Author: Dan Stevens
Getting to know your dog starts by getting to know its breed,
and that includes getting a better idea about its appearance,
personality, and health requirements. Here's what you need to
know about the Boxers:
The Boxer falls into the "working" class dog, being of medium
size with a stocky body. Interestingly, the Boxer is an
ancestor to two other breeds - the German Bullenbeisser and the
English Bulldog. The actual Boxer breed was developed in the
late 19th century, and was originally intended to be just for
show, unlike its descendants, which were exceptional hunters. A
few years later, the Boxer made its way to Europe, then the
United States. In 1915, this breed was recognized by the
American Kennel Club.
Although bred for show, the Boxer began its history during
WWII, at which time it served as a pack carrier, guard and
attack dog, and messenger. However, soldiers returning home
from the war took some of the dogs with them, helping its
widespread reputation for being both a great guard dog and a
great show dog. Soon, pet owners also discovered the Boxer to
be a loyal and loving companion.
Physical Appearance
The Boxer has a very distinct appearance, one of strength and
pride. This medium size breed is stocky built, has short hair,
and a square shaped muzzle. Remember, because these dogs were
originally used for hunting, the jaws are extremely powerful.
Typical colors include:
* Fawn
* Brindle
* White underbelly and on all four paws is also common
Typically, a full grown Boxer will weigh anywhere between 55
and 70 pounds with the males being a little taller than the
females, 23 to 25 and 21 to 23 inches respectively. In most
cases, the Boxer's tail is docked and ears cropped, although
this latter trend is begin to diminish.
In fact, ear cropping is now banned in many of the European
breeds. For many years, only Boxers with cropped ears were
allowed to show with the American Kennel Club but that was
changed in 2005. You will also notice that while the Boxer is
gorgeous, it has an under-bite. Because of this, seeing the
teeth snagged on the jowls is common.
Temperament and Personality
Boxers are extremely faithful and loving pets but they can be a
little demanding. This breed is alert, usually showing fearless
courage when it comes to protecting its owner. However, while
the Boxer will show a little bit of distrust when first meeting
someone new, it is a docile breed with high intelligence,
bravery, cleanliness, and even modesty, something not always
seen with powerful breeds.
Generally, the Boxer is highly devoted to its master and great
with kids but sometimes, smaller children are too playful. If
this breed is raised around other animals, they typically do
well. Just remember that at first, the Boxer may react to
unfamiliar animals or strangers.
Most Boxers are energetic so adequate playtime is important.
Because the Boxer is a strong and determined dog, we recommend
you start training at a young age for the most success. Since
this breed does not reach full maturity until around age three,
you will need to be patient while still a puppy
Health
There are some potential illnesses associated with the Boxer
that you should be aware of. These include Progressive Retinal
Atrophy, Epilepsy, Cancers, intestinal problems, sinus
infections, bleeding problems, Hip Dysplasia, heart murmurs,
and arthritis. To ensure you end up with a healthy Boxer, the
breeder can be tested and certified as "healthy" prior to
purchase.
In addition, if you want a white Boxer, keep in mind that
between 35 and 40 percent are deaf in one or both ears.
Although a challenge, if you are not planning to breed your
dog, with proper training and understanding, it would still
make an excellent addition to the family.
About The Author: Daniel Stevens is the renowned dog trainer
and author of SitStayFetch. See
http://www.kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/dogbreeds/boxer.php
for more on dog breeds.
