Man’s best friend comes in so many shapes, sizes and colors, as well as “features” and functionalities that it is difficult not to find a suitable dog for everyone. It is enough to want to indoctrinate a doggy pet and do a little research. As if to hit the most suitable breed for our way of being and living, we can affirm that there is at least one type of dog for each person. Sometimes the affinity is such that it is like wearing a tailored suit; Of course, this is just a mere analogy, with no intention of objectifying or belittling such a noble animal.
Among the hundreds of options, today you will discover everything you need to know about the boxer, its characteristics, and why it could be your custom dog.
Origin of the Boxer
The Boxer breed emerged in Germany at the end of the 19th century. It comes from the Colossians, which centuries ago were used as hunting and fighting dogs in wars. Gradually changing his habits, the boxer changed his character and went through a period of adaptability to different tasks over the years. Although even today some people continue to use it as defense dogs.
The breed was initially largely ignored until World War II, where it served as a very useful war dog retrieving bodies and sending messages. The origin of the name is quite interesting, as it is said to be a British name for being a dog with a predisposition to use its front legs, like a boxer. Although another hypothesis indicates that it comes from the German word “box” that was used to colloquially call the bullenbeisser, a breed developed by hunters and a direct ancestor of the boxer.
Characteristic
- Height at the withers: Males from 57 to 63cm and females from 53 to 59cm.
- Weight: Males between 25 and 32kg and females around 25kg.
- Coat: Short, hard, shiny and close-fitting, brown, black, fawn and brindle (with spots).
- Skills: Fire dog, companion, protection and defense.
- Size: Generally medium in size, but some are large.
- Life expectancy: 8 to 10 years.
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How to recognize a Boxer
The boxer has an athletic and muscular body that makes him resistant to exercise; his bone structure is formidable, with a robust and almost square appearance. It has a large jaw, small snout, and usually displays a distinctive black mask that covers its face. He is a brachycephalic dog, the features of his face are wrinkled and prone to drooping, and this is totally natural and normal.
Although the face of the boxer could imply that the dog is angry or grumpy. It is because of these natural features that they give him that appearance, but contrary to what they imply, he is very affectionate and friendly. His eyes are almond-colored and his ears are long and pointed. When the dog is in a state of alert, the ears move slightly forward, marking a noticeable fold.
Until a few years ago, it was common to see boxers with cropped tails and ears; fortunately this practice has been banned in most countries. And it generates rejection by the majority of the population. His neck is strong, round and muscular. His broad chest gives him a great presence; he usually has very short, shiny and silky hair. There are also white or albino boxers, although they are not recognized as boxers by international associations.
How to take care of the dog
- It does not require excessive brushing of the hair, but you have to be careful to clean them of dirt and dead hair.
- It requires special attention in terms of its excessive natural tendency to generate lagans and drool, so they must be cleaned almost daily.
- Bathing him every two months is usually enough.
- Take him out for a walk and socialize several times a day, as he is a very energetic dog that needs to spend time with others (humans and dogs).
- Due to its social characteristics, part of caring for the dog lies in having toys and accessories with which it can keep itself entertained most of the time.
- Take him to the vet every 6 months (or when his health condition warrants it).
Dog health
The boxer has a certain genetic predisposition to hereditary diseases; the most common are the following:
- Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy of the right ventricle.
- Corneal dystrophy.
- Sub aortic stenosis.
- Dilated cardiomyopathy.
- Degenerative myelopathy.
In addition to belonging to the brachiocephalic race, the boxer should not perform extreme exercise or be exposed to extreme heat, since in both cases it can cause what is known as “heat stroke” or hyperthermia. It is a veterinary emergency condition, as it can put the dog’s life at risk. For all this, it is necessary to keep the dog well vaccinated and dewormed, as well as maintain regular visits to the veterinarian.
The boxer is intolerant of very hot climates, and very cold ones, where they need protection because they have short hair. Although his health is apparently delicate for all that we have established above, the boxer does not tend to suffer from bone or muscular problems, because in that respect his health is very solid.
Living with a boxer
They stand out for their alert, faithful, active and friendly character. They are particularly sensitive and good-natured dogs when well socialized, they are very protective and patient with children, whom they love and care for. Even so, being a breed of great strength and physical capacity, they should be supervised while playing with the little ones to avoid accidents. If you are good at training them, you will create a special bond with them, as they are very affectionate, accommodating and attached.
The Boxer breed can function in different types of families, whether or not they include children in the equation. As long as they have an active lifestyle, they have a lot of energy and are very enthusiastic about games and physical activities. However, he should not be left alone for a long time, as he is such a loving, affectionate and close dog that if he is deprived of attention for a long time by keeping him alone, he can develop destructive and counterproductive behaviors. This is why it is not advised to leave it alone for more than a handful of hours a day.
Although Boxers are calm, when the situation calls for it they become aggressive due to their protective instinct, which makes them defend not only themselves but also those they care about. This does not contradict their status as excellent companion dogs with children, and gives them additional value in terms of their alertness. If they bark it is for a good reason, and they have the ability to vocalize by growling, which is their way of warning that something is not right. If there is something that can be annoying about them, it is that some snore and hiss when they sleep.
They are a relatively easy breed to train, without being the most intelligent dog or the one that learns the fastest. Nor does it require excessive effort to learn instructions or to follow orders. In short, with this you already have everything you need to know about the boxer and its characteristics, and if it has been enough to decide if it is a breed to suit you.
