| Country of origin: | Germany |
| Registries: | AKC, UKC, CKC |
| Occupation: | Guardian, companion |
| Size: | 21 to 25 in tall; 50 to 80 lbs |
| Longevity: | 9 to 11 years |
| Exercise: | Moderate to vigorous |
| Training: | Easy |
| Grooming: | Easy |
The tallest of the flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds, Boxers are dogs that never grow up. Ever. They are bouncy, energetic, fearless risk-takers, although males can be wary and circumspect with strangers. The typical Boxer’s mantra is “All I wanna do is have fun.” This is a breed for active families. They make superb companions for young children because they are, in thought and action, similar to perpetual three-year-old kids. Although the breed’s muscularity, size, and intimidating appearance suits it to a role as house protector, these dogs are unfailingly gentle with children. Boxers were first developed in Germany, probably from the Brabant Bullenbeisser (bullbiter) from Belgium and similar dogs from the Danzig region. Bavarian breeds and perhaps even the English Bulldog may have been used in its original development. By the turn of the 20th century, they were essentially as they are today. No one knows exactly how the name “Boxer” developed. Unfortunately, there are serious health problems within the breed and these lead to a shorter-than-average life expectancy.
History
The Boxer breed first came to be in Germany in the 1800s. Although before that, it is believed that they descended from a particular dog found in the 16th century. They were also depicted in tapestries in the 16th and 17th centuries.
They were utilized as working and guard dogs. Alongside their dutiful qualities were the qualities of love and companionship. They even helped in World War I as attack dogs and even messengers.
The first club was established in 1895. Three German men made great contributions to this breed. They were Friedrich Robert, Elard Konig, and R. Hopner. They brought the Boxer to dog shows in 1896 and soon after, a standard came to be in 1904.
One thing lead to another and in 1904, the Boxer also became apart of the AKC. The year 1940 was when they started becoming popular in other places such as the United States and Europe. Their most popular point occurred after World War II.
Personality
Boxers are most known for how active they are. They have high energy and agility levels. They enjoy to jump high and leap around, as they were used to with a hunting origin. It’s also attributed to the fact that they love to have fun and are quite playful for a working breed.
Besides being upbeat and playful, they love to receive love from their families and the children in their family. They are patient but will still require supervision. They are protective of their people so they may have to warm up to strangers. They are powerful and alert, which also makes for a great guard dog, as they were in the war era.
Trait
The boxer is a medium sized dog that has a short but smooth coat. They can be 21 to 25 inches tall and weigh up to 71 lbs. They can be only two colors, which are shades of fawn and brindle, but with markings. Their markings can be white all over their body or black masks.
They have ripples in specific spots on their body and wrinkles on their faces. They have a short back but strong limbs. They are very muscular dogs and have a square-like body.
Handling
The handling and grooming for a Boxer is quite simple. They have a short, smooth coat that does not require much grooming. They just need to be brushed regularly to get rid of loose hairs and possibly dirt or other debris. They will need daily exercise and should be trained properly.
To train a Boxer is also fairly simple. They should be trained to control their jumping. They should also be exposed to a various amount of stimulus in regards to people, places, and other animals. They do not need strenuous exercise but they are working dogs, so some daily running will be necessary. Repetitive commands don’t mesh well with their intelligent natures. So it is best to mix things up and keep their stimulus exciting.
Health
Boxers are fairly healthy and can live to be 12 years old or more with proper care. They can be more susceptible to hypothyroidism and heart conditions such as cardiomyopathy. Another leading cause of death with this breed are various cancers. Vet visits and keeping proper care with your dog will ensure a happy, healthy life.