A Boxer is a breed of stocky, medium-sized, short-haired dogs bred in
Germany. Their coat is smooth and tight-fitting; colors are fawn or brindled,
with or without white markings, which may cover the entire body. Boxers are
brachycephalic (they have broad, short skulls), and have a square muzzle,
mandibular prognathism (an underbite), very strong jaws, and a powerful bite
ideal for hanging on to large prey. The Boxer was bred from the Old English
Bulldog and the now extinct Bullenbeisser, and is part of the Molosser group.
Boxers were first exhibited in a dog show for St. Bernards in Munich in
1895, the first Boxer club being founded the next year. Based on 2012 American
Kennel Club statistics, Boxers held steady as the seventh most popular breed of
dog in the United States for the third consecutive year.
The character of the Boxer is of the greatest importance and demands
the most solicitous attention. He is renowned from olden times for his great
love and faithfulness to his master and household. He is harmless in the
family, but distrustful of strangers, bright and friendly of temperament at
play, but brave and determined when aroused. His intelligence and willing
tractability, his modesty and cleanliness make him a highly desirable family
dog and cheerful companion. He is the soul of honesty and loyalty, and is never
false or treacherous even in his old age.
Boxers are a bright, energetic and playful breed and tend to be very good
with children. They are active, strong dogs and require adequate exercise to
prevent boredom-associated behaviors such as chewing, digging, or licking.
Boxers have allegedly earned a slight reputation of being
"headstrong," which can be related to inappropriate obedience
training. In truth, they are a reflection of their owner's personality,
intelligence and their ability with dogs. Owing to their intelligence and
working breed characteristics, training based on corrections often has limited
usefulness. Boxers, like other animals, typically respond better to positive
reinforcement techniques such as clicker training, an approach based on operant
conditioning and behaviorism, which offers the dog an opportunity to think
independently and to problem-solve.
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