FEDERATION CYNOLOGIQUE INTERNATIONALE
F.C.I. - Standard No 144 / 14. 04. 93 / GB

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY
The small, so called, Brabant "Bullenbeisser" is regarded as the immediate ancestor of the Boxer. In the past, the breeding of the "Bullenbeisser" was mostly in the hands of huntsmen, whom he served when out shooting. His task was to seize the gameput up by chasing hounds and hold it firmly until the huntsmen arrived and put an end to the prey. For this job, the dog had to have as broad a mouth as possible with wide bite, in order to grip firmly and hold on tightly. Any dog which had thesecharacteristics was best suited for this job and was therefore used for breeding. Previously, only the ability to work and its use were considered. Thus selective breeding was carried out which produced a dog with wide muzzle and turned up nose.

GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Boxer is a medium sized, smooth coated, sturdy dog of compact, square build and strong bone. His muscles are lean, strongly developed and moulded in appearance. His movement is lively, full of strength and nobility. The Boxer must appear neitherclumsy or heavy, nor lacking in substance or weedy.

IMPORTANT MEASUREMENTS (PROPORTIONS)
a) Length of body : height at withers; the build is square in outline, i.e. the horizontal line of the back and the two vertical lines to the ground, one starting from the point of shoulder and the other from the point of the buttock, form a square.
b) Depth of brisket : height at withers : the chest reaches down to the elbows. The depth of chest is equal to half the height at withers.
c) Length of bridge of nose : length of head : the length of the nasal bridge in relation to the skull should be 1:2 (measured from the tip of the nose to the inner corner of the eye, or, respectively, the inner corner of the eye to the occiput).

BEHAVIOUR/TEMPERAMENT
The Boxer should be free of nervousness, self assured, calm and balanced. Temperament is of utmost importance and requires most careful attention. Devotion and loyalty towards his master and his whole own people, his watchfulness and fearless couragein defence have long been famous. He is harmless with his family but suspicious towards 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 keennessand sense of smell. Undemanding and clean, he is just as agreeable and valuable in the family circle as he is as a guard, companion or 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. The muzzle should be as broad and powerful as possible. The beauty of the head depends on the balance between the muzzle askull. From whichever angle the head is viewed, 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 lean, not showing any wrinkle. However wrinkles appear naturally onthe cranial region when the ears are pricked or, when ears have not been cropped, in heightened alertness. Creases are always indicated running from the root of the muzzle downwards on both sides. The dark mask is confined to the muzzle and must be in distinctcontrast to the colour of the head so that the face does not appear grim.

CRANIAL REGION
The skull should be as slender and angular as possible. Slightly arched, neither rotund and short, nor flat. Not too broad and with the back skull not too pronounced. The frontal furrow only lightly defined, must not be too deep, specially between the eyes.

STOP
The forehead forms a distinct stop with the topline of the muzzle. The nasal bridge must be never forced back into the forehead "Bulldog" fashion, neither should it be downfaced.

FACIAL REGION:

NOSE
The nose is broad, black, very slightly turned up, with wide nostrils. The tip of the nose is set slightly higher than it's root.

MUZZLE
The muzzle is powerfully developed in three dimensional volume, neither pointed, narrow, short or shallow. It's appearance is influenced by :
* the shape of the jaws;
* the position of the canines;
* and the condition of the lips;
the canines must be of good length and set as far apart from each other as possible so that the front surface of the muzzle is broad, almost square, forming an obtuse angle with the topline of the muzzle. In front, the edge of the upper lip rests on thelower lip. The part of the lower jaw curved slightly upwards, together with the lower lip, is called the chin. This may not extend markedly beyond the upper lip or, even less, disappear under it, but it must be well defined both from the front and side.and incisors of the lower jaw must not be visible when the mouth is closed, nor must the Boxer show his tongue when the mouth is closed. The naso-labial raphe (line) is easily visible.

LIPS
The flews complete the shape of the muzzle. The upper lips are thick and padded and fill the space formed by the longer underjaw. They are supported by the lower canines.

TEETH
The lower jaw extends beyond the upper and is lightly curved upwards. The Boxer is undershot. The upper is broad where it is attached to the skull, tapering only slightly to the front. The teeth are strong and healthy. The incisors are as even aspossible and in a straight line. The canines wide apart and of good size.

CHEEKS
The cheeks are developed in proportion to the strong jaws without markedly protruding. They merge in a gentle curve to the muzzle.

EYES
The dark eyes are neither too small, nor are they protruding or deep set. Their expression conveys energy and intelligence and must not be threatening or hard. The eye-rims must be dark.

EARS
Set on high. Cropped to a point, of moderate length and carried erect. Not too wide at set-on. Uncropped ears are of suitable size, smaller rather than large, thin in texture. Set wide apart, at the highest points of the sides of the skull. Lying closein repose, falling forward with a definite crease when alert.

