Boxer

Boxer Dog Breed Information - Petzooie

The Boxer is a marvel of elegant refinement, strength, and agility. The descendent of the Bullenbeisser (German for "bull biter"), a 19th-century German breed bred to hunt bears, boars, and deers. This breed has been mixed with the Bulldog, giving rise to the modern-day Boxer.

Known for his intelligence and character as a family companion, he is a great guard dog who has proven his usefulness as a tracking dog and served in the armed forces as a messenger and pack carrier. Many people like the breed's sleek form, lustrous coat, stunning head, and face.

Weight

• Male: 60-80 lbs
• Female: 55-65 lbs

 Height

• Male: 23-25 Inches
• Female: 21.5 -23.5 inches

Life Span

• 10-12 Years

Appearance

    © cynoclub / stock.adobe.com

Boxers have regal, square heads that are strikingly shaped. Their muzzle is blunt, and their mouth is undershot. Their chest is large and deep, and their back is short and muscular. Boxers' ears naturally bend over, but they are routinely clipped to stand straight. Their tails are usually docked and carried high in the air. Their toes are arched, and their feet are compact.

Boxer males can reach a height of roughly 25 inches and weigh between 65 and 80 pounds. Female's height is between 23 to 25 inches, and they weigh around 50 to 65 pounds.

The Boxer has a short coat that sheds moderately. Some boxers are fawn-colored, while others are brindle-colored. Although their face or mask is normally black, many have white face markings and white on their chest and paws.

Temperament 

Boxers are clever, energetic, and lively dogs who enjoy staying busy. Their disposition is a reflection of their ancestors. They prefer to be with their owners and are devoted pets who will aggressively protect their family and property from intruders.

Although boxers are extremely intelligent dogs, they do not usually take training seriously. Be firm, fair, and consistent with your Boxer for the best outcomes. Appropriate rewards and penalties will teach him that nice things happen when he performs what you want, and disobedience is never rewarded. Boxers are skilled at detecting flaws in the regulations and will use them to see what they can get away with. And get started right away! Your eight-week-old Boxer will be easier and more enjoyable to train than his older, more recalcitrant eight-month-old counterpart. To entice and motivate him, use gifts, toys, and praise.

A Boxer can become the dog of your dreams with structure, discipline, and plenty of exercises and mental stimulation. Without those things, he has the potential to become a nightmare. The amount of destruction that a bored Boxer can cause is unimaginable. Please don't give him the chance to educate you.

Living Conditions

Boxers are, on the whole, adoptable dogs. They're content to be wherever you are, as long as they get enough attention and don't mind spending time inside. Of course, you'll need to take your dog for a daily walk and incorporate fun playtime for him.

A well-trained Boxer will be patient with your children if you have a family. However, if your Boxer dog has access to other pets in your neighborhood, you should be cautious about leaving him unsupervised. Boxers were bred to be catch dogs; they can still have elements of their hunting instinct, which they can direct against your neighbor's cat or other unwary animals. It is good to construct a robust fence with no escape routes.

Due to their short hair, it's critical to keep your dog warm in the cold and limit unsupervised time spent outside in the cold. Although Boxers fare well in hot temperatures, white Boxers may require additional protection.

Care

Since boxers have such short coats, their grooming requirements are minimal. To remove loose fur and dirt from their coat, brush them once a week with a curry brush. Heavy shedding and more regular brushing compensate for the increase in loose fur as the weather changes in the spring and fall.

Their coat is also relatively clean, requiring only a bath every couple of months. However, because many boxers drool, their fur may need to be cleaned with a damp cloth around their lips.

Nail trimming will be required every month, depending on how much the dog's nails naturally wear down. It's also recommended to brush the dog's teeth daily.

Boxers are extensively utilized as house dogs. Their tiny noses and short coats make them unsuitable for living outside; however, they will enjoy playing in a fenced yard.

