The history of the Boxer breed, origin and purpose, external data, character and health, care, training, interesting facts. Buying a puppy. Boxers are dogs with wonderful temperaments and excellent morphology. If you get such an animal, then you will definitely find a devoted friend who will protect your home and bring a lot of joy and happiness.
Representatives of the breed were the favorite pets of the artist Pablo Picasso, actors Sylvester Stallone and Robin Williams. According to 2010 data, the boxer is considered the seventh most popular variety in the United States.
The history of boxers
The ancestor of this dog is considered to be the already extinct German fighting breed, outwardly similar to mastiffs, called "Bullenbeiser", which means "biting bulls". Obviously, the dogs were named so in connection with their direct use, namely, hunting large animals, in particular, bears, wild boars and bulls.
Another ancestor of the species is the English Bulldog, which was then no longer used as a fighter. There is written evidence confirming the crossing of these canine species, the result of which was a boxer named Floki. It was he who was registered in the German breed register at number one.
The breed received official recognition only at the beginning of the 20th century. It is believed that this is due to the name of the Austrian dog handler Frederick Robert. He moved to Monaco in 1894 and carried away, at that time, by the not so numerous, formidable Bullenbeisers, decided to start breeding them.
A year later, in the same city, at an exhibition event for the St. Bernards, four boxers took part, including Floki. It was Frederick Robert who awarded him the title of the first category. The first written version of the standard was published in 1902, the second appeared in 1905.
The progenitors of boxers are considered to be two males - Floki and Wutten San Salvador, and two females Blanca and Metta. The beginning of the 20th century was marked not only by the definition of the requirements for the physical qualities of a boxer, but also for his exterior. Ms. Friederum Shtokman created a sculpture that showed the appearance of an ideal boxer. Its criteria were followed and adhered to in the future. In the 30s, in Germany, one of the most ardent popularizers of this breed is the famous private kennel "von Dom". It was organized by the artist Friederum together with her husband Philip. It was here that the Shtokman family began work on developing the "ideal boxer of the future." The resulting individuals became the basis for the successful development and distribution of these dogs in their modern, familiar form for us.
In Italy, Earl Douglas Scotti was the first to start breeding boxers. He added the prefix "western" to their names. After him, Dr. Tomaso Bozi, a great connoisseur of the breed, caught fire with the selection. In 1941, Mario Confolanieri organized the VIR MAR kennel, and five years later the first club of lovers of such dogs appeared, which played an important role in the distribution and study of the variety.
The origin of the name and the purpose of the boxer breed
Why the boxer was named that way is hard to say. But, according to one of the assumptions, the name appeared due to his interesting manner of movements during the attack, the frequent use of his front paws, like the movements of the hands of a boxer.
Such dogs are real athletes, with an excellent physique and full of energy. Endowed with such data, they are used for work in the police, security, as well as for rescue operations. When using boxers in this area, they must be specially trained.
The training should be carried out by a qualified specialist, not an amateur trainer. With the help of special exercises, the instructor teaches the dog to cope with difficulties and obstacles. This contributes to the education of courage and the ability to maintain balance in her. Such traits are essential for working in difficult conditions. Today, trained boxers have saved the lives of hundreds of people in distress.
Pets are also great bodyguards. A trained dog deftly pursues and attacks a criminal, for example, one who is trying to steal from a car. Of course, this does not mean that boxers are inadequate and rush at passers-by who are carrying something.
Description of the exterior of the boxer dog
The Boxer is a dog with an athletic build, insanely energetic and agile. This is a medium sized dog, well built. His movements are full of strength, but at the same time, elegant. The height at the withers ranges from 58 to 64 cm for males and from 54 to 60 cm for females. Weight in males varies from 28 to 32 kg, in bitches - in the range from 26 to 30 kg.
- Head boxer in good proportion to the body. The parameters of the length of the skull and muzzle should be harmonious. The skull is dry, angular, without wrinkled skin, but when the dog is alert, then they appear on her forehead. The frontal hollow is distinctly visible, but not very deep. The stop is strongly pronounced and forms a distinct angle. The occipital protuberance is not prominent.
