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Boxers

The Breed

The Boxer was bred as far back as the 16th century in Germany as a working dog. They were used to bait bulls and to fight other dogs. Of course this meant that they needed to be aggressive, strong and fearless dogs.

The Boxer we know and love today is still all of these things, but uses his great strength only when needed in defense.

They are very cautious when meeting a new person, but once they receive assurance that they are not in harms way, nor is their owner, they are friendly and loving.

Originally, only four dogs were brought into the United States from Germany. This has resulted in excessive inner breeding. Today, many breeders are seeking to introduce new genetics by using European Boxers.

The Positives

  • Courageous and fiercely loyal.
  • Very intelligent
  • Eager to please
  • Protective of loved ones
  • Keen sense of hearing
  • Great Guard Dogs
  • Good with children
  • Very strong dog
  • Responds well to routine and structure
  • Requires very little grooming
  • Described as "The Ultimate People Dog, a true confidant and a laugh a minute"The older the dog, the calmer the behavior.
The Negatives

  • Very intelligent
  • Stubborn
  • Needs obedience training
  • Very strong dog.
  • Needs routine and structure or will create his own
  • Requires large amounts of exercise
  • Not great with cats.
NOTE: Some traits are listed as both negative and positive. For example having a very intelligent dog is a definite plus, unless you don't pay enough attention to it and it is left to "explore and discover" on it's own. A very strong dog is a wonderful thing, but if you are frail or weak, you may want to reconsider the breed.

Remember - a positive or negative is really only such as it applies to you and your situation.

Health Issues

  • High rate of cancer compared to other breeds.
  • High instances of: Bloat and Epilepsy.
  • Life Span is 10 to 12 years.
The Standards

As described by the American Kennel Club (AKC):

A Boxer should be under 25 inches. Overall it is a medium sized, square built dog with a short back, strong limbs, and a short tight-fitting coat. They will weigh between 50 and 75 pounds.

The Boxer's muzzle is blunt and the skull is wide. When the ears are erect, there will be wrinkles on the forehead. There will actually be folds (not wrinkles) always present close to and on the muzzle. The lower jaw of a Boxer curves upward.

A Boxer's tail and ears are cropped. (Cropped ears are optional) The marking on the neck is white and should not exceed one-third of the entire coat. The acceptable coat colors are fawn and brindle. White Boxers are not considered to be acceptable for AKC registration.

Additional information

If you are interested in adopting a Boxer or helping in any way, contact the Greater Ohio Boxer Rescue through their website www.goboxerrescue.com




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