The Boxer is a marvelous breed of dog and is exceptionally high spirited, playful and energetic. Boxer’s are very loyal and can be a terrific family pet who will be a lifelong companion. They are genuinely a lovable family dog and make a proud pet for anyone; they prefer to sit on your lap to cuddle than anything else. The boxer is also a unique breed that may not be suitable for everyone or every family. Boxers need a lot of attention and training. They require human contact and affection. They are extremely intelligent dogs, which make them very easy to train, but they also can be very manipulative with an inexperienced dog trainer.

The Boxer has a very compact body. It is a powerful dog breed with a shiny, close-fitting coat that comes in fawn, brindle, white and various shades of red, with white markings.

The Boxer is high-spirited, good natured, family friendly and are photogenic for Boxer dogs pictures. They are by nature highly smart and eager to learn.

The Boxer performs well in dog competition and obedience testing. Boxers are naturally on the move, bonding very closely with the family.

Boxers are known for the way they cope so well with kids. A well trained Boxer will also get along with his other dogs and other family pets such as cats.

Boxers need lots of human leadership. Teach the Boxer not to be animated and especially not to jump up at people. The boxer breed makes for great guard dogs. Boxers are chosen by military and police.

Teach the Boxer proper pack leadership from an early age to avoid any dominance issues. This dog needs to be exercised regularly by daily walks or more invigoration, regular workouts.

Boxers make great guard dogs as they are very protective of their owner and the family home. Boxer’s appearance leads people to believe they are an aggressive dog. In fact they can be timid and shy, although they desire to be very playful and friendly. Properly training and socializing your boxer is essential for both you and your dog.

Boxers are highly intelligent and can be very stubborn. Owners that are new to boxers must exercise patience and be firm but gentle when training. Start basic training as early as 6 weeks old, such as socialization and housebreaking. The earlier they are socialized the easier the rest of the training will be.

The main aspect of training for a boxer is socialization. Boxers can be very friendly dogs but they need to be trained to become one. They need to get accustomed to other dogs and people. If you are new to boxers or an inexperienced trainer you may want to consider training classes or professional trainers so that your boxer dog is around other dogs and people early on.

When your boxer reaches 13-16 weeks old it’s time for some serious boxer dog training. This is the point when it is most important to teach pack leadership. This is when boxers can be very stubborn and require patient training. You have to demonstrate sturdy pack leadership at and correct inappropriate behavior that will not be tolerated.

If you train your boxer at an early age with proper training techniques you will have a wonderful, loyal, family friend and companion.

Fun Facts about Boxers:

Boxers are very beautiful and popular dogs. They have a very distinctive look and with their stellar and enthusiastic personality they make great pets. Boxers are a medium sized dog, and although they are laid back and generally easy to get along with, they do also require a lot of affection and activity. Here are some fun facts that you may not know about Boxers:

The name Boxer may have been given because the dogs were rumored to fight and play using their paws like fists. There has been no real evidence of this, but it would be interesting to see!

Boxers are classified as a Working Dog breed, along with Mastiffs and Great Danes. However they are most often purchased as pets.

Although Boxers can weigh 50-80 lbs and are considered to be medium sized dogs, these pups often think they are lap dogs! So if you sit down, be prepared to cuddle up!

Boxers are very beautiful dogs and are often featured in contests. One Boxer called Bang Away has won over one hundred and twenty contests including Best In Show at Westminster.

Boxers are beloved pets of many celebrities. Humphrey Bogart was known for owning Boxers. He did not own just one, but several Boxers.

Boxers are still in use today by the military as messengers and guard dogs. They are also used by police forces.

There are some famous Boxers on television and in movies, such as CSI and Thirteen. They are often used because of their level of intelligence and their friendly personality.

Boxers hold the record for the longest tongue, one had a tongue seventeen inches long!

Boxers look like they are grinning when they are happy.

Some Boxers have no tails but when they are happy they will still shake their rear ends!

