The Boxer, also know by the names of German or Deutscher Boxer, is a medium-sized dog breed that originally comes from Germany. Created by mixing the English Bulldog with the Bullenbeisser (a breed that is now extinct), it is a very strong dog, with short hair and well developed instincts.
The general appearance of a Boxer displays a powerful animal, with a compact body structure. The nose is large and black, the eyes are also bigger compared to other breeds and the ears are positioned high on the head. The whole body is well-muscled, giving these dogs a large amount of strength.
Their fur is short and smooth and comes in a wide variety of shades, including black, fawn, tan, brindle and mahogany, and may present white markings on various places of the body. Also, they might come in white, but not as often as the other colors. Because of the furs characteristics, its maintenance does not bring any difficulties; the coat is easy to brush, it should be washed only when necessary, and it sheds in an average manner.
With a general life span of 11 to 14 years, the Boxer will weigh more and be larger depending on the gender; thus, males will be around 56-63 centimeters tall and weigh between 27 and 32 kilograms, while females are 53-61 centimeters tall and weigh 24-29 kilograms. This breed is able to give birth to a number of 2 to 10 puppies, with an average of 6.
Generally a strong and healthy breed, Boxers need a lot of exercise because of their athletic construction and active personality, so any kind of activity that requires physical effort will be good for them, whether it involves long walks, running or simply playing fetch.
There are a few health problems they are prone to, such as heart issues (cardiomyopathy), thyroid or sub-aortic stenosis. Also, there might be a risk of allergies, epilepsy, arthritis, cancer or hip dysplasia. Deafness can be a problem when it comes to white Boxers. Also, these dogs are sensitive to temperature changes and can easily become too warm or too cold. One should be aware of the fact that this breed can develop snoring and drooling habits.
A Boxer is a powerful dog, with an active and high-spirited personality; it is a happy and curious animal that likes to play and learn new things. Very intelligent and obedient, it is easy to train and does well in competitions. This dog is affectionate and loyal to its owners, will have a very strong bond with its family and is extremely good with children. If well socialized from an early age, it will get along with other pets too (dogs, cats), but one should be careful when it comes to rodents or birds, since it is not safe to leave these dogs around them without supervision.
This breed makes a great guard dog, thanks to its courage and strong protective instinct; being very intelligent, it will certainly make the difference between visitor/friend and stranger/enemy. It needs a dominant owner in order to be trained well and be obedient at all times. It is often used in the police or military fields because of its characteristics. If well exercised, it can do well living in an apartment, but prefers places that can provide it with larger spaces, like a yard.
With a very playful personality and, at the same time, a strong protective instinct, the Boxer makes the perfect pet for the family, since it will always be loyal and obedient, it will protect your home at all times and by any means, and it will love you and your children with all its heart.
