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Boxer
(Deutscher
Boxer) (German Boxer)
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Description |
The
Boxer's body is compact and powerful and
the shiny, close-fitting coat comes in fawn,
brindle, white and various shades of red,
with white markings. White Boxers cannot
be registered with some Kennel Clubs. The
tail is usually docked. Ear cropping is
optional. (Docking and cropping is illegal
in some countries.) Its head should be in
proportion to its body, lean and unwrinkled.
Its lower jaw extends beyond its upper one,
curving upward. Neither teeth nor
tongue are to show when the mouth is closed.
The nose is large and black with very open
nostrils. Eyes dark. The neck should be
round, strong, and muscular, without dewlap.
The body should be square. The tail is carried
high. Its front legs should be straight
and parallel. |
| Temperament |
The
Boxer is happy, high-spirited, playful,
curious and energetic. Highly intelligent,
eager and quick to learn, but can be stubborn
and sneaky. The Boxer is a good dog for
competitive obedience. Constantly on
the move, bonding very closely with the
family. Loyal and affectionate, Boxers are
known for the way they get along so well
with children. A well brought-up and properly
socialized Boxer will also get along with
his own kind and other household pets. However
one Boxer owner reported; their Boxer is
best friends with their many barn cats and
second dog, but will chase and eat their
ducks and other farm birds. The female boxer
will often get into fights with other female
dogs, trying to display her dominance. If
one owns a female boxer and another female
dog, they will get along and even play most
of the time, however they will most likely
fight from time to time. It has been said
that the name Boxer came from the way the
Boxer likes to use is front paws for just
about everything. If you have ever watched
a Boxer go about his business you may have
noticed the way he paws at his toys, food
bowl and you for that matter, in a very
playful cat-like way. Some Boxers have been
known to paw at their food or water bowl
if they are empty. Playfully barking, pawing
and playing with the bowl, flipping it upside-down
and putting their front paws on the top
of the bowl, sliding it around the house
barking and whining until someone fills
it for them. It looks like a silly game,
but the Boxer knows what he is trying to
tell you, he's hungry! While participating
the sport of schutzhund, Boxers are
known to jump up and use their front paws
as if they are boxing. They are very clownish
and playful and have been known to grab
and carry ANYTHING around including your
knickknacks if he thinks he can get away
with it. The Boxer's nature is to protect
you, your family, and your home. Known visitors
will be welcomed boisterously. They are
always keen to work and play. Boxers
need lots of human companionship. They can
be rather boisterous and even in old age
are still extremely athletic. Teach the
Boxer not to be boisterous and especially
not to jump up at people. Boxers LOVE to
jump. This breed is noted for courage and
makes great guard dogs. Boxers have a wide
use in military and police work. Training
should start young and be firm and consistent.
This breed requires a dominant owner. An
excellent watchdog, the Boxer will restrain
an intruder in the same way a Bulldog does. |
| Height,
Weight |
Height:
Dogs 22-25 inches (56-63 cm.) Bitches 21-24
inches (53-61 cm)
Weight: Dog 60-70 pounds (27-32 kg.) Bitches
53-65 pounds (24-29 kg.) |
| Health
Problems |
Some
major concerns are cardiomyopathy, sub-aortic
stenosis, and hip dysplasia. Sometimes prone
to epilepsy. From age eight on they are
more likely to get tumors than other breeds.
Tendency for allergies. Also heart problems. These
dogs may drool and snore. May have excessive
flatulence. Some white Boxers are prone
to deafness. |
| Living
Conditions |
Boxers
will do okay in an apartment if sufficiently
exercised. They are fairly active indoors
and do best with at least an average-sized
yard. Boxers do best in temperate climates
as the breed can chill easily in cold weather
and have trouble cooling off in very hot
weather. |
| Exercise |
An
active, athletic breed, Boxers need daily
work or exercise, as well as a long brisk,
daily walk. They also enjoy fetching a ball
or other sessions of play. |
| Life
Expectancy |
About
11-14 years |
| Litter
Size |
2
- 10 puppies - Average 6 |
| Grooming |
The
Boxer's smooth, short-haired coat is easy
to groom. Brush with a firm bristle brush,
and bathe only when necessary, for it removes
the natural oils from the skin. Boxers are
very clean and groom themselves like cats.
This breed is an average shedder. |
|
Origin |
The
Boxer's ancestors were two German mastiff
type dogs, the Bullenbeiszer and the Barenbeiszer.
They were later crossed with the powerful
ancestors of the Mastiff and Bulldog. Early
on, these dogs were prized for hunting,
bull baiting, and for pulling carts. A bit
farther down the family tree, Boxer ancestors
became cattle dogs, and were used to round
up livestock. They were also popular circus
and theater dogs because they learned tricks
so easily. Breeding was rather indiscriminate
until the first Boxer studbook was started
in 1904, stabilizing the breed standard.
In spite of its German origins, "Boxer"
is an English name that suitably describes
the dog's punchy fighting style. Though
early Boxers may have been quite ferocious,
the breed today is a very gentle, loving
family companion. Some of the Boxer's talents
are watchdogging, guarding, police work,
military work, search & rescue, competitive
obedience, schutzhund and performing tricks.
Breeders are breeding two types of Boxers,
the German Boxer and the American Boxer.
The German Boxers have bigger heads and
are generally more muscular than American
Boxers. |
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