The Boxer

The boxer dog is a softie with your children, but a powerful deterrent to criminals. It gets its name from its habit of using its front legs to box when it is fighting. These strong dogs were originally used as hunting dogs, although they soon became fashionable as police and military dogs in Europe.

As people began to identify how devoted and loving this dog was to its family, this dog breed turned into a companion dog, as well. Interestingly enough, this adaptable dog didn't become popular in the United States until men returning from fighting in World War II brought some of these dogs home with them.

Although these dogs are considered to be medium sized dogs, they have the strength of a big dog. A young, healthy dog is all muscle and energy and weighs in at fifty to eighty pounds. These dogs have a broad chest, a wide skull and a face similar to that of a Bulldog.

Their big brown eyes are very expressive and these dogs are not above using a pitiful 'poor me' look to get their own way.

Breeders say a fawn or brindle Boxer should have black mask like markings on their face. A dog with white markings is considered to be flashy.

However, if a dog has more than one third of its body covered in white or is completely white, it will be unable to compete in the show ring. Also, white dogs are prone to deafness, as well as other health problems.

The Boxer and People

If you live in an apartment, this dog may not be the right breed for you. These dogs are high energy animals and really demand to be able to exercise regularly. A home with a securely fenced yard is ideal.

You will want to be certain the fence is high enough and secure enough to prevent your dog from escaping, since this breed can easily jump over lower fences.

Although most of this breed get along well with other dogs, you may not want to buy a Boxer if you have a small dog or cat. If you do have other dogs, consider neutering your dog at six months to keep aggression toward other dogs in check.

Small children and this breed get along quite nicely, although your dog may be too lively to play with toddlers until he matures. After all, a young, exuberant dog can easily knock an adult flat with an overly enthusiastic greeting.

Since they are so high energy and so powerful, these dogs need to be enrolled in obedience training while they are still easy to manage.

Boxer puppy classes can also help you socialize your dog and will teach him to play nicely with other animals. These dogs are eager to please and should pick up basic obedience commands quickly. You may want to consider advanced obedience and agility training for your Boxer, as well.

The Boxer and health

These dogs are hearty eaters. You should consider feeding your dog a food formulated for large dogs, since Boxers are prone to hip dysplasia. These dogs have comparatively few other serious health problems. You may want to check for a history of heart or thyroid disease before buying a puppy.

The Boxer and Grooming

Boxers need very little grooming. Simply brush through your dog's sleek coat once a week to remove loose hair so you don't have to vacuum it off of your floor. You should also clean your dog's teeth and check his nails to see if they need to be trimmed.

So, if you want a dog who will be a devoted friend and companion, then a Boxer may be the perfect choice for you.

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