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Boxers make great pets
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'''Boxers are really cute and lovable! I have two of them!!! Everyone should get a boxer!!! '''
{{Infobox Dogbreed
<!-- Put article text AFTER this infobox markup. See: -->
<!-- Wikipedia:WikiProject Dog breeds/Templates for more info.-->
| image = Boxer (dog).jpg
| image_caption = Brindle Boxers with uncropped and [[Docking (dog)|cropped]] ears
| name = Boxer
| altname = German Boxer <br /> Deutscher Boxer <br/> German Bullmastiff (not to be confused with the german mastiff, great dane)
| country = [[Germany]]
| fcigroup = 2
| fcisection = 2
| fcinum = 144
| fcistd = http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:lJmL-sCl80oJ:www.fci.be/uploaded_files/144GB2008_en.doc+http://www.fci.be/uploaded_files/144GB2008_en.doc&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us
| akcgroup = Working
| akcstd = http://www.akc.org/breeds/boxer/index.cfm
| ankcgroup = Group 6 (Utility)
| ankcstd = http://www.ankc.aust.com/boxer.html
| ckcgroup = Group 3 - Working
| ckcstd = http://www.ckc.ca/en/Default.aspx?tabid=99&BreedCode=BXR
| kcukgroup = Working
| kcukstd = http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/45
| nzkcgroup = Utility
| nzkcstd = http://www.nzkc.org.nz/br608.html
| ukcgroup = Guardian
| ukcstd = http://www.ukcdogs.com/WebSite.nsf/Breeds/Boxer
| maleweight = {{convert|66|-|70|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
| femaleweight = {{convert|55|-|60|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
| maleheight = 22-25 ins. (57-63 cms.)
| femaleheight = 21-23 ins. (53-59 cms.)
| coat = short, shiny, smooth, close-lying
| color = [[fawn (colour)|fawn]] or [[brindle]], [[melanistic mask|black mask]], with or without white markings
| litter_size = average 6-8
| life_span = average 10 years
}}<!-- End Infobox -->

Developed in Germany, the '''Boxer''' is a [[dog breed|breed]] of stocky, medium size, short-haired [[dog]]. The coat is smooth and fawn, [[brindled]], white, or even reverse [[brindled]] with or without white markings. Boxers are [[Cephalic_index#Brachycephalic_animals|brachycephalic]] (they have broad, short skulls), and have a square muzzle, [[mandible|mandibular]] [[prognathism]] (an underbite), very strong [[jaw]]s and a powerful [[bite]] ideal for hanging on to large prey. The Boxer was bred from the [[English Bulldog]] and the now extinct [[Bullenbeisser]] and is part of the [[Molosser]], [[mastiff]] group.

Boxers were first exhibited in a dog show for [[St. Bernard (dog)|St. Bernards]] at Munich in 1895, the first Boxer club being founded the next year. Based on 2009 [[American Kennel Club]] statistics, Boxers are the sixth most popular breed of dog in the [[United States]] for the third year in a row—moving up in 2007 from the seventh spot, which they'd held since 2002.<ref name="RegStats">{{cite web|url=http://www.akc.org/reg/dogreg_stats.cfm |title=Registration Statistics |author= American Kennel Club}}</ref>

==Appearance==
[[File:Boxer proportions.jpg|thumb|left|Head and body proportions.]]
The head is the most distinctive feature of the Boxer. The breed standard dictates that it must be in perfect proportion to the body and above all it must never be too light.<ref name="BoxerHead">{{cite web |url= http://www.worldwideboxer.com/PAGE6.html |title= The Boxer Head |author=The Worldwide Boxer }}</ref> The greatest value is to be placed on the muzzle being of correct form and in absolute proportion to the skull. The length of the muzzle to the whole of the head should be a ratio of 1:49. Folds are always present from the root of the nose running downwards on both sides of the muzzle, and the tip of the nose should lie somewhat higher than the root of the muzzle. In addition a Boxer should be slightly [[prognathism|prognathous]], i.e., the lower jaw should protrude beyond the upper jaw and bend slightly upwards in what is commonly called an underbite or "undershot bite".<ref name="BoxerBite">{{cite web |url= http://www.americanboxerclub.org/illstand5.html |title= The Boxer Bite |author= American Boxer Club Illustrated Standard }}</ref>

