Boxer colors and markings
The Boxer Standard says: "Color is red or brindle. Red colour occurs in varying shades, from pale fawn to dark red-brown, but the most beautiful is in between (i.e. red-fawn). The mask is black. The brindle variety in the above mentioned shades of red has dark or black stripes running in the direction of the ribs. The basic colour and the stripes must clearly contrast. White markings shouldn't be rejected, they can be quite appealing. Faults: Mask reaching beyond muzzle. Brindle stripes too close together or only some single stripes recognizable. Dirty base colour. Colours intermingling. Unattractive white markings such as the whole, or one side of the head white. Any other colours and dogs whose white markings exceed one third part of the body."
Red colors


Red-fawn color.
The body of the dog is covered with single-tone red hair. Shading is minimal. This is the most desirable color according to the Standard.


Dark red color.
The coat of the dog has minimal shading and is very similar to red-fawn aside of it's darker almost brownish tone. Deep red Boxers may look quite appealing.


Pale red color.
These Boxers have very pale red hair which appear to be almost sand-toned. If shaded, the behind of the dog will appear nearly white. Not faulted by the Standard, this color is not as attractive as red-fawn, dark red or red sooted colors and therefore has become very rare in the modern Boxer population.


Red sooted color.
Quite attractive, this color is characterized by the shades of black hair on the borders of red and white. Solid dogs of this color have black hair on their toes and often along legs from inside. Some judges penalize this color, however it is very common in the modern population. Dogs of this color always have rich deep masks and, sometimes, black ears.


Shading
Shading is characterized by areas of different tone on the red dog. Often, the darkest area of such dogs is the back. Color gradually fades into light fawn on the sides toward the belly. The behind of shaded dogs is often very light.

Brindle colors


Golden brindle
Golden brindle is the color where these is equal balance of black stripes and rich red background. Stripes are clearly defined and uninterrupted.


Pale brindle
The body of the dog is of pale red color with the pattern of rare black stripes. Not as attractive as golden brindle, this color is acceptable by the Standard.


Faded brindle
This color is undesirable by the Standard and is characterized by short rare stripes that do not run along ribs and leave large areas of basic red color unbrindled.


Reverse brindle
The black stripes of these dogs are too close together so that the base red color can be seen only in a few small areas of the body. Very attractive, these dogs shine in the sun, but are not desirable by the Standard.

Nonstandard colors


White with an ear patch


Pure white


Black
If not a single red hair can be found on the body of the dog that appears black, this dog is disqualified by the Standard.


White with blue eye, white with head patch
These colors are a disqualification. Such Boxers should not be shown in the ring. Blue eyes are an additional disqualification

Markings


Flashy red


Solid red


Flashy red


Solid brindle


Flashy brindle


Solid brindle


Flashy or solid?
While Boxers with white socks, white blazes and white collars are definitely flashy, and Boxers with solid feet and faces are solid, how can one tell apart an extreme solid from a flashy with very little flash? Such dogs look nearly the same: a few white toes, a pencil mark on the face, a bit of white on the face. My mentor taught me to look at the back of the Boxer's neck to learn the truth. If there is a star of white on the neck of the Boxer, or even just a few white hair, that dog is flashy. If there is no white, the dog is solid. Ask your dog's breeder if your puppy was born with a star on his neck, often these patches of white are gone by the time the puppy reaches 2-3 months of age. However, these dogs are still flashy. Determining if your dog is a flashy or solid can help you make a decision when selecting a partner for breeding. Boxers with white stars on their necks can produce white puppies, dogs that never had them cannot.

Mismarked dogs


Half-head white
Even though the white marking of these dogs do not exceed 1/3 of the body, a white blaze that cuts out half the head is faulted by the Standard. In general, any blaze that is going over an eye is faulty. Other cases of mismarking include patches of white on the flanks, sides or back of the dog. Such dogs can probably be used for breeding, however they will be disqualified at a show.


Unusual markings
Markings such as these are rare and look somewhat funny, however these Boxers should not be disqualified. At a show, the judge will probably prefer a classically marked dog over a dog with unusual markings providing both are of equal quality otherwise, but there is no reason to disqualify these cute Boxers.

Nose color


Black


Winter


Butterfly
The only proper nose color for Boxers is black. Winter noses get discolored during winter. It is interesting that almost all the dogs with winter noses are fawn. The winter nose corrects itself in the warmer season. Butterfly noses are definitely a fault. Almost all flashy puppies are born with pink noses that gradually blacken during the first few months. Butterfly nose should not be penalized in a puppy under 6 months of age.

Third eyelid color

Pigmented third eyelid
This eyelids are correct according to the Standard. They have pigmented edge and do not distract from the beautiful expression of the Boxer. Blending with the eye color, pigmented haws is a trait many breeders strive for.

Unpigmented third eyelid
Extremely unattractive, unpigmented haw is pink or flesh-colored and makes the eyes of the Boxer appear looking "east and west". Purely a cosmetic defect, it is undesirable at a show.

Mask color


Black mask
These is the mask that the Standard demands. Black mask covers the muzzle and forms "glasses" over the eyes. Rich and well defined, a proper mask makes the Boxer look very attractive.


Deep mask
Less desirable, these mask is still good. Appearing almost solely in the dog of sooted base color, this mask is extremely deep and extends well beyond muzzle. Often even the ears of such dogs are black.


Weak mask
Merely black, this mask is too small and does not cover the muzzle completely. There is no enough mask around the eyes. Not at all desirable, such mask pigmentation makes the Boxer, especially red, look atypical.


No mask
Absolutely undesirable, Boxers with no mask cannot be considered typical. These dogs should not be shown or bred. One must question the pedigree of such dogs, since it is doubtful that two purebred Boxers with proper masks can produce puppies with no mask at all.
Final word: the color of the dog greatly affects our perception of it. For example, a flashy Boxer and a solid one will look differently even if both of them are of exactly the same conformation. A small gallery below illustrates this fact.


Solid Boxer
This head appears plainer, with the nose set lower and with the harsher expression than the head on the right.


Flashy Boxer
The same dog but with white markings will appear to have greater volume of muzzle, softer look and greater chin.


Solid Boxer
This dog's muzzle and scull appear to be more shallow, expression more sad and the stop less pronounced than the dog's on the right.


Flashy Boxer
The same dog but with white markings appears to have better stop, higher scull, deeper muzzle and a more energetic expression.


Solid Boxer
This dog appears to have more substance and forechest than the dog on the right and better arch of neck.


Flashy Boxer
The same dog but with white markings will appear to have straighter shoulder and more dewlap


Solid Boxer
This dog's neck appears to be more elegant than the dog's on the right, her forechest better and her nose longer.


Flashy Boxer
The same dog but with white markings appears to have shorter nose, less chin, less forechest and more dewlap.
BOXER COLORS AND MARKINGS
Written by Alexandra Gav
Digital photo retouching by Alexandra Gav
January 2003
©2003 European Boxer Zone