The German Boxer (Deutscher boxer), which is also known as a dry boxer, is a splendid animal that some say has the face of few friends, when the reality is that it is a most friendly dog.
If there is an adjective to define this dog breed, that is harmless. Nothing aggressive, the boxer is characterized by its kindness. Always active, he will be willing to play without limits whenever you want. One of the keys that this dog has more followers every day is that it combines an athletic body and a balanced mind.
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Everything you should know about the Boxer
Smart, playful and patient, boxer dogs don't bite. Early socialization and training are essential so that they do not become dominant, aggressive or insecure.
This breed also requires regular exercise so that it does not develop behavioral problems. As for training, with him you will manage to channel his nothing negligible energy.
We find the predecessor of the powerful boxer in the race brabant bullenbeisser (bulls biting), whose specimens, at that time, were trained by hunters who used them in their work. Specifically, this dog had to catch and hold the prey (wild boar, deer), which had previously intimidated other dogs, while the hunter came to the place.
In order to be able to carry out this work continuously, the dog in question had to have a dominant musculature as well as a wide muzzle that would allow him to bite with enough resistance to hold the prey. Those who best performed this task were those fit to go monteria.
The boxer as such is created at the end of the 19th century, leaving behind those activities in which the moloso also participated in the hunting of the wild bull and the bear. Later they were combat dogs. In this regard, he highlighted his work in both the First and Second World War.
During both wars, their main tasks to help the German army focused on sending messages, transporting communication cables and even collecting bodies of wounded soldiers in the heat of battle. Today, he is still chosen as a K-9 police dog in different countries.
The humble beginnings of the boxer in Germany as a "mongrel dog" to hunt wild boar gave way to the enormous popularity that was reaching later, to achieve the fame that today enjoys in all parts of the planet, which includes the United States.
American breeders have been decisive for the diffusion of the breed in a large number of countries, sending many imports with which to create new lines and to be able to fix those of the definitive boxer of exposure.
Fortunately, the change in habits that has led to the passage of time has led to the use of specimens of this breed as companion dogs and defense dogs.
Characteristics and physical features
With a height at the cross of 57 to 63 centimeters and a weight that ranges between 25 and 30 kilos, the boxer is a dog strong, athletic and agile, whose structure is square and its size, medium ...
His head He is strong and his jaw is large. His snout It has a black mask very characteristic of the breed. His ears they are falls and flat, so they were traditionally cut by breeders to appear longer and high. Luckily, today this cruel practice is prohibited in many countries. His eyes They are dark brown. His neck He is strong like all of him, muscular, fat and round. His chest It is broad. Your hindquarters They are also muscular.
His figure In general, it is thin and light, since the boxer must not seem coarse or plump. His muscles attract attention, along with his strength and energy, which are not comparable to those of other races.
Colors and fur
The question of the color in the boxer is quite simple, since the American Kennel Club lists two colors, which are the fawn and the brindle. As for the white marks they are very common, being able to cover from a third of its body to the whole of it.
In no case the so-called "White boxers" They are albinos. On a genetic level, these dogs are fawn or tabby, but they have excessive white spots covering the base color of their coat. In the same way as with humans, a light colored boxer has a greater tendency to suffer from skin cancer and sunburn than his brothers in color.
It is estimated that around 20% of the boxers are white. As for their participation in exhibitions, all those who have more than a third of their bodies covered by this white color are disabled. In addition, its reproduction is also prohibited. However, they can participate in Agility, obedience, rally and group tests in droves, among other activities.
Every purebred boxer has a black snout, although it may be covered by white spots in whole or only in part.
The fawn These dogs are full color, ranging from a light tan to a dark reddish color. Of those who wear a darker fawn it is often said that its color is red or mahogany, to the point that in certain countries it refers directly to red to describe its color.
The tabby. These dogs have black bands on the fawn coat. Some individuals of this breed have black stripes so wide that they appear to have fawn-colored stripes on their black cape. For this reason, the American Kennel Club defines them as "tabby in reverse."
