Description

It isn’t very often that you will find a person unfamiliar with popular Boxer dogs. These gorgeous animals have enjoyed a lot of popularity for a very long time now. Who could possibly miss the square jaw line and impressive under bite that gives them their fighter like appearance? These dogs are also known for their straight, perky ears. However many owners choose to have the ears changed surgically to flop down. These dogs are also famous for very strong legs and deep, loud barks. The barks are made possible by the wide chests these beauties possess.

Their brains are every bit as impressive as their bodies. Boxers are notorious for being incredibly intelligent. Actually it could be said that they are smarter than many of their owners. When you consider that these dogs are often used for service purposes like police dogs and therapy aids, their intelligence is one of the most important qualities they possess. Along with golden or black lab retrievers, Boxers are among the most popular dogs for this very important work.

Coat Description

The good thing about the coat of a Boxer is that it is unlikely to shed. The hair itself is very short and not as course as other dog breeds. Fortunately the Boxer has a coat that is easy to maintain.

When you think about it, the color of a Boxer coat kind of looks like they belong in a beauty parlor. The underside of the coat is brown marble or tan. The rest of the coat can run the gauntlet from very light brown to deep chocolate. It looks like they had their hair highlighted.

History

Most people are aware of the recent history of the Boxer breed. They can be found as pets, in the service industries, and as guard dogs. Their past is even more interesting. Boxers are thought to be the descendants of the Molossian dogs, which are an ancient large dog found in Greece at one time. Some experts even put them back in Middle East thousands of years ago.

It is also believed that Bullenbeisser dog, from Germany has been added into the mix as well. When the Boxer was mixed with the English Bulldog, the breed was given its distinctive square shaped jaw and powerful shoulders.

Temperament

Dealing with a Boxer can be quite a bit kind kids when they are young. They are naturally inquisitive and can be trained from very early ages. As we have mentioned these dogs are amazingly intelligent and love to love on their owners. Despite their large size and heavy weight, many people find that their Boxer thinks he or she belongs in a person’s lap. As you can imagine, they like to spend time with their families as much as possible.

One thing to be on the look out for is shyness. Believe it or not, the Boxer breed can be very nervous and distrustful of people they don’t know. This trait can be worked on in frequent training sessions. However they aren’t shy when it comes to cats and other small animals. A dog brought up with the family cat will be just fine, but any other animals are going to be fair game to the Boxer.

Boxers are a natural choice in pet for children and those with active lifestyles. By the time they are 2 or 3 years old, they will calm down some, but a Boxer owner should expect a lively and playful companion for most of the dog’s life. If an owner notices any changes to their dog’s behaviour, it would be best to seek the help of a vet immediately.

Health Problems

It’s pretty obvious if you know anything about Boxers that they are pretty powerful dogs. However like the other pure breeds, they do have some health concerns to be aware of. Take their diet for example. If it not monitored carefully these dogs are prone to allergies and metabolic problems. Owners may find fitting in several smaller feedings better for their Boxer.

Unfortunately there are other problems a Boxer may face. Heart disease is common as well. Both Aortic Stenosis and Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy are congenital issues and won’t show up until the dog is much older. At that point the owner and vet can decide what treatment is best for the dog at that point in his or her life. As strange as it may sound, white Boxers are prone to deafness as well. About 20 to 40% of white Boxer puppies will be born with deafness in one or both ears. No one has any idea why this seems to occur in the white dogs as opposed to any of the other color patterns. These deaf dogs are only allowed to compete in certain aspects of dog competitions.

Grooming

Starting when the Boxer puppy is young, it is a good idea to get the little guy or girl used to being touched. Rubbing their feet and ears helps they become acquainted with being inspected. Their nail care is pretty simple. The only thing the owner has to watch out for is the dewclaws if they haven’t been removed. Otherwise regular exercise helps take care of the rest of it.

As far as the coat of a Boxer goes, occasional washing is necessary though you will find the Boxer is rather vain and stays pretty clean. It’s best to schedule bathing as needed.

Boxers like skin stimulation so you may want to try a comb for their grooming needs. A hound cloth will work well too. It’s really up to the dog’s preference and what you have on hand.

Exercise

Boxers need a good deal of exercise to be healthy and strong. Most vets suggest they get at least an hour of exercise a day. They are great pets for avid runners and walkers. Dog parks are another good option. Actually free run dog parks are the only things that make it possible for urban dog owners to keep these dogs.

If they are to left in the yard unsupervised for their activity, it is imperative to be sure the gate and fence is as secure as possible as Boxers are the Harry Houdini of the dog world.

Training

When it comes to a Boxer puppy it is better to train early rather than later. These dogs aren’t naturally difficult, well actually they are. This trait doesn’t’ come from a desire to injure or irritate, but from a desire to be constantly in motion. Like many of the other large dog breeds, Boxers have to be dealt with consistently and patiently. They do not respond well to harsh treatment. Especially in the beginning of the training process, making things easy on the dog will really help to build his or her confidence to move onto the next, more difficult challenge.

Rewards are very effective tools when it comes to training these overgrown comedians. One thing the Boxer doesn’t find funny is housebreaking. Thanks to their natural inclination to be clean, this is typically the easiest process of training.