Long-Haired Boxers’ Essence: Personality and Grooming Insights

Boxers have an unwavering loyalty in playful nature that makes them treasured family companions. Although you don’t find the long-haired Boxers variant often, it is still present because of a genetic component responsible for it. 

With the distinctive appeal on one side, the potential owners should also be aware of some special necessities that arise because of possessing long hair. 

You obviously cannot rely on trial and error with this breed. So here is all the information you need as I help you explore the origin, genetics, personality, and how to care for them. In turn, these will help you make the right decision to own one. 

Let’s begin!

What Is the Standard for a Boxer?

Boxer as a pure breed is a medium-sized elegant dog with a height of 21 and 1/2 in to 25 in at the shoulders with males typically standing taller than females.

It has a muscular build that shows a blend of power and elegance with a short gleaming coat. Every movement speaks of its power-packed energy.

The dog’s head seems chiseled in perfection and its proportion to the body seems well thought out. It has a broad muscle with ever-alert dark eyes that are not devoid of emotions. Their ears, high set and tapered at the end rest flat naturally, showing their alertness from afar. 

Speaking of the top line, it slopes gracefully towards the chest and ends at the arched ribs. Both the front and hind legs are strong enough to show their inherent strength, although their feet are compact.

When it comes to their coats, the shades of fawn or brindle occasionally marked by a bit of white fur to some extent are accepted as the standard.

Beyond physique, a Boxer’s soul is revealed through its temperament, which is playful with fellow dogs, patient with children, but cautious with strangers. If I were to conclude their personality in one sentence it would be “a blend of courage without aggression.” 

Any deviation from the standard outlined by the American Kennel Club is not accepted. Therefore, I can comfortably say that the long-haired versions are not considered a part of the standard or acceptable breed characteristics of Boxers. 

Are There Long-Haired Boxers?

As you might have guessed by now, there are long-haired Boxers. While the standard boxer breed typically has a short smooth coat, a genetic variation results in long-haired versions that are often called “coated” Boxers.

The long coat materializes because of the expression of a recessive gene. In practice, for such a gene to be expressed, both parents must carry it and give it to their offspring.

The reason why you don’t see a lot of members of this variation is that the chances for such an expression are quite low. Also, since the long-haired version is not considered by most kennel clubs as fitting the breed standard, they are mostly absent from traditional dog shows.

At the same time, these boxers in every other sense make as wonderful pets as the short-haired version. The long coat they possess could be straight or slightly wavy, but it’s not as long as that of a Collie or, let’s say, a Maltese.

What 2 Breeds Make A Long-Haired Boxer?

The long-haired boxer is not a typical cross between two different breeds. Instead, it comes from the expression of a recessive gene within the boxer breed as both parents transfer it to produce a long-haired offspring.

This very gene is also responsible for creating longer codes in other breeds and it’s called the fibroblast growth factor 5 or F5F5 gene.

Here, it’s important to realize that a genuine long-haired boxer will only come from purebred boxer parents carrying the recessive gene. You may see some dogs resembling a boxer that have long hair or fur and that might have come from different breed combinations.

Related: Long Haired Pug

What Is The Role Of Genetics In Making A Long-Haired Boxer? A New Research 

Genetics plays a vital role in determining the cold land of a dog, specifically through genes like FGF5 and RSPO2. Recent research published in the Science journal highlights a strong connection between these genes and the length of a coat’s dog.

However, it’s vital to understand that there’s a limit to drawing connections between genes associated with physical traits and behavioral ones. 

While the FGF5 gene is recognized for influencing coat lengths, some research suggests it might also be linked to the behavior trait that makes a dog focused in distracting situations.

This potential association stresses the need for more analysis to tell us about the genuine genetic reasons from possible constructed ones by breeders or the general masses. 

The research conclusively determines that while physical traits like coat length are determined by genes, the genetic influence on behavioral traits is more complex.

What Is The Personality Of A Long-Haired Boxer?

The personality of a long-haired boxer is more or less like its short-coated counterpart. They are alert enough to know their boundaries and also protect them.

They show controlled behavior as if they have been trained in the womb. It won’t be wrong to say that they are naturally watchful and proud, always standing tall and confident. 

Behavior with kids

During a show, they sparkle with their lively energy, and at home you will find them to be fun-loving pals with a gentle and sweet approach toward kids.

However, as it is with any breed, it’s essential to supervise your dog’s interaction with children, especially the young ones, to ensure the safety of both.

Behavior with strangers

When it comes to strangers they are always wary at first and they’re brave enough to speak their minds when danger is around. However, upon proper introduction and prior training, they quickly become anyone’s friends. 

Behavior with other dogs

When it comes to their behavior with other dogs, they can get along just fine if they’ve been properly socialized from a young age.

However, they can be a bit dominant even so. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to introduce them slowly and under control conditions to unfamiliar dogs.

Just like the short-haired boxers, the long hair versions are also super loyal and easy to train. When you see their behavior show shyness or a lack of interest in an activity, then it’s not their usual self.

This is just a primary introduction to how this mixed or non-standard boxer breed will behave when you train it in a better way for obedience and invest your time and energy in early socialization. 

Just as the research I quoted above says, there is a very weak connection between genes and a dog’s behavior. That means determining a dog’s behavior based on its breed is a poor calculation. The behavior of any canine largely depends on the environment and training also.

