About the Breed: Boxer

by **Dog Keeper** Tue Apr 22, 2014 3:20 am

Boxer

Square-jawed and muscular, the Boxer is the George Clooney of the dog world, a hunk with a sense of humour and an underlying sweetness.

Dog Breed Type: Working Dog
Life Span: 10-12 years
Height: 21-25 inches
Weight: 50-70 pounds

History:

The Boxer is a descendant from the now extinct breed 'German Bullenbeisser' and the Bulldog.
The modern boxer was breed in the 19th Century by George Alt, by breeding his German Bullenbeisser with another unknown dog. It wasn't until 1894 that the breed was stabilised, and the breed had its first Boxer club. Though, the first Boxer to be registered by the Kennel club wasn't until 1904.

The Boxer is prized for being able to hunt and hold its prey until their master arrived. Now, Boxers are used more as service dogs or family pets.

Personality:

The Boxer is described as a "hearing" guard dog, meaning he's alert and watchful. When he's not clowning for you, he's dignified and self-assured. With children, he's playful and patient. Strangers are greeted with a wary attitude, but he responds politely to friendly people. He's aggressive only in defence of his family and home.

Temperament is affected by a number of factors, including heredity, training, and socialization. Puppies with nice temperaments are curious and playful, willing to approach people and be held by them. Choose the middle-of-the-road puppy, not the one who's beating up his littermates or the one who's hiding in the corner. Always meet at least one of the parents — usually the mother is the one who's available — to ensure that they have nice temperaments that you're comfortable with. Meeting siblings or other relatives of the parents is also helpful for evaluating what a puppy will be like when he grows up.

Like every dog, Boxers need early socialization — exposure to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences — when they're young. Socialization helps ensure that your Boxer puppy grows up to be a well-rounded, outgoing, friendly dog and stays that way. Enrolling him in a puppy kindergarten class is a great start. Inviting visitors over regularly, and taking him to busy parks, stores that allow dogs, and on leisurely strolls to meet neighbours will also help him polish his social skills.

Boxers are intelligent and respond well to firm but fun training. They also have an independent streak and don't like to be bossed around or treated harshly. You'll have the biggest success in training your Boxer if you can make it fun for him.

Facts:

*Boxers are prone to many illnesses, especially cancer.
* Boxer drool, a lot.
* Boxers take several years to mature, acting like pups for many years.
*The main Protagonist of Hounds, Riley, is a Boxer.

Information: http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/boxer

'Boxer breed information', Dog Breed Center, Dogtime, http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/boxer 21 April 2014