
Boxer: Your new pet
With a face of “few friends”, this puppy is far from being the grumpy it seems to be. With a solid expression that hides his sweet heart, this dog is faithful, loving, outgoing and widely respected by the families that own it.
Despite the species being already a few years old, the Boxer could be considered as a new species, since its appearance in the world was arbitrarily manipulated in order to create the breed that is known today, and although it is not catalogued as a Designer dog, it is probably an intentionally created hybrid lineage more accepted by society, being considered as a pure breed already established.
In most cases, the reasons that cause the intentional creation of a hybrid breed of dogs are associated to avoiding the various health effects that normally suffer those who are several years or centuries old, trying to form a healthier dog and with deliberately chosen physical traits.
In this case you will find the Boxers, which were “created” in the 19th century, in Germany. They are a mixture between the already extinct brabant bullenbeisser and the English bulldogs. The name of the person who started crossing these breed of dogs is unknown, but there are some records of his public appearance in 1895, the year in which this breed became official. It is a bit ironic, considering its name derives from the word «boxl».
The idea of creating this breed came up from the need to obtain a dog that worked as a collaborator in the butcher shop, being able to have enough strength to handle cattle or catch wild boars or deer while his master came to hunt them, which they managed excellently.
However, for those physical conditions and its obedience, it was commonly used during World War I and II as a messenger, transporter of supplies and collector of the bodies of those who died in battle. Their aptitudes were highly valued, so much that this breed is still preferred in some countries as a police assistant, as is the German Shepherd.
Therefore, the Boxer is a medium-sized dog, formidable, muscular, strong, self-confident, athletic, with excellent reflexes and well proportioned. It generally reaches a height between 57 and 63cm, with a weight that oscillates between 25 and 30 kilos (55.12 to 66.14 pounds). In any case, with adequate attention and food, the estimated life of our friend can be from 10 to 12 years, not being among the dogs with a longer life expectancy.
Their fur is short and bright, with two styles of color: fawn and tabby (which will be detailed below in this article), with slight white spots and a black snout. Very few Boxers are totally black, which is probably due to the fact that they are not entirely pure. Also, it is important to keep in mind that this breed sheds considerably.
It is noteworthy that, in some countries, it is considered as a potentially dangerous dog due to several of its innate abilities: it is muscular, strong, with very well developed reflexes that could attack quickly. However, they rarely have aggressive behaviors with other dogs; the few times where they are aggressive are usually due to conditions in which they are cornered, because the Boxer is very territorial, although this can be corrected with an early education.
They are extremely instinctive and can perceive a real threat quickly, this being one of the reasons that makes it bark, since they are usually a little quiet. They could be defined as balanced: the fair measure between tenderness, energy and calmness, although somewhat restless in its youth, which can be fixed by allowing the dog to have daily walks in which it can make a good use of its energy and play until it is tired. On the other hand, our friend likes to learn, which makes this breed easily trainable.
After its rough aspect an inexhaustible sweetness is hidden. It is extremely loyal to his family, and he will love them and protect them his whole life; although it seems strange, among his innumerable expressions of affection he is considered as one of the dogs who kisses his loved ones, and even strangers when they consider that they are no longer a threat.
For those who wish to include a Boxer in their family, you should know that what this animal requires the most is associated to grooming: they like to be clean, therefore they should have special attention, due to the continuous shedding.
Besides that, there are no more considerations to keep in mind, other than the traditional ones for any breed: a lot of respect, an early education and socialization, frequent walks in an open space. This dog is ideal for exercises. It is intelligent, protective, perfect for living with children and a gentle companion in their own daily activities at home.
Boxers’ history and origin
Many historians agree that the Boxers were created through a mix between the ancient English Bulldogs and the brabant bullenbeisser, the latter being known as bull rodents, or as deer, pig and/or wild boar hunters. The truth is that they had a tough job, which cost them their own lives sometimes. Although nowadays it is very common to see dog shows and keep these animals as pets, not all breeds have had such privileges. Some, as is the case with bullenbeisser, had to participate in some bloodier activities.
In fact, several years ago, there were a series of «sports» that caused fascination among people of all classes, in which dogs were exposed to fighting, either with bulls or bears. Certain breeds that would dominate this “art” were specifically sought out so theirs sponsors could get some profit.
