The Boxer

The Boxer’s breed characteristics, available in the gloss at right, make it pretty clear how the show-quality Boxer ought to carry himself in the world of canine pageantry. Words like “elegance… power… dignified… self-assured… and noble” are meant to impress upon any observer – expert or novice – the obvious truth that this particular breed demands attention. But it would be far too easy for someone who is new to the breed to overlook a single, little phrase that has practically been buried at the bottom of this dog’s description: “His temperament is fundamentally playful.”

If there were awards for the world’s most colossal understatements, the above phrase would be a serious contender. Because as any owner of a well-loved Boxer will happily tell you, the Boxer is a total, undeniable, incontrovertible, irrefutable and unapologetic Goof – with a capital “G”.
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Storm at the Canadian Agility Association Agility Trials

Sure, put him in the ring and let him prance around a bit – he’ll dignify your soul and inspire your loftiest thoughts. But when the ribbons have all been handed out and the photographer has packed away his equipment, the Boxer wants nothing more than to flop down on a couch, thrust his gangly legs out into everyone’s way, and snore. If you’ve just put on a fresh, clean pair of jeans, he’ll come on over to check them out – but will take pains to run a quick errand over to the water bowl so that his jowls will be especially slobbery when he arrives at your knees. At that point, if you’re sitting down, he may decide that your jeans look far more comfy than the couch, and will suddenly become the very quintessence of gracelessness as he attempts to heave his 70-pound self up onto your lap. If you let him, he’ll promptly thank you with a slobbery kiss. If you don’t, he’ll saunter away, mildly offended, and punish you with a killer look from those oh-so-sad eyes. At the end of the day, he’ll want to share your pillow and stay warm with you under your comforter. And just as you’re falling asleep, he’ll callously announce that he’s beaten you to dreamland by shamelessly twitching his galloping limbs across some wide and fragrant meadow, happily chasing the squirrels, frolicking in a babbling brook, and snorting at the offensive leer of a pine tree.

Still interested? If the answer is yes, and you’re curious to know a little more about what makes this breed so special, then read on. If not – keep searching.

Boxers are medium- to large-sized dogs. They need lots of time and space to exercise both mind and body. In other words, the best way to guard against the total destruction of your home’s interior is to ensure it possesses (or has access to) a substantial, recreation-friendly exterior. A Boxer too long confined is a bull in a china-shop; a boxer too bored will search your entire house for the world’s most perfect chew-toy, and will probably find it hiding in your laptop computer case. Make sure you live a lifestyle that will meet the Boxer’s needs for space and mental stimulation. That being said, keep in mind that the Boxer is not built to live outside – he is only meant to play there. The breed is not particularly well adapted to extreme temperatures, since his short coat of hair makes for bad winter chills, and his short nasal cavity can complicate breathing in hotter weather. As a result, the preferred living condition of a Boxer is basically the same as his owner’s: a comfortable, peaceful home in a moderate, climate-controlled environment.

Boxers in general are very good and quite intuitive when in the presence of small children. They can quickly sense the physical differences with respect to their own potential strength and power, and will become quite submissive before a curious child. They are extremely affectionate with all members of their immediate family, and demand much interaction, praise, and attention. If raised in a loving home, they will prove to be fiercely loyal to their families and quick to growl off a threatening stranger. (Come to think of it, they’ll even growl off a non-threatening stranger.) But your own response to that stranger will immediately register with your Boxer. If you’re uncertain, it will be his call to arms. If, however, you’re simply welcoming a friend, it will inspire him to get those giant jowls as wet as possible for the first opportunity at a one of his big, slobbery, trademark kisses. Despite all this, Boxers are not professional guard dogs: they cannot and should not be trained for aggression. If you’re looking for security, you’d do much better to invest in a quality, automated security system.

When all is said and done, the Boxer exudes an astonishing amount of love and gushing happiness in the loyal service of that lucky owner who loves him back. He’s a walking paradox: though poised and charming, he revels in the opportunity to be a dork; though intelligent and alert, he can easily get carried away with delusions of grandeur; though lean and muscular, at heart he’s not much more than a big, droopy-eyed cuddle-muffin. To love this dog takes a special kind of person: one who, like the breed itself, is casual, down-to-earth, and authentic.

If you’d like more information about whether the Boxer breed is right for you, please contact us.

The following is adapted from the description of the breed found on the website of the Canadian Kennel Club:

The Boxer was developed in Germany as a medium-sized security dog. The breed is valued as a spirited pet and guardian of home and family. Developed to serve the multiple purposes of guard, working and escort dog, he must combine elegance with substance and ample power – not alone for beauty, but to ensure the speed, dexterity and jumping ability essential to arduous hiking, riding expedition, police or military duty.

The Boxer is a medium-sized, sturdy dog, of square build with short back, strong limbs, and short, tight-fitting coat. His musculation, well developed, should be clean, hard and appear smooth (not bulging) under taut skin His movements should denote energy. The gait is firm yet elastic (springy), the stride free and ground-covering, the carriage proud and noble. Only a body whose individual parts are built to withstand the most strenuous efforts, assembled as a complete and harmonious whole, can respond to these combined demands. Therefore, to be at his highest efficiency he must never be plump or heavy, and, while equipped for great speed, he must never be racy.

The head imparts to the Boxer a unique individual stamp peculiar to him alone. It must be in perfect proportion to his body, never small in comparison to the overall picture. His muzzle is his most distinctive feature and the greatest value is to be placed on its being of correct form and in absolute proper proportion to the skull. Faults: Head not typical, plump bull-doggy appearance, light bone, lack of balance, bad condition, lack of noble bearing.

Character and temperament are of paramount importance in the Boxer. Instinctively a “hearing” guard-dog, his bearing is alert, dignified and self-assured, even at rest. His behaviour should exhibit constrained animation. His temperament is fundamentally playful, yet patient and stoical with children. Deliberate and wary with strangers, he will exhibit curiosity, but most importantly, fearless courage and tenacity if threatened. However, he responds promptly to friendly overtures when honestly rendered. His intelligence, loyal affection, and tractability to discipline make him a highly desirable companion. Faults: Lack of dignity and alertness, shyness, cowardice, treachery and viciousness (belligerency toward other dogs should not be considered viciousness).