It's a Boxer's Life

Most people think of the boxer as this big tough dog that shouldn't be messed with; although this is true about some of them, most Boxers can be the perfect family pet with just a little bit of love and training.

The only place to start with the Boxer is in the very beginning for it might not be a known fact, but as far back as 2000 B.C. there were stocky, courageous dogs that eventually became known as the Molossis.

Now the Molossis is the ancestor of the Bullenbeisser (Bull-biter) which Kings adopted as his or her own. Some centuries later, in 1880 to be exact, the Bullenbeisser helped the farmers herd their sheep and cattle.

Therefore, it went on for a few years until an English bulldog came to town and they "got married". The result of this marriage was the Boxer that we know so well today.

After the birth of the Boxer people used him for fighting and bull baiting until the middle of the 19th century, when it was outlawed.

After being taken out of the fighting ring, the police took a great interest in the Boxer because of his intelligence and fearlessness.

It is reported that when war came along, the Boxer was used again...as a suicide bomber. Sounds terrible but bombs were strapped onto the dogs and they were sent into enemy territory and blown up.

Now that is loyalty...on the dogs’ part obviously.

The Boxer is a muscular, short-coated, square-headed dog with tight skin and a docked tail. Males stand 22.5-25 inches at the withers and weigh about 70 pounds. Females are a bit smaller at 21-23.5 inches and about 60 pounds.

Boxer ears are generally cropped in this country, but more and more pet owners opt for the uncropped, hang-ear look.

The Boxer nose is broad, and the top of the muzzle appears slightly pushed in, leaving the jaw a bit undershot — the lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper jaw and curves slightly upward. The blunt muzzle leaves him susceptible to hot, stuffy conditions and can cause wheezing and snorting.

The only acceptable body color in the standard is fawn, and the only acceptable pattern is brindle. White markings on muzzle, chest, belly, feet, neck, and inner legs are permitted to cover up to one-third of the body. The face must have a black mask, but a white blaze-line is permitted from the muzzle upward between the eyes.

The fawn can range from light tan to mahogany; the brindle must show clearly defined black stripes on a fawn background. White, mostly white, and black dogs are disqualified from the conformation ring but can be registered and can compete in obedience and agility.

The Boxer is an athletic dog with a smooth, graceful, ground-eating stride. He has a well-angulated rear with long haunches for great power. His back remains leveled when he moves for efficiency and endurance.

When picking out a puppy, never pick one that is too bold or too shy, because they have a tendency to be either fearful or aggressive when they grow up. Remember to look for that dog that is right in the middle, neither shy nor bold, its that dog that will grow up to be the perfect companion.

Note: Always remember to give proper training (to any dog) but especially the big breeds, because they can injure somebody without meaning it. Although the Boxer needs exercise and play to stay in shape and satisfy his nature, he can do well in an apartment with daily walks and a frolic in the park several times a week.

His short, hard coat does shed and needs some grooming with a soft brush. His coat's natural sheen can be enhanced with occasional rubdowns with a chamois cloth. His short coat requires that as a house dog he prefers the cool or cold climates, as his shortened muzzle makes hot humid weather uncomfortable for him.

Otherwise, the Boxer is an easy-keeper.

The Boxer is the dog that went from royalty, to the butcher shops, to the show ring, to the family; he is a dog that combines humor with style, the ultimate people dog, and worthy of his fame! If you want a dog with personality, the Boxer can surely meet that and much more as friendliness and power interlace in a unique manner in his life!