A Boxer is a great pet to have as part of your family. Boxers are known for their fiercely loyal nature and ability and willingness to protect its family or owner from any intruder or potential threat. They are a medium sized short hared dog with very little grooming needed.

Although Boxers do have some health issues, as all dogs will, they tend to be very healthy and energetic. Boxers do require a lot of attention and exercise. If you have an active outdoor lifestyle than Boxers are a great choice for you, as they are extremely agile and love to run. They can be trained for agility competitions and are able to learn very quickly.

Teaching a Boxer a trick takes much less time than teaching other dogs, and once he knows it, he can perform the trick very well. Boxers love to be loved and will often climb up into your lap, even if they do weigh up to fifty pounds! Boxers have a sunny disposition and are generally eager to please. They do get a little stubborn and can be strong willed, which is attributed to their level of intelligence. These dogs are devoted to their owners and will do their best to protect the home they live in. However, sometimes the home they live in needs a little protection from them, as they do like to chew!

Boxers are not a dog to bring home if you do not intend to spend a lot of time with them. They want your attention, and they need to be exercised on a frequent basis in order to feel content. Boxers

are wonderful with children, and are always eager to play. If you Boxer is pure bred you may also want to consider entering him in dog showing contests, which Boxers are very popular in.

Special care needs to be taken with Boxers when it comes to very hot or very cold weather, because of their short coat. Boxers are often considered to be one of the most loving dogs, and also do well with other dogs. As with all dogs it is important to train them well and be aware of their individual personality to ensure the safety of your dog, and those close to your dog.

So if you are someone who loves to go for a run, and has plenty of time to dedicate to loving one of the most loyal breeds of dogs, then a Boxer may be the perfect choice for you!

Boxer Looks

A Boxer’s head is one of its most easily recognizable qualities. It is large and tends to be square. It is a very powerful dog and can look very intimidating. However one look into their loving and intelligent eyes and you will easily be able to see that just because the Boxer is a strong muscular dog, that does mean it is vicious. Its fur is short and tight to the skin, and its legs tend to be short. The Boxer is a medium-sized dog ranging from 21 1/2 inches high at the shoulder in a smaller female up to 25 inches (sometimes taller) in a large male. Adult weight may reach 65-80 pounds in the male, with females about 15 pounds less, although they average between 50-70.

There are no miniature or giant varieties of this dog, and so the Boxers do not vary too much in size. The combination of its soulful eyes and wrinkled skin make it a very expressive and endearing dog. They are also known for the famous Boxer head tilt, in which they tilt their head to the side and gaze at their owners in a very adorable manner. Perhaps this is why most Boxer owners are just as fiercely loyal and loving to their pets, as their pets are to them.

Boxer History

Boxers have a long and interesting history with one theme running through it, they are strong, loyal, and intelligent dogs, making them a popular breed. Boxers originated in Germany but may have a history stretching back even further through time. By the1800s they were well known in Belgium as great dogs for hunting large game.

This talent for hunting interested many hunters in England. They began traveling to Belgium to purchase the dogs and returning to England with them. Once in England they would raise the dogs from the time they were puppies, training them to be hunting dogs. They showed a great talent by being able to not only hunt, but also hold the prey, displaying independent thinking, which the breed has become known for. Their intelligence has only continued to become a very ideal aspect of this breed.

In 1830 they were bred with an English Bulldog in Germany, this is when many people believe the actual breed of Boxer was born. It became much more popular in the 1860s the German Boxer Klub began breeding the boxers and set the standards for purity of breed.

The only boxers being accepted as pure bred were boxers with white coats. In 1930 the police began using boxers as police dogs, and preferred boxers of different colors so they would not stand out as much when doing night time investigation or attempting to be stealth. Since then Boxers have also been used in the military and as personal guard dogs. The first Boxer came to the United States in 1903 and the breed became very popular in the United States by the 1940s.

Today they are used in a variety of professions, including the police and the military. Since these dogs are highly intelligent they can also serve as search and rescue dogs, and guide dogs. Some Boxers have also been known to work in circuses.

