Characteristic
The boxer’s strongest characteristic is their desire for human affection. This may come as a surprise to those who
are impressed, at first, by their striking appearance. The spirited bearing, square jaw and cleanly-muscled body
suggests a well-conditioned, middleweight athlete of dogdom — so fitting for their role of alert, family guardian.
Others may initially be taken by their arresting beauty. The short, smooth coat, handsomely-chiselled head, and
square silhouette never fail to elicit compliments from passersby as they trot jauntily by your side, neck arched
and tail held erect. Yet the boxer’s greatest wish is to be with children, watching protectively over their play.
So we see the boxer as a “dog of many colours,” suiting the need for household guardian, attractive walking
companion, and, especially, childrens’ playmate and protector.
Origin — “The Hunter”
The boxer’s background can be found in feudal Germany. The small, couageous hunting dog, with mastiff-type
head and undershot bite, was used to secure a tenacious hold on a bull, bear or boar, pending the hunter’s arrival.
They then went through periods of use as a utility dog for peasants and shop-owners. Their easy trainability even
found them performing in circuses.
In the 1880s, descendants of this type were bred to a taller, more elegant English import, often white in colour,
and the modern boxer was established.
Imported to North America after World War I, their popularity really began in the late 1930s. Competing against
over one hundred other breeds, their appeal in the show ring led to four Best in Show awards at the prestigous
Westminster Kennel Club shows between 1947 and 1970.
Physical appearance
The boxer is a medium-sized dog, ranging from 21 inches high at the shoulder in a female, to 26 inches high in a
large male. Male adult weight may reach 65 to 80 pounds; the female usually weighs between 50 and 60 pounds.
There are no “miniature” or “giant” varieties. The short, close-lying coat is found in two equally-accepted basic colour classifications — fawn and brindle. For the first few weeks, puppies will appear darker than their eventual true colour.
Genetically, brindles may produce fawns when bred, but a fawn mated with a fawn cannot produce a brindle.
The background colour, whether fawn or brindle, is often splashed with attractive white markings. These
markings will appear on the muzzle, neck, chest, legs or underbelly. White markings on puppies will usually
lessen in relative size as the puppy matures.
An all-white coat or a predominantly white background, known as a check, may occur as a throwback to an
ancestor of the modern boxer. In order to retain the beauty and desirable features associated with the true fawn or brindle colours, breeders from recognized boxer clubs may prefer not to register, sell, give away or use these checks for breeding.
The Boxer's official classification in the "Working Group" of dogs is a natural. His keenest sense, that of hearing,
is enhanced by the cropped, erect ears and makes him an instinctive guard dog, always alert. He has also been
used as a courier during war time, and as a seeing-eye dog for the blind. Although always vigilant, the Boxer is
not a nervous breed, and will not bark without cause. He has judgment, and an uncanny sense of distinguishing
between friend and intruder. One of the delightful qualities that sets the Boxer apart is the unique mobility of his
expressive face. The skin furrowing of the forehead, the dark, "soulful" eyes, and at times almost human attempts
to "converse," make his replacement by another breed difficult for one who has owned a Boxer. He mimics the
mood of his master and can spend hours quietly lying at his feet.
The well-trained boxer is a beautiful sight to see as he goes through his paces in the obedience ring, Obedience
award trials are usually held in conjunction with most dog shows.
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Unfortunately, the Boxer is susceptible to several potential health problems, including hip dysplasia, bloat, aortic
stenosis (a heart ailment), digestive problems, hypothyroidism, and cancerous and benign tumors. Health
Hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism affect many breeds of dogs and their presence can be determined by testing
breeding stock before mating. Dysplastic dogs should not be bred; thyroid dogs should be bred carefully to non-
thyroid dogs. Thyroid disease can be controlled by medicine; dysplasia cannot be controlled and can be corrected
or alleviated only by surgery.
Prospective Boxer buyers should ask breeders for proof the litter's sire and dam are free of dysplasia and for the
thyroid status of both puppy parents.
Bloat is a life-threatening disease of deep-chested dogs. The incidence may be lessened by feeding adult dogs
twice a day; sticking to a premium dog food diet without table scraps -- especially spicy or rich table scraps; and
by allowing a dog to digest his meal before indulging in strenuous exercise. However, bloat cannot be completely
prevented, so vigilance is necessary to make sure that the dog gets to a clinic as soon as possible after the
symptoms are noticed.
The Boxer is an affectionate and trustworthy pet for an active family. He is easy-care, intelligent, athletic, and
faithful. What more could an owner ask?
Source:
Dauntae Boxers Home page.
Dog Owner´s Guide - The Boxer.
Pictures by Craig Powell