Authored by Patricia Cherry in Dogs
Published on 09-29-2009
Probably the three most accurate words that could be used to describe the Boxer dog breed are loyal, intelligent and energetic. These beautiful, strong dogs are known for being full of life, loving to both play and work plus being very devoted to their owner. The Boxer is classified by the American Kennel Club as a working dog and just like someone who retires too early, if a Boxer doesn’t have regular exercise and something to do it will become stressed and difficult to handle. Boxers need daily exercise and both they and their owner will be much happier with a little obedience training.
The Boxer is a fairly large sized dog, weighing in at between 55 and 65 pounds for a female boxer and a hefty 60 to 70 for a male boxer. They stand around two feet tall at the shoulder. These aren’t small dogs, but they also aren’t huge. The typical coloration of a boxer is anywhere from brindle, to fawn, to reddish browns and can have white patches. Their fur is short, smooth and very beautiful. You will have an easy time keeping a boxer groomed. For whatever reason, pure white Boxer dogs aren’t allowed to be registered. This could be due to the fact that white Boxers, like many other white animals, tend to have a higher incidence of deafness. Boxers also have a muscular body, long straight legs, often a docked tail and sometimes docked ears as well. Powerful jaws and an almost black nose and dark eyes are also typical of the breed.
A Boxer is very athletic and will respond well to training, enjoys play time and is happiest when doing something with their owner. Boxers will get along well with other pets in the house if they are brought up with them from a young age. Introducing your Boxer pup to the family cat or another dog early will make them feel as though they are a part of their pack and they will accept them as family so to speak. As with any dog though, you should never leave them alone unsupervised with a small animal or child.
These dogs have been used for everything from herding cattle to police work and guard dogs. The Boxer dog breed originated in Germany and are mostly a mix of Bulldog and Mastiff. The name Boxer was given because of the dog’s tendency to use its paws more than a typical dog. They will punch and paw when both playing and fighting.
With good care, a Boxer will normally live between 10 and 15 years, so you’ll have a lot of time to enjoy them. The most common illnesses that this breed of dog is prone to getting include certain heart conditions, hip problems, allergies including skin allergies and cancerous tumors as they age. Because of their short coat, a Boxer needs to be protected from extremes of weather. They will get cold easier than a dog with thick fur and they also will get over heated fairly quickly without that insulating layer of fur.
If you want an energetic, intelligent, loyal dog and have the time and room for exercise, the Boxer may be the perfect dog for you. With plenty of love, some training and lots of play time, a Boxer can be a great addition to your family.
