Boxer

Description: The Boxer is a medium-sized, squarely built canine of good substance with a short back, strong limbs, and short, tight-fitting coat. Boxers should have a broad, blunt muzzle and an expression of alertness. Their faces resemble that of a Bulldog, and their tails are usually docked for show. Ears are sometimes cropped for show as well, but they naturally have drop ears. Boxers should have a fenced yard to roam in, but will do well in a city environment if walked daily. They do not do well in the heat, but adapt to most other aspects of living environments. The Boxer is considered a "people dog" adapting well to other dogs and children. They are a popular breed all over, retaining their puppy-like tendencies well into old age. Boxers love to play, do well with children, and are youthful at heart. They are obedient, loyal, and learn quickly. Boxers can make excellent guard dogs, as they were used for that purpose in the past and today. They should never be aggressive, but rather even-tempered and loving towards their family, thus making the Boxer an ideal family pet.

Type: Guardian Dog

Height: Males: 22.5 - 25 inches; Females: 21 - 23.5 inches.
Weight: Males: 65 - 80 lbs.; Females: 50 - 65 lbs.

Colors: Fawn, brindle with or without white markings on the face, chest, on the insides of the forelegs and on the feet. They can have a black mask over their face and eyes. Sometimes puppies are born almost all white, but it is not as common.
Coat: Short, shiny, smooth and glossy. The coat is easy to maintain.

Temperament: Boxers are playful, affectionate, friendly, headstrong, and high-energy. They remain loyal, loving and obedient to their masters. They can be stubborn but are still sensitive and responsive to training. They have the attitude of a puppy when around a loving family, and can be excellent guard dogs towards strangers or strange dogs. They are active dogs, positive and fun-loving. They are very strong and not opposed to a scuffle with other dogs. Boxers can sometimes forget their size and play like a puppy, forgetting the possibility of knocking something or someone over.
With Children: Yes, loyal playmate. Boxers are an affectionate, playful breed who do well with children. Precaution should be taken, however, with small children considering the Boxer's puppy-like attitude when he is much bigger than he thinks.
With Pets: Although generally good with other pets, including dogs, socialization is best. May be aggressive with other male dogs, or new strange dogs.
Special Skills: Guard dog and family pet.

Watch-dog: High. Their guard dog tendencies exude watch dog abilities.
Guard-dog: High. They are deliberately wary with strangers. Used for guarding in the past, the Boxer retains its status to this day. They are sometimes aggressive towards other strange dogs. Boxers are not afraid of a brawl with the neighbor's dog.

Care and Training: Boxers require low maintenance for grooming. Nails need regular attention. Boxers are an energetic breed who needs lots of exercise either by a long walks or runs. A well-fenced yard is a must. The Boxer does well with obedience training.
Learning Rate: High. Training can be a challenge as high intelligence combined with dynamic nature demands a patient owner willing to spend extra time and energy on their training. Yet, Boxers are very trainable and learn quickly. They can be stubborn, but remain sensitive and responsive to commands.

Activity: High. They retain their playful puppy-like nature well into their golden years, and will remain active. The Boxer also needs lots of exercise.
Special Needs: Attention and exercise.
Living Environment: Indoor and outdoor dog. Boxers are people dogs and love to be social inside with their families. But they are also active and love to play, by which they need space and/or good runs or long walks. Boxers do not do well in the heat and should not be kept in a hot enclosure. A yard is a must for Boxers, they are not suitable for an apartment because of their playful, sometimes boisterous nature. Boxers will not let you forget them in the backyard. The best owner for a Boxer would be a family living in the city, suburbs or country. They generally can adapt to most places.

Health Issues: Usually quite healthy. Boxers may have problems with heart murmurs, hypothyroidism, tumors, and hip dysplasia. Other health concerns include digestive problems.

Life Span: 8 - 12 years.
Litter Size: 5 - 10 puppies.

Country of Origin: Germany
History: The Boxers origins stem from as far back as the sixteenth century in Europe. His ancestors are thought to involve mastiff-type dogs called Bullenbeissers (translating to "bull-biter"), English Bulldogs, Great Danes, Boston Terriers, French Bulldogs, and some type of terrier. The general consensus of the Boxers' genetic makeup is that around the 1830s, German hunters created the Boxer from mating a small Bullenbeisser (mastiff-type breed) female to a native, possibly Bavarian, male dog, by which the two produced a female who was then mated to an English Bulldog. Boxers were first used as hunters to the Germans and Nederland residents to hunt boar and deer. Later in Germany, the breed was used in bull baiting and the popular sport of dog fighting. When dog fighting was banned in Germany in the mid-nineteenth century, the Boxer was then put to use as a guard and for controlling cattle at slaughterhouses. This may have been where the Boxer received its current name, being called "boxl" in the slaughterhouses. Another theory states that the name "Boxer" was formed due to their use of front legs when in the fighting ring, resembling a boxer. In 1895 the Boxer breed was exhibited in Munich, by then making a reasonable standard by which to judge, and in 1904 was registered by the AKC. After World War II these dogs became more popular in the United States, and has since received steadily rising praise. Boxers were among the first to become military and police dogs. Although originally bred and raised in a bull-baiting and fighting environments, over the years they have been refined to have a non-aggressive temperament, which certainly shows.