Facts & Origin
Origin and history of the Boxer
Boxers got their strong physique from their ancestors, the Brabant bull biters, who got their name from show fights against bulls. Already widespread throughout Europe in the Middle Ages, they were popular hunting companions due to their courage and strength, where they were able to grab and hold the driven game. This was excellently achieved by a wide mouth, which meant that specimens with this characteristic were more often used for breeding.
In the 19th century, the Boxer was given another task as a "butcher dog": in slaughterhouses it rounded up large cattle. Although boxer-like animals have existed for centuries, they were first exhibited at a dog show in Munich in 1895. At that time, only one contender competed, "Mühlbauers Flocki", who was later entered as number 1 in the pedigree. In the same year, the first Boxer Club was founded in Germany, and in 1905 the breed standard was defined.
Suitability and attitude
The Boxer is suitable as a beginner dog, if you are interested in a larger breed and willing to learn about him. He is very versatile, whether as a normal companion dog or for protection, tracking or rescue work. Since the Boxer usually adapts to his environment without any problems, he can also be kept in the apartment. The prerequisite is that he has enough exercise. He also likes to run next to the horse or bicycle.
| Alternate Name | German boxer |
| Origin | Germany |
| Life expectancy | 10 - 15 years |
| Care requirements | low-maintenance |
| Activity level | average to high |
| FCI group | Molossian type |
| AKC group | working group |
| KC group | working group |
Attitude, character and temperament of the breed
Typical character traits of the Boxer
Despite his original use as a fighting and hunting dog, today the Boxer presents himself as an affectionate and loyal family member. There is a certain distrust towards strangers; at the same time, he shows a certain alertness and fearless courage, which makes him very suitable as a defender and watchdog. Despite its self-confidence, this breed is easy to train. Since the Boxer adapts to the owner and easily subordinates, it is also suitable for people with little dog experience.
With his good-natured nature, he is a persistent playmate. Even small children do not upset him, with whom he interacts in a cheerful and friendly manner. He is never associated with deceitfulness.
Usage
Health and breeding information
Breed diseases of the Boxer
If you're getting a Boxer for your home, you should know the risks for hereditary diseases, which include:
- Hip dysplasia
- Osteoarthritis
- Tumor and heart diseases
- Kidney disease
Many of the hereditary diseases result from mating the same ancestors in the Boxer breed. If you want to buy a Boxer, it is best to contact a trustworthy breeder.
Breeding, purchase and adoption
Since inbreeding has a negative effect on the life expectancy of a Boxer, you should take a close look at the pedigree of the breeder. The ancestors should not be repeated in the document. Serious breeders use only parent animals that are characterized by good fitness and a balanced nature. So it pays to invest time in the search for the new member of the family. If you get a puppy from a reputable breeder, you are guaranteed to enjoy the four-legged friend for a long time. A Boxer costs about 1000-1500 euros.
Breed characteristics of the German Boxer
The FCI classifies this dog breed as Group2(Pinscher and Schnauzer- Molossoid-Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs), Section2.1 (Molossoid, Doggen-type dogs ). In the breed standard, a working test is required.
Measured from the withers, past the elbow, to the ground, males reach a height of about57-63cm and bitches 53-59cm. The former will weigh over 30kg(at about 60cm height at withers), while bitches will weigh about 25kg (at about 56cm height atwithers). This dog breed moves lively, full of strength and nobility.
The head
The head of the Boxer, appearing neither too light nor too heavy and without wrinkles, is a characteristic feature. Naturally,however,with increased attention, wrinklesform on the top of the head, and running downward from the root of the nose on either side,wrinklesarealwaysindicated.Thedarkmask
is confined to the muzzle, and must contrast clearly withthe color of the head, so that theface doesnot appear sinister.
The top of the head should be as slender and angular as possible. It is slightly arched, neither spherically short nor flat and not too broad, and theBack of the headnottoohigh.TheForehead furrowisonlyweakly indicated, it must not be too deep, bespecially between the eyes must not be too deep. Theforeheadformstobridge of the nosea clear shoulder. The bridge of the nose must not be driven bulldog-like into the forehead, but also not sloping.
The muzzle
The muzzle should be powerful.Thenoseiswideandblack,alllight upturned withwide nostrils, with the tip slightly higher than the root. than the root.
Thecanines must be as far apart as possible and of good length, making the anterior surface of the muzzle broad, almostsquare, and forming an obtuse angle with the bridge of the nose. In front, the seam of the upper lip rests on the seam of the lower lip. The upward curved part of the lower jaw with the lower lip (called thechin),mustnotconspicuously overhang theupper lip infront , much less disappear under it, but must be well marked both from the front and the side. The canineandincisor teeth ofthelower jawmust not be visiblewhen the muzzle is closed, normust theBoxer show the tongue when the muzzle is closed. The upper lip cleft is clearly visible.The lips complete the shape of the muzzle. The upper lip is thick and bulging; it fills the hollow space, which is formed by the longerLower jawarises,whereitfromthefangs of the same is carried.
