Boxers: history of dog breeds, temperament, best names and grooming features

Dogs have been man's faithful companions and companions for several thousand years. Among them, boxers stand out for their extraordinary characteristics and are very popular. But before you start a pet, you should collect more information about it.

Experts put forward two versions regarding the most distant ancestors of the boxer. According to one of them, these are ancient mastiffs used in ancient times. The ancient Greeks, on the basis of mastiff-like dogs, bred the Molossian breed, which was used primarily for military purposes. Very quickly, molossians began to grow in other parts of Europe. Another hypothesis is that mastiff dogs also existed in the European north.

Actually, the boxer breed was developed in Germany. For the first time at the exhibition these dogs were shown in 1895, and it took another 10 years to develop and approve an official standard. But it must be borne in mind that the breed also has a background that has not been documented. It is believed that the forerunners of the boxers were the Brabant Bullenbeisers. They were found very widely almost throughout Europe in the 17th-18th centuries.

The name "bullenbeiser" literally means "biting bull". Such dogs were used by hunters to bait animals.Therefore, the main focus was on increasing aggressiveness, but strictly within the framework of the owner controlled. The goal is quite obvious - the dog had to attack the victim and hold it, and at the first signal from the owner, release... But in the 19th century, driven hunting with baiting gradually went out of fashion, and legal bans on it soon appeared.

Then the specific combination of the qualities of the Bullenbeiser found a new application - they began to use him as a guard and watchman of the herds. However, livestock owners were primarily interested in the practical qualities of animals. The purity of the breed ceased to be appreciated, and the active crossing of the Bullenbeiser with the British Bulldog began. That is why today's boxers have acquired a number of characteristics.

The problem, however, was the uncontrolled, haphazard nature of crossbreeding. The appearance of the dogs turned out to be extremely different, and the development of a common standard seemed almost impossible. Individuals with:

• unusually long muzzle;
• unreasonably elongated body;
• the appearance of a classic bulldog (the differences were extremely insignificant).

The Shtokman spouses made a huge contribution to the improvement and standardization of boxers. They initially came up with the ideal image of the breed and managed to realize their idea. On this path, the Shtokmans had to overcome a number of difficulties. They focused on reducing aggression and increasing the contact of the animal. As a result, the very boxers that are familiar to modern breeders appeared.

Returning to the very beginning of the formation of the breed, it is necessary to point out that more or less close to our usual Bullenbeisers had a monophonic red or brindle color. There could be no blank spots on them. Dogs inherited rather short muzzles from Molossian ancestors. This anatomical feature made it possible to breathe even when holding the prey (victim) with the teeth. Even then, when the ancestors of boxers were used for baiting on the hunt, they began to cut off their tails and ears.

These places were considered too vulnerable when faced with prey, especially predators. It was common practice to wait in ambush for the hounds to lead the beast to the right place. True boxers in the past were considered those who had a deep groove on the nose. Because of her, it sometimes seemed that the nose was divided into two parts. This was the state of affairs at the time when they began to purposefully work on the breed.

For all the merits of the old breeders and the Shtokman couple, one cannot fail to mention the contribution of Robert Fischer. It was this reputable trainer who took the first important step - helping to overcome the mistrust of the Bullenbeisers. Initially, proposals to include him in the list of breeding breeds caused a storm of indignation among breeders. But Fischer actually showed that boxers are much better at performing the main part of the tasks than the then generally recognized dogs. He not only obtained permission for them to participate in the exhibition, but also supported the creation of a national club.

A year later, in 1896, 50 boxers, differing in color and other features of appearance, were brought to the first all-German exhibition. During its rapid development, the standard had to be redone and refined several times. Initially, it included white boxers, but their inferiority was quickly revealed. Finally, this variety of dogs was included in the herd book at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Soon the breed gained extraordinary popularity.

Cynologists believe that, in the strict sense, a boxer dog has no varieties. However, there is a distinction in color. Only red and brindle individuals may be shown at the exhibitions. Ginger dogs have a light yellow or rich brick color coat. There are also intermediate shades; black hair cannot be found anywhere other than the muzzle. The brindle color, of course, has clear stripes.

There are many subspecies of this color.Light-colored dogs may have red hair, on which it is problematic to even see dark stripes. There are also individuals with a more saturated dark part. Occasionally it approaches black and differs only in the presence of red "specks".

