Think you might want to share your life with a boxer?
Country of Origin: Germany
First Registered: 1904
Colors: Fawn, brindle with white markings
Coat Type: Short, glossy and smooth
Height: 21 – 25 inches
Weight: 66 – 70 lbs.
Life Span: 10 – 12 Years
Average Litter Size: 5 -10
Health Concerns: may have problems with heart murmurs, skin tumors, digestive problems and hypothyroidism
Temperament: good-natured, affectionate, sociable, headstrong, high-energy
Active, playful, loyal, family oriented, are just a few of the characteristics of the boxer. A breed full of love for people and a zest for life, the boxer can be an ideal family dog. The boxer is unlike any other breed. Often described as the clown of the dog community, boxers are a class all their own. Those who own boxers can attest to their unique characteristics.
With their lean muscular builds, smooth coats, and square stance, the boxer is truly an impressive looking animal. Being a working class breed, the boxer demonstrates an instinctive willingness to please, while at the same time showing an alertness, caution and courage in the face of the unknown.
However, the boxer is NOT for everyone. Being a breed of high-energy, they require plenty of love, and even more patience.
So, if you are considering owning a boxer, web-rover.com offers some information on this wonderful breed.
Origin
Originally breed in Germany, it is believe that the boxer is of Brabanter Bullenbessier descent. The Bullenbeisser was used by the elite to hunt wild boar in and around the 1800’s In order to prevent injury during the hunt, the ears were cropped.
As time passed the the Barbanter Bullenbeisser was used by cattle dealers, and by the end of the 1800’s was officially recognized as a working class dog. As well as being renowned for being an intelligent working dog, the Barbanter Bullenbessier was recognized as an excellent companion dog who was always eager to please humans.. When not working, the breed was known to be an excellent family pet, who was great with children.
It is believed that around 1830, the Babnanter Bullenbeisser was bred with an early breed of the English Bulldog, and thus, the boxer was born.
In the early days of the breed, many changes took place. Many older pictures show boxers as being white. It is believed that white boxers were no longer accepted because in order to be police dogs, a darker coat was needed. Therefore, the Boxer Klub of Germany set the breed standard to no longer allow white boxers. To this day, there is still huge debate over white boxers.
Typical Boxer Characteristics
- The boxer is an extremely high-energy dog. As a result, they need a great deal of attention and supervision.
- The boxer is an intelligent dog. As should be with all dogs, the boxer needs obedience training on a regular basis starting from a young pup.
- Boxers are typically great with children. If properly socialized from a pup, the boxer makes an ideal playmate.
- The boxer is a natural guardian. Always alert, the boxer is on constant guard. Usually weary of strangers, and always protective of their people.
- The boxer temperament is fundamentally playful, but if threatened will display unwavering courage.
- Here are some other characteristics of the boxer that you most likely wont find in any dog book:
- laying on back, feet up, not a care!
- GAS . . . bad gas
- Kidney Beans (the boxer dance)
- Boxer Woo Woo Song
- Catching bugs
- Using paws in cat like movements
- Zipping around the backyard for no apparent reason.
- Bounces like a rabbit when running at times
- Lay their head on you like it is too heavy to hold up!
- Constantly following their humans wherever they go.
Being a bright energetic breed, they will find many ways to get in to trouble if not properly trained and watched.
So is a boxer right for you?
The boxer is an affectionate loyal dog, that if treated with love and respect can be a wonderful addition to any household. Yet the boxer is also a a dog with very high energy, who will need strict obedience and even more patience. The key is to properly socialize and train your dog from a young age. By doing so, you and your dog will both enjoy your time together more more.
If you’re looking for a dog who will lay at your feet, only occasionally moving to eat, or keeps to himself and requires very little attention, then a boxer isn’t exactly what you need. But if you want a dog who is full of life, craves your attention and is a constant source of entertainment then perhaps a boxer is exactly what you need.