Styles of Boxers

There are not different types of Boxer Dogs but there are different styles. Currently there are three different styles. The United Kingdom Boxer, the American Boxer, and the German Boxer. United

Kingdom boxers are generally elegant in appearance, perhaps because of their smaller paws and high knuckles. German Boxers have a bigger bone size and so appear a bit larger than the United Kingdom and American Boxers.

Their snout is a little smaller, and their thighs are a bit thicker. Because of the differing shape of their feet their stance is a little different than the United Kingdom Boxer. The American Boxer has a tighter, shinier coat. It has no wrinkles on its skin. It also has a wider snout. So there is not very much difference between the styles of Boxers, but you might find that you prefer the look of one style of Boxer over another.

Personality

It is always important to consider whether a dog’s personality will blend well with yours, or your family’s. Although just like people all dogs can have different personalities, most breeds share general personality traits that can give you a good idea of whether a dog of that particular breed will be a good match.

Boxers are a very popular pet because of their personalities. They are a first choice for people who are hoping to add a playful member to their family. As friendly as boxers are it is easy for most to get along with other people and animals, which is a nice plus for having this dog in your home. However, as playful and friendly as they are, they are also very energetic. They need a lot of play time, and should get plenty of exercise.

If you are adopting an older Boxer it is important to gauge its individual personality to get an idea of what its temperament will be like. Although Boxers can be trained, they are still a very powerful dog and caution must be taken to make it clear that the owner is in charge.

If this is something you are uncertain about you can always enlist the aid of a dog trainer, however there are also many books available about training Boxers. Their first goal is to please you, so even if there is a bit of a personality conflict, usually this is resolved very easily.

Boxers are very loyal and protective dogs, once they love you they always love you, so be prepared for a lifetime commitment.

Health

When deciding to adopt a dog there are a lot of factors to consider. Of course there is whether you have the time to commit to the care of a dog, and the space for him to exercise and feel comfortable in. One other aspect that potential owners sometimes over look, is the health of a dog. Each breed of dog can have its own health issues.

Although not every Boxer will have these health problems, being aware of the possibility before you bring a Boxer into your family can help you prepare for the health issues, and take preventative

action. It will also give you a heads up about what you should discuss with your vet.

White coated boxers do have a higher risk of being deaf, but contrary to popular belief not all white coated boxers are deaf. Boxers who are deaf can still be trained and communicate using sign language.

Some health issues to keep an eye out for in your Boxer are cancers, heart conditions, hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and epilepsy. Some Boxers can also be sensitive to allergies, so you may want to keep a close eye on their diet and digestion.

Some dogs will experience bloating and intestinal problems. Boxers are very strong, athletic dogs, and their average life span is eight to fourteen years. Boxers can weigh between 40-70 pounds and need plenty of exercise.

Your best defense against these potential health problems is to find a great local vet to take your dog to. He or she will have plenty of advice and suggestions for your particular dog, as every situation is different. All dogs are required to get certain vaccines which may vary by pet.

Your vet will inform you of the vaccinations needed and when they should be administered, as well as whether there are any daily or monthly medications that your dog should be taking. A pet’s

health is very important to your entire family so it is important to make sure you have the funds set aside to care for your pet should a health issue arise.

 

Care

Boxers are very friendly active dogs, but they are also very strong willed and can be very stubborn. These are great aspects of their personality if you are consistent with setting the boundaries for your pet. Since Boxers are very athletic they need plenty of activity and exercise. Boxers are

great running or walking partners, as they are always willing to join in.

This can be a great way for you to get your daily exercise, as well as your pet having a chance to expend his extra energy. Boxers love to play so having a variety of toys for him is a great way to keep him occupied. Also, if you have children in the home with your Boxer, he will make a great playmate with them, and will likely tire them out!

Boxers are also avid chewers. Having durable chew toys designed for a Boxer’s strong jaw is essential for preventing damage to your furniture, shoes, and whatever else may be in reach. When Boxers are puppies it is a very good idea to put them in a crate when you leave the house.

