Boxers (Eye to Eye With Dogs)

© 2005 Rourke Publishing LLC All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher. www.rourkepublishing.com PHOTO CREDITS: All photos © Lynn M. Stone Title page: In agility training, a boxer leaps through a plastic hoop.

Acknowledgments: For their helping the preparation of this book, the author thanks Ed and Betty Chessel, Anita and Tim Raneiri, and Shawna and Pat Richgels. Editor: Frank Sloan Cover and page design by Nicola Stratford

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Stone, Lynn M. Boxers / Lynn M. Stone. p. cm. -- (Eye to eye with dogs II) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 1-59515-158-3 (hardcover) 1. Boxer (Dog breed)--Juvenile literature. I. Title. II. Series: Stone, Lynn M. Eye to eye with dogs II. SF429.B75S76 2004 636.73--dc22 2004008023

Printed in the USA CG/CG

Table of Contents The Boxer

5

The Dog for You?

8

Boxers of the Past

12

Looks

18

A Note about Dogs

22

Glossary

23

Index

24

Further Reading/Website

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The Boxer Many people don’t know it, but boxers are among the most playful dogs. Boxer owners say that most boxers are always puppies at heart, even as they get older. But there is another side to a boxer’s personality. Boxers are fearless, and they BOXER FACTS are suspicious of strangers. Those Weight: 50-80 pounds characteristics, (23-36 kilograms) especially in male Height: 21-25 inches (54-64 centimeters) boxers, make them Country of Origin: useful guard dogs. Germany Their muscular build Life Span: 8-10 years and size also make them good guardians. A boxer can be taught to be a no-nonsense guard dog.

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5

The Boxer Many people don’t know it, but boxers are among the most playful dogs. Boxer owners say that most boxers are always puppies at heart, even as they get older. But there is another side to a boxer’s personality. Boxers are fearless, and they BOXER FACTS are suspicious of strangers. Those Weight: 50-80 pounds characteristics, (23-36 kilograms) especially in male Height: 21-25 inches (54-64 centimeters) boxers, make them Country of Origin: useful guard dogs. Germany Their muscular build Life Span: 8-10 years and size also make them good guardians. A boxer can be taught to be a no-nonsense guard dog.

4

5

Entering the backyard of boxers you don’t know is not a good idea.

No one is quite sure where the boxer got its name. It may be from the dog’s habit of rearing up and jabbing at another boxer with its forelegs. Most boxers today are family companions.

A boxer invites its owner to romp in the backyard.

6

The boxer is grouped with several other breeds of dogs in the “working dog” group. That is based largely on the work that boxers did many, many years ago as hunting dogs and bull-baiters. A few boxers are used today as working guard dogs. Most, though, are kept as family companions. 7

Entering the backyard of boxers you don’t know is not a good idea.

No one is quite sure where the boxer got its name. It may be from the dog’s habit of rearing up and jabbing at another boxer with its forelegs. Most boxers today are family companions.

A boxer invites its owner to romp in the backyard.

6

The boxer is grouped with several other breeds of dogs in the “working dog” group. That is based largely on the work that boxers did many, many years ago as hunting dogs and bull-baiters. A few boxers are used today as working guard dogs. Most, though, are kept as family companions. 7

The Dog for You? The boxer is a popular dog for good reasons. It’s handsome, athletic, and full of personality. It also has a short, shiny fur coat that does not require constant brushing.

Taught to weave quickly between stakes, this boxer is getting a good workout.

Fast on their feet and quick to learn, boxers do well in agility events.

8

Boxers are not easy dogs to care for. They are active dogs, and they require active owners. Because it can be stubborn, a boxer needs an owner with a kind, but firm, hand. Boxers are generally good with children, but some boxers are aggressive toward other dogs. 9

The Dog for You? The boxer is a popular dog for good reasons. It’s handsome, athletic, and full of personality. It also has a short, shiny fur coat that does not require constant brushing.

Taught to weave quickly between stakes, this boxer is getting a good workout.

Fast on their feet and quick to learn, boxers do well in agility events.

8

Boxers are not easy dogs to care for. They are active dogs, and they require active owners. Because it can be stubborn, a boxer needs an owner with a kind, but firm, hand. Boxers are generally good with children, but some boxers are aggressive toward other dogs. 9

A boxer needs daily exercise, either in a large, fenced yard or on a long walk or jog with its owner. And because they do not do well in either hot or cold weather, boxers need time indoors. Once indoors, however, their size and puppy personality can be very difficult for their owners to accept.

Boxers respond well to firm owners.

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11

A boxer needs daily exercise, either in a large, fenced yard or on a long walk or jog with its owner. And because they do not do well in either hot or cold weather, boxers need time indoors. Once indoors, however, their size and puppy personality can be very difficult for their owners to accept.

Boxers respond well to firm owners.

10

11

Boxers of the Past In the 1700s, German dog breeds known as Bullenbaisers were used by hunters to chase and grab large game animals with their strong jaws. These dogs were strong but quick.

The boxer’s short muzzle came from its Bullenbaiser ancestors.

An owner walks her boxer—or is it the other way around?

12

They had short muzzles, or noses, that helped them to breathe easily while they clung with their teeth to the deer or wild boar. The dogs were also used to attack bulls in a former “sporting event.” 13

Boxers of the Past In the 1700s, German dog breeds known as Bullenbaisers were used by hunters to chase and grab large game animals with their strong jaws. These dogs were strong but quick.

The boxer’s short muzzle came from its Bullenbaiser ancestors.

An owner walks her boxer—or is it the other way around?

