What was bred to make boxer

It might be considered a reduction in stature of the dog, but it kept him from becoming extinct. By after the dispersion of the hunting Bullenbeisser mentioned above, the small Bullenbeisser was found as a family and guard dog where "his remarkable intelligence and tractability endeared him to so large a group of individuals that he carried on when so many breeds completely disappeared.

That English Bulldog did not have the extreme characteristics of today's English Bulldog--he was much more like the Brabanter Bullenbeisser in body type, but often was either white, or did have white markings. Wagner states: "The literature and paintings previous to indicate that all Bullenbeisser up to that time were fawn or brindle with black masks. There is never any mention of white.

About this time there came a great influx of English dogs to Germany including the English Bulldog. His entry into the country quickly followed by numerous crosses with the Bullenbeisser resulted in an eventual similarity of type that made it very difficult to distinguish where any degree of Bulldog blood was present except that white color began to appear in the Boxers.

This is easily understood if we bear in mind that the English Bulldog of that time was very like the Boxer, more of a small mastiff than anything else. Still there were certain peculiarities introduced that for years caused lack of of uniformity in type, shape and color in the Boxer.

But lasting characteristics were not impregnated although it took years of selective breeding to eliminate some undesirable traits and to this day minor discrepancies appear at rare intervals. There are many other noted sires and dams which were not included in order to avoid confusion.

A Boxer club had been formed in Munich in , and the founders drew up the first Boxer Standard as a guide for their future breeding. Much of this first standard still remains in the Boxer standards of today. As any good dog club should, they held a dog show as soon as possible. A picture of the Boxers in that show still survives. Flora was bred to a local Boxer whose name was never recorded. Maier's Lord was mated to Maier's Flora parentage unknown to produce Piccolo v.

Angertor , the sire of Meta v. In , a repeat breeding of Schecken and "Dr. Toneissen's Tom" produced Ch. Blanka v. Angertor was the mother of Meta v. If you can sort all of that out, you deserve an award. But the point is that there was a high degree of inbreeding during the early stages of the breed's development. Setting the genetic characteristics for a new breed cannot be done in any other way.

It is worth quoting Wagner here: "Meta v. 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 bitch 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. Salvator, of whom no picture exists, was one of the sires of puppies from Meta. According to Gordon p. The Boxer is also very athletic, making him a great breed for an active person or family.

The Boxer also makes a excellent guard because he can be tenacious like a Bulldog. Highly intelligent, the Boxer makes a strong show dog and is perfect for competitive obedience as well.

The Boxer is prone to a few more health problems than other breeds:. Right for you? As with any new pet, there are some considerations to make before you welcome an adorable, droopy-faced Boxer into your family:. When trained well and exercised thoroughly, the Boxer can be a great companion for the right person or family. If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian — they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.

Boxers are lovers, not fighters. Boxers have their own distinct antics that are both lovable and sometimes annoying. Boxers are excellent service dogs. The Boxer was the breed of choice for a pair of famous movie stars. Selecting a Puppy How do you know what breed is right for your family? How do you find a reputable breeder? What questions should you ask a breeder? Download this e-book for guidance on these questions and other important factors to consider when looking for a puppy.

AKC Privacy Policy. Founded in , the not-for-profit AKC is the recognized and trusted expert in breed, health, and training information for all dogs. AKC actively advocates for responsible dog ownership and is dedicated to advancing dog sports. Their life expectancy ranges from about seven to 10 years. Boxers are descendants of extinct bullenbaiser breeds crossed with mastiff, bulldog and possibly Great Dane and even a terrier.

They were developed in Germany in the 19th century, initially as bull baiting dogs and later as butcher's helpers, controlling cattle in slaughterhouses. Some breed historians say boxers are named from the German word boxl, their slaughterhouse designation.

Other fanciers contend the name boxer comes from the characteristic way that they use their forepaws to play, sparring much like a human boxer. After the breed rose to become among the most popular in America. Boxers are considered working dogs.

They were one of the first breeds employed as a police dog, and they have been used as seeing-eye dogs. But they are also bred to be companion and guard dogs, perhaps best known for being loyal family pets that are especially fond of children. Select Your Region. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram Youtube. As used herein, denotes registered trademark status in the U.

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