Boxers were originally a [[Docking (dog)|docked and cropped]] breed, and this tradition is still maintained in some countries. However, due to pressure from veterinary associations, [[animal rights]] groups and the general public, both cropping of the ears and docking of the tail have been prohibited in many countries around the world. There is a line of naturally short-tailed ([[bobtail]]) Boxers that was developed in the [[United Kingdom] in anticipation of a tail docking ban there;<ref name="Bobtails">{{cite web |url= http://www.steynmere.com/ARTICLES1.html |title= Genetics Can Be Fun |author= Dr. Bruce Cattanach }}</ref> after several generations of controlled breeding, these dogs were accepted in the Kennel Club (UK) registry in 1998, and today representatives of the bobtail line can be found in many countries around the world. However, in 2008, the [[Fédération Cynologique Internationale|FCI]] added a "naturally stumpy tail" as a disqualifying fault in their breed standard, meaning those Boxers born with a bobtail are no longer able to be shown (or, in some cases, bred) in FCI member countries. In the United States and Canada as of 2009, cropped ears are still more common in [[Conformation show|show dogs]]. In March 2005 the [[American Kennel Club|AKC]] breed standard was changed to include a description of the uncropped ear, but to severely penalize an undocked tail.
Although a Boxer may not be as big as another breed, make no mistake, what a Boxer may lack in size or weight, it makes up for in near unmatchable strength.

===Coat and colors ===
[[File:Boxer colors.jpg|thumb|Boxers are either fawn (middle frame) or brindle (bottom frame), with or without white markings, which, when excessive are conventionally called ''"white"'' Boxers (top frame).]]

The Boxer is a short-haired breed, with a shiny, smooth coat that lies tight to the body. The recognized colors are [[fawn (colour)|fawn]] and [[brindle]], often with a white underbelly and white on the front or all four feet. These white markings, called ''flash'', often extend onto the neck or face, and dogs that have these markings are known as "flashy". "Fawn" denotes a range of color, the tones of which may be described variously as light tan or yellow, reddish tan, mahogany or stag/deer red, and dark honey-blonde. In the UK, fawn Boxers are typically rich in color and are called "red". "Brindle" refers to a dog with black stripes on a fawn background. There are no pure bred Black Boxers, but generally a reverse brindle is mistaken as "black." The breed standards state that the fawn background must clearly contrast with or show through the brindling, so a dog that is too heavily brindled may be disqualified by the breed standard.

===White Boxers===
Boxers with white markings covering more than one-third of their coat - conventionally called "white" Boxers - are neither albino nor rare; approximately 20–25% of all Boxers born are white.<ref name="white">{{cite web|url=http://www.boxerclubofcanada.com/codeethics.html |title=Boxer Club of Canada Code of Ethics}}</ref> Genetically, these dogs are either fawn or brindle, with excessive white markings overlying the base coat color. Like fair-skinned humans, white Boxers have a higher risk of sunburn and associated skin cancers than colored Boxers. The extreme piebald gene, which is responsible for white markings in Boxers, is linked to congenital sensorineural deafness in dogs. It is estimated that about 18% of white Boxers are deaf in one or both ears,<ref name="deafness">{{cite web|url=http://www.americanboxerclub.org/white-deafness.html |title=White Boxers and Deafness |accessdate= 2006-09-05 |author= Cattanach, Bruce }}</ref> though Boxer rescue organizations see about double that number.<ref name="deafrescue">{{cite web|url=http://www.sarkelboxers.com/coatcolor.html |title=Coat Colors in Boxers and the American Boxer Club, Inc. |author=R.D. Conrad & Ann Gilbert }}</ref><ref name="deafrescue2">{{cite web|url=http://www.boxer-rescue-la.com/Library/articles/white_boxers.htm |title=A Boxer is a Boxer is a Boxer: Deaf Whites in Rescue |author=Claudia Moder, Green Acres Boxer Rescue of WI }}</ref> In the past, breeders often [[Animal euthanasia|euthanized]] white puppies at birth; today, most breeders place white puppies in pet homes with spay/neuter agreements. White Boxers are disqualified from conformation showing by the breed standard, and are prohibited from breeding by every national Boxer club in the world. They can compete in non-conformation events such as obedience and agility, and like their colored counterparts do quite well as service and therapy dogs.

