At Infinity Pups, we aim to match each puppy with a loving, caring home – and to match caretakers with a loveable furry companion.
A new puppy is the perfect addition to your home, but there are so many breeds to choose from, each with its own needs and temperaments.
How can you make an informed decision on which puppy is best for your home, family, and specific needs?
With years of experience matching the right pup to the right family, we can help you decide if a Boxer is right for you.
With their winning personality, fearlessness, loyalty, and striking looks, a Boxer is an excellent addition to an active family. In this blog, we’ll discuss whether this loyal, affectionate, intelligent, and handsome dog is what you’re looking for.
Ready? Let’s get started!
History and Characteristics of the Boxer
Originally bred as hunting dogs in Germany, Boxers were also used as military dogs. After World War 2, returning GIs brought these beautiful dogs back to America, and the breed soon became popular as a companion, show dog, and guard dog.
Today, the Boxers' intelligence, liveliness, and friendliness make them great family companions. However, they can also be service dogs, guide dogs, therapy dogs, police dogs, and even herding dogs.
A healthy Boxer is a majestic sight—muscular, deep-chested with a short, tight-fitting coat that shows off its rippling muscles. A male stands up to 25 inches at the shoulder, while females are slightly smaller. Their dark eyes and wrinkled faces give them an intelligent, alert appearance.
Despite their powerful appearance, Boxers are upbeat and playful. Their patience and protective natures give them a reputation for being great with children, and will watch over their families fearlessly.
Temperament
It’s clear Boxers have an impressive lineage and resume, but that doesn’t mean they’re the right dog for everyone.
Let’s take a deeper look at the temperament of Boxers so you can make an informed decision whether or not the Boxer is right for you and your family.
1 - Energetic and playful
Boxers are bright, energetic, playful, and very good with children. In fact, they are known to be silly playmates with kids. This combination makes them ideal for keeping up with the little ones.
However, they can be known to jump and paw when they play, so teaching them to stay down is beneficial.
2 - Loyal and versatile
Boxers love to be with their humans! They are ideal for people who want a canine companion to be with them most of the time or larger, busy families with homes where someone is often around the house.
Boxers also do well in apartments, provided they get to go out to romp and expel energy.
As providing exercise and mental stimulation is essential for a happy, healthy Boxer, they excel in dog sports such as rally, agility and lure coursing.
3 - Patient and Protective
Not only are they patient with children, but they are also very protective and fearless, making them a popular choice for families.
Boxers are not aggressive by nature, but once bonded to family, they are wary of strangers and take the job of watchdog and family guardian earnestly. That’s why it’s important to have them well-socialized at an early age - without this, they can get overprotective and standoffish toward strangers.
Grooming and Care Needs
Before purchasing a Boxer puppy, you should fully know his care needs! After all, if you bring a puppy home, you are responsible for their physical and emotional well-being. Failure to properly care for your puppy can result in an unruly puppy at best and trouble with the law at worst.
Here’s a list of the primary things your Boxer will need to be adequately cared for:
Nutrition:
Provide a balanced and nutritious diet, including protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, but avoid overfeeding. Always ensure a supply of fresh, clean water. Food high in quality protein promotes healthy muscles, especially the heart. Omega-3 fatty acids support healthy skin, fur, kidneys and heart too.
Grooming:
Boxers have a short, shiny coat of fur that requires very little grooming. They shed frequently, so brushing them once or twice a week should keep them looking their best. They also tend to be clean dogs, so they only need a bath occasionally.
Socialization and Training:
Boxers are highly intelligent, so it’s essential to keep them active and mentally engaged with a variety of activities, such as sports or games. Because of this, Boxers are excellent candidates as service dogs, therapy dogs, and even search-and-rescue dogs.
Living Environment:
Ideally, Boxers should have access to a fenced yard, but they can adapt to apartment life if you provide them with enough space and outdoor exercise. They do not have a high tolerance for extreme heat or cold, so it is essential to keep them indoors as a beloved family member.
Love and Companionship:
The Boxer loves to be with family and needs frequent attention, or he will exhibit signs of separation anxiety. The Boxer is an affectionate, courageous, and dependable family dog, so treat him like a member of your family, and you will have years of loyal companionship!
Healthcare
Like all dog breeds, Boxers should have regular veterinary check-ups for preventive care, vaccinations, and parasite control. Some potential health issues that could affect your Boxer include:
- Cancer - Cancer is one of the most common health conditions in Boxers. There are treatments depending on what type of cancer a Boxer develops, but surgery is most often used to remove the affected tissue.
- Overheating and breathing issues - Boxers are a brachycephalic (flat-faced) breed, meaning that they are prone to overheating and breathing issues. As with most flat-faced breeds, this can also make them gassy and drool a lot.
- Gastric Dilation-Volvulus - this is a condition where the stomach fills up with food and gas, causing expansion and pressure. This is a severe condition of deep-chested dogs, such as Boxers. Avoid feeding them from elevated bowls to reduce this risk.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia is a genetic and developmental disorder that causes abnormal hip and elbow joint formation in dogs. Left untreated, it can lead to joint instability, which can cause pain, lameness, and joint arthritis.
Frequent vet visits will help detect these potential issues sooner so that they can be dealt with before your Boxer’s health is affected. A good vet will always look out for issues that are specific to your Boxer.
And don’t worry – vet visits can be expensive, but they don’t have to be. Pet insurance will cover most of the vet visits and medications required to keep your Boxer healthy and happy for many years.
Responsible breeders also screen their stock for health conditions, so don’t buy a puppy from a breeder without a health guarantee!
Alternate Breeds
If you’ve read this far, it means you’re considering Boxers seriously and likely know if a Boxer is right for you. If you don’t, we understand - getting matched to the right dog to match your lifestyle is crucial, and we’re happy to help! Here are some alternate breeds to consider based on your needs:
Dogs for Families
If you’re looking for a friendly pup that does well with children and other pets, you might consider:
Dogs for Apartment Dwellers
If you live in a small space, such as an apartment, and are looking for dogs that adapt well to apartment living, you may consider:
- A French Bulldog
- A Maltese.
- A Shih Tzu
Hypoallergenic Dogs
Finally, if you’re looking for a hypoallergenic breed, here are some alternate pups to consider:
- A Bichon Frise
- A Portuguese Water Dog
- A Labradoodle is a hybrid breed that inherits hypoallergenic qualities from its Poodle parents and is also great with children.
How Infinity Pups Can Help
Whether your heart is set on a Boxer or you’re still browsing your puppy options, we’d love to help!
At Infinity Pups, we aim to match you with a puppy that is perfect for you and your family.
Our puppies are health-guaranteed and always come from reputable breeders.
Browse our available puppies and find the right furry friend that brings joy and companionship to you and your family!