NECK
The top line runs in an elegant arch from the clearly marked nape to the withers. It should be of ample length, round, strong, muscular and clean cut.

BODY
Square. The body rests on sturdy, straight legs.

WITHERS
Should be marked.

BACK
The back and the loin should be short, firm, straight, broad and well muscled.

RUMP
Slightly inclined, broad, flatly arched. The pelvis should be long and wide, specially in bitches.

CHEST
Deep, reaching to elbows. The depth of chest is equal to half the height at the withers. Well developed forechest. Ribs well sprung but not barrel-shaped, extending well to the rear.

LOWER LINE
Runs in an elegant curve to the rear. Short firm flanks, slightly tucked up.

TAIL
The set-on is high rather than low, docked short and carried upward. 
(Editors note: Docking is not allowed in some countries in Europe.  The tail must be left natural)

FOREQUARTERS
The forelegs must be straight, parallel to each other when seen from the front and have strong bone.

SHOULDERS
Long and sloping, well attached to the body. Not excessively muscled.

UPPER ARM
Long and forming a right angle with the shoulders.

ELBOWS
Neither pressed too closely nor standing off too far from the chest wall.

FOREARM
Vertical, long, with lean muscles.

PASTERN JOINTS
Strong, clearly defined, but not knuckling over.

PASTERNS
Short, almost vertical to the ground.

FOREFEET
Small, round, tight with thick cushioned and hard pads.

HINDQUARTERS
Very muscular. The muscles very hard with a moulded, plastic appearance. When seen from behind, the hind legs should be straight.

UPPER THIGH
Long and broad. Angle of pelvic girdle with upper thigh and stifle as little obtuse as possible.

STIFLE
When standing naturally, this should reach so far forward that it forms a vertical line from the hip bone to the ground.

LOWER THIGH
Very muscular.

HOCK
Strong, well defined, the apex not turned up. The angle is approximately 140 degrees.

REAR PASTERNS
Short, with slight incline of 95-100 degrees to the ground.

HIND FEET
Slightly longer than the front feet. Tight with thick cushioned and hard pads.

GAIT/MOVEMENT
Lively, full of strength and nobility.

SKIN
Tight, elastic, without wrinkle.

COAT:

HAIR
Short, hard, glossy and close fitting.

COLOUR
Fawn or brindle. Fawn colour occurs in varying shades, from pale fawn to dark deer-red, but the most beautiful is in between (red/fawn). Black mask. The brindle variety in the above mentioned shades of fawn has dark or black stripes running in the dirof the ribs. The basic colour and the stripes must clearly contrast. White markings need not be completely rejected, they can be quite appealing.

HEIGHT
Measured from withers past the elbow to the ground;
Dogs : 57-63 cm
Bitches : 53-59cm

WEIGHT
Dogs : over 30 kg (at circa 60 cm height at withers)
Bitches : Approximately 25 kg (at circa 56 cm at withers)

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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 it's degree.

BEHAVIOR/TEMPERAMENT
Aggressiveness, viciousness, cunning, unreliability, lack of temperament, cowardice.

HEAD
Lack of nobility and expression. Grim face, Pinscher or Bulldog type head. Slavering, showing teeth or tongue. Muzzle too pointed or light. Sloping bridge of nose. Leather nose (glossy without grain texture), weather nose (temporary loss of pigmentation due toclimactic factors), pale nose leather. So called "hawk eye", third eyelid (nictitating membrane) lacking pigment. Badly cropped ears. In uncropped ears, flying, half erect or erect ears, rose ears. Wry mouth, slanting row of teeth, faulty position of teeth,undeveloped teeth. Unserviceable bite following illness.

NECK
Short, thick, dewlap.

BODY
Too wide or too low in front. Sway or roach back, back too thin. Long, narrow or abruptly sunk-in or weakly coupled loins. Arched lumbar region. Croup falling away, narrow pelvis, sagging abdomen, hollow flanks. Low set tail.

FOREQUARTERS
"Chippendale Front", loose shoulders, loose elbows, weak pasterns, hare foot, flat, splayed feet.

HINDQUARTERS
Weak muscles. Too much or too little angulation in hindquarters. Bow legs, cow-hocks, narrow close hocks. Dewclaws. Hare feet, flat, splayed feet.

GAIT/MOVEMENT
Waddling, not covering sufficient ground, pacing, stilted movement.

COLOUR
Mask reaching beyond muzzle. Brindle stripes too close together or only single stripes recognisable. Dirty basic colour. Colours intermingling. Unattractive white markings such as, the whole or one side of the head, white. Other colours or dogs whoseis exceeded by more than one third white.

N.B.
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.