Smooth-coated, medium-sized dogs, boxers are fun-loving and affectionate. The breed was developed in Germany during the late 19th century for hunting large game, and later gained a reputation as a guard dog. Muscular and sturdy, boxers are a popular breed in the U.S., consistently ranking in the top 20. Their life expectancy is 10-12 years. However, a few boxers have defied the odds, living beyond their average lifespan. Continue reading to discover more about boxers and meet some of the oldest on record.
Boxer Size
Male boxers are slightly larger than female boxers.
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The boxer has a medium, muscular build. Male boxers typically stand 23-25 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 65-80 pounds. Females are slightly smaller, ranging from 21.5 to 23.5 inches tall and weighing 50 to 65 pounds. The boxer’s coat is short and smooth, with either fawn or brindle coloring (brown and tan streaks) and white.
The Oldest Boxer Ever
Regular care and proper dental hygiene may add years to a boxer’s life.
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The oldest boxer ever was a male named Maccabee, who lived to be 16 years, 9 months old. Maccabee was born on October 28, 1999, and died on July 28, 2016. He was owned by Jessica Kolis and lived in Northern California.
Maccabee was healthy for the first 8-10 years of his life, then began developing health issues. He eventually lost much of his hearing and became blind before passing away at nearly 17 years old.
Jessica, Maccabee’s owner, believes the reason her boxer lived so long was that he got regular checkups and dental treatments. Boxers are prone to dental issues, so Maccabee was fortunate that his owner made dental care a priority.
Another key to Maccabee’s longevity was that he received plenty of physical activity and mental stimulation. Boxers are active dogs that typically need around 90 minutes of exercise a day, though some may benefit from up to 2 hours depending on their age and health
White boxers are prone to more health issues than boxers of other colors.
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Honorable Mention: Other Old Boxers
The second-oldest boxer was a male named Brewski, who lived for 16 years, 5 months, and 28 days. Brewski was born on February 7, 2001, and died on August 5, 2017. He was owned by Linda Klosterman and lived in Vancouver, Washington.
In his senior years, Brewski developed arthritis in his lower back. Daily exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent boxers from developing arthritis, unless it is caused by an injury.
The third-oldest boxer was a female named CeCe, who lived for 16 years, 4 months, and 22 days. CeCe was born on December 1, 2000, and died on April 23, 2017. She was owned by Sophy Korm in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
In her later years, CeCe developed arthritis and cataracts. In addition to cataracts, boxers can develop other eye problems affecting the cornea and retina. Therefore, it’s essential to have a boxer’s eyes checked regularly by a veterinarian to catch minor eye issues before they progress to blindness.