The lower jaw typically overhangs the upper jaw and is slightly curved upwards. upward curved. The Boxer therefore bites forward (pre-bite). The upper jaw is broadly set on the top of the head and tapers only slightly towards the front. The Dentitionis strong and healthy. The incisors are as regularβin a straight line, the canines are widely spaced and of good size. teeth are wide apart and of good size.βe.
TheJawsarethepowerfulJawaccording to developed accordingly, but without being too prominent. Rather, they merge in a slight curvature into themuzzle.
The eyes & ears
ThedarkEyesareneithertosmallnor protruding or deep-set. The expression betrays energy and intelligence, it must not be threatening or piercing. The rims of the eyelids must have a dark color.
Also the naturalears must also be of an appropriate size.βe. An the highest points of the skull, they are set to the side, resting on the cheeks and resting against the cheeks and fall to the side.-especially when the dog is attentive-with a distinct fold forward.
The torso
The upper line of the neck runsruns in an elegant bogen from the clearlymarkednape of the necktowithers.Heshallof ample length, round, strong, muscular and dry (without folds).The body rests on sturdy, straight legs. legs.The body of the Boxer is square with marked withers and a straight, short but broad back (including the loin), which is strongly muscled. The croup is slightly sloping, flat arched and broad . The pelvis should be long and wide, especially in bitches.
The deep chest reachesusually reaches to the elbows. The depth of the chest amounts tohalf of the height at the withers. This dog breed has a chubby forechest and well arched ribs that reach far back, but are not barrel-rounded.The lowerline of theprofilethus runs in an elegant swe ep backwards to short, taut flanks, which are slightly tucked up.
The tail
The tail of the Boxer is rather secondary. Its base is rather high than low, ofnormal length and remains natural.
The limbs
The forelegs, seen from the front, must be straight, parallel to each other and have strong bone. The long, not too strongly muscled shoulder lies obliquely and is tightly connected to the rump. The upper arm is also characterized as long and at right angles to the shoulder blade. The elbow should be neither too pressed against the chest wall nor protruding and should lead into a secular, long and dry muscled forearm and a strong, well marked (but not distended) fore t arsus. The short pastern is almost perpendicular to the ground.
The hindquarters, on the other hand, whose legs are straight when viewed from behind, are very strongly muscled, the musculature hard as a board and plasticallystrongly prominent. The long thigh is broad, the hipandstifle joint angles as little blunt as possible.The stifle jointshouldreach so far forward in thebasic position that it still touches a vertical line drawn from the hip hump to the ground. The hock joint is strong and well marked without being distended.Its angle is about 140 degrees. The hind pastern, which is itselfshort, stands with a slight inclination of 95 - 100 degrees to the ground.
The small front feet areround and closed with thickly padded pads andhard soles. The hind feet should be slightlylongerthanthefront but have the same characteristics.
The coat
The Boxer has a dry, elastic skin without wrinkles, covered with short, hard but shiny fur that lies close.
Color-wise, this breed comes in yellow or brindle. From light yellow to dark deer red, any gradation is possible, but those in the middle ("reddish yellow") are preferred. In addition, a black mask is a breed characteristic. The brindle varietyhas dark orblackstripesrunning in thedirection oftheribson a yellow ground in the above gradations. The ground color and stripes must be clearly distinguishable from each other.
If a specimen has white markings, this will be judged according to the effect and interplay; they are therefore allowed in principle.
| Fur length | short |
| Fur | flat coated |
| Ear shape | Floppy Ear |
| Tail | lang |
| Anatomy | square, hefty |
| Size ♀ | 53 - 60 cm |
| Weight ♀ | 25 - 29 kg |
| Size ♂ | 57 - 65 cm |
| Weight ♂ | 27 - 32 kg |
| Suitable For | Beginner, Children |
Colors
Known Diseases
Epilepsy
Definition: Dog has epilepsy if, for example, at least two epileptic seizures occur more than 24 hours apart.
Kidney disease
Symptoms of kidney disease in dogs: increased urination (polyuria) increased water intake. Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth. Loss of appetite
Wobbler syndrome
In veterinary medicine, this is the name given to a complex of symptoms caused by nerve damage in the area of the spinal cord or spinal cord nerves in the area of the cervical spine.
Cardiomyopathy
In large breeds of dogs, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is by far the most common cardiomyopathy.
FAQ
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No, neither. The Boxer dog is neither dangerous nor a list dog or fighting dog.
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A Boxer needs average to much exercise and should not be walked less than 3 hours per day. He also enjoys running and dog sports and needs them for his physical health.
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Molosser and Setter dog breeds tend to drool more than other breeds. Moreover, it is aggravated that particular large dog breed with large lips drool more.
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Boxers grow to an average height of 53-63cm.
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Yes, the Boxer can be kept as a beginner dog.
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Yes, the Boxer makes an excellent family dog.
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Despite its original use as a fighting and hunting dog, the Boxer presents itself today as an affectionate and loyal family member. He gets along well with children.
