smart puppy, a Boxer might just be the perfect breed for you!

(photo: bosstheboxer53)