==Temperament==
{{cquote2|The character of the Boxer is of the greatest importance and demands the most solicitous attention. It is renowned from olden times for its great love and faithfulness to its master and household. It is harmless in the family, but distrustful of strangers, bright and friendly of temperament at play, but brave and determined when aroused. Its intelligence and willing tractability, its modesty, and cleanliness make it a highly desirable family dog and cheerful companion. It is the soul of honesty and loyalty, and is never false or treacherous even in its old age.|''1938 AKC Boxer breed standard''<ref name="StandardTemperament">{{cite web| url=http://www.harvelboxers.com/1938.html | title=1938 AKC Boxer Breed Standard }}</ref>}}

[[File:BostonNarla.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Two boxers engaged in play, UK.]]
Boxers are a bright, energetic and playful breed and tend to be very good with children. They are active and incredibly strong dogs and require adequate exercise to prevent boredom-associated behaviors such as chewing, digging, or licking. Boxers have earned a slight reputation of being "headstrong," which can be related to inappropriate obedience training. Owing to their intelligence and working breed characteristics, training based on corrections often has limited usefulness. Boxers, like other animals, typically respond better to [[positive reinforcement]] techniques such as [[clicker training]], an approach based on [[operant conditioning]] and [[behaviorism]], which affords the dog an opportunity to think independently and to problem-solve.<ref name="EBB" >{{cite book |author=Karla Spitzer |title=[[The Everything Boxer Book]] |origyear=2006 |edition=1st Edition |publisher=[[F+W Media Inc.|F+W Publications, Inc.]] |location=[[Avon, MA]] |isbn=1593375263 |pages=174–175 }}</ref><ref name="TYB" >{{cite book |author=Joan Hustace Walker |title=[[Training Your Boxer]] |origyear=2001 |edition=1st Edition |publisher=[[Barron's Educational Series, Inc.]] |location=[[Hauppauge, NY]] |isbn=0764116347 |pages=7, 11, 16–17 }}</ref> Because of their resistance to repetitive and punishment-based training, [[Stanley Coren]]'s survey of obedience trainers, summarized in his book ''[[The Intelligence of Dogs]]'', ranked Boxers at #48 - average working/obedience intelligence. Many who have actually worked with Boxers disagree quite strongly with Coren's survey results, and maintain that a skilled trainer who uses reward-based methods will find Boxers have far above-average intelligence and working ability.<ref name="EBB"/><ref name="TYB"/><ref name="Gazette Intelligence">{{cite web|publisher= American Boxer Club/AKC Gazette |last=Abraham |first=Stephanie |date=July 1994 |url=http://www.americanboxerclub.org/gaz94-07.html |title= Your Boxer's IQ: Breaking The Code |accessdate= 2009-07-14}}</ref>

The Boxer by nature is not an aggressive or vicious breed but, when provoked, is a formidable guardian of any family or home and, like all dogs, requires socialization.<ref name="BoxerDog">{{cite web|publisher= Boxer-dog.org|last= |first= | date= 2003-05-24 |url= http://www.boxer-dog.org/item/9 |title= Boxer Disposition and Temperament | accessdate= 2006-06-09 }}</ref> Boxers are generally patient with smaller dogs and puppies, but difficulties with larger adult dogs, especially those of the same sex, may occur. More severe fighting can also occur among female boxers.<ref name="BoxerTrainingGuide">{{cite web|publisher= boxertrainingguide.com|last= |first= | date= 2009-09-03 |url= http://www.boxertrainingguide.com/adopt-boxer-dogs-puppies/ |title= Boxer Dogs | accessdate= 2010-05-13 }}</ref> Boxers are generally more comfortable with companionship, in either human or canine form.