- Muzzle - quite massive. Seen in profile it is short, in front it is wide. Together with the protruding forward curved lower jaw (approximately 1, 5 centimeters) - it gives the boxer a special, serious look characteristic of the breed. Dropped drooping, fleshy lips. An undershot bite. The jaws and cheekbones are well developed. With the mouth closed, the lower teeth should not protrude outward. The chin is well developed.
- Nose wide, black, slightly upturned. The nostrils are wide open.
- Eyes dark shades, medium size, not prominent. They have a rounded shape.
- Ears of medium length, set high. They are usually docked, although the standard permits representatives with uncropped ears. The uncircumcised ears are triangular, drooping, and should lie close to the dog's cheekbones with their front edge.
- Neck strong, long enough, round. The transition from the neck to the withers is clearly defined.
- Frame - square. No dewlap. The chest is deep. The ribs are strongly curved. The depth of the chest is half the entire height of the dog. The back is straight, wide, short, well muscled. The groin is short and tucked up. The sacrum is broad and sloping.
- Tail set high, usually docked. Breeders cut the puppy's tail after one or two of the first weeks of its life.
- Front limbs - legs are straight. The forearms are lean and muscular. The wrists are strong, the pasterns are short. Hind legs are very powerful, with prominent muscles, straight. The hock joint is well defined.
- Paws have a rounded shape with short, tightly closed toes. The paw pads are hard. Strong, black-pigmented nails.
- Coat silky, thick, dense and short. It adheres well to the skin. It looks shiny.
- Color it can be red or brindle. The red color allows a wide variety of shades - from brown, with all sorts of warm red-orange tones, to rusty and light red. Intermediate colors are most appreciated among red colors. Tiger coloring is a combination of the main, often red, color of the coat, with dark or sometimes even black transverse (in the direction of the ribs) stripes. Individuals that are white by one third of the total coat color do not meet the breed standard.
Typical Boxer Behavior
Despite their impressive appearance, they are very good-natured and like children, cheerful creatures who never grow up. Boxers love to have fun. By their appearance, you can tell whether they are bored or sad. The breed is justifiably considered one of the most playful of guard dogs.
The boxer loves to mess with children. They understand each other from half a look. It is a lifelong friendship. A four-legged friend in no case will allow himself to bite a child, even if he is "sitting on his head." The reason for this patience is the genetically inherent instinct to protect and protect the defenseless. If the kid "oversteps the stick", then the pet will retire to peacefully lie on the sidelines.
Closely bound by the "threads of love" to the owner and the house, the boxer does not trust outsiders, but without showing aggressive actions until a good reason appears. These dogs are very energetic and active. With unique mental abilities, they are not difficult to train. In manifestations of character, they are bold. You can always rely on them. In conclusion, we can say with complete confidence that anyone who gets himself a boxer will find in his face a never discouraged friend endowed with amazing will and strength.
Breed health
The Boxer is one of the most resilient and strongest dogs in the world. But for the variety to be healthier, you need to carefully select individuals for further breeding. All breeding specialists are obliged to take care to breed animals only with high genetics of conformation and health. For this, the dogs are carefully and regularly checked for various diseases. One of the most important aspects of weeding is the nature of the animal. It is also important to evaluate the shape of the head and its proportionality to the body.
Heart disease is a genetic disorder of the breed, as are aortic stenosis and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which usually show symptoms as the puppy matures. Also, boxers, already at an older age, tend to get cancer.
Pets are sensitive to low temperatures and therefore have a tendency to colds, and at an older age - to rheumatism. Sometimes boxers have a volvulus of the eyelid - entropion, but this can be corrected with the help of surgery. Breathing problems are sometimes possible.
A boxer is always not averse to feasting on and often begs for goodies at any time of the day or night, regardless of whether he is hungry or full. If the owner goes on about the animal and indulges the beggar, then this can lead to unpleasant consequences, including: food allergies, bloating, hypothyroidism, intestinal problems and obesity.
Boxer Care Tips
Puppies, like young representatives of the breed, do not require pretentious care. The general specificity of their content, in general, does not differ from the recommendations for caring for puppies of any shorthaired species. The first advice for novice breeders is to organize a cozy and warm place for the dog, and also do not allow any drafts in the house.
