Boxer Dogs - A Guide to the Breed
The Boxer dog is a German developed breed and is part of the Molosser group.
It was derived from two or more Mastiff type dogs, the now extinct Bullenbeisser and the English bulldog.
These ancestors of the Boxer had been used to hunt boar, bear and deer for centuries as well as for bull baiting when it became a sport.
The boxer was stabilised and exhibited as a breed in its own right in Munich in 1895 and the first Boxer club was founded a year later.
The breed was introduced across Europe in the late 19th century and to America at the turn of the century.
The American kennel club recognised the first boxer champion in 1915 but the breed was not register t o the British kennel club until 1933.
This breed is a stocky, medium sized, short haired dog, with a smooth fawn or brindled coat, sometimes with white markings.
It has a square muzzle and very strong jaw.
It also shows a high level of intelligence and is quick to learn.
The name 'Boxer' is thought by many to have derived form the tendency the breed has to fight standing on its hind legs and boxing with its front paws, but this is unlikely as the breed was German so therefore not likely to be given such an anglicised name.
There are many other theories about the origins of the name which linguistic scientists have debated.
Perhaps one of the more likely explanations is that the Bullenbeisser breed was also known as the 'Boxl' and Boxer is simply a corruption of that word.
During World War I the Boxer was used by the military and did valuable work as a messenger dog, guard dog, pack carrier and attack dog.
But it was not until after the Second World War that the Boxer became popular around the world.
They were taken home by returning soldiers and soon became a favorite companion, guard dog and show dog.
By 2002 the Boxer was the seventh most popular breed in the USA with around 35,000 new registrations a year.
While Boxers are typically fawn in colour with a white underbelly and feet, around a quarter of Boxers are born completely white.
This variety has a higher risk of sunburn and skin cancers than coloured Boxers.
The gene which is responsible for producing white Boxers is also linked to deafness and around 20% of this variety is deaf in both ears.
In the past breeders often euthanized white Boxers at birth and today many are put in pet homes.
White Boxers are also disqualified from conformation showing and prohibited from breeding by all national Boxer clubs.
Boxers are energetic and playful and good with families and children.
They need to be trained early as they have strong personalities which can be harder to train when older.
They have a slight reputation of being difficult to manage which is a result of poor obedience training at a young age.
Their intelligence and working breed characteristics mean than they respond well to positive reinforcement techniques such as clicker training.
Boxers do have a long adolescence and are not fully mature until two to three years old which is why they need early training to keep their high energy from wearing out the owner.
While the breed is not aggressive or vicious they can be over-protecting, territorial and dominating which can lead to a problem with destructive behavior especially in male dogs.
They need socialisation, companionship and exercise to counteract these traits.
Boxers are prone to develop various illnesses including cancers, heart conditions and intestinal problems.
Responsible breeders screen their breeding stock in an attempt to minimise the occurrence of these diseases in future generations.
Proper exercise and conditioning is important for continued health but young dogs should not be over exercised as this may damage bones.
Once fully grown Boxers are excellent running companions although they do not do well in high heat or humidity so care should be taken in these conditions.
It was derived from two or more Mastiff type dogs, the now extinct Bullenbeisser and the English bulldog.
These ancestors of the Boxer had been used to hunt boar, bear and deer for centuries as well as for bull baiting when it became a sport.
The boxer was stabilised and exhibited as a breed in its own right in Munich in 1895 and the first Boxer club was founded a year later.
The breed was introduced across Europe in the late 19th century and to America at the turn of the century.
The American kennel club recognised the first boxer champion in 1915 but the breed was not register t o the British kennel club until 1933.
This breed is a stocky, medium sized, short haired dog, with a smooth fawn or brindled coat, sometimes with white markings.
It has a square muzzle and very strong jaw.
It also shows a high level of intelligence and is quick to learn.
The name 'Boxer' is thought by many to have derived form the tendency the breed has to fight standing on its hind legs and boxing with its front paws, but this is unlikely as the breed was German so therefore not likely to be given such an anglicised name.
There are many other theories about the origins of the name which linguistic scientists have debated.
Perhaps one of the more likely explanations is that the Bullenbeisser breed was also known as the 'Boxl' and Boxer is simply a corruption of that word.
During World War I the Boxer was used by the military and did valuable work as a messenger dog, guard dog, pack carrier and attack dog.
But it was not until after the Second World War that the Boxer became popular around the world.
They were taken home by returning soldiers and soon became a favorite companion, guard dog and show dog.
By 2002 the Boxer was the seventh most popular breed in the USA with around 35,000 new registrations a year.
While Boxers are typically fawn in colour with a white underbelly and feet, around a quarter of Boxers are born completely white.
This variety has a higher risk of sunburn and skin cancers than coloured Boxers.
The gene which is responsible for producing white Boxers is also linked to deafness and around 20% of this variety is deaf in both ears.
In the past breeders often euthanized white Boxers at birth and today many are put in pet homes.
White Boxers are also disqualified from conformation showing and prohibited from breeding by all national Boxer clubs.
Boxers are energetic and playful and good with families and children.
They need to be trained early as they have strong personalities which can be harder to train when older.
They have a slight reputation of being difficult to manage which is a result of poor obedience training at a young age.
Their intelligence and working breed characteristics mean than they respond well to positive reinforcement techniques such as clicker training.
Boxers do have a long adolescence and are not fully mature until two to three years old which is why they need early training to keep their high energy from wearing out the owner.
While the breed is not aggressive or vicious they can be over-protecting, territorial and dominating which can lead to a problem with destructive behavior especially in male dogs.
They need socialisation, companionship and exercise to counteract these traits.
Boxers are prone to develop various illnesses including cancers, heart conditions and intestinal problems.
Responsible breeders screen their breeding stock in an attempt to minimise the occurrence of these diseases in future generations.
Proper exercise and conditioning is important for continued health but young dogs should not be over exercised as this may damage bones.
Once fully grown Boxers are excellent running companions although they do not do well in high heat or humidity so care should be taken in these conditions.
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