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The Boxer Shop
Boxer standing in field.

The
Boxer

Boxers are working dogs that came from Germany long ago. They came from dogs that were originally bred to hunt wild animals. With his strong jaw, the early Boxer-type dog would hold the animal until the hunter arrived. Now, Boxers have a strong instinct to guard and protect the people around him.
These days Boxers can do many different activities. They are good companions and sensitive therapy dogs. They enjoy fun activities like flyball, agility, and tracking. Some are used as service dogs, police dogs, and guard dogs. Some Boxers can herd sheep!

 

Male Boxers can grow up to 25 inches tall and weigh between 55 and 75 pounds. Females are usually a little smaller than males.
Boxers like to do all sorts of things!

 

Boxer in the snow, exercising.

These very handsome dogs have a short, smooth, shiny coat that lies flat against their body.

They also have lots of muscles which make them a dog who is quite strong.

 

What color is your favorite?

Boxers are known mostly by their two popular colors, fawn and brindle. But sometime you might see a white Boxer.

Boxer at the beach, exercising.

Boxers like water, too.

Fawn-colored Boxers are a solid color and can be light or dark.

Brindle Boxers have black stripes on a fawn background. These stripes can be narrow or they can be so wide that the dog looks almost completely black.

Brindle and fawn Boxers may have some white on their bodies, too.

 

Many people have Boxers that are mostly white.
They are great dogs, too. If a Boxer has too much white,

he can be your pet, but he can't be a show dog.

 

A Boxer's mouth may look a little different. Unlike most other dogs, his lower jaw will stick out farther than his upper jaw. So if you look at a Boxer's mouth, you will see that his bottom teeth come out farther than his upper teeth.

Boxer face.

 

Docking and Cropping

Most Boxers have had their tails docked. This means that the tail has been surgically shortened by a veterinarian. If your Boxer is a show dog, then he may have had his ears cropped, too. This means they have been surgically 'trimmed' to look like other Boxers that are show dogs.

Why do Boxers have their ears and tails changed? It started long ago when Boxers were hunters. Often wild animals would try to grab the ears or the tail of the dog. If the tail and ears were trimmed, the animal couldn't grab on as easily. It was safer for the dog.

But now, most Boxers don't hunt and many people believe they shouldn't crop or dock any parts of the dogs' bodies. They think that Boxers look just fine with long ears and a long tail. In England most Boxers do not have cropped ears. What do you think?

Boxers can have cropped ears and docked tails.

 

Bathing your Boxer once in a while will help keep him clean and smelling good.

Even though a Boxer's hair is short, he will shed some. Brushing him once a week will help keep the hair in the brush and not on the floor. Brushing also feels good to your dog and helps keep his skin healthy.

You also might enjoying hugging your Boxer more if he is clean.

Young brindleBoxer pup wrapped in a towel after swimming.

 

Boxers need exercise quite often.

Boxers can jump!

It would be a good thing to walk your Boxer every day even if he has a yard. Boxers are energetic and enjoy being active, playing games, and participating in activities like swimming, flyball, agility, tracking, and obedience.

 

Boxers are cheerful, kind, and gentle dogs. They are playful and affectionate, and can be silly. Boxers are a lot of fun!

Boxers like people, especially kids, and will make a good best friend. Spending time with your Boxer will make him a very happy canine!

Boxers love to play with children or kids.

 

Boxers like to play with children!

Boxers are brave, or courageous, and are good watchdogs for families. Care should be taken when children are wrestling or playing roughly because a loyal Boxer may mistake this for trouble and get protective by showing some aggression.

Boxers are also very alert. That means they watch the things around them. They may bark just to let you know someone is at the front door.

 

Spend lots of time with your new pup from an early age so he is comfortable with you. Roll him over, touch his feet, look at his teeth, and brush him gently. This will help him get used to being handled and he will be a better companion when he is older.
Boxer puppies.

Boxer puppy.

Boxers are very trainable. They love you and they want to learn from you. When you get a pup, let him get used to his new home. When he is a little older, you can start to take him places.

 

It is a good idea to socialize your pup from an early age so he is comfortable in many different situations. Taking him places where he will meet other dogs and new people will help him be a better companion for you. He'll also get some extra exercise!
Boxer playing with a Golden Retriever.

 

Boxers are great dogs.

Boxers are alert, intelligent dogs. They are very good at paying attention. This makes them fast learners in obedience. Teaching your dog obedience will help him become a good citizen and help him to have good manners. Because Boxers are sensitive dogs, they don't need harsh training. They will always try to do their best when learning.

 

Like many dogs, Boxers can become bored if they don't have enough to do or if they're left alone too much. If they become bored, they might start chewing, digging, or barking. Make sure you give your Boxer lots of exercise, fun things to do, and time with the family he loves so much.

Boxer resting after a run at the dog park.

 

The Boxer was named for his manner of fighting - which is that he starts a fight with his front paws like a human boxer.
(source: www.indianchild.com/dogs)
Fido's Fabulous Dog Facts

 

Click here for:

More about Boxers!

 

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Visit our Boxer Shop.

Click here to teach your Boxer some tricks.

Click here to train your Boxer.

Click here to name your Boxer.

Add your Boxer's photo to our Gallery!

 

Here are some good books about Boxers
or
Visit our Boxer Bookstore.

Training Your Boxer, book, training

Training Your Boxer (Training Your Dog Series) (Paperback), by Joan Walker , Barron's Educational Series (March 1, 2001)
Training Your Dog books teach ordinary non-expert dog owners how to train their own pets. Virtually every aspect of training is covered

The Boxer, book, information
Buy Now

Boxers, by Cari Meister, Checkerboard Books (September 2001), Ages 4-8

 

Dog Breeds
Mixed Breed
Beagle
Boxer
Bulldog
Cocker Spaniel
Collie
Dachshund
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Jack Russell Terrier
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Poodle
Rottweiler
Yorkshire Terrier
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