Therefore, it goes without saying that your long-haired boxer will definitely need proper obedience training. Otherwise, they are capable of aggression or any wayward behavior.

How To Care For A Long-Haired Boxer?

Caring for long-haired boxers requires attention to their unique needs, particularly their coat, as well as understanding and training their behaviors.

Exercise needs

Just like their short-haired counterparts, these boxers are highly active and energetic dogs that require regular exercise to stay sane. Not receiving it sends them into a frenzy that could potentially destroy the furniture around your house or cause mayhem that disturbs your peace.

Daily walks, playtime, and even agility or obedience training will suffice in helping the dog release their energies.

Do keep in mind that a good mix of physical exercise and mental stimulation is the way to train the dog and keep them engaged. Just as with any breed, these can also slip into boredom and depression when they sense that you’re ignoring them.

You may also be interested in reading about long haired Pitbull.

Grooming needs

The longer coat of these dogs means that they will require frequent grooming depending on their activity level and the environment they choose for them. Brush their coat at least twice a week to prevent any potential tangles or matting.

Besides taking care of their luscious fur, also regularly check their ears for dirt or any sign of infection and clean them properly as necessary.

Coming to bathing, once a month’s frequency should be enough, but don’t shy away from bathing your dog if it gets particularly dirty. Always use a dog-friendly shampoo that does not cause skin dryness by removing skin-friendly oil or sebum unnecessarily. 

With that, ensure that you trim their nails as required and also focus on brushing their teeth at least once a day or even twice if your pet is not fussy. You can easily check if the teeth need cleaning.

As for the nails, it’s always time to trim them when they start clicking against hard surfaces.

Trainability

Boxers, regardless of their coat length, are known for high intelligence and eagerness to please their owners. This makes them relatively easy to train. However, consistency is key with them because they soon forget their ways and start acting on their whims.

You should make use of positive reinforcement techniques such as treats, praises, and play to produce the best of them. Even before that, early socialization and joining puppy training classes can also be beneficial in ensuring that they grow into well-rounded adults.

With all their playful nature, loyalty, and adherence to strict rules until the next training session, they can also be sometimes a bit stubborn. That’s one of the other reasons to be patient and keep on repeating their training sessions until you get the best results.

Their playful nature also calls for a unique approach to the training sessions. As you will see, doing sessions that you make feel like a game can be an effective approach. You should keep the activities varied because boxers are quick learners and can become bored with repetitive tasks. 

The trainability of a long-haired Boxer is driven by their intelligence and drive to learn something. This not only makes them excellent companions but also potential candidates for agility courses and even service tasks.

Health Condition

These dogs are also prone to some health conditions such as hip dysplasia, heart issues, and certain genetic conditions.

To keep them safe from any prospective illness, regular veterinary checkups, a balanced diet, and keeping an eye out for any abnormal behavior or signs of illness can help.

Even before these, make sure that you adopt the dog from a breeder who practices ethical breeding where testing to see that the parents do not carry any genetic disease is valued. 

Besides these issues, the longer coat might make them more susceptible to skin issues or parasites like ticks, so regular checks and preventive measures will keep their skin free of these problems.

Do Long-Haired Boxers Lose Their Hair?

Yes, just like any other dog with a longer coat, a long-haired boxer will shed. However, the shedding might not be as pronounced as some heavy shedding breeds, but they will lose hair regularly. T

o keep a check on it, regular grooming and brushing will help you manage the shedding and keep your dog’s coat lush. It’s also important to know that shedding can be influenced by factors such as seasons, health status, diet, and overall care.

Make sure that you keep these factors optimal with proper vet checkups and your dog will have a healthy coat. 

Do Long-Haired Boxers Need To Shave?

Shaving a dog with long fur disrupts the natural insulation properties of its coat and exposes the skin to potential irritants with an elevated risk of sunburn. This is also true for a long-haired boxer.

Obviously, there are some specific instances such as certain medical conditions or extreme matting when shaving becomes necessary. Even so, you should never do it without any prior knowledge about the harm of shaving the dog in the wrong way. It’s essential to consult with a professional groomer or veterinarian to determine an optimal approach.

I said before, regular grooming and brushing will surely suffice to keep your dog’s coat manageable and free of tangles. You may use a slicker brush or specialized ones for long fur. There are also vacuums available with a brush at the end that first removes the lose hair and then vacuums it. 

Also Read: Long Haired Akitas

Is A Long-Haired Boxer for You?

Adopting the boxer with long fur requires responsible commitment on your part because, unlike the short-haired version, this one has some special needs because of the long coat. 

In terms of personality, these Boxers mirror their short-coat counterparts in loyalty, playfulness, and eagerness to please their owners. At the same time, their intelligence makes them a little harder to train because you have to keep on innovating your methods to keep the dogs engaged.  

Once done, you will have a companion that is gentle around kids, good with dogs, and admits strangers in their territories. Without proper training, the dog will show stubbornness that may become troublesome, especially around other dogs vying for dominance. 

In terms of care, these dogs may be prone to additional illnesses related to the skin because of their long fur. However, proper care and grooming routines will mitigate them.

Pros

• Intelligent
• Learns faster
• Loyal companion
• Has guarding instincts
• Highly trainable
• Social dogs

Cons

• High grooming needs
• High shedding
• Vocal
• Not an AKC standard