Fortunately, Boxer’s ancestors had physical characteristics that did not match with the required ones for such activities. Since they were of a large size, they did not have the agility necessary to get rid of certain situations during fights, so, commonly, smaller dogs were used for their speed. Thus, Boxers were destined to other tasks, especially in butcheries, because they could lead a bull towards the stable and contain it.
It is thought that the name may have something to do with a dog of this breed called «Boxl» (which had a good reputation as an assistant in a butcher shop in Berlin), although in reality, the word «Boxer» may be a derivation of term «boxl» or «boxel» meaning «mongrel».
There are records of a publication made by Mr. Friedrich Roberth called «Boxer», where he praised this dog for being very intelligent, saying it was the best he ever had, but later added that in Germany there was no reputable breeder who presented a good litter.
Based on this, he requested in his publication for an association to defend the rights of this breed to be established, since, as is the case today, a species of dogs is set and popularized more by the support shown by their fans than by the qualities that they can possess. For this reason, the Munich Boxer Club was founded in 1895, where the first exhibition was made and in which four Boxers were registered. After this event, the German Boxer Club was founded, drafting a standard for the breed with the participation of Mr. Roberth.
These specifications were made based on a Boxer called Flock St. Salvador, who was the winner of the first exhibit. However, the dog that is considered as the patriarch of the breed was known as Champion Rolf v. Vogelsberg, whose owner was Mr. Philip Stockmann, who is an important figure in the history of this breed.
Once known, he was selected because of his robustness to participate in World War I, where they were trained to work as messengers, becoming a military dog. Many of them came from the Stockman family, which earned them an excellent reputation, making them the best option to look for a Boxer puppy.
But, during World War II, the Stockman family grew weaker in terms of their finances, so they saw the need to register the dogs again as helpers in the War, since the German government provided food for the breeds they considered were valuable for their purposes. The Boxer was classified in the second place, after the German Shepherd.
These dogs had to move inside the battlefield without being distracted by the shooting. During this, the Boxers demonstrated great ability due to their good concentration, which caught the attention of infiltrated Americans, who, in turn, sought out Mrs. Stockman to request some specimens to take them to America. Due to her love for the breed and the possibility of distributing it throughout the world, she agreed.
Once the War was over, several hatcheries of this breed had been formed in the United States, using as a base the specimens extracted from Germany. The American Boxer Club (ABC) was founded in 1936, the same year in which the Germans organized a club for the same purpose.
Among the exhibits there was a puppy that stood out greatly, known as the Bang Away, in the 50s, which appeared in dog and sports magazines, obtaining records in their scores in the exhibitions, which generated great popularity to the breed. This allowed the breed’s internationalization, spreading throughout the world, presenting good samples also in Britain and Holland.
Characteristics of the breed
The boxer is a strong breed with great proportions. This dog has a large jaw and large head.
The snout is flat, which can be said it is one of the main characteristics of this breed. This part of the animal’s body is normally black. Previously, small cuts were made to the ears to keep them straight up and pointed, but it was decided to ban this action.
The correct position of the ears is falling down on their cheeks, and the tail is usually positioned upwards when it is active. Cutting the tail of the boxer and any other dog can bring imbalance to the animal.
The boxer is a great animal and has a great weight. The head of this specimen is large and its jaw is extremely pronounced.
This dog has dark eyes that have shades between brown and hazel.
The neck is thick and muscular, which is proportionate to the chest and legs, that is, the legs and chest of this animal are strong and have impressive
Fur
The fur of the boxer is short and, in spite of the different shades that it reaches, it is extremely bright. There are specimens that can be seen in black and white and even have combinations of spots (black spots on white specimens).
You can also find specimens that have light stripes and even some darker colored stripes if the dog is white.
Weight
Male boxers are heavy specimens: they can weigh 40 kilos, however, the most common weight in males is 30 kilograms, while females are lighter and more delicate, a little more stylized and less robust than males, they can weigh at most 25 kilos.
Size
The general size of this breed is between medium and large, but what makes this dog especial is its robustness. This animal can intimidate by how «thick» it seems.
This dog has very developed muscles. You can notice its strength even in the way it walks and by its movements in general.
