Puppy training > The Fearless and Friendly Boxer Dog

The Fearless and Friendly Boxer Dog

by: Mike Mathews

It is hard to imagine that a dog breed descended from the mastiff-type dogs of war and one whose progenitors were used for bull and bear baiting, is now one of the most popular family-oriented breeds in the world.

The popular Boxer dog is a playful clown that continues to display youthful exuberance from its puppy stage to its senior years. Boxers are a courageous, good-natured, friendly, energetic, loyal, fun-loving, and family-oriented dog breed. Boxers love children and will suffer all sorts of child inflicted indignities with stoicism. However toddlers and young children should be carefully supervised with excited adolescent and young Boxers who can accidentally knock them over. The boxer is a large and strong dog that must be socialized thoroughly and obedience trained while a puppy and that training must be continued through adolescence to control its exuberance. The Boxer can be overly protective of the children in the family when roughhousing with friends and must be thoroughly socialized and trained to minimize any aggressive tendencies. The breed is naturally suspicious of strangers and usually makes a good watchdog. The Boxer is fairly intelligent and eager to please and can be trained to higher levels for obedience competitions and even for agility competitions. Additional information on activities for dogs can be found in my article: Fun Dog Activities. Unfortunately the Boxer has a stubborn streak that will show up from time to time. He will suddenly refuse to entertain commands that he has been obeying for years and look at you with an inquisitive or even a mischievous expression. However the endless hours of fun and entertainment provided by the Boxer, more than compensate for the stubborn streak.

The Boxer is a medium- to large-sized muscular dog with a blunt and expressive face and a docked tail. Male Boxers stand 22 to 25 inches tall at shoulder height and weigh from 65 to 70 pounds. Females are slightly smaller at 21 to 23.5 inches tall and weigh 55 to 65 pounds. The Boxers ears are generally cropped in the U.S. and Canada but left uncropped in England and some European countries. The Boxer's short, smooth and shiny coat is usually red, fawn or brindle in color. Some Boxers have white markings on their coats but too much white color has been discouraged. The Boxer's coat is easy to care for and requires only an occasional brushing with a soft brush and a rub down with a chamois cloth. This dog breed is a low to moderate shedder.

The early ancestors of the Boxer are thought to be the large and courageous dogs of war that were used in ancient Greek and Roman times. These ancient dogs were later called Molossians after the modern Albanian city of Molossis. When these Molossians spread across Europe they became the ancestors of many modern dog breeds including the British Mastiff, the Swiss Saint Bernard, and the German Bullenbeiser. The Bullenbeiser was a large and strong hunting dog that the aristocracy developed to hunt bears, wild boar and other large game. Later the fearless Bullenbeisers were used as guard dogs and unfortunately also for the cruel sports of dog fighting, bear baiting and bull baiting. Eventually two lines evolved - the larger Danzigers and the smaller Brabanters. The Brabanter was crossed with an early version of the English Bulldog to produce the modern Boxer. The first Boxer was registered in Germany in 1895 and the breed's numbers increased rapidly until World War I. The British Boxer Club was established in 1936 and despite the outbreak of World War II, the bloodlines survived in both Germany and Britain. The Boxer was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1915. The line has continued to evolve and most of the aggressive tendencies have been bred out of the modern Boxer. Today's Boxer has become a very popular family dog and is ranked 7th out of 154 dog breeds in 2004 AKC registrations.

Boxers need regular exercise and do best with an active family. They like lots of attention and can become somewhat destructive if bored. Boxers do not like inclement weather and are sensitive to heat and humidity and shouldn't be taken jogging or cycling during hot summer days. Boxers, being intelligent animals, like to remain in the shade or inside in air conditioned comfort on hot days. Boxers can even adapt to apartment living if they are exercised regularly.

Boxers are normally a fairly healthy dog breed that can be expected to live for 9 to 11 years. Boxers, like most short-muzzled dogs, may snore and suffer from flatulence.

Common inherited health problems include: hip dysplasia; hypothyroidism; corneal dystrophy eye disorders; cardiomyopathy and sub aortic stenosis (SAS) heart diseases; and bloat. Information on these inherited diseases and ways to help control bloat can be found in my article: Hereditary Diseases. Before you buy a Boxer puppy make sure you ask the breeder for the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) results for hip dysplasia and thyroid and the Canine Eye Registry (CERF) recent ophthalmologists report for both the sire and dam.

If you are seriously interested in acquiring a Boxer then you should check with your national pure-bred dog organizations such as the American (www.akc.org) or Canadian Kennel (www.ckc.com) Clubs to look for conformation shows in your area. Make sure you talk to owners and breeders at these shows to see if your lifestyle is really suited to this breed. Additional information on Boxers and on specific shows and competitions in your area can be found by checking with the national Boxer clubs which are The American Boxer Club in the US and The Boxer Club Of Canada in Canada. Both of these umbrella organizations will point you to the local chapter closest to your home that may be able to provide you with information on reputable breeders. They should also provide you with information on Boxer rescue organizations in case you wish to obtain an adult dog.

About The Author

Mike Mathews is a contributing writer and editor for the popular dog breed site: Dog-Breed-Facts.com. He provides informative, real-world advice and tips on dog breeds , dog health, dog grooming and more. As well be sure to check out his free report on Dog Training.

Your Kids Want A Pet - You Don't Want To Pet Anything

by: Jennifer Shircel

?Mom, can we get a puppy??
Who hasn?t heard that line before?
The kids think it?s time for an addition to the family, but you know you don?t have time for a family pet.

We?ve got the perfect solution to make everyone happy!!