You can find albino boxers - the share of pure white dogs accounts for about of the breed. But such animals cannot participate in exhibitions, be used for selective breeding, and many of them are completely deaf. The classic German boxer lives an average of 10 to 13 years. The exact period in each case is determined by:

• perfection of the diet;
• general correctness of care;
• prompt treatment of specific ailments.

The breed is prized for its versatile qualities. Its representatives:

• accompany small children;
• turn out to be faithful companions;
• act as reliable guards;
• are loyal and reliable friends.

Good build, strength and physical endurance, persistent temperament allow boxers to be used in law enforcement and military forces... Quite often you can meet a "German" accompanying blind people. The name of the breed is due to the fact that during clashes, dogs actively use their front paws. The descriptions indicate that the boxer has a smooth coat, is distinguished by muscularity and a stocky build.

The weight of a boy-boxer reaches 27-35 kg, for the majority of "girls" it ranges from 25 to 27 kg and only in isolated cases exceeds 30 kg. Height, respectively, will be from 0.57 to 0.64 cm and from 0.53 to 0.63 m. The presence of spotty areas is allowed on:

• neck;
• chest part;
• paws;
• muzzle.

From the point of view of the standard, such stains are not a violation. However, the members of the show jury carefully check how the dog looks. Disqualification occurs automatically if the white areas account for 1/3 of the background. The requirements of the standard imply:

• a lot of muscles;
• slender legs;
• general strength of the body.

Boxers' bodies are square in shape and clearly stand out:

• straight back of relatively short length;
• wide loin, going at an angle;
• deep chest;
• parallelism of straight forelimbs;
• pressing the elbows tightly to the body;
• wide spread of hind straight limbs;
• muscular thighs;
• low tail set;
• the location of the ears at the top of the skull.

For a dog to be among the best, it must also have medium-sized dark eyes and shiny coat. But when preparing to participate in an exhibition or taking care of acquiring a truly thoroughbred individual, one must remember that the standard is constantly being updated. Back in 2001, arresting boxers was a must. Now this procedure is prohibited in the EU, and outside of it is left to the discretion of the owners.

You can often hear talk about the types of boxer: "German" and "American" branches. But everything is not so simple here. The American boxer took shape in the post-war period, when the military returning from the liberated territories brought a number of puppies to the United States. The breed quickly gained popularity and at some point was even the most popular in North America. The "Germans" differ only in their heavier build and more massive head; according to the standard, they are recognized as equal, and mestizos do not lose their purebreds.

If development is proceeding correctly, then the mass should be:

• by 1 month 3.5 kg;
• by 3 months from 11 to 12 kg;
• by the age of six months from 21 to 23.8 kg.

Respiration features are inherited from one of the ancestors' branches (English Bulldogs). Physiologically conditioned snoring and active salivation make it impractical to train the dog to sleep in the owner's bed. Yes, quite a few people even like these moments. And yet from the hygienic point of view, they are hardly the norm. Important: a boxer howls very rarely, and almost always with such a sound he calls out to the owners for help.

Along with maintaining a purebred livestock, some breeders are conducting experiments on hybridization of the breed. All such individuals are distinguished by a specific color for a boxer and an elongated muzzle. The most important purpose of mestizos is to use their decorative qualities. Much less attention is paid to the practical characteristics. It is customary to highlight:

• bogle (mixture of beagle, basset and boxer);

• bopey (hybrid with sharpei);

• boxerman (boxer + doberman);

• boxweiler (boxer + rottweiler);

• bulldboxer (French bulldog + boxer);

• bulbox (boxer + pitbull);

• bulbocker staff (boxer + pitbull + stafford).

Descriptions often mention that boxers:

• kind;
• devoted;
• show themselves as experienced guards;
• are distinguished by highly developed intelligence.

All these qualities are certainly characteristic of the breed. However, it also has negative sides. Boxers are undesirable for those who are very busy or spend all their free time at home. These dogs are very active, and if you do not allow the energy to splash out during a walk, in a game, then behavior problems are inevitable. The fighting qualities of boxers can be expressed in collisions with other dogs, even right on the street

In general, the character of the breed is balanced. Other positive characteristics include:

• easy learning;
• love for children;
• worked out protective instinct;
• loyalty to the owners.

But the dog of the boxer breed can pretty upset the owners:

• hyperactivity in the absence of stress;
• infantilism (behavior typical for small puppies can last up to 3 years);
• active salivation;
• conflicts.

Important: any boxer is always clearly attached to one person. He loves other family members too, but keeps a great distance. A characteristic feature of the breed is the desire to constantly be closer to the owner, any separation, regardless of the reason, is difficult to bear. Boxers are non-aggressive towards children as long as they are well trained and proper precautions are followed.