Females are usually a smaller. They can reach a height between 50 and 54 centimeters, while the males are a little larger; their height goes from between 34 to 58 centimeters.
The Boxer is a totally eccentric and exceptional breed. It is a very energetic dog and it loves to exercise. Just by giving it quick glance, despite being robust, it is considered elegant and stylized due to its large size.
This dog has a great worldwide recognition even though its origin is German. It is playful, athletic and has a very special character, so that its behavior around humans can occur without any problem.
This breed is large and its size is proportional to its strength, energy and great vitality. It is an excellent companion dog for those who like to devote themselves to sports and everything related to camping and being outside.
This specimen is very attractive due to its physique and it is suitable for adapting to different environments. The boxer is the ideal breed to live in a large family, knows how to be calm in the right moments and become totally playful when it’s time for games. In addition, he is an extremely loving, patient and very kind
The Boxer does not usually have many problems during its training, but it is imperative that his education begins since his first months of life, because his large amount of energy usually leads him to be impulsive, which he must learn to control through early education.
It can be concluded that the Boxer is the ideal pet for the family and that it is also a very hard-working dog that can also serve as a watchdog or caretaker.
Boxers are attentive, protective and very intuitive. His character can be noted since he is a puppy, and, from the very beginning, the attachment to his master will be very strong. He is a great dog that develops a great bond of friendship and love towards people who are close to him and his priority is to guarantee the safety of his loved ones.
It can be said that this protective instinct is one of the main characteristics of the Boxer breed. Among all its special features stands out his kindness, his cunning and his positive response to all the stimuli and situations it faces. It is an intelligent dog that can react accordingly to what is required.
Behavior with Humans
The Boxer is a very interesting breed, since it is a very intelligent and docile dog that can adapt to large and small spaces without problems. Although, of course, if they are in small spaces they must have a series of daily exercises so that they can work out their muscles.
They are quite attentive dogs to their environment, therefore, if there are strong emotions in the air, they will react according to the level of the situation, so they are not highly recommended to nervous people, since they could have many difficulties while dealing with the animal, because it will react in the same way its owner does.
Despite this, the Boxer is a fairly adaptable dog breed that does not represent any special characteristics in its treatment. Therefore, it becomes a good home dog.
A Boxer is a very intelligent dog, docile and loyal, besides very curious and attentive. He doesn’t miss many things, since he is very aware of what surrounds him.
These dogs also know how to act in dangerous conditions. If any of the family members is in danger, the Boxer will not think twice to before defending it against a possible threat, which makes it an excellent guard dog for a home.
He is also very friendly to children, since he likes to play with them; although sometimes he is usually a bit rough at the time of playing, because his way of playing tends to be exhausting and rough, this because of his strong complexion that requires a certain amount of energy.
Besides this, they are quite calm and docile, obedient and playful, ideal for a family environment, or even a single person, as they can represent a great help for people (this is also reflected in their thousands of profiles on websites of rescue and help dogs, which are highly recommended for people with motor problems, neurological or
Behavior around children
Many ask this question when they want to get a Boxer, and that is, people want a reliable watchdog that is adaptable to any space, but, above all, whether or not they are tolerant of children, because if they are not, they can represent a certain problem for the owners.
Luckily for many, the Boxer has high tolerability of children; he is very playful with them and also protective. He will not have problems with them when playing, he can spend hours running without problems and let himself get paint-splashed by them (although the dog has no problem, parents might, so be careful). They are very affectionate and friendly, which is a big point in favor in this matter.
Boxers are an ideal breed to deal with children. They are very patient with them, but, like children, they like to wallow in the mud and run around everywhere. So this undoubtedly makes them the best companions for kids.
This breed is characterized by being watchdogs and very judicious, although they are very affectionate and kissers (this you can see for yourself), although they also growl and are very alert around someone they do not like.
Apart from that, they are very territorial. Sharing their space with other dogs is not something that they like much, unless they are carefully introduced to their circle, since they do not let any animal into their «herd». Although this may seem like a negative point, it is really the opposite. That shows that it is a fairly protective breed that will not let anyone enter and alter the family order with ease, unless it knows this new member very well.
