Boxer is said to be descended from a variety of European breeds, including the old English Bulldog and the French Dogue de Bordeaux. The breed came to maturity in Germany and was one of the first breeds selected for police training there. Their name is derived from their tendency to stand erect on hind legs and box with the front legs.
Boxer is an friendly dog. It will love you but will also love everyone else!
The Boxer is a medium-sized dog, 21 to 25 inches tall and 50 to 80 pounds, with females smaller than males. The body is compact, muscular, and powerful. The tail is docked and carried high. The head is also carried high and has the short muzzle typical of bull breeds. The ears naturally drop but are often cropped. (Although cropped ears are required for AKC competition, many owners prefer the natural ears.)
Photo: A brindle color Boxer
Boxers are fawn with a black muzzle and mask and white on the chest, legs, and feet. The coat is short and smooth. Grooming is easy; the coat should be brushed twice a week with a soft bristle brush or curry comb.
Exercise is very important. They enjoy performance sports. The breed should not be exercised in the heat of the day during hot weather, especially in humid climates, as they can have breathing difficulties due to the shortened muzzle. Young Boxers should meet and play with a variety of other puppies, as adult Boxers do tend to be aggressive toward strange dogs. Socialization can often keep this behavior in check. Boxers should attend puppy and basic obedience classes and ideally continue training.
A Boxer can be stubborn at times, but when she wants to learn, she learns easily and retains training well. Training should be firm and structured, yet fair and fun. They are happiest when with their people. They are excellent with children, although puppies can be quite rambunctious and need to learn how to play with kids.
Photo: A white Boxer
Boxers with white markings covering more than one-third of their coat – conventionally called “white” Boxers – are neither albino nor rare; approximately 20–25% of all Boxers born are white. Genetically, these dogs are either fawn or brindle, with excessive white markings overlying the base coat color. Like fair-skinned humans, white Boxers have a higher risk of sunburn and associated skin cancers than colored Boxers. The extreme piebald gene, which is responsible for white markings in Boxers, is linked to congenital sensorineural deafness in dogs. It is estimated that about 18% of white Boxers are deaf in one or both ears, though Boxer rescue organizations see about double that number. In the past, breeders often euthanized white puppies at birth; today, most breeders place white puppies in pet homes with spay/neuter agreements.
They are usually quite good with other pets, although they do need to be taught not to chase cats. Health concerns include breathing problems, bloat, torsion, cardiomyopathy, and hip dysplasia.
Boxer Videos
6 replies on “Boxer”
Boxers can be fine family dogs if you can proviide enough exercise and training to control their rambunctiousness when young, and if you can provide for their special needs due to their unnaturally short face.
As puppies and young adults, Boxers are animated, playful (often cuckoo!) dogs who love to romp and jump. Middle-aged Boxers typically become more deliberate and dignified and make calm, loyal companions for the rest of their (unfortuntately not very long) lives.
Exercise needs vary from long daily walks for more sedentary Boxers to vigorous daily romping for high-energy individuals — but not in hot weather, because Boxers are more susceptible to heatstroke than most dog breeds.
Though most Boxer dogs are fine with other family pets, including the family cat, quite a few Boxers are dominant or aggressive toward other dogs of the same sex, and some are cat chasers.
Boxers need consistent leadership. Their heritage, after all, is that of a strong-minded working dog. But you must handle them in an upbeat, persuasive way. Boxers are stubborn, yes, but also sensitive and proud. They will “shut down” (sulk and pout and passively refuse to do anything) if you jerk them around.
Most Boxers make vigilant watchdogs — meaning they will bark when they see or see something out of the ordinary. Their guarding and territorial instincts, though, vary a great deal. Most Boxers react to strangers with a joyous “Hi there! Come on in!” (often accompanied by enthusiastic jumping and tail-wiggling). Other Boxers are sensible and polite with strangers, neither fawning over them nor threatening them. A few Boxers (typically those from German lines) are more forceful and challenging. Early socialization is important to develop a stable attitude in your Boxer.
having two dogs is better than one 🙂
Ever-questioned on his relationship status,singer Justin Timberlake has said before that he’s already settled down – with his boxer dogs. The star even sang his beloved Boxers, Brennan and Buckley’s praises on Oprah Winfrey, and said that the best kiss he ever had wasn’t from one of his many gorgeous A-list girlfriends of past, but from Buckley himself: “He’s hilarious. When he kisses you it’s like a shower over your face.”
Amie taking Bruno the Boxer for a walk off-leash—Amie was able to communicate with Bruno that she wanted him to heel next to her by calling him over and using a hand signal to not pass her. If he got a few steps ahead she would simply touch his back with her fingers or make a sound and he would slow down. Since Amie is 100% pack leader Bruno is very responsive to her commands. Without saying a word if Amie turns, Bruno turns. If she stops, he stops. He is happily and willingly following her.
This is Midas, my first Boxer. I researched this website extensively to find the best breed for my family since we have 3 children, the youngest being only 1 1/2 at the time. Wow, I cannot get over how WONDERFUL Boxers are! My now 3-year-old can squeeze him and dress him up and run over him with her doll stroller and he doesn’t care! He is a big goofball, but is very smart. He learned to “give paw” in 5 minutes. He has a toy we call his “baby” and he will always run get it if you ask him where it is. If Midas isn’t getting enough exercise with us, you can guarantee he will be sneaking into the recycle bin to create his own game of “fill the yard with milk jugs.” Don’t get mad at your dog – go spend some time with him! We are now looking to add a second Boxer to the family, and don’t think I will ever own another kind of dog!
Bruno, (left) a 5-month-old brindle Boxer puppy with Allie (right) a 7-year-old fawn Boxer, out for a walk—Boxers are high-energy dogs and need to be walked daily; without proper exercise they can get themselves into a lot of mischief. Be sure to walk your Boxer beside or behind you, keeping slack on the leash (no tension); never let him pull in front of you. The pack leader goes first.