This is not only to protect your belongings and your sanity, but also to protect your puppy. A Boxer will not think twice about chewing through an electrical cord or getting into a something that may be toxic or harmful to him. The crate will also become a special place for your Boxer, that is just his, and he will likely enjoy spending time in it. A crate should also be used when traveling with your Boxer.

Although Boxers do love to be outside, it is important to remember that they have a very short coat and thin fur, which means they are not suited to being outside all day long. A Boxer can not handle cold temperatures or hot temperatures, so you must always make sure they have access to a comfortable climate.

Also because they are friendly dogs, and love the attention of their owners and other people, they may struggle to escape a fenced in yard or a leash, for the sake of finding someone to interact with. A Boxer should sleep inside, but have plenty of sunshine, just not for extended periods of time.

 

Because of their thin fur Boxers do not need much grooming. However, they do love water. Most Boxers are eager to bathe. Other than a monthly bath there is not too much additional care that is needed. You will need to trim your Boxer’s nails and clean their ears as needed.

Feeding

Boxer’s can get an excessive amount of drool. This does not happen all of the time and as all dogs are different, some will drool or froth more than others. If this is an issue for you then you may want to wipe your Boxer’s mouth after he eats or drinks. Boxers love to eat, just like they love to chew! You may choose to prepare your Boxer’s food at home, or purchase dog food from a store. Boxers generally eat dry dog food, and there is no special brand for them, however it is important to look at the ingredients of the food and make sure it is good quality.

Consult your vet if you are uncertain about how much to feed your dog daily, as it depends on your dogs age, weight, and activity level. Boxers can also eat human food, but you should never feed your dog fat trimmings, left overs, or junk food. Generally if it is not good for you, it is not good for your dog either, and may be even more dangerous for him.

Since Boxers are so active, curious, intelligent, and eager to chew there are several things that you should be cautious of your dog eating. Most of these items apply to all dogs, some you may be familiar with and some you may not. Of course you must always keep your pet from ingesting drugs or alcohol, but there are several things that seem harmless, that may actually cause your dog a 

lot of discomfort.

Apple seeds Since they are so small, it may seem as if apple seeds are no big deal, but in fact they contain a chemical that releases Cyanide if ingested. Your dog can eat apples, but you must be 

cautious to core them and clear them of all seeds before sharing the treat.

Avocado Avocados can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and heart congestion in dogs.

Bones Nutritionally bones will not harm your dog, however sometimes when the bones from meat are digested they can splinter inside of your dog. This is more common with the small bones that come from chicken and fish.

Candy and Chocolate Any food that contains sugar is not good for your pet. The sugar can cause an over release of insulin which leads to all kinds of problems with your dog’s organs. Chocolate can be very harmful to your dog, not just because of the caffeine it contains, which is not good for your pet either, but the theobromine and theophylline can be toxic for your dog. If ingested it can cause panting, vomiting, and diarrhea, It can even damage your dog’s heart and nervous systems. It is important to remember that just because it is tasty to you, that does not mean it is safe for you dog.

Cat food If you have cats in your home as well you will want to exercise precaution with their food, as cat food is not safe for dogs. The protein and fat levels in cat food are too high and may cause your dog nutritional issues.
Corn Cobs Corn cobs may look innocent, but they will not be digested by your dog. They may become lodged in their intestines and cause very serious illness that could even lead to surgery.

Salmon and Trout These two types of fish, even when fully cooked, contain a parasite. It is harmless to humans, but can cause a lot of problems in dogs.
Grapes Grapes contain a toxin that can cause you do to become severely ill. This can happen with raisins as well. Even just a few grapes or raisins can cause this issue, so they should be avoided.

Hopsan ingredient in beer that can be toxic to your dog. The consumption of hops by your dog can cause panting, an increased heart rate, fever, seizures, and even death.

Onions and Garlic In any form both onions and garlic can be toxic to your dog. Onions are especially dangerous and should always be avoided.
Liver Most dogs can eat liver, however it should only be given in small amounts as it contains a lot of Vitamin A, which can cause muscle issues.
Macadamia Nuts These nuts contain a toxin that affect movement and its digestive system. This can lead to painful swelling, tremors, and several other issues.