Therefore, even if a new Boxer, or any other breed, for the matter, is introduced to the family it is better to take things slowly and gradually. Such sudden changes will only make your pets nervous and can create uncomfortable moments if they are not treated with the proper care.
In conclusion, the Boxer is the ideal breed to keep it inside and outside of the house, especially to be part of the family, where many beautiful and pleasant memories can be made with the animal. This type of dog is very friendly and gets along very well with humans; it will love them and be faithful to his family one hundred percent.
Behavior around other dogs
The Boxer is a very nice dog with its owners, but what can we say about its behavior around your other pets?
It is essential to investigate about the behavior of the dogs we plan to acquire, so that in the future, if we want to adopt more dogs, they can get along very well with other dogs that are added to the home. There are dogs, like the Turkish Kangal, among other dogs, with a sense of territoriality very developed that do not get along very good with other dogs, so it is better not to adopt additional dogs to avoid any problems.
Mostly, the Boxers’ behavior is very good. It is a fairly faithful dog, guardian of the home and very intelligent. He will not hesitate to go out in the defense of its family members as well as members of his pack in general, which naturally includes other dogs or smaller animals that you may have as a pet, especially if the boxer has been raised with them.
The Boxer will rarely distinguish if it is a child or another puppy that is in danger. Either way, it will quickly come to face the danger that lurks, but not before warning the “menace” that it is in a territory monitored by him, and that there can be serious consequences if he continues to threaten his own.
Throughout its history, the Boxer has been used as a companion dog and also for work tasks, which translates into a dog that knows very well how to live around humans, since it has been used as a pet and guardian of the home, as well as how to get along with other dogs, since in his work he has had to live with different breeds of dogs.
This is not a dog that will bark all the time, only when it realizes that someone or something is very close to its territory or already in it, as a warning for it to withdraw as soon as possible. It can also bark when it is very hungry and meal time is approaching, this to remind the owner what time it is, like a good, smart dog.
For some people, it can be considered as a very aggressive dog. Remember one of its jobs was to be a war dog. He could travel great distances and avoid confrontation to send messages. He could, thanks to his strength and power, pick up wounded soldiers from the battlefield and take them to health care and assist in different logistic tasks in the middle of the battle. Therefore, it is not the best idea to enter a house at midnight if it is guarded by a boxer.
The Boxer is a dog that can be seen commonly in the United States.
In spite of the Boxers’ good character, these are characteristics that develop over time as it is trained positively. If a Boxer does not receive the necessary training and socialization with other dogs in their puppy stage, then there will be several problems to address in adulthood.
A Boxer without socialization will not have major problems with his human family, but he may have problems with young children who disturb him, so their interaction with the Boxer is not highly recommended. The interaction of this breed with other dogs or small pets is also not recommended if it hasn’t socialized or been trained throughout its life.
The Boxer is a dog that is born with a certain instinct of dominance. If this is not stopped, then living with other animals can be traumatic for both the canine companions of the Boxer, for other pets such as rabbits, turtles or cats, and for you and your family, since you will have constantly make sure that this dog is not engaging in fights with the other pets in the home.
Although, even if your Boxer has these unfavorable characteristics, it will also help other pets that may be in danger, since what it wants to convey is that it is the absolute leader of the pack and there is no other pet who is above it, but this does not mean that it does not recognize them as a part of the pack.
Regardless of your training, the dog can be somewhat rough when playing with young children, as well as with other puppies, which is unintentional. However, it is convenient to keep it under control when playing with smaller dogs, puppies, other types of pets and children.
Diet and feeding
How much food should the Boxer eat daily?
Feeding a Boxer requires attention due to the necessary amounts that must be administered. The amount of food that should be given daily to one of these specimens will depend on how old the dog is. One cannot feed an adult Boxer the same amount of food than to a puppy of the same breed.
The best way to know how much food the dog should ingest daily is by consulting with the veterinarian who is responsible for keeping the animal monitored in its size, weight and normal development.
Feeding will also depend on the weight of the specimen at any stage of its growth.
How to feed a Boxer puppy
Maintaining veterinary control over the puppy will help keep it at the ideal weight thanks to the right amount of nutrients that the dog needs at this stage of its life. Therefore, it is essential that it be kept in control since its birth and that its diet is well monitored.
