Boxer Dogs - A Guide to the Breed

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