Boxer dog

  Boxer dog , or simply the Boxer, represents a large, stocky, fine-haired breed. Bred in Germany, it is widely known for its excellent protective properties. The boxer becomes an excellent companion and faithful friend of his master.

In the dog57 dog breed registry, we will show you what a Boxer dog looks like, talk about his origins, character, physical characteristics, training, and the most common diseases he usually suffers from. You'll find all about  Boxer dog below. Read on.

Boxer Dog Breed Information 

Breed name: Boxer

Country of Origin: Germany

Breed Origin Time: 1850

Weight: male ~ 30 kg, female ~ 25 kg

Height (height at withers): Male 57-63cm, 53-59cm

Age: 11-12 years

Bright temper and at the same time a docile character and a strong nervous system - these traits are fully expressed in German boxers.

The boxer is an excellent watcher and all thanks to his courage and courage.

Dogs of this breed in the family circle are very sociable and love when their owners are attentive to them, showing friendliness to all families.

The affectionate boxer is a real find for families with young children. He will play with them with pleasure, and then willingly lie on the sofa (including with adults) to relax together.

Boxers often treat strangers with distrust: when guests appear in the house, they begin to bark loudly. Socialization of the animal from an early age will help to solve this problem.

Proper boxer education is a guarantee that the puppy will grow into a loyal and faithful friend. 

Is Boxer a good family dog? 

German Boxers are used as personal guard dogs, watchdogs, and for work in law enforcement agencies. Representatives of this breed are intelligent and well-balanced, which allows them to be used as guides for the blind. The boxer by nature is very mobile, and loves to be in the fresh air, walk for a long time, and have fun in the fresh air. Although sociable and friendly towards the owner and family members, she has a cautious attitude towards strangers and shows caution towards them. 

How did the Boxer breed come about? 

The ancestors of the German boxer are bulldogs, mastiffs, and bullenbeisers. It was due to the mixing of their blood that gave birth to this breed, which began to conquer the world in 1896.

Boxers of the late nineteenth century and modern boxers are not quite the same things. In those early years, they were used as shepherds, to transport goods and hunt wild boar and bison. Often, the first representatives of the breed became participants in dog fights and even fights with bulls. During the First World War, the German army successfully used them as postmen and scouts. At the same time, German Boxers have proven themselves as guide dogs. Later, dogs of this breed revealed their "creative" talents, successfully performing in circuses and theatrical performances.

The original boxer's previous version is also interesting. Some researchers argue that their direct ancestors were the great Danes-Tibetans, who appeared in Rome and Greece in antiquity. It is believed that ancient boxers were larger and more aggressive. Their inherent bloody lust helped them perfectly cope with military missions. They were used for protection and as hunting dogs during the hunt for large forest game, as well as in the popular entertainment of those times - dog fights, which in terms of intensity of emotions were practically not inferior to those of wrestling.

Since the end of the century before last, the German Boxer began to conquer the world, he had many fans in different parts of the world, even opening clubs dedicated to this stately, Asian, and incredibly beautiful dog. Her appearance seems aggressive (at times it may seem that she is ready to rush toward a stranger and tear him apart), but behind her, there is kind nature and a docile character. This is a huge advantage for breeders, who have done everything in their power to add agility, stamina, and speed of reaction such traits as kindness and poise.

When the dog wants to play, it begins to sort the air with its paws, as if it were boxing. Such a special method, which makes it unlike other dogs, predetermined the name of the breed. According to the owners' reviews, Boxers have all the qualities necessary for living in a family, so they are the best! 

German boxer features

 

The German boxer at the age of 18 months is already an adult, fully formed physically. However, the inner world at the age of one and a half years is still “childish”. For this reason, attempts to train during his emotional immaturity are almost unpromising, that is, he does not respond to commands, and the owner even begins to think that he is communicating with the deaf. But at some point, a breakthrough comes in learning, and your pet suddenly begins to understand everything they used to try to teach, but to no avail.

The Boxer is sociable, he easily gets along with the other four-legged inhabitants of the house, but sometimes he takes over the vanity of character and begins to chase yard cats. It happens that a dog of this breed easily gets into a fight with other dogs, and quarrels are often provoked by itself. By nature, the boxer is a real fighter, he is agile, brave, and strong. If trained properly, you can bring an excellent guard. The childish spontaneity inherent in the boxer remains with him throughout his life. The dog shows enviable stubbornness but never achieves its goal with aggression. Her main weapon is humor and charm, which no loving owner can resist.

Representatives of this breed have amazing sensitivity, they are very smart and cunning. Sometimes they are noisy, which some owners perceive as a disadvantage, therefore, to develop the best character traits and reduce shortcomings, it is necessary to train Boxers. With the right approach to this task, you can achieve amazing results, as boxers perceive training as a game and easily give in to it.

