The pit bull is often misunderstood as a breed.
Boxers and pit bulls are both robust, agile dog breeds that originate from Europe. Both breeds are well established in the United States having been brought to the country by immigrants or, in the case of the boxer, by returning servicemen following World War II. The two breeds share some common ancestry, but are different in appearance and reputation.
Origins
The pit bull is recognized by the American Kennel Club as the American Staffordshire Terrier and originates from the U.K. The history of the breed dates back to the early 19th century when the bulldog breed was crossed with an unidentified terrier. According to the AKC, possible sires include the black and tan, white English or fox terriers. The boxer is an older breed dating back to the 16th or 17th centuries. Its exact lineage is unclear, but the bulldog is a likely ancestor, as is the Dogue de Bordeux and some unspecified terrier breeds. The breed, in its current form, was perfected in Germany.
Description
The boxer is the larger of the two breeds and grows to 25 inches at the shoulder compared to about 19 inches for the pit bull. The pit bull has a heavier build compared to the boxer which has a more slender musculature. The boxer has a more flattened muzzle than the pit bull and more closely resembles its common bulldog ancestor. Tail docking is commonplace in boxers, often leaving them with stumps as tails, while pit bulls have thin, medium-length pointed tails.
Coat and Color
The boxer has a smooth, short coat that lays close to the body and has a shiny appearance. The pit bull's coat is also short and glossy, but has a more coarse, stiff texture. Breeding for competition means that most boxers are a either fawn and white or brindle and white. The undersides are generally white, while the head, back, sides and upper legs are colored. Pit bulls come in most natural colors with coloration being less important for competition purposes.
Temperament and Reputation
Boxers and pit bulls are both loyal, confident and tenacious by nature. If trained well by a loving owner who establishes dominance over the dogs, both breeds can make ideal family pets. The pit bull, however, has a bad reputation because of its use in illegal dog fighting. When improperly raised, the dog's natural tenacity is used to make it aggressive for fighting. Boxers can also be trained as fighting dogs, but usually are not, so they do not have the same reputation as pit bulls.
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