According to this site, boxers are molossers, and therefore could be loosely grouped with mastiffs; the article only says mastiff-type.
26 posted on 04/17/2010 9:01:54 PM PDT by LongElegantLegs
( I have nothing better to do than sit around all night watching a lunatic not turn into a werewolf.)
The English Mastiff and the the Boxer are both recognized distinct breeds in the United Kingdom. If the dog had been a Boxer the Telegraph would have said that.
This picture in the Sky News article, "One-Year-Old Dies In 'Appalling' Dog Attack ", clearly shows the dog was not a Boxer. Your link also indicates that the Boxer is as gentle as a lamb with children.
27 posted on 04/17/2010 10:11:46 PM PDT by higgmeister
( In the Shadow of The Big Chicken!)