The life of a boxer…with a tail
Story by WTIP Youth Volunteer Ezme Mundell
It’s common to see boxer dogs with docked or short-cut tails, and their ears cropped so they are standing up right. This is in our history; for the most part, boxers are part of the working group, so to enhance their speed and appearance, they would have their tails and ears altered. My dog Mav has his long tail and the most adorable floppy ears. This truly is what makes Mav Mav. I used to never see boxers with their long tails, but there is no reason we need to cut them, so boxers with long tails and floppy ears are now making more of an appearance.
Stepping into a boxer’s life with a long tail, there are great parts to having a tail.
Whap, Whap, Whap, you know a boxer is happy when you hear the tail thumping on the floor or swirling in circles off their butt.
Maverick | Photo by Anne Mundell
This tail can thump from anywhere, boxer lying down, boxer standing, boxer sitting on your lap, boxer outside, anywhere you will know they are happy! My boxer, especially having a tail during nap time, comes as a plus. Mav or any other boxer will curl up into a tight, tight ball, wrapping their tail around their body to complete the cinnamon roll type napping position.
The joys of being a boxer do come with challenges, When Mav wants to be pet he turns in circles trying to get our attention, it often works because he is so cute but Mav has the pay the consequence, when he is turning he is hitting himself in the eyes and face with his tail. That must hurt, such a tough tail hitting hard against a face full of jowls and cuteness! Mav also will often knock things off the little tables we have in our house, so excited to greet family, things will shoot off the table and scare him. For us humans, when a boxer is standing next to us and his tail starts going off again, Whap, Whap, Whap, we feel the pain. That tail is hard, and when it hits our legs, it hurts.
The tail has challenges, but what is life without a few hurdles?
If you’re interested in loving and adopting a boxer, you should check out Minnesota Boxer Rescue! This will be the best decision you make! Also, membership drive week at WTIP is coming up fast, become a member today and you will for sure make some tails wag!
Kalli Hawkins July 10, 2025