However, this is characteristic of absolutely any dog. It is easy to train such dogs. But you only need to use positive incentives - all other techniques simply do not work. Attention: the program of any workout must be thought out very carefully... If the pet loses interest in the activity, he will be stubborn and stop following commands. It will then be almost impossible to make him follow the will of the owners.

The psyche of a boxer is ideally suited to the requirements of a guard dog. By default, he perceives all strangers as suspicious individuals. If you work with the animal properly, it will not bark in vain once again, but it is guaranteed to stand up for the protection of the owners.Breeders carefully discard cowardly individuals, and do the same with too vicious puppies. It is strongly recommended not to buy boxers anywhere other than official kennels and serious firms.

Animals, even at the end of a long walk, can be actively entertained. If they are exploring the territory, they run their noses along the ground and puff like a low-power vacuum cleaner. However, they do not try to go far from the owners. The dog barks at strangers once or twice, warning them. Continuous barking is unusual for this breed. All boxers have a strange combination of spontaneity and sensitivity.

If they need something, then the desired goal will be achieved not by aggressive behavior, but by charm and emotional attachment. The pet quickly determines which of the household is more susceptible to his tricks, who is more disposed to him. That's why it is very important to adhere to uniform rules in dealing with boxers from the very beginning. Those must fully and finally realize that no one will indulge them in vain.

Important: you cannot abuse this method of emotional release. Many dogs that were allowed to exercise power too often became prone to fighting. And it is almost impossible to cope with such a deviation. Some boxers, due to too low a threshold of reaction, are ready to fight for almost any reason. A truly thoroughbred dog knows how to measure the danger and its actions, attacks in full force only when there is a real threat.

Having discovered the enemy, the boxer will show all his ruthlessness towards him. When playing with children, he seems tireless and willingly forgives even those actions that cause pain. If the molestation from the little ones takes an unpleasant turn, the dog will not show aggression anyway. She will simply move somewhere else, where she will be left alone.

The combination of power and physical endurance is amazing: any boxer can accompany a cyclist or rider, keeping up with them.

The selection of nicknames for boys and girls boxers is equally responsible. At the same time, one must remember about fearlessness, great strength and an outstanding mind by the standards of four-legged ones. Those names that are suitable for a lapdog or a dachshund, in relation to this breed, will be perceived rather as ridiculous and strange-sounding. Important: as is the case with other dogs, you should not mindlessly take names from pedigrees. There can be arbitrarily long words, but for everyday use shorter nicknames are needed. You need to focus on "strong", "sonorous" names, on words with German roots and on the names of popular movie characters.

Boys are usually called:

• By fights;
• The Caesars;
• Starks;
• Bikes;
• Chases;
• Bonds;
• Filami;
• In three.

Common names for girls are:

• Emma;
• Lada;
• Linda;
• Mary;
• Alpha;
• Penalty interest;
• Rick;
• Martha.

Boxers can only be kept in houses and apartments. The street kennel is absolutely not for them. Already in the middle of autumn the weather is too cold, especially at night (after all, the coat is short, and there is no undercoat under it). For the same reasons, drafts and contact with moisture pose a great danger. Because of them, dogs easily catch colds.

Both with a puppy and with an adult boxer dog, you need to walk at least 2-3 times a day and each time for at least an hour. And we are not talking about a simple "walk down the street." The role of such active entertainment as playing with a ball and jumping is very important. Preparing for the appearance of a little boxer in the house, you need to provide three important points:

• the right place for leisure;
• access to toys;
• thoughtful ammunition for walking.

Any boxer, regardless of age, must keep the owner consistently in his field of vision. Therefore, he will calmly rest only where there is a good view of the whole room. At the same time, it is equally important to distance the resting place from heating devices and to exclude drafts. Caution: Do not use hard, hard or prickly bedding - they should be as soft as possible. Since the dog will grow rapidly, the need for a wider berth must always be considered.

Boxers stand out among other service breeds for their increased playfulness. Even adults do not shy away from the entertainment offered by the owners. Therefore, the selection of toys must be approached responsibly and seriously. Only take samples that are guaranteed not to be chewed or swallowed by the pet. This requirement is especially relevant when keeping small puppies.

Pets should be taught to wear a collar and walk on a leash as early as possible.... If it is started too late, the boxer will perceive such attempts as an encroachment on his freedom. Taking into account the weak thermal properties of wool in this breed, it is imperative to use special clothing for walking. When the heating is turned off in the spring, you will have to wear these vests for the dog and at home.

