| While people may differ in tastes when it comes to | | | | tail. The male members of the breed stand at |
| choosing a breed, there's no debate on what one | | | | approximately 22.5-25 inches at the withers with |
| looks for in a pet. There are three desirable traits that | | | | weight of around 70 pounds. Females are smaller, sixty |
| every dog owner should be familiar with and these | | | | pounds in weight and 21-23.5 inches. |
| are: | | | | History |
| * Low maintenance - Low maintenance means you do | | | | The boxer's ancestor, the Molossian Hound is part of |
| not have to spend so much money and effort on | | | | an ancient breed of Greek guarding, fighting and |
| keeping the dog clean, healthy, and active. There are | | | | herding dog. From the Molossian Hound were |
| some breeds, especially long-haired ones, that require | | | | descended Greek, Roman, European and British |
| at least 2 baths daily just to keep them clean and | | | | breeds of dogs, which in turn gave birth to a number |
| smelling good. Others, like boxer dogs, require little | | | | of large breeds with characteristic square heads. |
| more than a wipe-down and perhaps an occasional | | | | These dogs assisted men in the hunt and also at war. |
| bath. | | | | Boxer dogs specifically came from the German line of |
| * Versatility - Dogs that can do more than just play a | | | | the ancient Molossian descendants. Their direct |
| few tricks. Dogs that do well in obedience. Agile dogs | | | | descendant was the Bullenbeisser, which was later |
| with an intelligence to match. Dogs that can do jobs | | | | separated into two types - the Danzigers and the |
| like being a police dog yet remain affectionate and | | | | Brabanters. Of the two, Brabanters were the smaller |
| playful. You can see for yourself why you would want | | | | and boxer dogs came from this branch of the family. |
| a dog that has all these characteristics. Boxer dogs | | | | Brabanters were royal favorites, accompanying |
| are one such breed that is gifted with versatility. | | | | noblemen in great hunts. However, by the end of the |
| * Intelligence - Smart dogs are those that score well in | | | | 18th century, the art of organized hunting has all but |
| the loyalty and obedience department. With boxer | | | | faded. From great manor houses and castles to |
| dogs, you will find little problem with that. | | | | butcher shops and cattle farms, Brabanters continued |
| Dog Profile | | | | to trudge on with the courage of its ancestors. |
| The first thing you will notice about boxer dogs is its | | | | And somewhere along the way, they came to be |
| blunt face. Descended from the massive Molossian | | | | known as boxer dogs. No one knows exactly how, |
| Hound, the boxer is a steady-gazed, friendly dog with | | | | but it could be because of the way they play, like |
| incredible grace and a hint of mischief in its square, | | | | pugilists sparring with each other. Or it could be |
| blunt-nosed face. | | | | because of their box-shaped heads. |
| It's a muscular breed with a short coat and a docked | | | | |