Boxer
Is a Boxer the Right Breed for You?
A boxer is a good choice for families with children and those
that want a strong deterrent for criminals. This breed
acquired its name from its habit of using the front legs to
box while fighting. This powerful breed was originally used to
aid in hunting but quickly became popular as police and
military animals in Europe. Many soon discovered how devoted
the Boxer was to its family, turning the breed into a
companion dog as well. The Boxer didn't become popular in the
U. S. until soldiers returning from World War II brought them
home.
Boxers are considered to be medium sized dogs; however they
have the strength of a large dog. A young Boxer is nearly all
muscle and energy and weighs approximately 50 to 80 pounds.
The breed has a brad chest, a wide skull, and a face similar
to a Bulldog's. Their large brown eyes are expressive and the
dog will use a pitiful look to get its way.
Boxers should be fawn or brindle with a black mask on their
face. A dog with white markings is considered to be flashy. If
a Boxer has more than one third of its body covered in white
or is all white it will not be allowed to compete in the show
ring. White Boxers are prone to deafness, as well as other
health problems.
These dogs are not meant for apartment life. They have high
energy and need to exercise frequently. A home with a fenced
yard is ideal for a Boxer. The fence must be high, so the dog
is unable to jump it.
Boxers generally get along well with other dogs, however if a
small dog or cat is in the home a Boxer may not be the best
choice. If more than one dog is owned the Boxer should be
neutered at six months to keep aggression towards other dogs
at a minimum. This breed gets along well with small children
but may be too energetic to play with toddlers. A young Boxer
can easily knock an adult flat with an overly enthusiastic
greeting.
This breed needs to be enrolled in obedience training early in
life. Puppy classes will help the animal socialize and learn
to play nicely with other dogs. These dogs are eager to please
and generally pick up basic obedience commands quickly.
Advance obedience and agility training should be considered
for this breed also.
Boxers require little grooming. The coat should be brushed
once a week to remove loose hair. The dog's teeth should be
cleaned regularly and its nails checked to see if they need to
be trimmed.
Boxers are healthy eaters. This breed should be fed a food
formulated for large dogs, since they are prone to hip
dysplasia. They have very few other health issues. Heart and
thyroid disease history can be checked prior to buying a
puppy.
For those wanting a devoted friend and companion the Boxer
could be the perfect choice.
Back to: Dog Bits
|
