Cooper is a Boxer from Caledonia, Ohio and graduate of Homestead Dogs 2-Week Basic Dog Socialization and Obedience Training Camp. Cool, Coop!

Boxer

The Boxer, a fighter and a lover.

The Boxers we are familiar with today got their name because of the unique way they use their front paws when fighting or playing. But they weren’t bred for playing.

As with many breeds, their earliest ancestors date back over 4000 years to the Assyrian empire when they were utilized as “war dogs”, prized for their powerful build and impressive courage. Over the centuries, they spread across the European continent and were categorized as Molossian dogs, which included any breed with a muscular build and heavy head.

By the middle ages, the German and English were refining the breeds’ hunting skills which resulted in the ancestors to the Bullenbeisser (Germany) and the Mastiff (England). Bullenbeisser’s were particularly skilled at downing and holding larger prey and became valued as a hunting pack dog.

The English continued refining the breed and eventually mixed the Mastiff with faster hounds, which produced the Great Dane. Naturally selected smaller Bullenbeissers were later mixed with the Mastiff as dog fighting became a thing, resulting in both the English Bulldog and the Boxer.

Today’s Boxers are a little smaller and would prefer to curl up with you at night after a hard day of work or exercise than battling bulls, bears and boars…go figure.

Trainability: B+
Boxers are highly intelligent, high energy and love their humans. They seem to take naturally to guarding playing children. They can be a little bouncy when playing, though, which can be hazardous to toddlers and elderly. Boxers are generally known not to get along well with other dogs, or sometimes Boxers of the same gender. A little socialization and training reveals why Boxers are one of the favorite dogs in the United States.

Read more about the Boxer at the American Kennel Club and the American Boxer Club.