| e Boxer is a dog breed instantly recognizable and quite | | | | and thus boxers were popularized has family dogs. |
| memorable even to the casual observer. | | | | The Boxer breed is known to be very energetic and |
| With its heavy shoulders and erect carriage, this is an | | | | playful, although this can translate to high spirits that |
| older breed of dog that has a great deal of deserved | | | | make the dog difficult to control. |
| popularity in the United States and in Europe. | | | | They are considered to be a fairly intelligent dog breed |
| The Boxer, with its athletic build, is clearly descended | | | | and between this and their headstrong nature, boxers |
| from hunting and sporting dogs, and its history goes | | | | respond much better to positive reinforcement than |
| back more than one hundred years. | | | | they do to punishment. |
| In Germany, the first Boxer dogs were developed | | | | Some Boxer dogs also need some extra socialization |
| from crosses between the extinct dog breed known | | | | to be made reliable around other dogs and strangers; |
| as bullenbeissers and bulldogs. | | | | this breed does have a reputation for territoriality. |
| This breed was intended to be a hunter's dog, its main | | | | "In terms of health, Boxers suffer from the same thing |
| job being to hold the prey still until the hunters | | | | that many larger, heavier dog breeds do" |
| appeared on the scene. | | | | They are prone to hip dysphasia and allergies as well |
| From this practice, it is easy to see where the the | | | | as heart conditions and gastric dilatation. Due to the |
| boxer's discipline and strength come from. | | | | unique shape of their head, they do poorly with heat |
| In the early 1900s, the Boxer was introduced to | | | | and high humidity and care must taken to make sure |
| America and recognized by the American Kennel Club | | | | that this breed does not overly exert itself during a |
| in 1904. | | | | heat wave. |
| In World War I, the Boxer was one of the many | | | | Otherwise, they are active dogs who require a fair |
| breeds of dog that saw action on the European front. | | | | amount of exercise, although young animals should not |
| And like German Shepherds and Rottweilers, they | | | | be over exercised for fear of damaging still-developing |
| soon became known for their cool heads under fire, | | | | bones. When they reach adulthood, boxers make |
| their endurance and their willingness to cooperate. | | | | great jogging companions. |
| During the war, Boxers were used as attack dogs, | | | | Boxers are known to be excellent around children, if |
| guard dogs, and pack carriers, but the position in which | | | | suspicious and wary of strangers. |
| they may have done the most good might have been | | | | And with their speed, strength and alertness, they |
| in their roles as message carriers. | | | | make good guard dogs. They are an extremely |
| Boxers could manoeuvre through dangerous territory | | | | versatile breed and they are equally comfortable |
| with more success than could humans and their | | | | working as police dogs, service animals and herders |
| efforts on the field saved countless lives. After the | | | | and it is this trait that cements their popularity. |
| war, many boxers were adopted by returning soldiers | | | | |