Boxer Dog
From LoveToKnow Dogs
About the Boxer Dog
Considered a German breed, the Boxer Dog was developed from an old breed known as the Brabanter Bullenbeisser from Belgium, which was used to hunt wild boar. Around 1830, the Brabanter was crossed with an early version of the English Bulldog, and it was this stock that was refined into the Boxer Dog we know and love today.
Today's Boxer Dog is a very square built, medium sized breed that stands anywhere from 21 to 25 inches high, and weighs roughly 60 pounds. Boxers have soulful brown eyes and their jaws should be very square with an undershot bite. Acceptable colors are Fawn or Brindle, with some white markings permissible as long as they contribute less than one third of the overall color. White Boxers are not recognized by the AKC at this time, but may be in the future.
Although the Boxer is born with large floppy ear flaps, and a long thin tail, most breeders in the USA will have the ears trimmed and taped to stand erect, and have the tail docked short. This practice of altering these dogs began in Germany, and it's purpose was to give the wild boars less dog flesh to tear during the hunt.
Boxer Dog Personality
Somewhere along the line, Boxers got a reputation for being guard dogs, perhaps because they do look as though they could be a little menacing if they had a mind to. However, aside from being a little stand-offish with strangers, these dogs are quite affectionate, loving to clown around with their families. They also tend to believe that they were bred to be lap dogs, even well after they hit the sixty pound mark.
Boxers are also very energetic, so be prepared to give them plenty of exercise and play time. If you don't let them work off the extra steam in positive ways, Boxers will come up with their own entertainment, and chances are you will not be pleased! Unless you are ready for a whole lot of dog, think carefully before you choose a Boxer.
Boxers actually do quite well in a family setting, being surprisingly gentle with children. However, each dog is an individual, so be sure to provide proper training and supervision to make sure both your Boxer and your children understand the rules.
Trainability
Training is a must with this breed. They are so energetic and robust that you simply have to teach them to obey commands to be able to control them. Obedience training should be commenced seriously at six months of age, the minimum age acceptable for training classes. Until then you can work on getting them used to the leash.
Grooming Tips
Boxers are very clean pets and only shed moderately. A nice brush with a bristle brush should remove what little dirt you may find, and distribute the coat oils to give your pet a glossy sheen. Boxers rarely need bathing, but you can wash their feet if they've been prancing through the mud.
Most Boxers tend to wear their nails down naturally with exercise, so just check them once in a while and give a little clip if needed.
Health Issues
Health concerns for this breed include:
- Canine Hip Dysplasia
- Cardiomyopathy
- Epilepsy
- Flatulence (More of a nuisance than a problem!)
External Links
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Comments
Hi Shoe,
I appreciate your problem. It can be very frustrating to work with a dog that is resistant to potty training. Consistency is the key, always using a single word command such as "potty" when she is outside. Reward immediately for a success.
All of that said, part of the reason your dog isn't training well could be due to some confusion. You mentioned you punished her for accidents. This would lead her to be less likely to show signs she has to go out. In her mind, sometimes she is rewarded for going, and other times she is punished. I recommend you stop the punishment if you want her to progress in her training.
To help her understand the difference between inside and outside, try moving indoor stools to a single location outside to create a sort of "potty stop" in your yard. Make her come along with you when you take the stools outside.
Finally, once you've established the one word command, begin asking her if she needs to potty, and then take her straight outside. This will also help her connect the deed, the command and the outdoor location.
Thanks for your question, and I wish you success.
-- Contributed by: Kellyforgot to add we have a crate and use she never goes to the bathroom in the crate
-- Contributed by: shoeI have a six month old female boxer, we have been trying to potty train her for about 2 months we have used postive reinforcement, treats and even punishment she has shown no improvement and does not alert us to let her out, we take her out regularly and right after returning and letting back in she defecates and not in same spot. What should i do next.
-- Contributed by: shoeThis page has been accessed 14,078 times. This page was last modified 15:21, 1 April 2006.
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