12

They had short muzzles, or noses, that helped them to breathe easily while they clung with their teeth to the deer or wild boar. The dogs were also used to attack bulls in a former “sporting event.” 13

Around 1830, German hunters began to develop a new breed. They used Bullenbaisers along with terriers, large mastiffs, and finally bulldogs.

The boxer’s face is somewhat like a bulldog’s. However, boxers are taller and slimmer.

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15

Around 1830, German hunters began to develop a new breed. They used Bullenbaisers along with terriers, large mastiffs, and finally bulldogs.

The boxer’s face is somewhat like a bulldog’s. However, boxers are taller and slimmer.

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15

The end result, by 1895, was the boxer. In 1904 the boxer was accepted by the American Kennel Club as a new breed.

In the 1800s, the English bulldog was one of the breeds used to develop the boxer.

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17

The end result, by 1895, was the boxer. In 1904 the boxer was accepted by the American Kennel Club as a new breed.

In the 1800s, the English bulldog was one of the breeds used to develop the boxer.

16

17

Looks The boxer has a short, square, black muzzle. It has long legs, a deep chest, and a stubby tail. It has a wrinkled forehead.

This boxer has a brindled and white coat.

A deep chest, stubby tail, and a short muzzle are boxer trademarks.

18

Ideally, boxers are either fawn colored with some white or brindled and white. Brindled boxers are tan or brown with some striping. All-white boxers are fairly common, but they cannot be show dogs. They often have more health problems than other boxers. 19

Looks The boxer has a short, square, black muzzle. It has long legs, a deep chest, and a stubby tail. It has a wrinkled forehead.

This boxer has a brindled and white coat.

A deep chest, stubby tail, and a short muzzle are boxer trademarks.

18

Ideally, boxers are either fawn colored with some white or brindled and white. Brindled boxers are tan or brown with some striping. All-white boxers are fairly common, but they cannot be show dogs. They often have more health problems than other boxers. 19

North American boxers usually have sharp, upright ears. Upright ears are not natural. Boxer pups are born with floppy ears. To get upright ears, boxer pups undergo minor ear surgery called cropping. Then their ears are taped upright for at least one month.

The tape on this pup’s ears will be removed when its ears stand upright by themselves.

In England, cropping of boxer ears is against the law. Boxers keep their floppy ears. Some American owners would prefer that their boxers keep their floppy ears, too. The sharp, upright ears of boxers in North America do not happen naturally.

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21

North American boxers usually have sharp, upright ears. Upright ears are not natural. Boxer pups are born with floppy ears. To get upright ears, boxer pups undergo minor ear surgery called cropping. Then their ears are taped upright for at least one month.

The tape on this pup’s ears will be removed when its ears stand upright by themselves.

In England, cropping of boxer ears is against the law. Boxers keep their floppy ears. Some American owners would prefer that their boxers keep their floppy ears, too. The sharp, upright ears of boxers in North America do not happen naturally.

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21

A Note about Dogs Puppies are cute and cuddly, but only after serious thought should anybody buy one. Puppies grow up. Choosing the right breed requires some homework. And remember that a dog will require more than love and patience. It will need healthy food, exercise, grooming, a warm, safe place in which to live, and medical care. A dog can be your best friend, but you need to be its best friend, too. For more information about buying and owning a dog, contact the American Kennel Club at http://www.akc.org/index.cfm or the Canadian Kennel Club at http://www.ckc.ca/. 22

Glossary aggressive (uh GRES siv) — wanting to attack or attacking breeds (BREEDZ) — particular kinds of domestic animals within a larger, closely related group, such as the boxer breed within the dog group brindled (BRIN duld) — having hard-to-see streaks of dark color on a lighter background bull-baiters (BUHL BAYT urz) — dogs that were used to attack and bite bulls in a ring or arena cropping (CROP ping) — the minor surgery that removes part of an animal’s ear muzzle (MUZ zul) — the nose and jaws of animals; a snout

23

A Note about Dogs Puppies are cute and cuddly, but only after serious thought should anybody buy one. Puppies grow up. Choosing the right breed requires some homework. And remember that a dog will require more than love and patience. It will need healthy food, exercise, grooming, a warm, safe place in which to live, and medical care. A dog can be your best friend, but you need to be its best friend, too. For more information about buying and owning a dog, contact the American Kennel Club at http://www.akc.org/index.cfm or the Canadian Kennel Club at http://www.ckc.ca/. 22

Glossary aggressive (uh GRES siv) — wanting to attack or attacking breeds (BREEDZ) — particular kinds of domestic animals within a larger, closely related group, such as the boxer breed within the dog group brindled (BRIN duld) — having hard-to-see streaks of dark color on a lighter background bull-baiters (BUHL BAYT urz) — dogs that were used to attack and bite bulls in a ring or arena cropping (CROP ping) — the minor surgery that removes part of an animal’s ear muzzle (MUZ zul) — the nose and jaws of animals; a snout

23

Index American Kennel Club 17 mastiffs

14

breeds

13, 18

bulldogs

7

muzzles 14

tail 18

Bullenbaisers ears

12, 14

20, 21

exercise

11

fur coat

8

guard dogs

terriers

14

working dogs

7

5, 7

Further Reading Beauchamp, Richard. Boxers for Dummies. John Wiley & Sons, 2000. Carroll, David L. The ASPCA Complete Guide to Pet Care. Plume, 2001. Fogle, Bruce. The Dog Owner’s Manual. DK Publishing, 2003. Wilcox, Charlotte. The Boxer. Capstone, 2001.

Websites to Visit American Boxer Club at americanboxerclub.org/

About the Author Lynn M. Stone is the author of more than 400 children’s books. He is a talented natural history photographer as well. Lynn, a former teacher, travels worldwide to photograph wildlife in its natural habitat.

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