Another important point that should not be overlooked when starting a boxer puppy is the safety of the home for him (and "from him" too). To provide it:

• remove electrical wires and communication cables to inaccessible places;
• remove toxic indoor plants;
• hide shoes and clothes in a safe place;
• take care of the safety of wallets, money, phones;
• close all sockets with plugs;
• put away medicines, sharp and cutting objects, household chemicals, paints and varnishes, solvents, glass bottles and jars.

It is unacceptable to put a little boxer where he himself is not able to climb or jump. It does not matter what this surface is: an armchair or a table, a chair or a bed. At an early age, dogs still have little control over their own movements. Falling even from a low height can lead to very unpleasant consequences. Attention: you should not leave young pets unattended for a long time.

It is the lack of control that often provokes them to all sorts of unpleasant actions. To reduce the danger to household items, it is highly recommended to buy not only toys, but also special bones that are sold in any pet store. Important: it is absolutely impossible to play with the puppies with a cloth. Despite their intelligence, they will not be able to understand why a cloth is suitable for play, but a curtain, jacket or trousers are not.

It is strictly forbidden to lift and pull small boxers by their paws. This can lead to injury to joints or ligaments. Normally, puppies should be taken under the chest and behind. Hold them as tightly as possible, trying to avoid falls. Puppies must be carefully protected from contact with small children. Those still do not understand well enough what pain is in other living beings. Therefore, it is recommended that you first attend to continuous control, and only when the skills of empathy are developed, you can slightly weaken it.

Small items should be inaccessible to the pet, such as:

• coins;
• needles;
• paper clips;
• pins;
• nails, screws, bolts.

The dog must have its own place, where it will be most often... But until the pet is accustomed to a specific place, he will begin to look for other successful places. Care must be taken in advance so that it is impossible to hide in various hard-to-reach cracks. It is also important to check the balcony - in many cases it is unsafe. At dachas and in country houses, dogs are protected from falling into pits, wells are tightly closed when not in use.

In addition to safety requirements, it is important to take into account that there is a table by month that describes the growth rates. If there are strong deviations from it, then an urgent need to contact veterinarians. When it comes to bathing, it shouldn't be too frequent. Some experts advise spending a bath day annually. The ideal option then would be shampoos with hypoallergenic properties.

After bathing the boxer, they immediately wipe him dry. If dirt unexpectedly appears, it is removed with a wet towel, if desired, with dry shampoo. Every 7 days, the pets are brushed with soft brushes. This must be done strictly in the course of wool growth. When it is combed, it is helpful to walk on top with a small piece of suede to make the hairs shine. The paws should be washed after every walk. Be sure to remove any dirt that collects between your fingers to avoid irritation.

The claws are trimmed as needed, taking into account the place of walking. But in any case, it is necessary to check the claws at least once every 30 days. Ear cleaning should be done weekly with a tissue.

Every month, the ears are rinsed with a special veterinary solution to avoid infections. If even slight redness appears or the ears begin to smell bad, you need to see a specialist. Boxers are required to brush their teeth once every 10 days using special brushes and pastes. Tartar should only be removed by specialists. Once a day, all excess secretions should be removed from the animal's eyes by moistening a cotton pad in boiled water.

Genetic disorders predominantly affect white boxers. However, this does not mean that animals painted according to the standard are not affected by them at all. Errors in diet and nutritional regimen can disrupt the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. No less common than digestive problems, there are:

• deforming spondylosis;
• hip dysplasia;
• eye diseases;
• brachiocephalic syndrome;
• oncological disorders (from 5 years of age).

There has been a heated debate for many years as to which is best for boxers: factory food, homemade food, or a combination of both. The final decision must be made by the owners themselves. The main considerations in selection are the ease of use of the food and the cost of the feed. It is categorically impossible to save beyond measure. High-quality maintenance of boxers is possible only when using premium factory feed or balanced natural food. A balanced homemade diet should contain 30-35% meat. Other volume is:

• dairy products;
• cereals;
• vegetables.

But even the most balanced diet should include vitamin supplements. Their composition is selected only by professionals. Important: Boxers are prone to food allergies, and the characteristic reactions of the body are violent. Therefore, all new products should be introduced into food gradually and only as needed. With caution, feed with an unusual recipe should also be given, especially from another manufacturer.

