The body should be square, with the front and rear legs being straight and strong. The back should be level without any noticable dips or hunching. The tail is docked and when alert, it is held up at a right angle to the back. The ribs are well-rounded, but not barrel shaped. The chest should reach down to the elbows. The feet are rounded and tight. The Boxer should move with plenty of reach and drive. There should be no wasted movement.

The head is by far the most distinctive feature of this breed. The skull is square, with the muzzle quite short, but not extremely "pug-faced". The nose should turn up slightly, so that, on a profile, the planes of the skull and muzzle are at different angles. The boxer has a pronounced underbite, and this feature gives the boxer the unique pronounced chin. The teeth and tongue should NOT be visible when the mouth is closed.

The temperment of the boxer is one of quiet nobility. Boxers are generally quiet dogs and only bark when alerted to something. They have very good natures, and get along with anybody. When trained and socialized properly, your boxer should be a well behaved, friendly addition to your household. They are extremely tolerant of children, so much so that they will allow a youngster to maul them repeatedly, and will not snap back, but merely move away when they've had enough.

Boxers are very active dogs. They do not do well with a laid-back lifestyle and need plenty of excersize daily. Boxers can become destructive when they aren't given a chance to release the pent-up energy. Many people buy boxers without being prepared to accept the active lifestyle a boxer demands. They also need training, since they are extremely friendly and boisterous. But, when out of control, a full sized boxer can accidentally hurt someone. Also, their distinctive look causes people to mistake them as ferocious animals, and tend to mis-take any action, no matter how friendly, as a threat.

Boxers are prone to several health disorders, some inherited, some not. Heart problems are somewhat common and consist primarily of Boxer Cardiomyopathy, a malfunction of the heart's 'electrical' system, which leads to heart failure; and Sub-valvular Aortic Stenosis, a malformation of one of the heart valves, which can lead to Congestive Heart Failure. Both these diseases are inherited, but Cardiomyopathy can be caused by other outside factors, such as illness and malnutrition. Also, Cardio may not show up until the dog is much older, thus many dogs are bred before any signs of heart trouble appear.

Cancer is another problem which seems to strike boxers at a higher rate than other breeds, but not at an overly high rate. Boxers do sometimes develop "bumps" on the skin, which are usually benign fatty deposits. Any lumps should be examined by your vet to determine their nature, and suspicious ones should be removed.

Hip dysplaysia(HD) is another inherited disease which, thankfully, more breeders are screening for. HD is a malformation and subsequent degeneration of the ball and socket joint in the hips. While HD can be inherited, it can also be caused by nutritional imbalance or injury. Some dogs develope only a slight case and may never show outward signs of it, while others may be so severely displastic, that they are crippled at an early age. HD can be determined only by X-ray of the hips. While this is not a predominant problem in the breed, screening potential parents is recommended.

Thyroid disorders are more common than many people think. Although few breeders check for it, it would be nice to find one that did. Although there are clinical signs of low or high thyroid, they are not always consistant. And some thyroid disfunctions don't show up until the dog is several years old. If your dog is showing overall ill health, lethargy, skin disorders, lameness, or swelling over joints, and no other reason is found, have a complete thyroid workup done. 

If you are interested in owning a boxer, look for a breeder who tests the parents for inherited problems. Try to find a reputable breeder who follows the standard and is active in showing their dogs. If you think the breeder is breeding just for the money, you can bet they haven't checked for health problems, since this costs a considerable amount. Also consider adopting a rescue. Too many unfortunate boxers are being dumped in the local pounds when the owners realize they can't handle the responsibility. There are rescue groups all over the U.S. that would be glad to assist in finding a suitable Boxer for you. Many of them (too many)come from good lineage, and are the second or third generation from "show stock".
This is a good example of why breeders should be careful as to the kind of homes their puppies go to. They should ensure that the puppy won't be carelessly bred in the future, and possibly produce unwanted puppies.