Perhaps it has caught your attention to see a black boxer on the street of your city. This modality, considered “rare” and in which many breeders are seeing an authentic reef, is the result of the crossing of a boxer with another race.
Boxer hair is short and lustrous, not being frequent that this breed presents problems related to its fur. Now, you should keep in mind that you lose hair.
Temperament
Sweet, bold, energetic and at the same time calm. Thus, the intelligent boxer can be defined, a dog that loves its owners and stands out for being very sociable. Those who do not know him can hardly suspect that a loyal companion with a humorous spirit is hiding behind his serious stroke.
Balanced as few, unconditionality to its owner is a constant in his life. A calm and confident dog in its environment that, however, as the protector it has been for years, is cautious with strangers. While you are playing with him he will not stop browsing and it is the moment he usually chooses to show off his funniest gifts.
Helpful and docileIt is easy to train because you are always willing to learn. It is a very clean dog, which is not very common among dogs. When he grows up he continues to present the same cheerful and friendly character that accompanies him as a puppy.
His bustling temperament makes it sometimes hard to sit still. He loves fun, jumps, games and feel that his owners take care of him. Admittedly, at present, the boxer has overcome the primitive mentality with which he is associated with his former role as "butcher dog" and is an animal Smart, peaceful and full of resources.
In fact, the boxer is characterized by a series of endearing qualities. It's a dog sweet and in a very good mood, a true family-oriented dog that adapts to all situations. Not surprisingly, among all working dogs is known for its sweetness.
The boxer will focus his entire existence towards his adoption family, of which he will be one hundred percent protector. His vision is that of an elegant companion dog and an excellent guardian. With a unique silhouette that does not share with any other breed, it is the most proud posing in the central ring of a dog show or in the middle of your kitchen, because it is an animal that impresses itself.
Within a family the boxer will feel fully happy and will measure as in no other area. It will soon show your obedience to any member of the family nucleus and, in particular, a great respect for the elderly. From the beginning, a boxer knows how to recognize and appreciate those who will become his.
Rest assured that the one we are up to is not a beagle-style dog that, a priori, is just going to make distinctions between people. When the boxer barks at someone, he is telling his owner that something is wrong. These dogs are eminently instinctive. They are also territorial and they will quickly alert you to the presence of intruders.
A good boxer is a kiss by nature. Yes, yes, how it sounds. If you have or have had one, you will know what we are talking about. A boxer can receive a stranger with barking and later "eat it with kisses", if he doesn't notice any reason to distrust.
The emotional bond that the boxer creates with its owner is very special, never wanting to separate from it and trying not to get angry. As for the rest of the people, a correct relationship with them goes through a socialization from a puppy.
Another of the peculiarities of this breed that you may not know is that it is an extraordinary therapy dog, presenting a lot of real benefits among which empathy, spontaneity, disinhibition, physical contact, the relationship with the environment or the improvement of stress.
Relationship with children
The relationship of the boxer and the children is usually simply fantastic, since of all the patience and affection that this dog develops towards the smallest of the house is known, which has made him be on the list of 10 best races for children.
The fact that he has earned the nickname "nana dog" is no accident. His natural instinct makes him take care of children like nobody else, starring in a thousand anecdotes in the lives of the little ones. Everyone who has grown up with a boxer knows what it is to have his expressive and tender look, always attentive to his steps to give him all his love and protection.
Feeding
These athletic, active and energetic dogs should be fed healthy. From 6 months on, your diet should change and it will be time to search dry quality feed containing 40% meat, 50% vegetables and 10% carbohydrates. We insist that it must be dry to contribute to the proper formation of your teeth.
You should keep in mind that nutrition is a fundamental factor that will affect both the health and the appearance of your boxer. It will depend to a large extent on reaching the average longevity established for this breed, which is between 10 and 12 years.
The boxer likes to be clean, this is the reality, and therefore he will not hesitate to stay neat and get ready just like cats do. In any case, its owners will have to contribute to its cleaning, complementing it in all areas, so that no inconvenience arises due to lack of hygiene in living together.
