The High Energy Boxer
Boxers are very popular here in Frisco, Texas and are consistently one of the top five breeds in our practice. The Boxer is a great companion dog and an excellent pet with active children. The Boxer, as a medium sized dog, is a high energy breed especially as a puppy and they need to be in an active household. They also need to live with people that are going to spend a lot of time interacting with their dog. Naturally bonding with the family, a Boxer is the ultimate in a loyal, intelligent and playful pet that just wants to be at the center of whatever is going on.
Most Boxers are going to range between 21 and 25 inches at the shoulder with males always slightly taller and heavier than females. The weight range is between 50 and 65 pounds for full grown females and slightly heavier at 60-70 pounds for males. The coat of the Boxer is very short and smooth and uniform in length over the entire dog. Allowed colors for the show ring include brindle, a streaking of black through brown, mahogany, black, fawn and tan with or without white on the chest, paws and face. The ears will fold over to about the check level if left natural or shorter and erect if cropped. The eyes are slightly pronounced and round and always full of curiosity and mischief. The muzzle is short and pronounced with medium to heavy upper lips. The breed is prone to drooling and snoring, but Boxer lovers will be quick to point out this is all part of their charm. The tail can be left long or it may also be docked depending on the breeder.
It is important to choose a good breeder as there are some inherited health issues within the breed. Boxers are more prone to tumors than most breeds and it is important to carefully monitor the dog starting at about age 7 to 8 as this is often the time that tumors are noted. Early detection allows a greater range of treatment options that can remove the tumors and prevent serious health issues from developing.
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Boxers are a perfect match for a home where someone jogs, loves taking long walks, plays with the dog and wants a dog that has boundless energy. It is important to socialize a Boxer as a puppy as they can be dog aggressive if socialization and obedience work is not included in their training. Very intelligent the Boxer will not only learn tricks and commands you want but those smarts can lead to mischief if not channeled into a productive job. You will need to be consistent in training and avoid allowing bad behaviors such as jumping up or excessive barking. These are dogs that love to please and their natural goofy behavior will have you smiling at their antics on a daily basis.
The Boxer is an excellent watchdog, protection dog and guard dog. The breed is used by police forces and security companies because it is so intelligent and so naturally protective. A well trained Boxer will never be aggressive towards people unless it feels that there is a threat to family or home.