boxer dog

History of origin

German boxers appeared more than two thousand years ago. Their ancestors are German Shepherds and English Bulldogs. Previously, dogs were used to hunt wild boars, deer and bears. The breed, similar to the modern boxer, was bred in 1850 by crossing the above breeds, the first exhibition was held in 1895 in Munich. In the same year, the German Boxer Club was established here, and this year was considered the birth year of the breed.

At the beginning of the 20th century, student Friederum Stockmann opened a boxer shelter, and these dogs became so popular that in 1950 a special boxer club, ATIBOX, was created. It now includes several dozen countries. To date, these dogs are popular in America, in Our Country the breed is not so common.

Where this name came from is unknown. One of the most common versions is that boxers actively use their front paws when defending.

Breed description

The German Boxer is a medium sized dog with a strong and muscular body. The height of males reaches 63 cm, females 60 cm. This breed has a square format and strong bones. The boxer has excellent muscles: dry, well developed and embossed.

The head gives the boxer its characteristic appearance, its muzzle is very wide and powerful. The nose leather varies by color and is usually black or dark brown. The eyes are not bulging or deeply sunken, they are dark brown in color. The shape of the ears is triangular.

The tail of the dogs is short, tail docking was performed in the past, but the modern standard does not require this procedure. The coat is short, close to the body, smooth and shiny. The color is very different: deer, brindle, bright red, there are often white spots on the paws and chest.

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Character

Boxers are hardy and strong dogs. Because of these qualities, they are often used in the police and security. Despite their rough appearance and these qualities, they are very kind and loving members of the family. Animals get along well with children, very open. Their mood on the muzzle is immediately visible – it is clear from their behavior whether the dog is sad or having fun.

Breeders note that the boxer dog is docile and has a strong nervous system. They are good-natured and sociable – they easily make contact and adore attention, they behave calmly at home, do not spoil things, and on the street they like to run and frolic. Long walks are always a joy for boxers. Dogs love to be in nature: here they explore the territory and dig in the ground. He is wary of strangers, dogs are smart and cunning. It is worth noting their dexterity, courage and great strength, because they belong to the category of fighting.

Care and maintenance

Caring for this dog is simple, the main thing is to properly feed and follow the rules of keeping.

From an early age, it is necessary to accustom the Boxer to regular examinations and care so that during such actions he does not resist.

To care for wool, you need a rubberized cloth and a leather cloth. First of all, the wool must be wiped with the first material, and then with the second, wetting it in water. Bathing a dog is undesirable or extremely rare if it gets dirty after a walk. Teach your dog to wash their paws after a walk.

It is worth taking care of the cleanliness of the eyes, since this breed has sagging temples and is prone to frequent conjunctivitis. Allocations are removed carefully using a soft cloth or cotton pad.

Do not clean the dog’s ears with cotton swabs, and do not drip alcohol or other products. To clean a boxer’s ears, wrap a handkerchief around your finger and remove dust and wax.

Too long claws are the dog’s enemy. They interfere with walking and cause pain to the dog. Every two weeks they need to be trimmed with special incisors, without touching the blood vessels in the outgrowths.

As for nutrition, if you choose natural feeding, then it is worth remembering that the diet should include meat, eggs, cereals, vegetables and milk. Dry food is not recommended for this dog due to the risk of nutritional imbalance. But you should not save on dry food, if you still decide to feed it – you need to choose premium or holistic food. The water bowl needs to be refilled.

Education and training

A boxer should be trained at an early age – from 3 months. They quickly understand the goals and intentions of the owner, if they were clearly presented.

From an early age, it is better to arrange short and fun lessons. For the fact that he went to the toilet on the street, you need to praise the dog and give a treat.

Boxers are able to remember the command after three repetitions, most importantly, do not forget to praise it. You do not need to beat the dog so as not to lose contact with it. Experienced dog owners offer to take a training course with cynologists.

Health and disease

Boxers are prone to quite a few health problems. These dogs can suffer from deafness – about 20 – 40% of puppies are born deaf in one or both ears.

Congenital diseases like aortic stenosis and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy of the right ventricle appear as a boxer matures.

Hypothyroidism, bloating and bowel problems are also common in this breed, but a carefully selected diet will help avoid this problem. Allergies are often possible, especially drinking.

Because of the lowered eyelids, boxers often suffer from eye diseases – entropion (eyelid inversion). This can be corrected with surgery.

Popular questions and answers

We talked about boxer dogs with cynologist Irina Makarenkova.