Boxer Puppies Illinois

Why A Boxer?

Loyalty, affection, intelligence, work ethic, and good looks: Boxers are the whole doggy package. Bright and alert, sometimes silly, but always courageous, the Boxer has been among America's most popular dog breeds for a very long time.  A male can stand as high as 25 inches at the shoulder and weigh 65-80 lbs; females are a little smaller, 50-65 lbs and 21-23 inches tall. Their muscles ripple beneath a short, tight-fitting coat, and the dark brown eyes and wrinkled forehead give the face an alert, curious look. The coat can be fawn or brindle, with white markings, and some are born solid white. Boxers move like the athletes they are named for: smooth and graceful, with a powerful forward thrust. Boxers are upbeat and playful. Their patience and protective nature have earned them a reputation as a great dog with children. They take the jobs of watchdog and family guardian seriously and will meet threats fearlessly. Boxers do best when exposed to a lot of people and other animals in early puppyhood.

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Boxer dogs were originally bred in late 19th century Germany, from a dog known as the Bullenbeisser. The Bullenbeisser (descended from Mastiffs) was crossed with the Old English bulldog to eventually produce the modern breed.

Bullenbeissers were generally used as catch dogs for hunting bear, wild boar, and deer. With their strong jaws, they would catch and hold prey until their hunter masters came. The first Boxers were developed to be a smaller, faster dog for similar purposes.

Unfortunately, like their bulldog ancestors, Boxer dogs were sometimes used for bull-baiting, and, after the practice was outlawed, for dog fighting.

They became a recognized breed in the United States in 1904, and in World War I and World War II, they took roles as working dogs in a variety of military posts. Many are still working dogs, for the military and as police dogs. But most have taken an equally important place as the popular companion dog we know and love today.

Boxers are, for the most part, versatile dogs. They’re happy wherever you are (wherever they’ll get plenty of love), and don’t mind spending time indoors. Of course, you’ll need to get out on a daily walk and work in play opportunities that your dog will enjoy.

If you have a family, you’ll find that a well-trained Boxer is very patient with children. But be wary of leaving your Boxer dog unattended with access to local pets in your neighborhood. Because Boxers were originally trained as catch dogs, they sometimes feel remnants of their hunting instinct, which can be directed at your neighbor’s cat or other unsuspecting animals. A strong fence without escape routes is a good idea.

On account of their short coat, it’s important to take steps to keep your dog warm in cold weather and limit unsupervised time spent outside in the cold. And although Boxers do well in hot weather, white ones might need some sunscreen. Yes, dog sunscreen is a thing.

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The ideal pet parent for a boxer has time to interact, exercise, and entertain their dog. A bored boxer will chew, lick, and dig to excess, so a kennel or crate may be necessary when you need to be away for longer than they like.

In the perfect world, a boxer owner would work part-time, or from home, so that they could spend maximum time caring for and bonding with their pet. That said, enlisting the help of a trusted pet sitter or daycare provider can be a lifesaver for those times when you can’t be there for a daily walk.

Boxer owners may also need to field questions from people who might be intimidated by their dog’s formidable presence and willing to provide extra structure and supervision when the situation calls for it.