==History==
{{details|Bullenbeisser}}
The Boxer is part of the [[Molosser]] dog group, developed in [[Germany]] in the late 19th century from the now extinct [[Bullenbeisser]], a dog of [[Mastiff]] descent, and [[Bulldog]]s brought in from [[Great Britain]]. The Bullenbeisser had been working as a hunting dog for centuries, employed in the pursuit of bear, [[wild boar]], and deer. Its task was to seize the prey and hold it until the hunters arrived. In later years, faster dogs were favored and a smaller Bullenbeisser was bred in [[Province of Brabant|Brabant]], in northern [[Belgium]]. It is generally accepted that the Brabanter Bullenbeisser was a direct ancestor of today's Boxer.<ref name="Wagner1">{{cite web|url=http://www.americanboxerclub.org/boxer_history.html |title=Short History of the Boxer Breed |accessdate= 2007-07-13 |author= John Wagner}}</ref>
In 1894, three Germans by the names of Friedrich Robert, Elard Konig, and R. Hopner decided to stabilize the breed and put it on exhibition at a dog show. This was done in Munich in 1895, and the next year they founded the first Boxer Club, the [[Deutscher Boxer Club]]. The Club went on to publish the first Boxer [[breed standard]] in 1902, a detailed document that has not been changed much to this day.<ref name="IAD" >{{cite book |editor=[[Anne Rogers Clark]] and [[Andrew H. Brace]] (ed.) |title=[[The International Encyclopedia of Dogs]] |origyear=1995 |origmonth= |edition=1st Edition |publisher=[[Howell Book house]] |location=[[New York, New York]] |isbn=0876056249 |oclc=32697706 |pages=140–142 }}</ref>

[[File:Friederich Roberth.jpg|thumb|97px|left|Friedrich Robert and his Boxer, [[1894]]]]
The breed was introduced to other parts of Europe in the late 19th century and to the [[United States]] around the turn of the 20th century. The [[American Kennel Club]] (AKC) registered the first Boxer in 1904, and recognized the first Boxer champion, ''Dampf vom Dom'', in 1915. During [[World War I]], the Boxer was co-opted for military work, acting as a valuable messenger dog, pack-carrier, [[attack dog]], and guard dog. It was not until after [[World War II]] that the Boxer became popular around the world. Taken home by returning soldiers,they introduced the dog to a wider audience and soon became a favorite as a companion, a show dog, and a guard dog.

===Early genealogy===
[[File:Boxer early genealogy.png|thumb|250px|right|Boxer early genealogy chart]]
The German citizen George Alt, a Munich resident, mated a brindle-colored bitch imported from France named ''Flora'' with a local dog of unknown ancestry, known simply as ''"Boxer"'', resulting in a fawn-and-white male, named ''"Lechner's Box"'' after its owner. <!-- [[File:Earlyboxers.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Early Boxers.<ref name="EarlyBoxers">{{cite:) web|publisher=ukboxerdogs|last=Baggley|first=David|date= [[2000]] |url= http://www.ukboxerdogs.co.uk/history.html |title= History of the Boxer Dog |accessdate= 2006-08-08 }}</ref>]] Commented out until copyright issue over this image is resolved. If cleared of possible copyvio violations, can be uncommented. --> This dog was mated with his own dam ''Flora'', and one of its offspring was a bitch called ''Alt's Schecken''. George Alt mated ''Schecken'' with a Bulldog named ''Dr. Toneissen's Tom'' to produce the historically significant dog ''''Mühlbauer's Flocki''. Flocki was the first Boxer to enter the German Stud Book after winning the aforementioned show for [[St. Bernard (dog)|St. Bernard]]s in Munich 1895, which was the first event to have a class specific for Boxers.<ref name="Wagner1"/><ref name="IAD"/>

The white bitch Ch. Blanka von Angertor, Flocki's sister, was even more influential when mated with Piccolo von Angertor (Lechner's Box grandson) to produce the predominantly white (parti-colored) bitch Meta von der Passage, which, even bearing little resemblance with the modern Boxer standard (early photographs depicts her as too long, weak-backed and down-faced), is considered the mother of the breed.<ref name="AndrewBrace">{{cite book | author=[[Andrew Brace|Brace, Andrew H.]] | title=Pet Owner's Guide to the Boxer | publisher=Interpet Ltd | year=2004 | isbn=1-86054-288-3}}</ref><ref name="Wagner">{{cite book | author=[[John Wagner|Wagner, John]] | title=The Boxer | publisher= | year=1939 | id= }}</ref> John Wagner, in ''The Boxer'' (first published in 1939) said the following regarding this bitch:<ref name="Wagner2">{{cite book | author=[[John Wagner|Wagner, John]] | title=The Boxer | publisher= | year=1950 | id= | pages=47 }}</ref>
{{quote|Meta von der Passage played the most important role of the five original ancestors. Our great line of sires all trace directly back to this female. She was a substantially built, low to the ground, brindle and white parti-color, lacking in underjaw and exceedingly lippy. As a producing female few in any breed can match her record. She consistently whelped puppies of marvelous type and rare quality. Those of her offspring sired by Flock St. Salvator and Wotan dominate all present-day pedigrees. Combined with Wotan and Mirzl children, they made the Boxer.}}

