The boxer was actually a German breed before they moved through Europe and into the United States. Today you will find many countries including the UK has at least one boxer dog breeder. The boxer was mixed from a mastiff and a Bullenbeiszer, which means they are not an original dog. Many of the dog breeds we have today are a mix of one dog or another in the hopes of breeding the qualities that we want in a friend. So you will find that the boxer was mostly breed for their fighting and hunting skills. They also make pretty could watchdogs. So you will find the boxer is full of confidence, loyalty and of course intelligence. The boxer is a medium sized to large dog. This means that they generally reach a size of 25 inches at most and 80 pounds in weight.
With the many types of dog breeds out there it is sometimes hard to find the new pet for home. If you already have a favourite breed it may be why you are reading this article. Most often we all have a favourite dog breed that just says this must be part of the family, but in some cases there are those who have never had a pet and they need to know all about the different dogs. Below you will find a comprehensive look at the boxer dog breed to see if you are compatible.
For grooming and care you will find that they like all dogs need proper nutrition. With the activity that these dogs like to do and the energy they expend you really need to have a high protein diet. It is essential to keeping away some of the health ailments they suffer from like allergies, tumours and aortic stenosis. As long as you are able to feed them properly they will live a long life. You should also know that they have sensitive skin. This means that they tend to need a simple brushing once a week to get rid of loose or dead hair, but bathing can be an issue for skin infections.
You do need to train these dogs. They can be strong willed at times. This means that training can be a little difficult in the early stages, but a strong and consistent hand will help. Obedience, as well as worker training for such things as hunting can be important depending on what you would like to have the dog for. They make good companions once trained, but aren't always as affectionate as other dog breeds. Keep in mind that most dogs are very affectionate, active, and playful so a small or large home is very important with a small backyard. You will also want to have plenty of time to take the boxer for walks and daily exercise.
Appearance wise with the boxer you will find a lean, well muscled dog that is very agile. The boxer needs a lot of exercise because of their structure. In fact daily walks that last for a half hour to an hour are the best for this breed. With appearance you will find a short muzzle that is rather squat in appearance. They are generally black with a little brown around the ears and muzzle. They may also have brown or tan around there paws. The ears are usually not pointed, but floppy at the sides of their heads. The hair is going to be short and coarse, which lends to the easy grooming.
When you hear that their origins are from dogs specially bred to be Bull Baiters and to hunt Wild Boar then that would make you even more likely to expect Boxers to be a truely fearsome breed.
In truth they do make fantastic house dogs as they have a fiercely protective nature and certainly look like they mean business as they run towards a possible intruder!
The reality is they are a playful highly intelligent animal and are lots of fun to be around. And even as they get older boxers still act with a youthful playfulness that is far stronger than any other breed. Boxer Dogs just love to play and act the clown if you try to ignore them when they are in a particularly excited state. They make a comical 'woo-woo' sound which seems like they are just about talking to you, it's tempting to start a conversation as you could imagine it all making sense!
Boxers are extremely intelligent dogs. Because of this, they are easily able to learn and complete their training quickly. However, it is also their intelligent nature that can cause difficulty during training. Because they are intelligent they tend to also think on their own. So if you do choose a Boxer dog, be prepared for those times when your dog simply won't listen to your commands. You need to use a training method that works with the Boxers intelligence rather than expecting blind obedience.
Boxer dogs are widely accepted as being wonderful companions. They do need activity and you can clearly see their glee when they go along on a walk with you. Boxers are naturally full of energy, so don't be surprised to see them twist, jump and even kick its hind legs into the air while it is out on a walk.
They do need your attention and to be respected; boxers are certainly not a dumb animal that will just wait around contentedly for you to have time for them. If they get bored then it is possible for Boxer Dogs to be destructive, but engage with their intelligence and they will reward you many years of a fun filled friendship.
Both Gerry Ronson & Matthew Bettison are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.