🥊 Boxer
Temperament
Bright, fun-loving, devoted, patient with children. Boxers love their family and are wary but rarely aggressive towards strangers. They can be pushy with other dogs (especially same-sex) without good socialisation.
Exercise
90 minutes of vigorous daily exercise, plus mental work. Boxers excel at agility, dock diving and obedience. Brachycephalic features mean they're heat-sensitive — avoid midday summer exercise.
Grooming
Short, smooth coat — weekly brush is plenty. Bathe as needed, every 6–10 weeks. The famous "Boxer drool" requires bib towels for some lines.
Health
Boxer cardiomyopathy (annual heart screening recommended from age 2). Aortic stenosis. Mast cell tumours and other cancers. Hip dysplasia. Bloat / GDV. BOAS (mild compared to Bulldogs). Lifespan averages 10–12 years.
Full Boxer profile →
🐕 Rottweiler
Temperament
Confident, calm, courageous. Rotties are famously affectionate with their own people (and lean — the "Rottie lean" is iconic) but reserved or aloof with strangers. Early, ongoing socialisation is non-negotiable. Not naturally aggressive — but they will defend if they feel they need to.
Exercise
60–90 minutes of structured exercise daily, plus mental work. They excel at obedience, tracking and weight-pulling. Heavy bones and slow growth mean puppies under 18 months should avoid impact (jumping, jogging, long runs).
Grooming
Short, dense double coat — moderate shedding year-round, heavier twice yearly. Weekly brush, more during moults. Bath every 6–8 weeks.
Health
Hip and elbow dysplasia. Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) is sadly common — early neutering may worsen risk; many vets recommend waiting until 18–24 months. Aortic stenosis. Bloat / GDV. Lifespan is short for the breed (8–10 years).
Full Rottweiler profile →