Dental hygiene
The oral hygiene of your dog is a fundamental aspect when it comes to contributing to enjoy a good quality of life, since a large number of diseases are associated with improper maintenance of the mouth.
All owners have to get their dogs used to tooth brushing from puppies, a habit that they normally do not like, but to which they end up giving up on a customary basis. Although you do so, it is normal for the dread tartar to end up in your dentures. When this happens, you will have to take it to the veterinary office to fight it.
He thinks that the deposit of tartar on the dental surface is one of the main causes of oral diseases, such as periodental disease which, if not stopped in time, can lead to loss of the dental piece and even serious jaw problems.
You will also help to clean your teeth thanks to the cookies and bones that are marketed for this purpose, with which you can establish a system of rewards that, yes, should not involve an excessive caloric intake.
Bath and drying
This breed does not need much care at the aesthetic level, but a minimum of arrangement in terms of its coat, which is short but also double. Before putting it in the bathroom, remove the entire sub-hair with a rubber mitt.
Bathe it once a month or every two months with warm water and a specific shampoo for dogs with short hair, whose composition is natural and harmless to your skin. A homemade trick is to add apple cider vinegar to your shampoo, which prolongs the shine and makes your boxer smell better in the long term.
When you take it out, start using dry towels all over your body, to finish using an electric dryer at a moderate temperature and at a certain distance so as not to burn it. The result should be a short, soft and shiny coat.
Take special care with the boxer ears, which usually accumulate a lot of dust and dirt. Proceed to clean it with a specific product and, if you notice that it has to be deeper, go to the veterinarian.
Logically, the boxer must also be brushed regularly, especially in autumn and spring when the hair is molted. The rest of the time, just brush it once or twice a week. Your fur will look prettier and cleaner, safe from dust and dirt and, apart from that, you can take advantage of these grooming time to establish a closer relationship between you.
Vaccines and antiparasitic treatments
Vaccine administration is mandatory for takingof preventive measures in puppies and adults, which would otherwise be exposed to certain infectious diseases. It is a very simple way to stimulate your immune system against invasions by viruses or bacteria.
Parasites of the type of ticks and fleas are also a source of diseases for dog breeds, so apart from brushing, you can fight them by placing your pet antiparasitic pipettes or collars Let the vet tell you.
More common diseases
The most common health problems in this breed are the fact that they are prone to cancer, heart disease, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, epilepsy and degenerative myelopathy. Certain conditions such as gastric torsion and gastric dilation can also be found along with allergies, although the latter may be related to your diet.
Training
Many of his followers support the theory that the boxer is a race that one will have for life. Many of them enjoyed the pleasure of growing up with one of these dogs or were deeply marked by any in their environment.
The boxer It is a trainable breed It will require a dedicated owner who knows how to put himself in the place of his loyal friend. This breed is one of those that when it has to execute an order, it stops to ask “why?”, Even more so if it is to execute it several times simultaneously.
Today their copies show a modern mentality, which makes them need some "shoves" before following an order at first. The solution is to be patient, it is enough to look around to see boxers that have obedience titles and even those that are service dogs, such as police dogs and military dogs, that speak perfectly of the traceability of this dog .
This active dog It has to be trained from its earliest age, given its great activity. Socialization is a gradual process in which the puppy will begin to be integrated into the activities and daily life of those with whom he will share his life.
Take him for a walk and let him interact with other calm dogs, with people who are receptive to it and with children who have a good mood. Everything that your puppy absorbs at that tender age will serve him for his future life. Avoid situations where you may be afraid or feel bad.
Set with the whole family the rules that the new arrival pet must meet, trying to be respected at all times. Always use the boxer with the positive reinforcement techniques and the good results will not take long to arrive.
This enchanting race that in itself imposes respect for its musculature and athletic complexion, is not made to spend all day inside a small house, since its specimens require space to run and play in freedom.
You can be sure that the boxer is going to be your ideal companion if what you want is a friend with whom to share extreme adventures.
