| Boxers: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Boxer personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Boxer, including these excerpts:
"The Boxer is usually animated and playful, though some adults are more deliberate and dignified.
Exercise needs vary from vigorous romping for high-energy individuals, to long daily walks for more sedentary Boxers.
Most Boxers make vigilant watchdogs, though guarding and territorial instincts vary. Reaction to strangers varies from "Hi there! Come on in!" (often accompanied by enthusiastic jumping), to sensible and polite, to wary, even challenging. Early socialization is important to develop a stable attitude.
Many Boxers love children, though most are too exuberant for toddlers, and while his reputation for stoicism is deserved, some can be grumpy in response to mischievous kids.
Some Boxers love to play with other dogs, while others can be dominant with those of the same sex.
Consistent leadership is a must, as the Boxer is a strong-minded working dog, but obedience training must be upbeat and persuasive rather than sharp. This breed is stubborn, but also sensitive and proud, and may shut down if jerked around."
History
Descended from various European bulldogs, the Boxer was developed in Germany as a dogfighter, bullfighter, and police dog.
Size
21-26 inches and 50-85 lbs |
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Boxers
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is medium to large and well-muscled
- Has a big muscular head and short face
- Has a sleek easy-care coat
- Is steadfast and reliable
- Makes a sensible watchdog, and looks so imposing that he is an effective deterrent even when friendly
A Boxer may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young
- Destructiveness when bored or not exercised enough
- Aggression or fearfulness when not socialized enough
- Aggression toward other animals
- Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge
- Shedding
- Snorting, wheezing, snoring
- Slobbering and drooling
- Gassiness (flatulence)
- Serious health problems and a short lifespan
A Boxer may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Boxer... |
My major
concerns would be:
- Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Boxers don't need or want miles of running exercise, but they MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by destructive chewing. Bored Boxers can make a shambles of your house and yard.
- Bounciness. Young Boxers (up to about two years old) can be bulls in a china shop. When they romp and jump, they do so with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people.
| If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend Boxer puppies. The temptation to play roughly is simply too strong in many young Boxers. |
- Providing enough socialization. Many Boxers have protective instincts toward strangers. They need extensive exposure to friendly people so they learn to recognize the normal behaviors of "good guys." Then they can recognize the difference when someone acts abnormally. Without careful socialization, they may be suspicious of everyone, which could lead to biting. Some Boxers go in the opposite direction -- without enough socialization, they become fearful of strangers, which can lead to defensive biting.
| In this day and age, the legal liabilities of owning any breed that looks intimidating and has a history as a guard dog should be seriously considered. People are quicker to sue if such a dog does anything even remotely questionable. |
- Animal aggression. Many Boxers are dominant or aggressive toward other dogs of the same sex. Some have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures. If anything goes wrong in the breeding, socializing, training, handling, or management of this breed, it is capable of seriously injuring or killing other animals.
- Stubbornness. Boxers are not Golden Retrievers. The best Boxers are capable of learning a great deal, but they have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. Many Boxers are very stubborn. Some are dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
| To teach your Boxer to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Boxer Training Page discusses the program you need. |
- Shedding. For such a shorthaired dog, Boxers shed more than you might think. Their short coarse hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, and stick tenaciously to your clothing, upholstery, and carpeting.
- Boxer sounds. Because of the short face, Boxers snort, snuffle, wheeze, grunt, and snore loudly. The sounds are endearing to some people; nerve-wracking to others.
- Slobbering. Many Boxers, especially those with loose jowls, slobber or drool, especially after eating and drinking.
- Gassiness (flatulence) that can send you running for cover. Fortunately, Boxers who are fed a natural diet of real meat and other fresh foods have much less trouble with gassiness. See my Boxer Health Page for more information.
- Serious health problems. Heart disease and cancer are devastating Boxers today.
| To keep this breed healthy, I strongly recommend following all of the advice on my Boxer Health Page. |
| Not all Boxers are alike! |
- There are energetic Boxers, and placid Boxers.
- Hard-headed Boxers, and sweet-natured Boxers.
- Serious Boxers, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Boxers, and Boxers who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Boxer puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult Boxer... |
There are plenty of adult Boxers who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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Copyright © 2000-2008 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author. |
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