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Home > Contests, Photos & Fun > Pet Breed Info Links, Rescue Links > Dog Breed & Rescue Information > Boxer > Clowns of the Dog World: Boxers
 | Clowns of the Dog World: Boxers
Boxers make wonderful pets for those who have the patience and a firm hand to control their joyful displays of exuberant behavior. Stalwart protectors and loyal members of the family, boxers come with a vast array of personalities and style. The soft chamois color of fawn or the dark mottled look of brindle, they have a face those that love them call adorable and others may call downright homely. A scrunched in black wrinkled snout, clear bright eyes, and cropped ears add a perky look to the head of a boxer. Leggy and quick, a boxer can spring in the air to catch a toy effortlessly. If not taught to behave appropriately, front legs land on a chest with a thump while the recipient of the greeting falls backwards.
Historically, boxers hale from Germany where they were bred to hunt wild boar and likely other game. Cropping of ears and tails prevented wild animals from grabbing hold of flopping ears and injuring the dog. Today cropping ears is thought of as somewhat cruel procedure, so more people are letting their boxer’s ears flop. When playing or fighting boxers will stand on their hind legs and put up their dukes as if they’re in the ring with gloves on and at some point this characteristic of boxing became the breed name. Over the years the breed has been refined and now the world is blessed with a playful, fun-loving breed with tendencies to get into all kinds of pickles.
You’ve made a decision to adopt a boxer as part of your family. The first step requires research. Learn all you can about the breed. Visit friends, acquaintances, or stop someone on the street walking a boxer and ask them about their dog. Choose a boxer from a reputable breeder. Let the litter of puppies run about in an open space. You will quickly be able to tell who the ring leader is. This is the fearless pup that scurries about finding something to investigate. Pass this puppy by even if it sports the markings you just love. Every litter seems to have a runt that is often times shy and hangs back while the others tumble and play. If you want a dog that may be a bit timid this one may fit your desires. The best dogs come from the middle of the pack, they’re not so timid that they won’t explore, nor are they so animated that they won’t settle down. Just take the time to find the puppy that best suits your needs. If your heart is not set on a puppy, look for an older dog at the nearest animal shelter or pound to rescue and take home to cherish.
Training a boxer takes a firm hand and lots of patience. The little clown will frustrate you, but if you’re consistent and firm, he’ll get the message and become well-behaved, at least most of the time. Boxers, like the energizer bunny can keep going and going and need an open expanse to run in. If you live in the city, you’ll need to be able to take your boxer out to a park to run off excess energy. Boxers and children get along well as long as the dog has been taught not to jump up. Their buoyant excitement can knock visitors, especially children off their feet.
As lovable and charming as these clowns of the dog world are they have a drawback. It’s as if they know they have a short life span and so the boxer must make every moment count. The world about them is their playground and everything in it was put there for their fun and pleasure. Boxers are prone to cancer and have a life expectancy of only 8 to 10 years.
The boxer is not for every family. If you prefer a quiet household then it’s doubtful you’ll enjoy the antics of a boxer. If you don’t have the time or space to walk or get rowdy with a dog, then you’ll want to look at a different breed. If you enjoy a fun-loving atmosphere that includes a dog with a clownish character and you have both the love and firm hand to train such an animal then you’re going to adore the boxer.
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