The Boxer is a versatile breed with a fantastic disposition, often craving the company of humans. He can serve a number of functions and fits into all manner of households quite easily. A lover of children, he makes a terrific and gentle family dog. He can also play the part of guard dog relatively easily – a job that he will take very seriously. Unlike some other guarding breeds, he can still be relaxed around strangers as long as he is given the “ok”. Despite his tough appearance, he is genuinely soft-hearted and loyal with his owners.
Boxers are incredibly playful dogs – a trait which often continues well past puppyhood. They require an owner that will play with them on a regular basis! Boxers that are ignored for long periods of time can become mischievous and frustrating to live with. The same can be said for exercise – this is a fairly high energy breed that needs daily outings to keep from becoming destructive. All-in-all, these dogs have the potential of being easygoing household companions… as long as the owner puts in the work.
Boxers do not do well in extreme temperatures of cold or heat. Hot days can be particularly deadly because the Boxer’s short muzzle can cause overheating. They should never be left outside without supervision if the temperature is expected to get hot! On cold days, they need to be given a coat if they are going outside. Their short coat is not particularly insulating to cold weather.
The Boxer is quiet in the house and will generally only bark when he has good reason to. Furthermore, he is not spastic and overly hyper (as long as he is regularly exercised). He is content to lay at his owner’s feet for hours on end, or share the couch and watch tv! He can make a decent apartment dog as long as the owner is able to take the dog out frequently for exercise, training and play. He does not thrive in an environment (apartment or house) where he is left alone for long stretches of time.
This breed is known for mimicking the emotions of his owner. If the owner is happy, so is the Boxer! On the other hand, if the owner is feeling sad the Boxer will be a quiet source of comfort. They have been called sensitive souls and are incredibly tuned-in to moods. If they were to have a “default state”, many would say it would be affectionate. They will show their affection in whichever way most mirrors their owner’s emotions.
Training comes naturally to the Boxer, which may be the reason why the breed is often seen competing in so many different events! It should be warned, however, that this breed has a well-developed sense of humor and may try to add “his own spin” to the training process. A pinch of patience will probably be required! Besides the usual events (rally, obedience, agility, etc.), the Boxer has been successfully trained to be guide dogs, seizure-alert dogs, narcotics detectors, search and rescue dogs, therapy dogs, hearing dogs for the deaf, couriers in war, and police dogs! Because of their highly-varied working background, every member of the breed must have mental challenges given to them.
Some Boxers do not get along well with other dogs. Same-sex aggression is not unusual to see. If socialized very early on, however, many opposite-sex pairs get along just fine. Both genetics as well as socialization will determine whether a particular Boxer will have problems with other dogs or not. With Boxers that DO enjoy the company of their species, they tend to play in a unique way – they use their paws frequently.
Grooming a Boxer is a simple task and mostly involves keeping up with nail trims and teeth cleaning. The short coat does need to be brushed in order to pull out dead coat and prevent excessive shedding. The most frequent grooming task often involves wiping drool from the dog’s face – yes, the breed does drool.
