Boxers

Boxers are mastiff type dogs originated in Germany in the 19th century. The ancestors of the breed were two large dogs (the Bullenbeiszer and the Barenbeiszer) used for bull baiting, hunting large game, pit fighting, and pulling carts. Their intelligence and learning ability made them popular theatre and circus dogs. When pit fighting was banned and there became no large game in Europe, these large and powerful dogs lost their purposes and became almost extinct. German breeders preserved the best characteristics of the two breeds in a smaller dog named Boxer. They crossbred large dogs with the English Bulldog to eliminate the hunting drive and add friendliness and stability to the new breed.

Nowadays, Boxers are among the most popular breeds in the USA and Europe. There are two types of the breed: the German and the American. German Boxers are more muscular and have bigger heads than dogs of the American type. The Boxer is recognized by all major canine registries: AKC, FCI, UKC, CKC, KCGB, ANKC, NZKC, NKC, CCR, APRI, CKC, and ACR. It’s classified into the Mastiff or Working Group of dog breeds.

Like other working breeds, Boxers are valued mostly for their working abilities and personality, but not for conformation. Still, the breed standard for the Boxer is strict disqualifying the dogs that have serious faults. The wither height of a Boxer should vary between 21 and 25 inches; the weight of these dogs varies from 53 to 70 pounds. Females are more refined than males; as for working abilities and temperament, there is almost no difference between the sexes in this breed.

The Boxer is a very active and athletic breed. It makes excellent pets and playmates for children, as well as police and military dogs. Like all short coated breeds, Boxers should be kept indoors. Their short muzzle makes it difficult for them to breathe in hot and cold weather. The typical health problems for this breed are skin allergies, cancer, and hip dysplasia. This breed needs no special grooming. It thrives in active families that can devote much time to playing and walking with the pet. The average lifespan of the Boxers is 12-14 years.