- Wool sheds, but not much. It should be wiped down with a stiff cloth or brushed with a rubber brush once every two weeks. Bathe boxers as needed. They are quite clean, so water procedures are not often carried out.
- Ears the boxer is docked at will. The procedure for cropping the ears of a puppy is recommended when he reaches two or three months of age. This manipulation does absolutely no harm to the baby. Although, it should be recalled that the standard also provides for boxers with uncropped ears (so to speak, in their original form). Cleaning your ears is an essential part of caring for your pet. It is carried out every two, four weeks using special tools that can be found in pet stores and veterinary pharmacies.
- Eyes if necessary, rub towards the inner corner.
- Teeth it is necessary to teach your pet to clean from an early age so that a stone does not form on them. Otherwise, there may be not only caries, but also periodontal disease.
- Claws it is necessary to cut with a special tool - a claw cutter once, every two to three weeks.
- Feeding an energetic and agile dog, whatever it may be, natural or ready-made concentrates, must be complete and balanced. Purchased dry food of super-premium class, contains everything necessary for a dog to remain vigorous and beautiful for a long time. But if we cook our pet ourselves, we must make sure that most of the diet consists of lean meat. You can mix various boiled cereals with it: rice, buckwheat, yachts, wheat. Also give the boxer a small amount of chicken eggs, fermented milk products and some vegetables. Enrich his diet with vitamins and minerals purchased from a veterinary pharmacy.
- Walking. The dog is very sensitive and should be treated with care, both during walks in the cold (frost, snow or rain) and in the heat. To keep your pet warm and comfortable to walk in "bad weather" buy or sew special warm clothes for him. Patterns of such garments can be found on the Internet or bought. If the doggie gets wet, go home urgently and dry it with a terry towel.
Boxer training
The education of a dog should be approached with the utmost seriousness and diligence. Correct training presupposes an affectionate and kind attitude towards the pet. It is categorically contraindicated to establish rigid boundaries, which in the end can spoil the character of the puppy. However, one should not confuse education with targeted training, which the dog should undergo already in adulthood under the guidance of a specialist who knows the specifics of the breed.
Owners of boxers, having expressed a desire to purchase a certificate of passing a special training course for a dog, can use the services of a dog handler with experience and relevant knowledge. Such a specialist, with knowledge of the matter, will prepare an individual training program for your four-legged friend.
The owner certainly needs to praise the pet: for obedience, for any successfully solved problem, for an unquestioningly executed command. Reward your dog with sweet words and treats. The heart of a boxer is very responsive to this kind of attitude and it is a delicate approach that will instill in your pet loyalty to the owner and the best qualities inherent in the representatives of the breed.
Interesting facts about the boxer
Images of boxers' ancestors can be seen in many works of art. The popular artist A. Bryullov, in his painting from 1825, captured Princess Golitsyna together with his pet, the Brabant Bullenbeiser. In the Kunstkammer of St. Petersburg there is a stuffed animal of the same breed that Peter the Great brought from Holland.
During wartime, boxers were indispensable helpers. For example, during the First World War, they received a wide variety of positions - from orderly and signalman to sentry - and successfully coped with their duties. In 1917, about 60 boxers, who had previously been specially trained in Bavaria, were serving in the German army.
Boxers have a universal blood type and therefore are suitable for transfusion to any other dog. Almost always, the tails of dogs are cut off. When they experience joyful feelings, they wag their croup with their tail. This sight looks very funny. Because of their physiological data, a dog can live only in a house or apartment, where it is warm, dry and there are no drafts, they are very slobbering and often like to “spoil the air”.
Boxer puppy purchase rules and price
To find a dog with excellent data, only deal with real professionals. Experts who "ate their teeth on this" will give you advice on any issues related to the variety: maintenance, care, health problems, breeding and participation in exhibitions.
The puppies raised by them are distinguished not only by a good pedigree, but also by a balanced character. They are swallowed, vaccinated on time. The booths are properly fed and have no health problems. The approximate price can range from $ 300 to $ 600.
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