Boxers enjoy having fun. Plan on playing with them or walking them for half an hour at least twice a day to maintain their muscles toned and satisfy their need for activity. Play fetch with them, take them on long walks or enroll them in canine sports like agility or flyball. The best way to ensure your Boxer's good behavior is to give him plenty of exercise daily. A Boxer who is fatigued is a good Boxer.

For the Boxer, training is crucial. They're so big and strong that if they don't learn to manage their activities, they can inadvertently hurt people by knocking them over. The temperament of a Boxer affects their ability to be trained. They're cheerful and exuberant, bouncy, and a little mischievous. Starting early and employing firm, proper training methods and positive incentives in praise, play, and food rewards can help them take training seriously. Consistency is key. Whenever you let them get away with something, your Boxer will notice and push to see what else he can get away with. Before you go to a training class, do an intense walk or play session with them to calm them down a little.

Health

Boxers are typically healthy; however, they are susceptible to some health issues, as are all breeds. Although not all Boxers will contract any or all of these illnesses, it's crucial to be aware of them if you're thinking about getting one.

Here are a few things to look out for with your veterinarian:

The Boxer has a high risk of contracting cancer. Mast cell and brain tumors, as well as lymphoma, are the most prevalent forms. Because Boxers with white markings are frequently sunburned, skin cancer is dangerous. It's fairly uncommon for owners to smother their Boxers with sunblock before a game, especially in Australia. Dogs, like humans, dislike becoming sunburned.

Hip dysplasia is an affliction of the hip joint. Many breeds suffer from a congenital disease where the hip does not develop properly, leading to recurrent limping and later impairment.

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is a type of congenital heart defect. Congenital heart disease affects dogs of all kinds, and the Boxer is one breed that is particularly prone to it. Congenital heart disease is a genetic condition in which the heart's valves are malformed, causing major complications and often leading to death within the first year of life. Those with milder types of the disease will usually live, but will tend to avoid exertion, may have stunted growth, and may faint on occasion. Cardiac arrest can happen at any moment, but it usually happens later in the life of a Boxer.

Cardiomyopathy in Boxers (BCM) is a typical ailment in Boxers, and it occurs when the dog's heart beats wildly due to an electrical conduction problem. This erratic heartbeat can make the animal weak, lose its tolerance for exertion, faint, and die suddenly. Contact your Veterinarian if you see any of these symptoms, including lethargic behavior.

History

The Boxer is descended from two extinct central European dog breeds: the larger Danziger Bullenbeiser and the smaller Brabenter Bullenbeiser. Bullenbeiser is a German word that means "bull-biter," These canines were once used to chase enormous game through the woods. This necessitated a muscular but agile dog with a sunken nose and a large, powerful jaw. The Bulldog was the preferred breed for the sport in England, whereas giant mastiff-type dogs were utilized in Germany.

German hunters launched a systematic effort to create a new breed in the 1830s, combining their Bullenbeisers with mastiff-type dogs for size, terriers for toughness, and then Bulldogs. As a result, a sturdy, graceful dog with a streamlined physique and a powerful grip was created. By 1895, a completely new breed, the Boxer, had emerged. Although the origin of the word Boxer is unknown, it may be derived from the German Box. In Germany, the Boxer was one of the first breeds used as a police and military dog.

The breed had established itself as a general utility dog, family pet, and even show dog by 1900. The American Kennel Club first recognized boxers in 1904, but it wasn't until the 1940s that they began their gradual march to the top of the popularity rankings; now, boxers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States.

Final Thoughts

A Boxer is a happy, fun-loving, affectionate, and sometimes headstrong canine. He is exactly who he is. Do not expect to turn him into a dog who will fit your lifestyle. Even attempting to do so risks damaging the spirit and soul of this magnificent breed.

The decision to introduce a Boxer into your life and household must be carefully considered. To live happily with a Boxer, you must be a true dog lover. This is a breed that is not for everyone. In fact, for some, he can be a regular nightmare!