The Boxer is a well loved dog that looks like he is worried but this short haired dog is very popular with families because he is affectionate and fantastic around children. He is suspicious of strangers but does not act aggressively which makes the Boxer one of the most popular dogs to have a pet.
The Boxer originated from Germany and the modern Boxer has a short history but the boxer originated from the Bull breeds such as Bull Dogs. These dogs were mainly used for hunting and later to keep cattle in line. The Boxer as it is known today was first bred by a man named George Alt and it is not quite sure if the name was confused from “bullenbeisser” or “beisser”. The reason it is thought it could be confused is that beisser would refer to the dogs unusual way of fighting with its two front feet.
●Training – The Boxer is a great pet but for the owner that would like to train him constantly and can laugh at the stubborn streak that the dog often displays. The Boxer needs to be walked regularly to avoid him getting bored and causing damage. He enjoys activities and any type of canine activity such as fly ball is a great way to keep him entertained. ●Behaviour – Boxers are fun loving dogs and are very affectionate and not aggressive. They very seldom will provoke a fight with another dog but if the situation where by it should arise and they have no option they will not back down. They are very agile and love playing whether it be fetch or any other canine sport
●Lifestyle – They are patient dogs and that is why they great with children. They do need constant training and at time can be frustrating because they don’t always take it seriously. As an owner you need to exercise patience if you are going to own a boxer. They love being involved with the family so do not like being excluded and left on their own. ●Appearance – Boxers are shorthaired and the usual colour is either tan or brindle but there are also white boxers. These are often believed to ba albinos but that is not the case. The only reason they were not common in earlier times is that owners killed them. They are however prone to sunburn. The Boxer is a big dog with an unmistakeable worried look and square jaw.
●Health Issues – Boxer are very prone to disease and some of the conditions they suffer from are: ○Cardiomyopathy is a deadly heart disease but the American Boxer Charitable foundation have found the gene that causes it and will stop breeding with the dogs that have this gene. ○Degenerative myelopathy which is a form of progressive neurologic dysfunction. ○They are also more prone to bloat where air builds in the stomach. It can also get worse and then the dog can suffer from Gastric Torsion which can result in death ○They are also prone to other diseases such as skin conditions, allergies and cancers. ●Breeding – Because Boxer are prone to various diseases when you decide on getting a puppy make sure that you buy the puppy from a reputable breeder. Genetic testing has been done on Boxers for some time now and a reputable breeder will have all the necessary tests done so that they know if the puppy will be susceptible to them
●Lifespan – 8 – 10 years ●Grooming – Boxers has smooth short hair and is easy to groom. A weekly brush with a steel or rubber brush should be sufficient to get rid of all the dead hair which could end up on your furniture. Cleaning inside the ears should be gentle so as not to push the gunk further in. Washing the dog can be done as frequently as necessary but because of the short hair will only need a bath occasionally. ●Diet – Boxers are big dogs weighing up to 70 pounds. So any formulation that is for big dogs is suitable and do not overfeed the dog to cause obesity.
●Characteristics ○The dog is very adaptable ○Affection level is very high ○It can be kept in an apartment but with daily activities such as being taken for walks ○Does not bark a lot ○Reasonable cat friendly, he is not normally aggressive to other animals ○Child friendly, very patient with children ○Not very sociable with other dogs ○Requires a lot of exercise ○Does not need a lot of grooming ○Has health issues but if you get a dog from a reputable breeder these will be minimal. ○Very intelligent ○Very playful ○Shedding level quite high but manageable ○Very high social needs ○Very territorial ○Wary of strangers but not aggressive towards them ○Very territorial ○Intelligent dog but does not take training seriously all the time. ○Excellent watchdog
●History – The Boxer does not have a history of hunting but rather that of herding cattle and sheep. Therefore it is not a predator and can get on with most animals such as cats or any other pets that might be in the household.
As a pet the Boxer is perfect for families that have young children and have a lifestyle of having friends come around often. They are playful and at times can be uncoordinated making them look clumsy which results in a lot of laughter.
They have annoying habits that they will probably do silly things and if they are left alone and not entertained then they can cause a lot of damage in the home through boredom. This is one aspect of the Boxer personality that a person needs to avoid.
Boxers are loved all over the world because of the character that have but at the same time they also display aggression and protectiveness when the situation calls for it making them the perfect guard dog.
In summary if you are in search for a pet that will entertain and guard the whole family then you cannot go far wrong by considering this adorable breed.