Discover More About Boxer Dog Breed

The Boxer is one of the oldest German breeds. He has become a staple in American Society as a family pet and protector. Developed in Germany, the Boxer is stocky, medium-sized, shorthaired dog. The coat is smooth and fawn or brindled, with or without white markings. Boxers have a square muzzle, physically powerful jaws and a powerful bite ideal for hanging on to prey of any size. The Boxer was bred from the original Bulldog and the now extinct Bullen beisser.

Overview

The Boxer first came into competition in 1895 along side St. Bernard's in Munich, Germany. The first boxer club was subsequently founded the following year in 1896.The breed was introduced to other parts of Europe late in the 19th century and to the United States approximately the turn of the century. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the first Boxer champion in 1915. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), in 2002 Boxers entered the list at 7th on the most popular breeds, and have maintained that position ever since. This position of popularity has been maintained through 35,388 new dog registrations annually.

Boxers live an average of 10-12 years. The have a small legs, and a physically powerful muscular build with an inquisitive look. The Boxer coat typically comes in white with some black or brown markings through out. Some liken the coat coloring to appear similar to that of a cow.

Temperament

He is celebrated for his love and faithfulness to his family. He is suspicious of strangers, but bright and friendly at play, and brave when need be. His intelligence and eager tractability, his modesty and cleanliness make him a sought-after family dog and companion. His honesty and loyalty, and is by no means false or treacherous even with age. Boxers are well behaved with children of all ages. The reputation of being "headstrong" can be correlated to inappropriate and lacking obedience training. Boxers are patient with smaller dogs but can feel the need to be dominant with larger dogs, especially of the same gender. Boxers react best to positive reinforcement techniques. He requires socialization early in life to tolerate other dogs well. Boxers are on the whole comfortable with companionship, from either human or canine.

Common Ailments

Boxers are prone to develop cancers, heart conditions; hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, and degenerative myelopathy; tendency to develop spondylosis deformans, a fusing of the spine. Before bringing a boxer home, ask about family medical history, as well as your dogs history to gage if the needed medical effort will be possible.

Grooming / Physical Needs

This dog requires proper exercise and conditioning for continued health and longevity; The Boxer is a clean canine with a short coat that needs little more than a wipe-down and an occasional bath. Due to the short hair on this breed, daily or weekly bathing will result in dry skin and possibly additional skin disorders.

Special Abilities / Talents

Companions; alertness, agility, and strength make them formidable guard dogs; used as service dogs, guide dogs for the blind, therapy dogs, police dogs; herding cattle or sheep; trainable for various other service positions. The Boxer is a renowned family pet, with great affection for every member of his family. He is not however known as a multifamily pet, as he is a dedicated, loyal dog.

The Boxer is a dog breed instantly recognizable and quite memorable even to the casual observer.

With its heavy shoulders and erect carriage, this is an older breed of dog that has a great deal of deserved popularity in the United States and in Europe.

The Boxer, with its athletic build, is clearly descended from hunting and sporting dogs, and its history goes back more than one hundred years.

In Germany, the first Boxer dogs were developed from crosses between the extinct dog breed known as bullenbeissers and bulldogs.

This breed was intended to be a hunter's dog, its main job being to hold the prey still until the hunters appeared on the scene.

From this practice, it is easy to see where the the boxer's discipline and strength come from.

In the early 1900s, the Boxer was introduced to America and recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1904.

In World War I, the Boxer was one of the many breeds of dog that saw action on the European front.

And like German Shepherds and Rottweilers, they soon became known for their cool heads under fire, their endurance and their willingness to cooperate.

During the war, Boxers were used as attack dogs, guard dogs, and pack carriers, but the position in which they may have done the most good might have been in their roles as message carriers.

Boxers could manoeuvre through dangerous territory with more success than could humans and their efforts on the field saved countless lives. After the war, many boxers were adopted by returning soldiers and thus boxers were popularized has family dogs.

The Boxer breed is known to be very energetic and playful, although this can translate to high spirits that make the dog difficult to control.

They are considered to be a fairly intelligent dog breed and between this and their headstrong nature, boxers respond much better to positive reinforcement than they do to punishment.

Some Boxer dogs also need some extra socialization to be made reliable around other dogs and strangers; this breed does have a reputation for territoriality.

