The Boxer

Appearance

A few specifics. This Boxer is a medium sized dog. Dogs being 22 to 24 inches (56-63cm) at the withers. Bitches 21 to 23 inches (53-58.5) at the withers. There are no “miniature” or “giant” varieties. The short close-lying coat is found in two equally accepted basic colour classifications, red and brindle. The red may vary from a tawny tan to an especially beautiful deep stag red. The brindle has dark stripes on a fawn background. Sparse brindling gives a “golden” brindle, dense striping, a mahogany or very dark brindle. Puppies for the first few weeks of age will appear darker than their eventual true colour. Genetically, brindles may produce reds when bred, but red mated to red cannot produce a brindle. The background colour, whether fawn or brindle, is often splashed with attractive white markings but they should appear only on muzzle, neck, chest, legs or underbelly.

History

The Boxer’s background is found in feudal Germany. Here a small courageous hunting dog with mastiff type head and undershot bite was used to secure a tenacious hold on bull, bear or boar pending the hunter’s arrival. He then went through periods of utility dog for peasants and shop-owners. His easy trainability even found him performing in circuses. In the 1880’s descendants of this type were bred to a taller, more elegant English import, often white in colour, and the modern Boxer was established.

Temperament

The boxer wants to meet you, your children and other members of the family. In fact the boxer’s strongest characteristic is his desire for human affection. This may come as a surprise to those at first impressed by his striking appearance. The spirited bearing, square jaw and cleanly muscled body suggest the well conditioned middleweight athlete of dogdom so fitting for his role of alert family guardian. Others, perhaps, will first be taken by his arresting beauty. The short, smooth coat, handsomely chiselled head and square silhouette never fail to excite compliments from passers-by as he trots jauntily by your side with neck arched and tail held erect. Yet the Boxer’s greatest wish is to be with children, watching protectively over their play.

And so we see the Boxer as a “dog for all seasons” - suiting the need for household guardian, attractive walking companion and, especially, children’s playmate and protector.

The character of the Boxer is of the greatest importance and demands the most careful attention. He is renowned from olden times for his great love and faithfulness to his master and household his alertness and fearless courage as a defender and protector. The Boxer is docile but distrustful of strangers. He is bright and friendly in play but brave and determined when roused. His intelligence and willing tractability, his modesty and cleanliness make him a highly desirable family dog and cheerful companion. He is the soul of honestly and loyalty. He is never false or treacherous even in his old age

Care / Grooming

The Boxer requires relatively little care but ownership of any dog entails a definite responsibility.

The Boxer should be considered an indoor dog as he is unusually sensitive to temperature extremes both hot and cold. A decision should be made whether he will be confined to a kennel or have the run of the house. The Boxer adapts readily to either decision if made early enough. Even if the pup is to be the house pet, it is well to set up a large wire type crate (commercially available) in a secluded spot where he can retreat from possibly over-enthusiastic children since the young puppy requires much rest. It also makes subsequent confinement in it simpler when desired The Boxer needs very little grooming, and it is easily done by the owner. A rubber curry comb, or light culling with a hacksaw blade will take out loose hair and prevent it shedding on furniture or clothes. For that “show” look, trim whiskers under-belly, tail and back thigh “seams” with scissors or clippers. Bathing as and when necessary but does not have to be a weekly task, especially if culled regularly. Nails must be trimmed unless worn down by activity on hard or cement surfaces. Tartar may have to be removed periodically - usually by a veterinarian.

Health

Cancer can be a problem for the breed. Boxers are prone to skin tumours, many of these are harmless but do consult your vet to decide whether treatment is warranted.

Bee stings and insect bites can sometimes set up quite an alarming reaction in the boxer however this is not life threatening and an anti histamine tablet or injection soon fixes the problem.

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