Boxer

The Boxer is a working Molosser-type breed developed in Germany in the 19th century. The ancestors of the breed are the English Bulldog and now extinct Bullenbeisser of the Mastiff descent. The Bullenbeisser is a very old breed, used for hunting big game, like boar and bear. These large and powerful dogs seized the prey and held it until the hunters arrived. The popularity of these dogs decreased when large prey disappeared from Europe. Faster dogs were favored, so some German breeders bred the Bullenbeisser down and crossed it with the English Bulldog. To stabilize the new breed, the Boxer Club was founded in 1896 and the breed appeared at a dog show. The first breed standard was adopted in 1902. It has not changed much up to nowadays.

In the USA, this breed is the sixth most popular dog. These dogs lack the aggression and hunting drive of their ancestors and have a friendly and affectionate personality. The Boxer is very easy to train, because it’s intelligent and cooperative. This breed responds well to positive reinforcement techniques, which allow the dog to think independently. Boxer puppies need early socialization and obedience training. If a puppy is raised together with other pets, it can be trusted around them, but adult males may be aggressive to other males. Boxers are tolerant and patient with children, but toddlers and babies should not be left with these dogs unsupervised.

The name of the breed is derived from the habit of these dogs to play by boxing with their front paws when standing on their hind legs. German linguists believe that the name “Boxer” derived from the name of its ancestor, Bullenbeisser, also known as Boxl. Another theory claims that the name of the breed comes from the old German word meaning “short trousers.”

Nowadays, Boxers are very versatile and used for many purposes. They are suspicious of strangers, alert, and powerful, and make excellent guard dogs. Their intelligence, trainability, and desire to please make them suited for the role of guides for the blind and therapy dogs. This breed is often used for police work. During war time, the Boxer was used as a messenger dog, pack carrier, and guard.