What is the difference between American and European Boxers?
In searching for a Boxer, I’ve seen so many different “types” of Boxers advertised and being bred. I’ve seen American Boxers, Canadian Boxers, UK Boxers, European Boxers, and even Australian Boxers. However being based in the United States, I most commonly see “American Boxers” and “European Boxers” listed. But what does that mean?
After seeing so many European Boxers or “Euro Boxers” advertised and being shown off, I had to find out what all the hype was about. I’ve read so much about the difference in temperament, shape, size, ability, and health when comparing American and European Boxers. It seems that a lot of people jump through hoops to get their hands on a “Euro Boxer”, and there’s certainly no shortage of breeders bragging about their European lines.
So after a LOT of reading, I finally figured out the big secret. The lightbulb went off and it finally clicked for me; All this hype around the European Boxers is because they are…(drumroll)…the same! The same? What? That’s right!
They are the same!
(At least, they’re the same on paper). European Boxers and American Boxers are all Boxers. That’s just it— They are the same breed. Do they have their different nuances? Sure. But you can find the same striking differences in two American Boxers. Or European Boxers. Or Canadian, UK, Australian, red, green, blue, rainbow Boxers. At the end of the day, the description of “American” or “European” really just denotes where the dog or the bloodlines are from. It doesn’t change the fact that you have a Boxer. And this also doesn’t make an ounce of difference as far as then kennel clubs are concerned.
The AKC, UKC, CKC, and KC all have one Boxer breed…and that’s simply the Boxer. When registering your dog or a litter, you don’t get the option to choose “European Boxer” or “American Boxer”. Different kennel clubs and different areas of the world may have variations of ideal breed standards or what constitutes the “perfect Boxer”. But all the hoopla around European Boxers is vastly overrated in my opinion.
This is not to say that you won’t find general variations in different lineages. A lot of breeders of true European lines produce heavier, stockier dogs with a shorter muzzle and a more squarely defined jaw. A lot of American lines produce pups with longer muzzles and tend to be more sleek and slender in build. Often, specific lines are better for conformation and working based on generations of ancestors with proven track records. However, most variations boil down to your aesthetic and your personal preference.
Are European Boxers healthier?
There’s a lot of information out there about this. From what I can deduce, there is no real evidence that there’s a difference in health between European and American lines. In my opinion, elevated occurrences of health problems and instances of breed-specific conditions (Degenerative Myelopathy, ARVC, Hemophilia, etc.) seem to be the product of poor breeding. This doesn’t have anything to do with them being bred in America or that they have American lines instead of European. This is the direct result of people breeding dogs that don’t do research, don’t health test their dogs, and breed solely for profit rather than the betterment of the breed.
A word of caution when shopping for “Euro Boxers”:
First off: There’s nothing wrong with the type of Boxer you choose to get. Everyone has their own preferences and opinions, and you should get what you want. You don’t have to justify why you want what you want, and I 100% support the breeding of European Boxers, American Boxers, and all the lines in between.
But please, be careful and do your research!
I have seen countless “breeders” that mislead customers by charging astronomical amounts for “Euro Boxers” solely based on some amount of European descent. What’s worse is that because these European Boxers have become so popular, more and more people are irresponsibly breeding and churning out as many pups as they can. I’ve read so many horror stories of scams, unhealthy dogs, disgusting living conditions, etc. in the Boxer community linked to these “breeding programs”.
Here are a few red flags:
- Breeders advertising what percentage of “Euro” the litter is (This litter is 86.5% Euro!)
- Dogs and litters that are NOT registered with the AKC, CKC (Canadian Kennel Club, not Continental), and/or UKC
- Parents that haven’t been tested for things like DM, ARVC, Hip Dysplasia or had cardiac and thyroid evaluations
- Breeders with dozens of breeding dogs in their program
- People that have multiple breeds in their breeding program
- Parents listed as “imports” (This is Buddy our Serbian import! Here’s Lola our Russian import!)
- Puppies that don’t come with registration papers (or haven’t had registration already submitted by the breeder)
In the end, get the dog you want. If something sounds too good to be true, it is. And don’t get me wrong…I adore the European Boxer look! I think some of the most beautiful Boxers are from European lines. Just don’t be fooled by some people advertising “Euro Boxers” because you think you’re getting a better dog. They are all Boxers, and they’re all beautiful. If you opt for a European Boxer, make sure it’s from a reputable source and not someone taking advantage of you!