Appearance and special features of the breed

Boxers have a stocky physique. They are also called "square" dogs because their height and length have approximately the same values. A wide and deep chest, along with a strong back with a slight slope in the pelvic region, perfectly corresponds to this type of body. At the same time, representatives of this breed do not look squat - rather the opposite. Dogs look stately, they have a proud attitude and all thanks to dry muscles and a roasted stomach. Their limbs are massive, correctly placed, and without curvature, so the "shape" is not pampered. The neck of the boxer is medium in length, strong and muscular, and the tail is long and smooth.

 

A distinctive feature of the breed is a slightly protruding front lower jaw, a slightly upturned nose, and raised ears - thin, slightly hanging forward. At circumcision (cupping), they acquire a pointed shape, which gives them the correct setting. The eyes of the boxer are dark and intelligent, and they can tell a lot about the breed. In the look, you can read curiosity, he glows with energy, but not with aggression.

The skin of the boxers, except for the forehead and cheeks, fits snugly and does not form any folds. The coat - short, hard - also fits snugly. Only two colors are considered classics for German boxers: red and dark gray. The first can range from rich red to light yellow shades. The tiger has its own "extreme": from golden to gloomy dark. The breed standard indicates that the stripes should have the appearance of clear stripes.

Whatever the color, a kind of dark mask is a constant feature of the dog's muzzle. The presence of white markings is allowed, which gives the breed aesthetics. Defectives are white, black, and gray with a large number of stripes and spots. And one more thing: if you plan to send your pet to the fair, cupping the ears and tail will have to be sacrificed. Experts categorically do not recommend such manipulations with a boxer.

The height of the German boxer is average, about 60 cm at the withers. An adult dog weighs from 25 to 32 kg.

Dogs of this breed have wonderfully developed massive muscles. Their movements are energetic, energetic, full of nobility and strength.

Boxers, despite the "square" physique, have enough material. That is, clumsy, heavy, or, on the contrary, too light to be called.

They are distinguished by their poise, and often serve as guides for the blind.

Males are larger than females. Purebred parents can give birth to up to 7 per litter.

 

The head corresponds to the proportions of the body, gives the dog a special identity, and does not seem too bulky or excessively light. The muzzle, ideally, is as wide and strong as possible. The correct proportion of the skull and muzzle provides the boxer with the harmony of his head. From wherever you look - front, side, or top - the muzzle relative to the skull remains in the correct proportion and does not look too small.

The boxer's head is dry, there are no folds and wrinkles on it. The latter is formed, and this is permissible, only in cases when the dog is alerted by something. On the muzzle, on its sides, there are natural wrinkles. But not everywhere, but only in the region from the base of the bridge of the nose down. On the general background of the muzzle, the black mask is visible. Despite the gloomy shade, he does not attach gloom to the appearance of the dog.

The upper region of the skull is not wide, not too flat, and is angular. Its shape is somewhat convex, but not short or spherical. The severity of the tubercle in the occipital region is not excessive. The furrow on the forehead (primarily the area between the eyes), the depth does not differ and is only slightly visible. The area from the forehead to the back of the nose has a rim, which is visible. The back of the nose is not lowered and, unlike the bulldog, it is not turned over. 

teeth

The lower jaw, if you compare it with the upper one, is slightly longer. Its distinguishing feature is the curvature upwards. The base of the upper jaw is wide, tapering towards the end. Boxer teeth are characterized by excellent health and are very strong. The fangs are impressive in size and widely spaced. The incisors are located on the same line, very evenly. A dog bite shape is a snack.

the eyes

Boxers' eyes are not small, dark in color, not deeply grown, and do not differ in the bulge. The edges of the eyelids are also dark. Dogs seem smart and lively at the same time, their appearance is gentle and does not carry any threat.

azan

They are located on the sides in the upper region of the skull, their depressions are high, and their size is proportional. If the dog is not disturbed by anything, and there is no need to listen to sounds, it is adjacent to the cheekbones. If your pet is alert, the ears will immediately turn forward, forming a clear bend.

nose and lips

Thanks to the nose, the dog's muzzle has a complete appearance, and its tip is slightly higher than the base. The lobe is inverted, it is wide, the color is black, and the nostrils are also wide.

The upper lip is clear and fleshy. It closes the free zone formed because the lower jaw is longer. The lower canines support the upper lip.

neck

The boxer's neck is dry, muscular, and at the same time round and long (but not excessively). From the ridge on the back of the head towards the withers, the upper border of the neck forms an elegant arc.

corps

Boxer withers clear, support the body are strong and well-developed limbs. The back is wide, with a "pumped" muscular system, but short and smooth. The throttle is somewhat rounded, wide, and slightly inclined. The pelvis, especially this applies to female individuals, is wide and long.