"In terms of health, Boxers suffer from the same thing that many larger, heavier dog breeds do"

They are prone to hip dysphasia and allergies as well as heart conditions and gastric dilatation. Due to the unique shape of their head, they do poorly with heat and high humidity and care must taken to make sure that this breed does not overly exert itself during a heat wave.

Otherwise, they are active dogs who require a fair amount of exercise, although young animals should not be over exercised for fear of damaging still-developing bones. When they reach adulthood, boxers make great jogging companions.

Boxers are known to be excellent around children, if suspicious and wary of strangers.

And with their speed, strength and alertness, they make good guard dogs. They are an extremely versatile breed and they are equally comfortable working as police dogs, service animals and herders and it is this trait that cements their popularity.

The AKC lists The Boxer dog as the seventh most popular breed in the United States

The Boxer is a dog breed instantly recognizable and quite memorable even to the casual observer.

With its heavy shoulders and erect carriage, this is an older breed of dog that has a great deal of deserved popularity in the United States and in Europe.

The Boxer, with its athletic build, is clearly descended from hunting and sporting dogs, and its history goes back more than one hundred years.

In Germany, the first Boxer dogs were developed from crosses between the extinct dog breed known as bullenbeissers and bulldogs.

This breed was intended to be a hunter's dog, its main job being to hold the prey still until the hunters appeared on the scene.

From this practice, it is easy to see where the the boxer's discipline and strength come from.

In the early 1900s, the Boxer was introduced to America and recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1904.

In World War I, the Boxer was one of the many breeds of dog that saw action on the European front.

And like German Shepherds and Rottweilers, they soon became known for their cool heads under fire, their endurance and their willingness to cooperate.

During the war, Boxers were used as attack dogs, guard dogs, and pack carriers, but the position in which they may have done the most good might have been in their roles as message carriers.

Boxers could manoeuvre through dangerous territory with more success than could humans and their efforts on the field saved countless lives. After the war, many boxers were adopted by returning soldiers and thus boxers were popularized has family dogs.

The Boxer breed is known to be very energetic and playful, although this can translate to high spirits that make the dog difficult to control.

They are considered to be a fairly intelligent dog breed and between this and their headstrong nature, boxers respond much better to positive reinforcement than they do to punishment.

Some Boxer dogs also need some extra socialization to be made reliable around other dogs and strangers; this breed does have a reputation for territoriality.

"In terms of health, Boxers suffer from the same thing that many larger, heavier dog breeds do"

They are prone to hip dysphasia and allergies as well as heart conditions and gastric dilatation. Due to the unique shape of their head, they do poorly with heat and high humidity and care must taken to make sure that this breed does not overly exert itself during a heat wave.

Otherwise, they are active dogs who require a fair amount of exercise, although young animals should not be over exercised for fear of damaging still-developing bones. When they reach adulthood, boxers make great jogging companions.

Boxers are known to be excellent around children, if suspicious and wary of strangers.

And with their speed, strength and alertness, they make good guard dogs. They are an extremely versatile breed and they are equally comfortable working as police dogs, service animals and herders and it is this trait that cements their popularity.

The AKC lists The Boxer dog as the seventh most popular breed in the United States

The Boxer breed is native to Germany and originated over one hundred years ago. The white boxer makes up about twenty-five percent of the breed population, while the remaining seventy-five percent are brown to fawn in color. The muzzle is short and sort of square looking. The tail of the Boxer is docked at a young age of one to two weeks.

Boxer dog excretory health problem concerns many owners because it can cause the dog to have future problems walking and running. The juvenile renal disease and the congenital rental disease can make the dog very lame and in a great deal of pain. Proper prevention of breeding such dogs that are prone to this disease requires screening at an early age.

As a pet owner, you need to be aware of the treatments and diet when caring for a Boxer that has such a disease. The common renal dysplasia is congenital and may show signs as early one or two weeks after the birth of the puppy. If you have a puppy showing signs of this disease, x-rays will confirm any type of dysplasia. There are many speculations as to the cause of this disorder, all being linked to a gene. The autosomal dominate gene or the autosomal recessive gene contributes to the rental dysplasia in a Boxer.