It is necessary that the puppy be fed with food of the best quality possible and with the necessary amounts that its little body requires to develop normally and be a healthy dog in his adult life.
A puppy needs to be fed at least three or four times a day during its first six months of life. It is important that each serving is small. It is a big mistake, for example, to try to feed him 500 grams of dog croquettes at different times other than the already established ones. The correct thing to do is that the 500 grams are divided into several portions that will be fed to the animal during the day.
The appropriate amount of food will be established by the vet. Remember that the Boxer is a medium-sized breed and that chemical and nutritional needs vary according to the breed and age, and even then, each dog has its specific requirements that in some cases are different from other specimens of the same type of breed.
What is the best recommended diet for my Boxer
The best diet a boxer can have is one that meets all the basic nutritional requirements that the dog needs to achieve a normal development.
The Boxer is a large dog that requires food that will allow him to recover all the energy spent in either small movements or large amounts of exercise. It is a muscular dog, strong, active and, above all, very agile. The feeding is essential to keep it in perfect health.
Before acquiring its food, it is necessary to read the labels of the packages to make sure that it has the necessary nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, among others, are within the preparation of the food so that they reach the animal’s organism.
The better the quality, the better results will be obtained according to the overall health of the Boxer.
Wet or dry diet can work for this breed. There are many brands of croquettes for dogs and wet canned foods.
What mostly matters in any of these two diets is to verify the expiration, quality and ingredients with which both foods were made. Sometimes, the cheapest shows the worst results. A good, widely recognized and quality brand can guarantee that the Boxer will enjoy each of their meals, and, at the same time, it will grant him the necessary energy that is replenished during the night so that he is once again energetic the following day.
Homemade food is a good option as long as it is prepared properly. It is necessary to know which foods the dog can eat, and which are completely prohibited. A homemade diet can provide twice the nutrients because it is fresh; however, it is necessary to use ingredients that can provide all these nutritional elements that the animal’s organism needs. That way the results will be positive.
Treats should be used primarily as positive reinforcement during training and on special occasions. Giving the Boxer too many treats on a recurring basis can cause serious health problems.
Feeding an adult Boxer requires a lot of money, since the amounts of food are a bit bigger compared to those given to dogs of other smaller breeds.
It is best that the daily amount recommended by the veterinarian be divided into two portions during the day to prevent the dog from staying hungry or anxious.
It is important to keep in mind that the food supplied to your dog must be of quality and that they comply with all the necessary ingredients to keep him strong and healthy.
Health and basic care
When they go through their puppy stage, Boxers become a whirlwind of energy, tenderness, and affection, but that does not take away their playful manner, from which different types of pranks can (will) happen over the months this stage lasts.
Boxers have several nicknames that propose the same thing, such as: «eternal babies», «baby dog», «big puppy», among others. These make reference to the fact that this breed of dogs never stops behaving like when they were puppies, although the truth is that their playful instinct decreases a little.
How to take care of a Boxer puppy taking this into consideration?
The most important thing during their puppy stage is to teach them to be obedient and that they are not the owners of the house. They can be very beautiful and playful, which generates a lot of tenderness in their owners, but, if this continues without control, in the future they will be a great nightmare for their owners, since they will not be able (or it will be tough) to interact with other dogs in any other way that is not dominant or violent.
Boxers are smart dogs that will learn all the orders you give them quickly. Training, along with socialization, will make it a good adult dog in the future.
Also, during their puppy stage, it is important to monitor not to leave any substances, food or anything that could endanger them within reach. This is a dog that is too hyperactive when it is a puppy, so it will not hesitate to stuff his mouth with anything that is within reach. Therefore, try not to leave disinfectants, small objects that can be swallowed, or food in poor condition near him.
During their first months of life, puppies should be inside the house so that they don’t get sick thanks to the cold. During these months, they should have a little bed located in a place inside the house that can be considered “intimate”, that is, so that they don’t have too many people near them, so that they can, if they want, retire to “their place” when they do not want to interact with people but just sleep.
Both at this stage and in adulthood you must have a feeder and a drinking fountain. Both should be cleaned every 3 or 4 days and filled daily with food and fresh water. Adults and puppies should also have special brushes for their fur, which should be able to pluck all dead hair gently from their skin, avoiding irritations and allergies.