===Breed name===
The name "Boxer" is supposedly derived from the breed's tendency to play by standing on its hind legs and "[[boxing]]" with its front paws. According to Andrew H. Brace's ''Pet owner's guide to the Boxer'', this theory is the least plausible explanation.<ref name="AndrewBrace" /> He claims "it's unlikely that a nation so permeated with nationalism would give to one of its most famous breeds a name so obviously anglicised".

German linguistic and historical evidence find the earliest written source for the word Boxer in the 18th century, where it is found in a text in the ''Deutsches Fremdwörterbuch'' (''The German Dictionary of Foreign Words''),<ref name="GermanDict">{{cite book |
author= Strauss, Gerhard; Kämper-Jensen, Heidrun; Nortmeyer, Isolde | title= Deutsches Fremdwörterbuch Bd. 3 | publisher=de Gruyter; Auflage: 2., vollst. neubearb. Aufl. | year=1997 | pages=468 | location=Berlin | isbn=3-11-015741-1}}</ref> which cites an author named Musäus of 1782 writing "daß er aus Furcht vor dem großen Baxer Salmonet ... sich auf einige Tage in ein geräumiges Packfaß ... absentiret hatte". At that time the spelling "baxer" equalled "boxer". Both the verb (''boxen'') and the noun (''Boxer'') were common German language as early as the late 18th century. The term ''Boxl'', also written ''Buxn'' or ''Buchsen'' in the Bavarian dialect, means "short (leather) trousers" or "underwear". The very similar-sounding term ''Boxerl'', also from the Bavarian dialect, is an endearing term for ''Boxer''.<ref name="Musäus">Institute for the German Language, Mannheim and University of Osnabrück, Institute for Linguistic and Literary Sciences.</ref> More in line with historical facts, Brace states that there exist many other theories to explain the origin of the breed name, from which he favors the one claiming the smaller [[Bullenbeisser]] (Brabanter) were also known as "Boxl" and that Boxer is just a [[Corruption (grammar)|corruption]] of that word.<ref name="Musäus" />[[File:Boxerfirstshow.gif|thumb|270px|left|Boxers on the first Boxer exhibition, [[Munich]] 1895]]

In the same vein runs a theory based on the fact that there were a group of dogs known as ''Bierboxer'' in Munich by the time of the breed's development. These dogs were the result from mixes of Bullenbeisser and other similar breeds. ''Bier'' (beer) probably refers to the ''Biergarten'', the typical Munich beergarden, an open-air restaurant where people used to take their dogs along. The nickname "Deutscher Boxer" was derived from ''bierboxer'' and Boxer could also be a corruption of the former or a contraction of the latter.<ref name="bierboxer">{{cite web|publisher= Boxer-Klub E.V. - Sitz München - Deutscher Boxerklub |last= |first= | date= |url= http://www.bk-muenchen.de/cms/publikationen/allgemein/chronik.php3 |title= Chronik des Boxer-Klub E.V. Sitz München | accessdate= 2006-08-17 }}</ref>

A Passage from the book "The Complete Boxer" by Milo G Denlinger states:
{{quote|It has been claimed that the name "Boxer" was jokingly applied by an English traveler who noted a tendency of the dog to use its paws in fighting. This seems improbable. Any such action would likely result in a badly bitten if not broken leg. On the other hand, a German breeder of forty years' experience states positively that the Boxer does ''not'' use its feet, except to try and extinguish a small flame such as a burning match. But a Boxer does box with its head: it will hit (not bite) a cat with its muzzle hard enough to knock it out and will box a ball with its nose. Or perhaps, since the German dictionary translates 'boxer' as 'prize-fighter' the name was bestowed in appreciation of the fighting qualities of the breed rather than its technique.}}

''Boxer'' is also the name of a dog owned by ''John Peerybingle'', the main character on the best selling 1845 book ''[[The Cricket on the Hearth]]'' by [[Charles Dickens]], which is evidence that "Boxer" was commonly used as a dog name by the early 19th century, before the establishment of the breed by the end of that same century.

