Boxer
Despite their tough and mean look, Boxers are a playful and affectionate breed. This, coupled with their fearless temperament make them a fantastic breed to own.
● Key Characteristics Of Boxers
● How Can I Take Good Care Of A Boxer Puppy?
● Most Asked Boxer Questions
● Similar Dog Breeds
Despite their tough and mean look, Boxers are a playful and affectionate breed. This, coupled with their fearless temperament make them a fantastic breed to own.
The Boxer’s history dates as far back as 2,500 B.C. They’re assumed to have been bred down from a bigger German breed known as the Bullenbeisser.
In the medieval times, Bullenbeissers were used as hunting dogs. Specifically, they were used to hold down big game animals until the hunters arrived. Examples of these wild animals including bear and wild boar.
Over time, the German Bullenbeissers grew out of favour. They began being used by farmers and butchers for guarding and driving cattle. The boxer we see today was created in the later part of the 19th century.
Their development can be credited to George Alt, who was a German dog breeder. He crossbred a brindle-coloured female Bullenbeisser with a native dog of unknown origin.
One of the puppies in the resulting litter was a white and fawn male called Lechner’s Box. This dog is believed to be the beginning of the line that became the Boxer.
| Are British Bulldogs Family-Friendly? | They are gentle and dependable, making them ideal family pets. |
| Daily Exercise Needs? | 30 minutes of exercise everyday. |
| Common Health Issues & Considerations | The most common health problems these dogs are likely to experience are: ● Brachycephalic Syndrome ● Dysplasia & Orthopaedic Deformities ● Skin Conditions ● Dermatitis ● Eczema ● Canine demodectic mange |
| Lifespan | 8 to 10 years. |
| Nature / Temperament | Calm, loving, kind and gentle. |
| Size | Weight: Male: 24 - 25 kg Female: 22 - 23 kg Height: Male: 31 - 40 cm Female: 31 - 40 cm |
| Suitable Environment | These dogs are suited to most environments. |
| Grooming | Brush their coats at least 3 times per week. |
● Boxers are known also as service dogs. Often, they’re used to guide the blind, as therapy dogs and alert dogs for the epileptic.
● They don’t tolerate extreme heat or cold very well. This is because they are a brachycephalic breed. What this means is that they have flat faces and short noses, making it difficult to breathe.
● Boxers snore more than other breeds.
● They come in different coat colours including brindle, fawn and white.
Aim to feed a Boxer puppy 3 – 4 times per day. The adult Boxers eat less often, usually twice per day. One of the nutrients that shouldn’t miss in their diet is protein. This is because they’re a muscular breed that is very active. The protein content should constitute at least 30% of the dog food.
It’s also advisable to supplement their diet with fish oil or flaxseed oil. These food products give your Boxer a shiny and healthy coat.
What’s exciting about the Boxer is that they stay clean for long periods. Their short coats rarely mat or tangle, making the breed a “wash and wear”. Still, grooming is an integral part of taking care of them.
Thus, you’ll need to brush their coats once per week. It’s recommended that you brush them in a circular motion.
● Bathe your Boxer on an as-needed basis. Consider bathing them on a warm summer day due to their intolerance to cold. Or, you could bathe them in a heated bathroom.
● When their nails grow too long, trim them using a guillotine-type nail clipper.
● Wipe their ears using a soft cloth to get rid of dirt.
● Inspect and brush their teeth often to remove tartar.
● Occasionally check your Boxer for skin irritations.
Exercise your Boxer during their peak activity times. That is, early in the morning and late afternoon.
These dogs will enjoy every task you put them to. Whether it’s frisbee fetch or flyball, your Boxer will be thrilled to take part.
Boxer training ought to start as soon as you adopt them. These dogs are extremely energetic but they’re also intelligent.
Start your training sessions with simple warm up exercises. In other words, give them a chance to stretch their legs. Also, ensure there aren’t any distractions in the training area.
Due to their strong protective instincts, Boxers tend to get distracted very easily. This is why you need to get rid of unnecessary disruptions.
This is general information and should not be relied on for adopting or purchasing advice.
Often featured in the “Most Dangerous Dog Breeds” lists, Boxers are considered aggressive. But this often has to do with their upbringing./experiences rather than natural actions.
These dogs are actually friendly with a playful temperament. They are very affectionate and they’ll want to hang out with you all the time. They will only attack when they feel threatened or when they’ll provoked.
That said, it’s important to note that Boxers don’t make excellent guard dogs. They’re more likely to lead intruders to your safe than bark at them.
Yes, some Boxers are born white. In fact, at least 18% of Boxer puppies are white. That said, these dogs suffer certain severe reactions. These allergies often result into hearing loss and an increased risk of skin cancer.
The average price of a Boxer puppy for sale ranges between $600 and $1600.