When it comes to puppies, it is very important that they have toys-
Which are the most common diseases in a Boxer?
It is important to know that your little boxer can die if he is not given the vaccines corresponding to the first weeks of age. If your dog gets infected, there are very dangerous viruses that can take only a few days to kill him. Therefore, the early vaccination through a veterinarian is recommended. Besides vaccinating your dog, the vet will also indicate, through a vaccination schedule, the vaccines and deworming that follow.
Even if your dog is vaccinated, it can still catch the following diseases that are common in dogs of this breed:
- Heart problems
- Allergies
- Dermatitis
- Stomach torsion
- Cancer
Fortunately, these diseases can be diagnosed in time and slow their progress, which, in some cases, can be fatal if they are not treated.
To avoid that these health problems have higher consequences, you should take into account the following additional tips for caring for of your dog:
- A good exercise routine: It is not convenient that your dog has extensive days of exercise that tire him out too much, nor is it convenient for it to be sedentary most of the day. As the owner, you must search for a good balance between exercise and rest to avoid problems in its bones and joints.
- A balanced diet: Do not give it leftovers. If you cannot prepare homemade food with ingredients that are not harmful to its health, then feed it with high quality dog croquettes.
- Cleaning: Bathe it only when it is really dirty. You will notice when it needs a bath just by looking at it; you necessarily don’t need to wait until the dog smells bad. It is important to wash its ears without water falling inside, cut the nails or file them, always being careful not to cut the tissues that are inside them, since it can bleed, and also check its genitals to rule out any problems in these areas.
How to train or educate a Boxer
Learning is not a unique need of human beings. All animals learn different things that build their character, lifestyle and instinct during generations. Dogs are no exception, especially with the Boxer, who can become a truly stubborn and irascible dog with the other pets that are in the house if he does go through a good training given by a friendly and attentive master, but hard of character when it is needed.
Many people are born with traits of leaders, while others simply decide to obey, since it is an almost instinctive behavior. Most of the World’s greatest leaders had much charisma, and also a revolutionary vision of life. Even if many of them didn’t have a not-so-ethical goal, they were still very charismatic, which is how they the crowds’ support. All these leaders had something in common: they were easy for people to follow.
What do we mean by this?
Dogs have a certain resemblance to people in this matter, only that they do not follow the most charismatic one, or those who promise to revolutionize the world with a certain idea; instead, they simply follow the strongest link in the pack, in order to ensure the safety of their existence.
The strongest dog also has the job of protecting the pack and determining where is the right way to go. Certain breeds of dogs tend to have this very entrenched, for they take the issue of being the leader of the pack very seriously, since they believe they will do better than any other, but this leads to dominant traits, which can be harmful in an ordinary home.
In nature, it may be necessary for a stronger Boxer to proclaim himself leader of the pack, but this is something that cannot happen in your home; first, because you are the “leader of the pack”, and second, because any other dog or pet that is in its territory and does not want to follow its orders will become an enemy to the Boxer, which can make it unleash an attack without warning to the other animal.
What to do to avoid this boxer behavior as much as possible?
You should train him from puppy and get it to socialize. First, it must meet the regulatory time with its mother so that she can teach the puppy the rules and also learn them with its siblings. This takes about 3 months, which will also give them the opportunity to stop breastfeeding and start eating solid food.
After this time, the puppy can be placed in the presence of other calm and friendly dogs. With this, the little Boxer will understand that he can get along with other dogs and that it is okay that you are the leader, because he will see that the other dogs and pets consider you the leader of the pack. You should never get it together with dogs with behavior issues.
Although contact at all times with other dogs and pets in the house will make him friendlier in the future, it is important that you, as his owner and best friend, as well as your family as his pack, maintain daily contact with him.
Loneliness can make dogs irritable, as well as keeping them locked in cages. Spending about 30 minutes or an hour a day with your dog will not take anything away from you, but believe us that those will be the best minutes of the day for your dog: when he spends time with the person he loves and appreciates most in the world.
After the 21 weeks of socialization, your Boxer will be ready to interact with other pets that he doesn’t know, without much chance of it reacting aggressively; instead, he will be curious to meet them.
