Categories: Prose

The American Boxer Dog

One of the most easily recognizable dog breeds is the Boxer. His short, shiny coat comes in many acceptable AKC colors: fawn, red, brindle, and white with dark markings. Something else people notice is the way the lower jaw protrudes out past the upper jaw. This helps in giving it a fierce look. He tends to be a strong and muscular breed and is always on alert. Don’t let the look fool you, though.

This dog loves to please. He is a cheerful dog who is always ready to play or work. Keeping this dog busy is key. They do get curious and have a lot of energy to spend. If not used correctly, that energy will turn your dog into a mischievious little thing. Daily walks and daily play is important to keep him mentally and physically content.

More than most other breeds, the Boxer tends to reflect the owner’s mood. If you are sad, he’ll be sad with you. Sharing emotions helps to get him to bond with his family. He won’t become a nervous dog and only barks when he feels he needs to. He also has a geat sense that tells him the difference between friend or foe. He will pick up on your feelings if you are uncomfortable around someone, but usually won’t act on that feeling unless he feels that you are threatened.

The Boxer is a breed that can be trusted around children. He is loyal and very affectionate. He learns quickly who friends of the family are and will treat them just as well. For the most part, he will get along with other animals, whether they are dogs or cats. Smaller animals might push the tempation, though. Especially hamsters, gerbils, and birds. So, if they are kept together, just take the necessary precautions to keep the small animals out of the dogs reach.

The owner of a Boxer does need to be the alpha of the pack. Dogs don’t think like humans do. They have an order in their families, just like wolves do. When you get a Boxer, you must work to socialize it correctly and to make sure that his order comes under the family. If you don’t stay firm with him, he may try to be overly demanding and hard to control.

Boxers are a medium sized dog, usually standing about 21 to 25 inches and weighing 53 to 70 pounds. They tend to be cat like in some of their behavior. They clean themselves like cats and box with their front paws like cats. (That’s why they are named Boxers.) They can adjust to living in any size home from an apartment to a house, as long as they are given the chance to exercise daily. The do need to stay in a medium climate because they get cold easily and have just as much trouble cooling down. Temperate climates are best for the Boxer.

It does come with it’s own set of health concerns, ranging from heart problems to allergies. Aortic stenosis – a congenital condition that constricts the outflow of blood from the left ventricle to the aorta. This is usually noticed as a heart murmur in the dog and really doesn’t have a surgical proceedure that will help it. Another heart problem is cardiomyopathy. This is an electrical-conduction disturbance or abnormal impulses that disrupt the heart’s regular rhythm. This also has no surgical proceedure to correct it. Other problems found in the breed are thyroid problems, tumors, epilepsy, and hip dysplasia. Boxers tend to have a lot of gas, too, but there are over the counter pills for dogs to help with that.

They are easy to groom since they have such a short coat and shed no more than average. They can live to be 14 years old, so he will be a long time companion.

Make sure you do your breeder research before buying a puppy. If you go to a pet store, more than likely it came from a puppy mill and you won’t get to see the parents or know it’s background. Just because you’re getting papers with the dog doesn’t mean it will be in good health, conformation or a good temperament. One way of finding a good Boxer is through the American Boxer Club. They have a listing of breeders and all the information you could ever want on the Boxer. You’ll also be able to connect with people and talk about whether this breed is right for you.

Ancestors of the Boxer can be traced back to the Bullenbeiszer and The Barenbeiszer from Germany. They were mastiff-like dogs. Boxers have also been crossed in the past with the Mastiff and the Bulldog, but are now their own distinct breed and are no longer crossed. They have a lot of talents, too, from pulling carts for peasants to hunting, bull baiting and being used as cattle dogs. They even have a history as entertainers. Today, they are mostly used for companionship. They can be used in military work and police work as well as search and rescue, guarding, watchdogging, and competitive obedience.

They have such gentle and loving personalities, it’s hard to not fall in love with this dog.