Is a Boxer the breed for me?      

              

Essentially dogs are dogs, from the tiny Chihuahua to the huge Great Dane; there are hundreds of breeds to choose from, yet they all have their origins in the same ancestors. Whilst this means that they are basically the same and share a method of communication; individual breeds can vary in the characteristics that they display and in their need for exercise and mental stimulation, depending on the origin of the breed. Most breeds came about by selectively breeding for a specific task.  Understanding this can help in deciding whether a breed will suit you and your lifestyle.

 

The Boxer as a breed is about 100 years old and his ancestors were Mastiffs and Bulldog types: tough, determined dogs that were used for hunting and bull baiting, respectively. Originally bred for bull baiting and guarding, the modern Boxer has no specific task, though he is still a part of the working dog group and like most working dogs, needs to be kept physically and mentally occupied in order to have a family dog that is a joy to live with. Your Boxer will enjoy long brisk walks, obedience training, agility and just about anything that encourages him to use his brain.

 

Strong minded, self confident breeds require their owners to be the same. What some people may describe as stubborn, is often simply a self respecting Boxer who knows his own mind and expects the same of his humans. If we cannot live up to the task, we can see our Boxer become over protective, unwilling to listen and resistant to commands, and that's no fun for anyone!

 

An under exercised, bored Boxer can be destructive and turn his attention to inappropriate behavior. Boxers love to snuggle with you and relax, but only after plenty of exercise... so he will ask that you put on those hiking boots and walk in all weathers.

 

In short, if we want a successful relationship with a loyal, trustworthy, fun loving and intelligent breed, we had better make sure that we can match his attributes and be the great leaders that this wonderful breed deserves!