| The Boxer Dog, a member of the Working Dog Group | | | | The large nose is black in color with visible nostrils. The |
| is a fantastic all around animal. Could a Boxer be the | | | | lower jaw protrudes under the upper jaw and is seen |
| right dog breed for you. Here are the standards and | | | | to curve upwards. Its eyes are dark and the neck is |
| other pertinent information you should read prior to | | | | strong and round. |
| buying a new dog or puppy for your home. | | | | Personality and Temperament: Boxers have an |
| History: Boxers can be traced back to the 16th | | | | endearing personality as they are always looking for |
| century and are thought to have descended from two | | | | an opportunity to please their owner. They are highly |
| German mastiffs-type dogs known as Bullenbeiszer | | | | intelligent, loyal and affectionate as well. This breed can |
| and Barenbeiszer. They were crossed with a native | | | | prove to be stubborn but responds to training. Known |
| Bavarian dog which was subsequently mated with the | | | | to be of a playful nature, they love to interact with |
| English Bulldog giving birth to a new breed of dogs | | | | children and often act like puppies. However, one |
| called the boxer. The breed was initially used to hunt | | | | should not leave them with children unsupervised as |
| boar and deer and was later also used in sports such | | | | they can unintentionally cause harm due to their |
| as bull-baiting and pit fighting. After these sports were | | | | immense size and stature. Boxers are not hostile to |
| banned around the 1850s, Boxers were employed for | | | | strangers or others pets but early socializing is |
| the purpose of guarding cattle. Indiscriminate breeding | | | | advisable. Their name was bestowed upon them |
| followed until the breed was stabilized in 1904 with the | | | | because of their tendency to begin play by using their |
| introduction of the first Boxer studbook. Even though | | | | front paws, using motions similar to that of a boxer. |
| the breed was used in the gruesome sports of | | | | Care: The short and smooth coat of the Boxer is very |
| bull-baiting and dog fighting, over the years it has been | | | | easy to groom. Brushing with a firm bristle brush is |
| carefully bred to develop a non-aggressive | | | | advisable and it should be bathed only when |
| temperament. | | | | necessary in order to prevent the loss of natural oils |
| The type of work the breed does: During the last | | | | from the skin. Boxers are usually quite clean as they |
| century, the Boxer was methodically bred for security | | | | are accustomed to grooming themselves. |
| purposes along the German border, resulting in a breed | | | | Living environment: This breed can adapt to apartment |
| that could smell smuggled contraband, attack | | | | life, but they are relatively active indoors but an |
| interlopers and guard land areas. The Boxer was | | | | average-sized yard is recommended. They should be |
| among the first canines to be used for military and | | | | sheltered from extreme climatic conditions. Boxers |
| police work. They are also used as watchdogs, guard | | | | require a lot of exercise and daily walks as well as |
| dogs and in search and rescue operations. | | | | occasional play sessions are necessary. |
| Physical Representation: The breed has a strong, | | | | At a glance: |
| compact and medium-sized body with strong back | | | | - Breed Group: Boxers |
| and short limbs. The muzzle is broad and blunt | | | | - Height: 21 to 25 inches |
| resembling that of a bulldog. The coat is close to the | | | | - Weight: 53 to 70 lb |
| body and is fawn, brindle or white in color. Red colored | | | | - Color: fawn, brindle, white and red with white |
| coat with white markings is also prevalent. Its head is | | | | markings. |
| unwrinkled and in proportion to the rest of the body. | | | | |