Dog Breed:
BOXER
View Boxer Sculpture
The last year of the first millennium was a
truly exciting one for the American Boxer. In 1999, the Boxer jumped o #10 in the
American Kennel Club’s breed popularity list, with 34,998 registrations! In addition,
four or five Boxers appeared among the Top Ten Working Dogs in the nation, according to
the Dog News all-breed show wins statistics.
Boxers are descendants of two German Mastiff type dogs, the Barenbeiszer and the
Bullenbeiszer. Later they were crossed with ancestors of the Mastiff and the Bulldog.
These dogs were once noted for hunting and cart pulling and later became cattle dogs.
This breed was primarily a security, guard, and work dog. Early
breeders tried unsuccessfully to create an all-black dog and settled on the fawn and
brindle colors commonly seen today. The breed gained popularity in North America after
World War I when returning servicemen brought back Boxers with them; by the second World
War, the breed was established and well-favored as a family protector and friend. The
energetic Boxer needs daily outdoor exercise.
Height: 21 - 25" (53.3 -
63.5cm)
Weight: 66 - 70 lbs (29.5 -
31.2 kg)
Coat Type: The Boxer's flat,
close-lying coat is short and lustrous, with acceptable colors being fawn and brindle.
White markings must not exceed more than one-third of the dog. A weekly rub-down keeps his
coat looking sleek and healthy.
Temperament: Happy,
high-spirited, intelligent, energetic, curious, loyal, and affectionate are all terms that
describe the temperament of Boxers. They are very reliable and protective around children.
They are very loving toward children and like to play as well. Boxers are easily trained
and are often eager to learn. Known friends or guests may get an exuberant greeting while
intruders may be restrained in the same manner that a Bulldog might use. These lively dogs
have a tendency to jump up at people and this trait should be controlled at an early age.
Training should start early from puppyhood and the owner must be dominant over the dog.
Health Concerns and Interests: Sinus
infections and breathing difficulties may be of concern to this breed due to the shape of
its nose. They may also be prone to other health conditions such as hereditary heart
problems, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, stiffness of the spine, allergies, and skin cancer.
Skin lumps that are found while grooming should be examined to see if they are malignant
tumors. Boxers also have some traits that are not life threatening but are not very
desirable such as drooling, snoring, and at times excessive flatulence. The life
expectancy for Boxers is typically 11-14 years
Special Interest: It is said
that Boxers derived their name from the fact that they "box" with each other
while at play.
Classifications:
AKC: Group 3 - Working Dogs
CKC: Group 3 - Working Dogs
KC: Non-Sporting - Working Group
FCI: Group 2
ANKC: Group 6 - Utility
View Boxer Sculpture
More information about the
Boxers
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