Page 302 - ShowSight - January 2020

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BOXER
Congratulations! You are now sharing your life with a Boxer— he wouldn’t have it any other way! The Boxer’s most notable char- acteristic is his desire for human affection. Though his spirited bearing, square jaw, and cleanly muscled body suggest the well- conditioned middleweight athlete of dogdom, the Boxer is happi- est when he is with people—especially children. He is truly a “dog for all seasons,” suiting the need for household guardian, attractive companion, playmate and loyal friend.
HISTORY
The Boxer’s origins are ancient, dating back as far as 2500 BC. But it was Germany in the 19th century that refined and developed the breed as we know it today. The Boxer was used on the ducal estates to run down and hold large, fierce game—wild boar, bear and bison—until the human hunter could approach and dispatch the quarry. To that end, the Boxer was bred to be a powerful, mus- cular dog with the wide undershot jaw for maximum holding pow- er. Though he is not used any longer for such pursuits, the Boxer of today should be able to perform the duties for which he was bred.
BEAUTY AND BRAINS
The Boxer is a hearing guard dog, ever alert to protect his family but tolerant of any stranger once he knows there is no danger. He is a happy, exuberant dog who delights in children and is eager to play long after he has left puppy hood behind. The mood-mirroring quality of his expression and his overall sweet nature have endeared him to generations of Boxer owners. He is a natural show-off, and Boxers excel at Conformation, and performance events ranging from tracking humans and scent work to agility, obedience and herding of livestock. The Boxer enjoys varied working tasks includ- ing police, search and rescue, service, assistance and therapy. The well-trained Boxer is a glorious sight to behold.
The Boxer is a medium sized dog ranging from 211⁄2" in height for a smaller female to 25" and sometimes more for a taller male. Adult weight may reach 65-80 lbs. in the male with the females
about 15 lbs. less. There are no giant or miniature varieties. The short, close-lying coat comes in two equally acceptable colors— fawn and brindle. The fawn may vary from a tawny tan to a stag red. The brindle ranges from sparse, but clearly defined black stripes on a fawn background to such a heavy concentration of black striping that the essential fawn background color barely, although clearly, shows through—creating the appearance of “reverse” brin- dling. White markings should be of such distribution to enhance the dog’s appearance, but may not exceed 1/3 of the entire coat. It is not uncommon to have an entirely white Boxer born in a litter, or one with predominately white background known as a “check.” In order to retain the beauty of the fawn and brindle colors, the Ameri- can Boxer Club members are pledged not to use these “whites” for breeding. They may not compete in Conformation classes but are eligible for Performance events.
CARE OF YOUR BOXER
The Boxer requires relatively little grooming, but ownership of any dog is a definite responsibility. He must not be allowed to run loose. Exercise within a fenced area or on a leash will be adequate. Death from automobiles, poisons, or other hazards await the Boxer who is allowed to roam. While he is learning to be a responsible member of the household, especially while still a puppy, a crate is very advisable. It will protect him from household temptations and dangers while you are away. In addition, it is a great aid in house- breaking—your Boxer will rarely soil his crate. Be sure to use a collar with care. They can and do snag on the most unlikely objects with tragic consequences. Your Boxer should not be left alone with a collar around his neck—or while playing with canine friends. The Boxer has a natural tendency to keep himself clean, but it is the owner’s responsibility to keep his nails trimmed to a reasonable length, and to keep his teeth clean as he ages. An occasional bath
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW
BOXER!
BY AMERICAN BOXER CLUB
294 • ShowSight Magazine, January 2020