A line of naturally short-tailed (bobtail) Boxers was developed in the United Kingdom in anticipation of a tail docking ban there; after several generations of controlled breeding, these dogs were accepted in the Kennel Club (UK) registry in 1998, and today representatives of the bobtail line can be found in many countries around the world. However, in 2008 the FCI added a 'naturally stumpy tail' as a disqualifying fault in their breed standard, meaning those Boxers born with a bobtail can no longer be shown in FCI member countries. More in line with historical facts, Brace states that there exist many other theories to explain the origin of the breed name, from which he favors the one claiming the smaller Bullenbeisser (Brabanter) were also known as 'Boxl' and that Boxer is just a corruption of that word.
"Boxl" Bullenbeisser (Brabanter) were also known as 'Boxl'
"Boxl" Bullenbeisser (Brabanter) were also known as 'Boxl'