The Boxer wants to meet you, your children, and other members of your family The Boxer's most notable characteristic is his desire for human affection. Though his spirited bearing, square jaw, and cleanly muscled body suggest the well-conditioned middleweight athlete of dogdom, the Boxer is happiest when he is with people--especially children, watching protectively over their play. His short smooth coat, handsome chiseled head, and striking silhouette never fail to excite comments from passersby as he trots jauntily by your side with neck arched and tail held erect. He is truly a "dog for all seasons," suiting the need for household guardian, attractive companion, and children's playmate and loyal friend.   Origin: The Hunter The Boxer's historical background begins 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, boar, or bear--- pending the hunter's arrival. He became a utility dog for peasants and shop owners. His easy trainability even found him performing in the circus. In the 1880s, descendants of this type of dog were bred to a taller, more elegant English import, and the era of the modern Boxer had begun. Imported to America after the first World War, his popularity really began in the late 1930s. His appeal in the show ring led to four "Best in Show" awards at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club between 1947 and 1970.
Is a Boxer the right dog for me?   The Boxer is a medium size dog, and is very energetic and playful. They like to be active and included in everything. They are inclined to be boisterous which may or may not suit you or your lifestyle. Boxers mature very slowly, so they act like puppies nearly all their life, though they to start to settle more at around 3 to 4 years of age.  Boxers need to be with their family and thrive on human companionship. They are definitely not suited to a 'backyard' dog type life. Many Boxers drool - it varies from individual to individual. Some may also snore. Though Boxers have a short coat, they do shed hair when the weather changes, some can shed quite a bit of hair. Daily brushing when they are shedding will help remove the dead hair, but you can still expect a bit on your floor and furniture.      What should my puppy weigh, how big will he get, and when will he finish growing? In general, boxers will grow in height until around 12-15 months of age and then continue to fill out until they are two or three years old. The growth plates will not fully close until 18 months though, so be very careful to avoid over-exercising your puppy until this age.  Boxer puppies grow at remarkably varying rates, so it is impossible (or at least meaningless) to try to estimate what a puppy should weigh at any given age. Bigger puppies don't always mean bigger adults though. Remember the big kid in nursery school who towered over everyone else, but suddenly stopped growing midway through high school? Well, it's the same with Boxer puppies. The final size a dog will reach is determined by genetics, so the best indication of how large any particular puppy will become is the size of his parents, any older siblings, and other close relatives. My puppy needs something to chew on, what's safe?   Puppies do need to chew. From about 4 1/2 months, you puppy will begin teething and will have a serious need to chew. The best thing we recommend for you to give your puppy is a non-edible nylabone.  Some people give raw bones - preferably the slightly soft brisket (sternum) bones that a puppy can chew right through, but NEVER give your puppy cooked bones (that includes smoked, sterilized and boiled bones) as dried out bones like these can splinter. Chewing is a great stress reliever for dogs, and an activity they will enjoy throughout their lives - so don't stop giving chewies just because your pup has finished teething!   Chances are your puppy will chew on something inappropriate. When you see them doing this scold them with a verbal reprimand ("Nooooo" is good said in a deep voice), remove the object from them and then give them something they are allowed to chew. If you consistently do this it will not take long before your pup understands the 'rules' about chewing. Remember, to them there is no difference between a chair leg and a chew toy, but because you are training fairly and consistently they will soon only chew the toy.   Dogs should not be given rawhides, pigs ears or any other dried body part to chew on. These are a terrible choking hazard and dogs don't digest rawhide, it sits around in their stomach for some time before being passed in the same state as it went in. This can result in food poisoning, diarrhea and vomitting.
So, here's the basics:   Boxers need to be house dogs. They need good exercise and are boisterous. They need human company. They shed hair, drool and snore. They mature very slowly. They are not pocket sized dogs. They need chew toys. They need scheduled feeding. They need plenty of fresh water. They have 'guarding' tendencies. They will love you unconditionally. They will be loyal for life.
ANATOMY OF THE BOXER Definition of Terms Scapula - Shoulder blade; Pro-sternum - Forechest; Humerus - Upper arm; Radius/Ulna - Foreleg; Sternum - Brisket/Lower chest; Occiput - top most crest back of skull; Nape - top of neck; Withers - the upper portion of shoulder blade union with the spinous processes of the 1st and 2nd thoracic vertebrae. (The highest area of the back). Loin - the lumbar area, between the end of the rib cage and the start of the pelvis; Croup - (rump) muscular area just above and around the set of tail and overlies the lower half of the pelvic region; Femur - upper thigh bone; Patella - kneecap (part of stifle joint); Fibula/Tibia - lower rear leg.
If you have any other questions not listed on this page, please give us a call, or visit the American Boxer Club.
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