Hermit Crabs!!

Now before you start to panic because you just heard the word ?crab?, just listen!
They?re not that bad.
Trust me, I?ve had a few and after a while they were definitely part of our family.

Let me tell you why you should be convincing your kids to get a hermit crab:

1. They don?t bark, chirp or meow

2. They won?t pee on your carpeting

3. You don?t have to train them

4. They won?t climb up your screens or run away

5. They?re very easy to care for

6. Your kids will love them more than a puppy!!

Hermit crabs do not need attention every day or...

Your Kids Want A Pet - You Don't Want To Pet Anything

Puppy training > Your Kids Want A Pet - You Don't Want To Pet Anything

Housetraining Your Pup

Housetraining Your Pup

by: Mark Haakonsen

If you have just bought (or are considering buying) a new puppy, then one of your concerns will most likely be housetraining your new pet. Puppies, like babies have limited control of their bodily functions, so a simple training plan will need to be implemented from day one. The following guide will give you a quick start to housetraining your pet.

An important point to note about dogs is that by nature they are relatively clean animals, and they do not do their business around their sleeping or eating areas. In training your puppy, the key is to identify which are acceptable areas for your puppy to eliminate, and which are not.

One of the most common methods recommended for puppy housetraining is knows as ?crate training?. Crate training involves setting up a cage or cordoned off area that will act as a living area (crate) for your puppy in which they can sleep, eat and play. The purpose of the...

Housetraining Your Pup

Puppy training > Housetraining Your Pup

Tips To Get Your House Ready For a New Puppy

Tips To Get Your House Ready For a New Puppy

by: George Crozier

It's Christmas and you have decided to give that special someone a pet puppy as gift. You have done all your homework in selecting the proper breed with the right characteristics and temperament.

You have visited numerous breeders and pet shops and have found just the right puppy. You choose an adorable playful healthy puppy that will make the perfect companion.

Well, it?s not enough to just bring the new family member home.

You need to get your house ready for the new addition. Remember that pups are like babies, wanting to explore all parts of your house.

How do you know your house is safe and ready for your new pet?

Check for these:

1. Clear your house of poisonous items: Have you cleared your house of all poisonous items and taken them out of your pup's reach? If you haven't, now's the time to put away cleaners, laundry detergents, bleach, disinfectants,...

Tips To Get Your House Ready For a New Puppy

Puppy training > Tips To Get Your House Ready For a New Puppy

Tire Jump Foundation Training for your Dog

Tire Jump Foundation Training for your Dog

by: Brad Carlson

The Tire Jump seems like a relatively easy agility obstacle, at least from a persons perspective, but in the Novice Agility ring you see many dogs that refuse to go through it, many go under it, while others choose to go around it.
How can you prepare your beginning agility for success with the Tire Jump?

Let's go back to foundation training. When introducing any new obstacle, you want to keep the difficulty low and emphasize the fun and ease that it can be for your dog.
If your dog has a sit stay, leave him about 2 feet in front of the tire, facing it, walk to the other side and call your dog, "Come Tire".
If he won't budge, put your hand with his treat or toy through the tire to coax him to follow your hand and jump through the tire.
Practice this several times until he willing is coming to you.
Keep him about 2 feet from the tire, you...

Tire Jump Foundation Training for your Dog

Puppy training > Tire Jump Foundation Training for your Dog

A Year?s Worth of Character Training to Last a Lifetime

by: Kate Hufstetler

Ever wonder why some kids are the way they are? Ever wonder why some kids seem to lack the basics in true inner character? Well, just exactly how did we think children would ever get character ? without being taught character. Long gone are the days when whole communities worship weekly. Long gone are the days when everyone in our small societal circles subscribe to the same exacting...

A Year?s Worth of Character Training to Last a Lifetime Puppy training The Fearless and Friendly Boxer Dog potty training

Puppy training > A Year?s Worth of Character Training to Last a Lifetime

Counterfeit Handbags and Terrorism

by: Cathy Feldman

In most major cities in the world, there is an active and highly profitable shadow economy in phony consumer goods that generates (in some estimates) upwards of 500 billion dollars a year. If have ever been down to "Counterfeit Alley" in midtown Manhattan, you have seen one of the biggest counterfeit marketplaces in the world.

While many of us spend our waking hours lusting after the latest fashion...

Counterfeit Handbags and Terrorism Puppy training The Fearless and Friendly Boxer Dog purses

Puppy training > Counterfeit Handbags and Terrorism

An Easy Gift For Many Occasions

by: Jennifer Shircel

It can be very hard to find that one perfect gift for someone. How many times have you pondered over what to buy for a 36th birthday or an 18th anniversary?

Chances are that you?ve been thinking way too hard!

Go to any local retail store and start browsing. What you?re looking for is some type of a cup, bowl or canister. Something that is deep enough and round enough to have a plant potted inside....

Puppy training The Fearless and Friendly Boxer Dog

Puppy training > An Easy Gift For Many Occasions

Puppy training The Fearless and Friendly Boxer Dog sample resume

Holiday Decorating Tips: Thanksgiving, A Time For Gratitude And Giving

by: Jeanette Joy Fisher

Get new holiday decorating ideas for Thanksgiving and Autumn. Start a new family tradition. Your home will look fabulous and your guests will love you.

Turkey and Cranberries! Yeah!

Before you dig into that turkey, take a moment for each person to say one sentence beginning with...

"Today, I am grateful for..."

You will be surprised at what...

flower Puppy training

Puppy training > Holiday Decorating Tips: Thanksgiving, A Time For Gratitude And Giving