breed Library > Dog > Boxer

Description

Boxers are a breed of stocky, medium-sized, short-haired dog with a smooth fawn or brindled coat and square-jawed muzzle. Boxers have very strong jaws and a powerful bite.

Proportions

An adult boxer typically weighs between 55 and 70 lbs (25 and 32 kg). Adult male boxers are between 23 and 25 in. (57 nand 63 cm) tall at the withers; adult female are between 21 to 23 ½ in. (53 and 60 cm). Docking of the tail remains popular, although cropping of the ears is gradually declining in popularity. Both cropping and docking are now prohibited in many European breed standards and are slowly being banned in many countries. As of March, 2005, the AKC changed its standard to allow the showing of uncropped Boxers, but penalizes an undocked tail.

Background

The ancestors of this breed were the German Bullenbeisser, a dog of Mastiff descent, and the English Bulldog. The Bullenbeisser had been working as a hunting dog for centuries, employed in the pursuit of bear, wild boar, and deer. Its task was to seize the prey and hold it until the hunters arrived. In later years, faster dogs were favored and the Bullenbeisser grew smaller and was then called the Brabanter. In the late 19th century, the Brabanter was crossed with an English Bulldog to start the line that would become the modern Boxer. In 1894, three Germans by the name of Roberth, Konig, and Hopner decided to stabilize the breed and put it on exhibition at a dog show. This was done in Munich in 1895, and the next year they founded the first Boxer Club.

Personality

The character of the Boxer is of the greatest importance and demands the most careful attention. He is renowned for his great love and faithfulness to his master and household, his alertness, and fearless courage as a defender and protector. The Boxer is docile but distrustful of strangers. He is bright and friendly in play but brave and determined when roused. His intelligence and willing tractability, his modesty, and cleanliness make him a highly desirable family dog and cheerful companion. He is the soul of honesty and loyalty. He is never false or treacherous even in his old age.

Boxers are a bright, energetic and playful breed and tend to be very good with children. It's best if obedience training is started early since they also have a strong personality and therefore can be harder to train when older. This plus their strength might present a challenge for a first-time dog owner. Boxers have earned a slight reputation of being "headstrong", which can be related to inappropriate obedience training. As a highly intelligent breed, Boxers tend to respond better to training which allows them to think for themselves, rather than learn by repetition. It is also true that Boxers have a very long puppyhood and adolescence, and are often called the "Peter Pan" of the dog world.. They are not considered fully mature until age three, one of the longest times in dogdom, and thus need early training to keep their high energy from wearing out their owner.

Things to Note

The name "Boxer" is supposedly derived from this breed's tendency to begin a fight by standing on its hind legs and "boxing" with its front paws.

Special Talents

Watchdog, guarding, police work, military work, search & rescue, competitive obedience, Schutzhund, and performing tricks.