Table of Contents
FOREWORD
K9 EXPERT EDUCATION
If you have taken a Boxer into your home from a responsible breeder or a rescue group or are planning to do so congratulations! You have fallen in love with one of the most appealing characters in all of dogdom.
The American Kennel Club breed standard describes the Boxer as combining strength and agility with elegance and style. Hell remind you of the athletic jock you knew at school who managed to score touchdowns on the football field and straight As on his exams. With his heart of gold and easygoing attitude, he was living proof that nice guys can and do finish first, not last. Thats the Boxer. Big man on campus; totally cool and down-to-earth; and everyones likeable bud.
This breed exhibits curiosity and fearless courage, yet instinctively knows when to tread gently. He is especially patient around the young and the elderly. Many families have fond memories of their children learning to walk by leaning on a pet Boxer.
As the breed standard states unequivocally, character and temperament define the Boxer. Meeting a Boxer for the first time, most people are struck by his dignity, confidence and alert bearing. In the show ring, he is a spirited performer, occasionally silly, but working as one with his human partner. He is animated but under control.
In the words of the breed standard, the Boxers eyes mirror his moods. Combined with the wrinkling of his forehead, the Boxer possesses one of the most expressive faces youll ever encounter.
The Boxers good looks are famous. His short, shiny tight coat hides nothing. This is a spit-and-polish breed when it comes to grooming. The Boxer requires an occasional brushing, along with regular ear cleaning and nail cutting. Wipe his facial wrinkles with a damp cloth to keep them clean.
In the food department, the Boxer is generally considered an easykeeper healthy with a good appetite.
Early socialization and ongoing training are essential to channel the breeds energy in a positive manner. Boxers are smart and adaptable, but you must provide them with a daily outlet for their exuberance. Cooped up and deprived of exercise, the Boxer can go stir crazy and is inventive in finding unacceptable ways to amuse himself.
Whatever the task, this dog will be your enthusiastic sidekick. Boxers do slow down, eventually. However, they are in no hurry to grow up. They tend to be perpetual youngsters, greeting each new day with wonder. Its difficult not to smile when you see a Boxer wagging his tail by wagging his entire back end. To appreciate a Boxer fully, you need energy and a sense of humor.
Allan Reznik
Editor-at-Large, DOG FANCY
With this Smart Owners Guide, you are well on your way to getting your Boxer diploma.
But your Boxer education doesnt end here. Youre invited to join
Club Boxer (
DogChannel.com/ Club-Boxer), a FREE online site with lots of fun and instructive online features like:
forums, blogs and profiles where you can connect with other Boxer owners
downloadable charts and checklists to help you be a smart and loving Boxer owner
access to Boxer-specific e-cards and wallpapers
interactive games
quizzes about dogs
The Smart Owners Guide series and Club Boxer are backed by the experts at DOG FANCY magazine and DogChannel.com who have been providing trusted and up-to-date information about dogs and dog people for more than 40 years. Log on and join the club today!
CHAPTER 1
ALWAYS A CHAMP
The affable, people-oriented Boxer possesses a delightful but challenging overabundance of personality, which demands management and patience on the smart owners part. Exuberant, enthusiastic, active, independent, with a love for clowning, well-bred Boxers have temperaments well-suited for interactive pet owners with high-energy lives.
Knowing the temperament traits of the Boxer and what they will mean to you as a potential Boxer companion are essential before bringing home that jowly mug on four (powerful) legs. To make it easy, weve listed the top Boxer characteristics.
ROUND 1: EXUBERANCE UNLEASHED
Ask any Boxer owner what Boxers are like and chances are youll hear the word exuberant mentioned at least once. They can be pretty boisterous, and that gets on some peoples nerves, says Virginia Zurflieh, a Boxer breeder in Tampa, Fla. They arent hyper, but they are certainly enthusiastic.
That natural enthusiasm can be a bonus in the show ring, where having an animated personality makes the Boxer stand out, but it can also be a deterrent in activities, such as competitive obedience. They really are free spirits, says Wendy Wallner, D.V.M., a Boxer breeder in Loganville, Ga. Obedience competition can turn into a comedy act when a Boxer decides to take a break right in the middle of a recall [an obedience cue that you use to call the dog toward you] to roll in something that smells good in the middle of the ring, or take a detour to go visit interesting people sitting in the crowd. Then, they come back, do what you said, and act like it was all part of the routine.
This isnt a mellow, couch-potato dog. Although Boxers are less active than some dogs, they do best with owners who appreciate and can accommodate their natural exuberance and zest for life.
Even though we spent a lot of time researching different breeds, we were not prepared for the exuberance of a Boxer. It has been an adjustment, but we love our Boxer dearly, and Sable really is such a good dog, says Boxer owner Janet LaGasse from Nashville, Tenn. But sometimes we think we should have named Sable Rambunctious instead. Of course, shes so cute that she gets away with things.
Meet other Boxer owners just like you. On our Boxer forums, you can chat about your Boxer and ask other owners for advice on training, health issues and anything else about your favorite dog breed. Log onto DogChannel.com/Club-Boxer for details!
ROUND 2: FOREVER YOUNG