Dairy Products All dogs are lactose intolerant. A little bit won’t hurt, but may cause some stomach issues like gas and diarrhea.

Persimmons, peaches, and plums It is the pits if you live in an area with many of these types of trees. Your Boxer may eat the fruit that falls on the ground. If he does, the pits may get lodged in his digestive track, which can cause a lot of problems.

Salt Too much salt can affect a dog’s electrolyte levels, and cause stomach and digestion issues.

Tobacco Of course you would not feed your pet tobacco, but if there is a smoker in the house it is still a potential hazard for your dog. Tobacco is even more dangerous for dogs than it is for humans. Nicotine can damage the dog’s nervous system, digestive system, and may even increase their heart rate.

A dog could pass out. It can potentially be fatal for your dog.
Yeast Yeast is a product used in many types of bread to make it rise. It will also cause this same reaction in your dog’s stomach. Even though mild cases may only cause some discomfort, like gas, more severe reactions include the intestines and stomach rupturing.

Coat, Color and Grooming

The Boxer breed is known for its beautiful coats. Its coats are short-haired, with thin fur. It is shiny, and smooth. There are two common colors of coat, fawn, and brindle. Usually a Boxer dog will have a white stomach, and white on it paws.

The white marks scattered through their fur are called “flash” and can also color their heads and necks. Dogs that are said to be of Fawn coloring can range from a light tan or yellowish color, to reddish, mahogany, or dark blonde. In the United Kingdom and Europe, fawn Boxers are rich in color, and many are described as being red.

These dogs are many different colors and their coats can have just a little bit of “flash” or many white markings. Brindle Boxers are dogs with black stripes across a fawn coloring. The amount of stripes, and thickness, can vary from dog to dog.

The coat is very important to consider as it is something that is heavily scrutinized when entering a dog show or contest. Because of this, Brindle dogs with stripes too heavy to show their fawn color beneath are often not allowed to participate as it falls outside of the breed standards.

The coat of puppies may change slightly as it grows, by getting a bit more reddish or gaining spots in white areas. Also a puppy’s markings may change position or become smaller as it grows.

Because Boxers have such a short coat, there is not much grooming necessary. However, it is important to keep your dog clean. These dogs love baths, but you must be careful not to bathe them too often as their skin can dry out.

Also be sure to only use dog shampoo as dogs can have severe allergic reactions to human shampoo which can lead to excessive itching. You will also need to brush your dog’s teeth, daily is best. Once a year you should also take your dog for a cleaning of his teeth to remove excess tartar. Don’t forget to keep your dog’s nails trimmed, and to also keep a close eye on his ears for ear infections.

Boxers also are known for having eye discharge. This can turn into a goop on their eyes. If it is not cleaned off it can gather in the folds of a Boxer’s skin and cause a smell or even infection. Hypoallergenic baby wipes or soft paper towels can be used to clean your dog’s eyes. You may want to do this at least three times a day.

Boxer Rescue Groups

If you have decided that you are ready to bring a Boxer into your family, then a great way to find your perfect pet, is to go through a rescue group. A rescue group takes in dogs that owners have discovered they cannot care for, as well as dogs that may have been abandoned and in some cases neglected or abused.

These dogs are in need of homes and they are usually thoroughly screened before being put up for adoption. This way, not only are you giving your family a new pet to love, you are giving love to a pet who really needs it. No matter where you live, there is usually a Boxer rescue located near you.

Boxer Breed Organizations

There are many Breed Organizations that you can use as resources if you are interested in getting even more information about your dogs. These organizations can help you figure out what style of

Boxer you have, whether it is pure bred, and whether it has the potential to be entered into dog shows and other competitions.

They are also a good place to go to in order to discover what hidden talents your dog may have. Most Boxers enjoy agility training, running, and retrieving. These are all things that can enhance your relationship with your dog, and keep him focus and occupied as well as exercised.

Visit https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/boxer/ for more great info about Boxers.