The breed standard, as already mentioned, implies an athletic build. However, the boxer has a fair amount of appetite.With uncontrolled consumption of food, you can face a loss of athletic build. The packs of feed produced at the factory must be marked with the indication of the gramme. Natural food portions should be selected in consultation with veterinarians or more experienced breeders.

It is categorically impossible to follow the lead of pets who are prone to begging. Whatever the dog does, it must be shielded from food from the human table. The strict prohibition applies to:

• salty food;
• dishes with seasonings and spices;
• sweets;
• smoked meat.

But this does not mean that you will have to give up treating your pets altogether. Vegetables and fruits are suitable as a healthy treat. Water must always be available to the boxer. It is changed periodically. And a few more rules:

• in the first six months, you need to feed the dog 4 times a day;
• in the second half of life - 3 times;
• one-year-old animals are transferred to two meals a day.

Like any dog, boxers should be trained by all means. The main goals of training are:

• establishing contact between the owner and the animal;
• prevention of conflicts between a pet and family members, other pets;
• improving security qualities;
• developing obedience.

Four-legged guards undergo a special training course, which is focused primarily on maximizing discipline. As for exhibition training, it is so complicated that an amateur will certainly not understand all these intricacies - you need to contact the professionals as soon as possible. You can also educate adult dogs, but this will only work if you take into account their psychology.

As for the development of the simplest obedience skills, everything is simpler - especially if you have experience with animals.

It must be remembered that up to one and a half years, a boxer retains puppy habits, and they finally disappear only in the fourth year of life. Therefore, you will have to think over your workouts carefully. With skillful handling, even the most infantile dog is raised successfully. You will have to start training with the simplest commands. You need to behave with pets firmly, but in no case resorting to cruelty.

Violence of any kind leads to the emergence of aggressiveness or cowardice. The most important property of a skilled trainer is the ability to act consistently. Sometimes it may seem for a long time that there is no result. However, after some time, the skills will still manifest. Important: even if the pet shows impressive success, it must be trained diligently. If a persistent reflex is not developed, skills that are not properly supported will gradually disappear.

It is worth remembering that the lessons should be interesting for the animal. When such a requirement is met, it itself will look forward to the next training session. All commands must be worked out in different places in order to exclude too stereotyped behavior. Mastering various skills will certainly alternate with games, and intelligence training - with manifestations of physical activity.

Since the boxer often "sorts out the relationship" with other dogs, early socialization is an indispensable point in training. It is expressed in:

• calm interaction with other dogs;
• cold-blooded reactions to cats;
• constant focus on the owner and the immediate implementation of his commands.

Until the dog is fully trained, you must not let go of the leash:

• in crowded places;
• in places where children play or are often;
• in parks and squares;
• in the vicinity of busy highways;
• close to the railway;
• in swampy and swampy areas;
• in the forest and in the country.

According to most boxer owners, their pets are easy to master commands and even various tricks. Many are able to subtly recognize the emotions of people and correctly respond to their needs. Leaving is not too difficult. Boxers go swimming calmly, they even enjoy the process. With the children of the owners, they establish contact without problems and strangers, whether they are dogs or people, are not allowed to touch.

Other reviews note:

• dedication of boxers;
• their cheerful disposition;
• lively and, moreover, tactful behavior;
• sensitivity to children (bites are only imitated).

Important: before buying a boxer, you need to carefully study the information about him, familiarize yourself with the pedigree. Inexperienced breeders are better off choosing another dog. If you come across a specimen with character, it is possible to achieve normal behavior, but this is possible with difficulty and far from immediately. Another nuance - boxers have an extremely negative perception of drunkards and those who make too much noise. And it is also worth remembering that all owners advise buying boxers exclusively from proven kennels.

With the right choice and competent approach, a dog of this breed will delight everyone... She treats all residents of the house favorably (of course, if they themselves do not make any mistakes). But one must understand that people, especially children, are very attached to boxers. And therefore, the inevitable loss over time can be emotionally difficult. However, the same is true for any dogs in principle.

Experienced boxer owners have a number of recommendations to make it easier to keep dogs. In pedigree animals, the pads of the paws are very often deformed. They should be examined after each walk for cuts and abrasions. Disinfecting paws in advance before a walk is very important for puppies and old individuals. Both in the next and in the extraordinary bathing use only warm water.

Its maximum temperature is 32 degrees. Experts advise against unnecessarily delaying water procedures. The area of ​​the apartment does not really matter, the boxer is well placed in a modest room. Even adolescents 12 and older can achieve positive learning outcomes.

For information on how to properly train the boxer dog breed, see the next video.