Boxer Dog Excretory System Health Problem Treatments
You as a dog owner realize the need for proper care and medical treatment when necessary. Your Boxer is like one of the family and requires nurturing and proper diagnosis, when attempting to treat a medical condition. Many veterinarians prescribe a low protein diet, which helps lower the production of uremic toxins, in turn making the dog feel better. For more info see http://www.aboutdoghealth.org/doghealthproblems/licking.html

Dr. Kenneth Bovee, DVM, did research on the Boxer and a protein diet and also goes on to discuss that a low phosphorous level is a way to reduce the risk of kidney failure, whereas a higher level speeds up the affects of kidney failure in your beloved Boxer. A well-balanced low protein diet with low levels of phosphorous will help extend the life of your Boxer.

Boxer Dog Excretory System Health Problem and a Prescribed Diet
If your Boxer has juvenile renal disease, a veterinarian will prescribe a diet of three to four feedings a day as a prevention measurement. This way of feeding your dog cuts down on the risk of vomiting after consuming the lower protein diet.

Most owners including you will find the egg and potato diet healthy for the dog because of the low protein and phosphorous levels provided. The diet will consist of the daily-recommended sodium levels as well as potassium. When making a meal for your Boxer, you will mix a large cooked egg, three cups of boiled potatoes with the skin, and recommended vitamins together for the perfect meal. The vitamins may include multiple mineral tablets, only half, two calcium tablets along with one teaspoon of chicken fat. This recommended meal fits the needs of a dog with renal failure.

Boxer Dog Origin

The Boxer dog breed originates from Germany and finds its early ancestor to be a mastiff type dog, the large Molossian Hound. Later, this dog evolved into what was called the Bullenbeisser. The Bullenbeiszer's roots go back to Belgium and these ancestors were known as great hunting and working dogs. 

Originally used to hunt wild boar and later used for working with cattle these dogs eventually diverged into different types, the smaller of which were called the Brabanter Bullenbeiszer. After mixing with a forerunner of the English Bulldog, the dog became what is known today as the Boxer breed around the mid to late 19th century. The Boxer dog origin and history becomes well documented at that point as Boxer dog breed clubs were formed in Germany in the 1860s.

Boxer Dog Breed History

What we know of as the Boxer today can be traced to the 1830s when a breeder crossbred the Brabanter Bullenbeiszer with the English Bulldog, but the Boxer dog breed history really begins in the 1860s as breeders began to establish and develop guidelines for the breed. In 1895 the Boxer Club was formally formed and further improvements were made to the standards of the Boxer dog breed.

Although initially the Boxer dog breed was generally white, by 1925 white was not accepted as a proper color for the breed. In fact, the color of choice now is fawn and brindle and any dog with more than a third of its coat white will be disqualified in AKC events.

The Boxer dog breed came to the United States around the beginning of the 1900s but did not become a popular dog breed until the 1940s. The breed was first registered by the American Kennel Club in 1904 and the first Boxer Champion was recognized in 1915. In 1949 a famous Boxer dog, Bang Away, won Best in Show at the Westminster and went on to win 121 more Best in Shows over the course of six years. 

Bang Away became a famous dog, appearing on the front of magazine such as Life and Esquire. Due to the success of this one dog, the Boxer dog breed became very popular in the United States at the time and continues to be one of the 10 most popular breeds as determined by the American Kennel Club.

AGerman breed descending from mastiffs, the Boxer was originally bred for the purpose of hunting. The first Boxers were bred to be fierce but these traits are not seen today. Boxers today tend to be gentle, loving and energetic dogs. They are stocky dogs of a medium size. Male Boxers will grow to an average height of 22 to 25 inches and weight of 60 to 70 pounds. Females Boxers will reach an average height of 21 to 24 inches and weight of 53 to 65 pounds. Boxers have an average life span of 11 to 14 years. Their coats are smooth and shorthaired, making Boxers easy to groom. In fact, Boxers tend to be 'clean freaks' and will clean themselves regularly. Generally, Boxer coats come in only two colors: brindle and fawn.

Some Boxers have white markings on them, known as flash, which can extend all over making them appear white. Boxers have short muzzles and their lower jaws extend past their upper ones. This gives them a very secure bite, something useful when they were hunting. Boxers are considered highly intelligent and easy to train. However, they can be independent thinkers and this can make them stubborn and sneaky. Though energetic they are gentle with children and other animals (if properly socialized) and make an excellent family pet.

