The boxers are a unique dog breed; as a pure breed the boxer has been in existence for less than two hundred years and yet today is a firmly established dog breed the world over. The credit for evolving this breed goes to the Germans.
If you’re planning to bring home a pet dog, you cannot go wrong with a boxer. Read on to find out about the animal’s history, characteristics, and temperament.
Boxers descend from the Molosser – a category of dog breeds that includes mountain dogs and mastiff breeds. Specifically, the boxers are a cross between the now extinct bullenbeiser and the bulldog.
A commonly held belief is that the breed gets its name from the dog’s habit of rearing itself on its hind legs and sparring playfully with its forelegs. Experts; however, dismiss this theory pointing to the fact that Germans are hardly ever going to give a native breed an anglicized name. The most likely reason for the breed being named thus is that the bullenbeisers were affectionately known as Boxl and “Boxer” is derived from this word. The boxer made its appearance in the United States at the turn of the 20th century. Interest in the breed picked up when soldiers returning home after the Second World War brought home boxers from Europe.
Let us now move on to the nature of the boxers. Playful and energetic are words that best describe a boxer. These dogs are bundles of muscular energy and love to play with stuff. Dog lovers know that such breeds need their daily exercise because if boredom sets in then a boxer may well try to expend energy his own way and this means chewing of anything and everything that takes their fancy. Better have them running in the park than bouncing off your walls and couch.
Once socialized, boxers will get along just great with everyone in the family and also the neighborhood daschund. A really great thing about these dogs is that they are safe for kids. They are patient and non-aggressive. At the same time their loyalty for their owners is legendary. They won’t just wag their tails and welcome strangers – they make good guard dogs.
The only thing you need to keep in mind is that these dogs need exercise and company; it is tonic for their physical and mental wellbeing. These aspects will keep your boxer healthy and cheerful. With good breeding, a boxer will not count shyness and aloofness amongst its traits.
Now lets move on to the physical characteristics that define this breed. The male boxer measures around 23-25 inches at the withers and the female can touch 23.5 inches. The head and a muscular physique are easily the most arresting features of boxers. A squat face with a short muzzle and a nose that ends higher than the point where the muzzle meets the head are discernable features. The face is not unduly creased. The dogs are prognathus, i.e. the lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper jaw. It bends upwards. This is also known as having an “under bite”. The top jaw is wider than the lower jaw.
A short-haired coat that is shiny and smooth lies tight to the body. Boxers are most commonly found in fawn and brindle colors often with white markings on the underbelly, front, or paws.