The chest area is so deep that it reaches the elbows and is half the height of the dog at the withers. The front is robust and exquisitely developed.

The bottom line has a neat curve in the direction of the hip ridge. The thigh can not boast of a moderately taut length.

Tail

 

It has a fairly high landing. Usually, it is not turned off, that is, it is left unchanged - as it is by nature.

the parties

If you stand in front of the dog, you can see that the front paws are parallel to each other. The spine of the limbs is strong.

The blades are firmly attached to the body, differ in length, and have a slope. The shoulders are also long and are located relative to the shoulder blades at a right angle. The elbows are pressed against the chest not very tightly.

The forearms are also not short, located vertically, and muscular. On the contrary, metacarpals are short, almost steep. The wrists are distinguished: they are strong, but not very massive.

The front paws have a rounded shape, they are small in size, compact, hard and flexible pads. The hind legs are naturally well "pumped", straight, wide, and long hips pronounced.

 

The hind legs are somewhat longer than the front legs. It's also compact, and the pads are hard and flexible.

When the boxer is calm, his knee joints are pushed forward until they reach the conditional perpendicular, defined in the direction of the surface of the iliac tubercles.

Muscles are also inherent in the lower legs. Hook joints, although not massive, are strong and well expressed.

wool

The hair fits tightly against the skin and is short, tough, and shiny.

color

Boxers are red or gray. Shades of the first are allowed, starting with light yellow and ending with red-brown. The most common for the breed or, in other words, favorites are red and red tones.

Dark gray has the appearance of dark or black stripes on a red background. They should be identified and contrasted with the background. White areas are not prohibited, therefore, the "marriage" of the breed is not considered - on the contrary, they can even decorate the dog. 

Possible vices

Various variations that do not meet the above breed criteria are considered disadvantages. The assessment of these deficiencies should be made according to their degree of severity, as well as the extent to which they affect the dog's daily lifestyle and health.

Somatic: congenital tail. Behavioral: cowardice or, conversely, aggressiveness.

Defects of the testicles: in a healthy male, they should be developed normally, completely lowered into the scrotum.

Any member of the breed who shows obvious physical defects or deviations in behavior should be excluded.

the age

The German boxer lives on average 11-12 years. There are happy exceptions to this rule. 

boxer character

Cheerful, playful, inquisitive, cheerful, energetic - these traits perfectly characterize German boxers. And these dogs are loyal, to their owner and their family members are very attached. Positive traits remain with the boxer all his life, he loves when there are a lot of people and noise around him.

A boxer who has passed a good training school gets along well with young family members treats them carefully, never offends them, and plays with them with pleasure. It will not only become a great companion for your child, but also a reliable guard.

 

A representative of this breed, subject to good upbringing and socialization, will get along well not only with other dogs living in the house but even with cats. However, the real "temptation" for them is small animals and birds. Your pet can be taught not to touch it, and in front of you, it will not. But, as they say, it is better not to leave the boxer alone with them.

The boxer loves to deceive and welcomes all the people he knows. He never loses his vigilance, and therefore will be a good defender of his family. This brave, athletic breed retains excellent guarding and guarding qualities at times until very old age. For the dog not to show his best qualities - excessive noise, stubbornness, and sometimes the inability to control - he needs a master who will dominate him.

Adults have a calm temperament, which is a direct result of proper training at an early age. The breed's popularity is due to this very poise, along with a natural mind and tolerance for people and other pets. About his master, the boxer shows the most tender feelings and shows with all his appearance that he loves to be nearby. If you do not cultivate communicative qualities in him, then the dog will show suspicion of strangers throughout his life, bark at them, refusing to let them near the owner.

The boxer retains children's activity and spontaneity until the age of 2-3 years, although in physical terms he grows up at the age of one and a half years. Many owners who are not familiar with the intricacies of the breed complain that the Boxer does not understand the commands being taught. The dog takes some time to assimilate and consolidate the new information. In the fact that this is the case, the owners are then convinced: at some point, the dog begins to perform everything that seems to have been taught for a long time.

Training and education

Boxers are smart and well-trained. At the same time, they are stubborn and selectively perceive new information for themselves. Many commands they refuse to carry out, preferring to obey only those they love.

 

Some owners believe that it is necessary to train a representative of this breed in the “carrot and stick” method, that is, to punish disobedience and encourage the scrupulous execution of orders. However, the "whip" in this technique will be superfluous, since boxers react poorly to punishment. Various encouragements (praise, candy, rewards) make them more receptive to training. Using a certain set of commands, in the process of training, you will certainly achieve excellent results. With the correct and clear formulation of tasks, the boxer remembers the learned commands for a long time.