They enjoy playing with children and will protect its family when a stranger approaches. Once introduced to the stranger, though, he will become a friend and the Boxer will greet him with enthusiasm in the future. Boxers are energetic dogs that love to run, jump, fetch and play so once daily exercise at a minimum is required. Boxers tend to be fairly active indoors and may become destructive if not given time to 'burn off some steam.' A well fenced in yard (if off leash) is also a must. Boxers are prone to many medical problems. Due to their short snouts, they tend to snore and drool, and have difficulty regulating their body temperature, making it difficult for them to live in locations where temperature extremes are common.

Boxers are also more likely to develop cardiomyopathy, sub-aortic stenosis, and hip dysplasia. Some Boxers are prone to epilepsy, and from age eight on they are more likely to get tumors than other breeds. They tend to have allergies and some Boxers may have excessive flatulence. Some white Boxers are prone to deafness. Boxers may also develop corneal dystrophy or Demodectic mange and some are prone to bloat. torsion (bloat) and if they do not get enough exercise will quickly become obese, leading to other health problems.

There is a website that has great information on Boxers and most other breeds of dogs. It has details that pertain to a dog breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:

http://www.dogandcatfacts.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2006

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Getting to know your dog starts by getting to know its breed, and that includes getting a better idea about its appearance, personality, and health requirements. Here's what you need to know about the Boxers:

The Boxer falls into the "working" class dog, being of medium size with a stocky body. Interestingly, the Boxer is an ancestor to two other breeds - the German Bullenbeisser and the English Bulldog. The actual Boxer breed was developed in the late 19th century, and was originally intended to be just for show, unlike its descendants, which were exceptional hunters. A few years later, the Boxer made its way to Europe, then the United States. In 1915, this breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Although bred for show, the Boxer began its history during WWII, at which time it served as a pack carrier, guard and attack dog, and messenger. However, soldiers returning home from the war took some of the dogs with them, helping its widespread reputation for being both a great guard dog and a great show dog. Soon, pet owners also discovered the Boxer to be a loyal and loving companion.

Physical Appearance

The Boxer has a very distinct appearance, one of strength and pride. This medium size breed is stocky built, has short hair, and a square shaped muzzle. Remember, because these dogs were originally used for hunting, the jaws are extremely powerful. Typical colors include:

* Fawn
* Brindle
* White underbelly and on all four paws is also common

Typically, a full grown Boxer will weigh anywhere between 55 and 70 pounds with the males being a little taller than the females, 23 to 25 and 21 to 23 inches respectively. In most cases, the Boxer's tail is docked and ears cropped, although this latter trend is begin to diminish.

In fact, ear cropping is now banned in many of the European breeds. For many years, only Boxers with cropped ears were allowed to show with the American Kennel Club but that was changed in 2005. You will also notice that while the Boxer is gorgeous, it has an under-bite. Because of this, seeing the teeth snagged on the jowls is common.

Temperament and Personality

Boxers are extremely faithful and loving pets but they can be a little demanding. This breed is alert, usually showing fearless courage when it comes to protecting its owner. However, while the Boxer will show a little bit of distrust when first meeting someone new, it is a docile breed with high intelligence, bravery, cleanliness, and even modesty, something not always seen with powerful breeds.

Generally, the Boxer is highly devoted to its master and great with kids but sometimes, smaller children are too playful. If this breed is raised around other animals, they typically do well. Just remember that at first, the Boxer may react to unfamiliar animals or strangers.

Most Boxers are energetic so adequate playtime is important. Because the Boxer is a strong and determined dog, we recommend you start training at a young age for the most success. Since this breed does not reach full maturity until around age three, you will need to be patient while still a puppy

Health

There are some potential illnesses associated with the Boxer that you should be aware of. These include Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Epilepsy, Cancers, intestinal problems, sinus infections, bleeding problems, Hip Dysplasia, heart murmurs, and arthritis. To ensure you end up with a healthy Boxer, the breeder can be tested and certified as "healthy" prior to purchase.

In addition, if you want a white Boxer, keep in mind that between 35 and 40 percent are deaf in one or both ears. Although a challenge, if you are not planning to breed your dog, with proper training and understanding, it would still make an excellent addition to the family.