The name of the breed could also be simply due to the names of the very first known specimens of the breed (''Lechner's Box'', for instance).

==Health==
{{See also|Dog health}}
[[File:Bruno216.jpg|thumb|150px|right|A healthy, three-month-old white boxer puppy.]]
Leading health issues to which Boxers are prone include [[cancer]]s, heart conditions such as [[Aortic Stenosis]] and Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (the so-called "[[Boxer Cardiomyopathy]]"), [[hypothyroidism]], [[Hip dysplasia (canine)|hip dysplasia]], and [[Canine degenerative myelopathy|degenerative myelopathy]] and epilepsy; other conditions that may be seen are gastric dilatation and torsion ([[bloat]]), intestinal problems, and [[allergies]] (although these may be more related to diet than breed).<ref name="BoxerHealth1">{{cite web|url=http://www.americanboxerclub.org/healthtbc.html |title=Boxer Health Information |accessdate= 2006-09-05 |author= American Boxer Club}}</ref><ref name="BoxerHealth2">{{cite web|url=http://www.americanboxerclub.org/genetic_diseases.html |title=Genetic and Suspect Diseases in the Boxer |accessdate= 2006-09-05 |author= American Boxer Club }}</ref> [[Entropion]], a malformation of the eyelid requiring surgical correction, is occasionally seen, and some lines have a tendency toward spondylosis deformans, a fusing of the spine,<ref name="spondylosis">{{cite web|url=http://www.dogstuff.info/spondylosis_deformans_lanting.html |title=Spondylosis Deformans |author=[[Fred Lanting]]}}</ref> or [[dystocia]].<ref>[http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1839103 A survey of dystocia in the Boxer breed]</ref>

According to a UK Kennel Club health survey, cancer accounts for 38.5% of Boxer deaths, followed by old age (21.5%), cardiac (6.9%) and gastrointestinal (6.9%) related issues. Average age of death was 9&nbsp;years and 8&nbsp;months.<ref>[http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/download/1524/hsboxer.pdf Summary results of the Purebred Dog Health Survey for Boxers] Report from the Kennel Club/British Small Animal Veterinary Association Scientific Committee</ref> Responsible breeders use available tests to screen their breeding stock before breeding, and in some cases throughout the life of the dog, in an attempt to minimize the occurrence of these diseases in future generations.<ref name="BoxerHealth3">{{cite web|url=http://www.americanboxerclub.org/health-screening.html |title=Recommendations for Health Screening of Boxers in Breeding Programs |accessdate= 2006-09-05 |author= American Boxer Club}}</ref>

Boxers are known to be very sensitive to the [[hypotension|hypotensive]] and [[bradycardia]]c effects of a commonly-used veterinary sedative, [[acepromazine]].<ref name="ace1">{{cite web|url=http://www.newcastleboxers.com/ace.shtml |title=Acepromazine and Boxers - References |accessdate=2009-01-16 |author=Jennifer Walker, ABC Health & Research Committee}}</ref> It is recommended that the drug be avoided in the Boxer breed.<ref name="ace2">{{cite web|url=http://www.americanboxerclub.org/ace_boxers.html |title=Warning on Acepromazine |accessdate=2009-01-16 |author=Wendy Wallner, DVM}}</ref>
As an athletic breed, proper exercise and conditioning is important for the continued health and longevity of the Boxer. Care must be taken not to over-exercise young dogs, as this may damage growing bones; however once mature Boxers can be excellent jogging or running companions. Because of their [[brachycephalic]] head, they do not do well with high heat or humidity, and common sense should prevail when exercising a Boxer in these conditions.