Boxer education usually begins from the moment the puppy is at home and full training - from three months. First of all, the dog is taught basic commands, such as "Sit!", "Lie down!", "close!". When your pet learns it, you can start teaching the command "For me!". This is considered the main thing, and the boxer must do it in any situation and from the first time.

The boxer loves the stretch, so the countryside suits him perfectly. But even in the apartment, your four-legged friend will be satisfied if you regularly take him for walks in a large park, where he can walk for a long time. It will be an excellent companion dog for the owner, who loves morning or evening jogging. He is ready to spend at least a whole day in the fresh air.

Dogs of this breed are often left to frolic in the yards of houses before they are convinced of the strength of the fence. The latter is not superfluous: there are many cases when German boxers jumped over the fence and escaped. Their jaws are so strong that, if left alone in the house, they can even bite the lock on the door.

Care and maintenance

Wherever you settle your pet, in an apartment or a country house, it will perfectly take root everywhere. He will be comfortable even in an ordinary kennel, but on the condition that this living space is shared with him by another.

 

In general, German Boxers in the care are very unpretentious, but they do not tolerate cold and high humidity.

Since the boxer's coat is short, it, unlike long-haired breeds, is not pulled down and does not become tangled, respectively, and does not require frequent combing.

Boxers are often not advised to take a shower. If your pet gets dirty during active games, just wipe the dirty place with a damp cloth.

Since the boxer is by nature very active, a sedentary lifestyle is contraindicated for him, he should receive maximum physical exertion. For the healthy development of a dog of this breed, a balanced diet is also needed.

Particular attention should be paid to the dog's eyes. Often accumulate on its corners secretion of tear or dust, to remove it enough soft napkin. If your dog's eyes are red, a soothing ointment will help. However, do not self-medicate: the drug must be prescribed by a veterinarian.

Dirt can accumulate in the ears. To remove sulfur and dust from the ear, it is enough to wipe it with a tissue wound on your finger or wipe it with a damp swab. It is strictly forbidden to clean the boxer's ears with a cotton swab or instill alcohol in them.

The boxer's claws should not touch the ground when walking. Otherwise, it must be cut. For this purpose, special forceps are used. The procedure should be carried out no more than twice a month, otherwise, it will cause your pet discomfort and pain. 

What problems do boxers have?

Even though Boxers by nature measure 11-12 years of age, they rarely live on average up to 10 years. The reason lies in the weak immune system. Since these dogs are uncomfortable in low temperatures, they are prone to hypothermia, colds, and allergic diseases. In order not to threaten their health, the premises where German boxers are kept should be dry and without drafts. In wet and windy weather, it is better to refrain from walking.

The most common diseases of this breed include heat intolerance, allergies, deafness, benign and malignant tumors, gastric torsion, hypothyroidism (decreased thyroid function), arthritis, heart problems, dysplasia (hip and elbow joints), dysplasia (hip and elbow joints), dysplasia Degenerative myeloma (due to this disease, paralysis of the lower extremities is possible).

How to choose a puppy 

 

 

In addition to compliance with the breed standard, an important criterion for choosing a future pet should be the correspondence of his character with yours. Also, you should initially decide for what purpose to choose a German boxer. If you do not set a goal for the dog to participate in various shows and just want to engage in breeding, then the social companion dog is right. The puppy should be playful, friendly, and willing to communicate with you.

 

The boxer is great for active and cheerful people because he is an athlete. Even if you choose a "non-elite" puppy, communication with him and training will bring a lot of pleasure. For him, many kilometers of jogging is not a problem, and he will make you good company on long walks and trips to hard-to-reach places.

Many would like to become boxer breeders to sell puppies in the future. For this purpose, do not skimp on the good, which will become the primary base for breeding. You must meet the following criteria: Be a descendant of a well-known family with excellent titles. In order not to make a mistake with the choice, it is better to buy a puppy from breeding in well-known kennels that guarantee that you will not buy a “fake”. You should also pay attention to the qualities of the puppy's parents: they must have excellent characteristics that are inherent in this breed, and be mentally balanced.

Be sure to ask about the health of the future pet, and whether he has been tested for deformity spondylosis, hip dysplasia, behavioral abnormalities, and eye diseases. Any of these diseases carry Boxers with real danger and can even cause the dog's death. It will not be superfluous to ask the breeder for a document in which the results of the litter survey are recorded to find out how many puppies were rejected by the commission. If the number of these defects turns out to be high, then it is better not to take a puppy, as there is a risk of passing on the defects to the offspring.