Boxer Breed Profile

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012 at 6:19 am

The Boxer is an impressive, powerfully built dog of German origin. The breed was created in the 1800s and was originally a cross between the English Bulldog and the Bullenbeisser, a now extinct dog that was used to hunt wild boar. The breed was first introduced into the United States at the turn of the twentieth century, but did not achieve widespread popularity as a pet dog until after World War II. They are currently ranked as one of the most popular dog breeds by the AKC.

The initial impression of the Boxer is one of power. These powerfully-built dogs have a droopy facial expression with an undershot jaw, giving them a fearsome appearance. They are short haired and usually fawn and white in color, although Brindle is also quite common.

Standing 25 inches at the withers and weighing as much as 70 pounds the Boxer, has a strong barrel chest and a very strong, squarish jaw. It looks very much like the middle-weight pugilist that its name suggests.Traditionally, the tail was docked, and the ears were sometimes cropped. However, these practices have been made illegal in many countries and have fallen out of favor in others.

But despite their intimidating looks, Boxer are actually friendly dogs. The form close bonds with their family and are particularly gentle and good-natured with children. They are however, fiercely protective of those close to them. This, coupled with their strength and courage. makes them excellent guard dogs.

Training a Boxer can be a bit of a challenge. It's not that they lack intelligence, but rather that the can be quite stubborn when the mood takes them. The are however eager to please, so with patience, and a method based on reward and positive reinforcement, you will succeed.

Unfortunately, this breed is prone to a number of inherited diseases, that can include, skin tumors, heart murmurs, digestive problems, hypothyroidism, progressive axonopathy, hip dysplasia and cornea ulcers. The Boxer lives 10 to 12 years on average.

Grooming a Boxer is an easy task. All it takes is a good brush down, once or twice per week to keep the coat in peak condition.

In addition you’ll want to brush and clean the teeth weekly with a special canine toothpaste. You will also want to keep the nails clipped. Many dog owners don’t like doing this, so you can ask your vet or a professional dog groomer to do it for you.

Boxers are large, active dog requiring daily exercise. This should include a long walk plus games like tag and tug-a-war. Boxers are playful dogs, so they really enjoy this.

These loyal, affectionate, energetic and protective dogs are excellent family pets, and it is no surprise that they are one of the most popular dog breeds, world-wide.

Good dog names can be hard to find. The best advice is to try one of the online dog names, sites. My personal favorite is Puppy Names HQ, a site that has tons of excellent dog names to pick from, including thousands of cool dog names.