==Uses==
[[File:1st mate.jpg|thumb|250px|right|An older Fawn enjoys boating on Lake Lanier, South Carolina.]]
Boxers are friendly, lively companions that are popular as family dogs. Their suspicion of strangers, alertness, agility, and strength make them formidable [[guard dog]]s. They sometimes appear at [[dog agility]] or [[dog obedience|obedience]] trials and [[flyball]] events. These strong and intelligent animals have also been used as [[service dog]]s, [[guide dog]]s for the blind, [[therapy dog]]s, [[police dog]]s in K9 units, and occasionally herding cattle or sheep. The versatility of Boxers was recognized early on by the military, which has used them as valuable messenger dogs, pack carriers, and attack and guard dogs in times of war.

As puppies, Boxers demonstrate a fascinating combination of worrisome expressions, energetic curiosity, flexible attention spans and charming characteristics.

==Famous Boxers==
{{Trivia|date=March 2008}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=February 2010}}
[[File:Tasha50-300.jpg|thumb|Tasha, the subject of the Canine Genome Project]]
*Tobe, a [[brindle]] residing in [[Massachusetts]], is known for his dedication to [[public services|public service]] <ref name="Tobe">[http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000354979105]</ref>
*Hampton, in the movie ''[[Thirteen (film)|Thirteen]]''.
*Albert, in the [[BBC]] soap opera ''[[EastEnders]]''.
*Bruno, portraying Hank, in the popular [[CBS]] prime time show ''[[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation|CSI]]''. Bruno is owned by [[William Petersen]], and his character, [[Gil Grissom]], is Hank's owner on the show.{{Citation needed|date=March 2009}}
*Presley, winner of "[[Greatest American Dog]]"
*Tasha, the subject of the Canine [[Genome Project]]{{Citation needed|date=February 2010}}
*Bo, in the movie ''[[Cadillac Records]]''.
*Rocky, one of the four dogs owned by [[Doug Heffernan]] and his parents in the American sitcom [[King of Queens]].
*Wilson, one of the dogs trained by young Owen in the American children's movie ''[[Good boy]]''.
*The dog from the video game [[Fable 3]], can be turned into a Boxer if the Limited Collecter's Edition is purchased. As well as other dog breeds.

==Media==
A Boxer named Buddy is featured frequently in Toyota's South African television ad campaigns, where he has performed together with other animals in promoting several vehicles such as the Toyota Hilux pickup truck, Corolla and the Auris X, to name a few.<ref>[http://www.abndigital.com/multimedia/video/media-money/317875.htm Buddy the Boxer and Toyota.]</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{commons|Boxer}}
*{{dmoz|Recreation/Pets/Dogs/Breeds/Molosser_Group/Boxer|Boxer}}

<!--Please do NOT add External links, unless they meet the standards of [[WP:EL]]. In general, valuable information from external sources should be added to the article (re-written). External links must ''not'' be commercial in nature, should ''not'' be blogs or forums, and should only be added if they provide useful information that is ''not'' appropriate to add to the article. Breed rescues are ''not'' appropriate links -->

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[[Category:Dog breeds]]
[[Category:Dog breeds originating in Germany]]
[[Category:Molossers]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]

[[bg:Боксер]]
[[ca:Bòxer]]
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[[eo:Boksero (hundo)]]
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[[ko:복서 (개)]]
[[hi:बॉक्सर (कुत्ता)]]
[[id:Boxer (anjing)]]
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[[is:Boxer (hundur)]]
[[it:Boxer (cane)]]
[[he:בוקסר (כלב)]]
[[lt:Vokiečių bokseris]]
[[hu:Boxer (kutyafajta)]]
[[nl:Boxer (hond)]]
[[ja:ボクサー (犬)]]
[[no:Boxer]]
[[pnb:باکسر کتا]]
[[pl:Bokser (rasa psów)]]
[[pt:Boxer]]
[[ro:Boxer]]
[[ru:Немецкий боксёр]]
[[simple:Boxer (dog)]]
[[sk:Boxer (pes)]]
[[sl:Bokser]]
[[fi:Bokseri]]
[[sv:Boxer]]
[[te:బాక్సర్ (కుక్క)]]
[[tr:Boksör (köpek)]]
[[uk:Німецький боксер]]
[[zh:拳師犬]]

Revision as of 00:58, 26 January 2011

Boxers are really cute and lovable! I have two of them!!! Everyone should get a boxer!!!

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