Due to his intelligence, a Boxer can be quite stubborn. He will not take a liking to having a collar, taking a bath, getting his mouth examined or put a chain that does not allow him to run freely in the street. As you know, this is a quite muscular dog, so it will be a problem to control it at that time. Therefore, you should start getting used to brushing fur and teeth, taking walks with its collar on, and visits to the veterinarian since it is a puppy.
You should avoid taking your dog to the street when it does not have all the necessary vaccines, that way you can ensure its survival, as well as bringing it closer to other animals.
Train him to know his name, which is achieved by calling him by its name while you show him a snack from afar; when it goes to you, give the snack to him and congratulate him. To prevent him from relating his name to food you can, at the time of feeding him, ask him to do an action before, such as sitting down and giving the leg, so that he can have access to the plate later.
Do not scold or hit your Boxer with a newspaper for an action it did a while ago! Dogs should be reprimanded when they are doing the wrong deed, at the time, infraganti. You should also congratulate them when, for example, they make their business in the newspaper or behave well when walking.
Boxer’s ideal environment
The Boxer is a dog that has different environmental requirements as it grows. For example, during its first months of life, it is not recommendable for it to be alone in the yard or around other dogs without supervision.
Puppies are very vulnerable to diseases that are in the environment, to which adult dogs are immune due to early vaccination. However, even if they’re vaccinated, puppies may have certain symptoms of the disease for a few days until their immune system can completely kill it, so they should be kept under supervision.
This means that during the first months of its life, it needs to live inside the house, in order to avoid the inclement weather and also the viruses that may surround him. Once it gets its vital vaccines and the effects of the initial discomfort have passed, it can already live in the yard.
A Boxer is a medium-sized dog, tending to large, so it will not feel comfortable being locked up all day, as is the lifestyle of people who live in apartments.
At first, when it is still a playful puppy, you may not see coming the needs of an adult dog, such as the great need for food (they have a voracious appetite) and the daily workouts it needs to stay healthy and keep a normal weight.
That is why it is necessary that you anticipate its nutritional needs before adopting a Boxer, so that you do not have to go through the unfortunate experience of having to give it up for adoption.
We strongly recommend people who want to adopt a boxer that they have an environment adapted to the dog, instead of trying to force the dog to adapt to the owners’ own environment, since it does not adapt well to closed spaces and can develop anxiety, boredom, and, therefore, behave in a dominant manner with their owners or other pets. They can also begin to destroy furniture to ease their boredom.
Boxers are action dogs. Many owners claim that they never really exceed their puppy dog stage, so they will always be fiddling at their owner’s feet. In addition to this, they also claim that they are not very careful, so they can crash into everything that is in their path when they are playing. That’s why they recommend keeping them out when it’s time for exercise and games.
The yard, garden or land where they can be raised correctly must be medium or large, so that they can run freely and have space in which they can entertain themselves by chasing birds, watching people pass by or playing with other dogs.
The needs of a Boxer puppy are very punctual. A comfortable bed where to sleep without being disturbed, first inside the house and then somewhere in the garden where they don’t get direct sun, don’t get cold at night and neither get wet when it rains heavily. Usually, this space can be a house for dogs, which are made of resistant wood and give the dog a fairly comfortable place to hang out.
The dog house does not include a bed. You will have to choose it and place it inside the structure, in a safe place. Your Boxer will come to it whenever they want a moment alone to be able to sleep.
It is important that you know that for each pet in the house there must be an individual house, especially if it is a Boxer. Remember that it is a dog with a strong dominant instinct that can arise easily, such as in an event where another dog takes “its” home to rest. The same thing happens with their food and water plates: if another dog eats of off “their” dishes it can get very angry and attack.
In fact, it is convenient for each dog to have its own house, cups and toys separately and in distant places from each other.
Remember that Boxers are dogs that tend to destroy when they get bored enough, so it should not be forgotten that they need daily exercise, whether its walks or games in the garden for at least an hour.
The Boxer loves to go for a walk. Like any child, if you take him for a walk he will be more entertained and also tired, so it will be very unlikely that he will damage the furniture of the house or fight with other pets if he is already tired.