Boxer is a very popular breed in the Indian households. Their demand has always been fairly high in the country. This loyal dog is loved and appreciated by almost every dog fanatic. They have fair tolerance to high-temperature areas and doesn’t get as affected by it as some other breeds do, still, they shouldn’t be left outside under the extreme heat of the sun for longer periods of time. Things are quite different when the Boxers are at the puppy stage. They should be cared for and protected a little bit more in the extreme summer months of India. Proper precautions and steps must be implemented to safeguard the health of the puppy Boxer so that they grow up to be a healthy doggy.
Boxers are medium to large sized dogs but an ideal Boxer should be moderate in magnitude with a square-built. They are considered to be a whole package because they are well made from the outside as well as from the inside. Official breed standards for Boxers are given as follows:
Boxers have a decent weight to height ratio. Boxers have an average weight of about 24-36 kg. Female Boxers are lighter and also shorter than the male ones. Average height is around 21-25 inches.
|
GENDER |
WEIGHT |
HEIGHT |
|
MALE |
30-36 kg |
22-25 inch |
|
FEMALE |
24-30 kg |
21-24 inch |
Boxers have a short and tight-fitting coat. Their coat lies smoothly on their body and has a shiny appearance. They are mainly found in three colors which are fawn, brindle and white (generally, not more than one-third of the entire coat). Fawn color can have various shades ranging from tan to mahogany.
Boxers have a well-built muscular body with a firm and smooth back region. Their chest is fairly wide with a well-defined forechest. The neck region is round having sufficient length and is devoid of any loose skin. They also have long and muscular forequarters and hindquarters.
The head region is clean without any deep wrinkles. It is of moderate size and has a balanced proportion from muzzle to the skull. Their eyes are generally expressive and dark brown in color. Ears are mostly thin lying and of medium size.
They have a blunt muzzle with a well-defined jaw. The lower jaw projects more in the outwards direction than the upper jaw. Also, they have firm and strongly placed teeth inside their mouths which along with the tongue should not be visible when the mouth is closed like in some other breeds.
Boxers are very energetic and enthusiastic dogs. They have quite a playful nature and loves to spend their time and energy with their owners. They are also appreciated and talked about for their loyalty and bravery. They have a fearless attitude with a confident character.
They are also considered to be fairly intelligent and bright breed of dogs. All the important temperamental traits of Boxers are listed below:
Boxers are loved all around the world for their various positive attributes and characteristics. They are very well balanced both in terms of physical and mental traits. With a playful attitude and a cheerful and friendly behavior, they are a very good option for future dog owners.
But there are two sides of a coin. And, although their positive attributes outweigh their minor cons, still potential owners must be well informed about every aspect so that they can make a well-informed decision.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Great adaptability |
Low tolerance to loneliness |
|
Affectionate towards almost everyone |
Not very affectionate with other dogs |
|
Grooming needs are less |
Higher exercise needs |
|
Highly trainable |
Maintenance is on the expensive side |
|
Playful and happy |
High sensitivity level |
But disregarding their minor disadvantages which are fairly manageable, they are a very exciting breed of dog to bring home and raise. They create an all-around positive environment with their jolly demeanor.
Boxers are mostly found in different shades of Fawn color like tan, pale red and mahogany. They can also have a Brindle coat meaning they have black and other dark colored stripes on an otherwise solid coat. White colored markings are also present on the Boxer’s coat.
Speaking of different types of Boxers, they are mainly categorized into three groups:
|
Adaptability |
**** |
Sensitivity Level |
**** |
|
Affection Level |
***** |
Potential for mouthiness |
** |
|
Apartment-Friendly |
**** |
Drooling Potential |
** |
|
Barking Tendencies |
** |
Energy Level |
***** |
|
Friendly towards dogs |
** |
Health Issues |
*** |
|
Friendly towards other animals |
*** |
Intelligence |
**** |
|
Child Friendly |
**** |
Playfulness |
***** |
|
Exercise Needs |
***** |
Shedding Level |
*** |
|
Grooming Needs |
* |
Social Needs |
***** |
|
Good for novice owners |
*** |
Stranger Friendly |
*** |
|
Trainability |
**** |
Watchdog Ability |
***** |
|
Tolerates Heat |
** |
Tolerates Cold |
** |
Boxers like to spend their energy a lot on various physical activities, and thus, to replenish their body again with energy and zest, they require a good amount of quality food. The food requirement increases with the Boxer’s age and feeding material should also be altered with time as per the advice of the vet. They can be fed either with the commercially manufactured food items or home cooked meals are also a good option.
Boxers require a good amount of exercise so that their body can remain athletic and in shape. Long brisk paced walks or even a good sprint can be beneficial for Boxers. Frail adults or small children are not a good option to fulfill Boxer’s exercise needs as they can easily be overwhelmed by the enthusiastic behavior of the dog.
Boxers are highly trainable breed of dogs. They are very compliant and obeys their trainer's command with full conviction. They are very intelligent and smart and can be made to learn various new things. Through a good amount of training, they can be assigned numerous roles such as assistance, herding, search and rescue, and even drug detection. They are always very elated to learn new things from their trainers.
Boxers possess a short coat and thus requires a little amount of grooming. Brushing their coat once a week with a rubber brush will help in removing loose hair. Bathing needs are also low as they tend to remain clean. Occasional trimming of nails is also necessary. Coming to their shedding potential, they are moderate shedders and do so on an occasional basis.
Boxers are prone to various heart diseases that can be life-threatening. Other problems related to Boxers health that are common can be orthopedic issues, intestinal issues et cetera. Diseases that are usually found in Boxers are:
Boxers are generally healthy and fit. There are taken to the veterinarian only for vaccinations and in case of any persistent health issue. Apart from that, they rarely require the assistance of a vet.
Boxers are supposed to be originated in the 19th century in Germany. And, there is a very zany reason for their distinct name. It is believed that the name Boxer was given to them because of the posture they make while in a playful mood. They stand on their hind legs while the forelegs up in the air resembles a “boxing†action. But this is all conjecture and theories without any solid evidence.
German Bullenbeisser, a mastiff-type dog is considered to be the ancestor of the Boxers that we know now. It is believed that the Bullenbeisser was mated with Bulldogs which were brought in from Great Britain. In 1902, the first breed standard for Boxer was developed by the efforts of three Germans that were responsible for stabilizing the breed.
They were recognized as an official breed in 1904. Their value and importance sky-rocketed during the World War I as they were heavily used for military purposes. They were used as messenger dogs, attack dogs, guard dog et cetera. And, after the Second World War, they became quite famous and popular in other parts of the world too.
