Boxer Information Center

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Boxer Behavior

Overview

Are you thinking about getting a Boxer and wondering if this dog breed is right for you? Do you have questions about general Boxer behavior problems? Or perhaps you own a Boxer and you are curious if his or her behavior is normal. Each recognized dog breed has their own general behavior and overall temperament; this is what defines a dog breed and makes them special. Each dog within that breed has their own little quirks and personalities that make each individual dog a treasure.

Why The Boxer is Famous and Popular

The appearance of the Boxer is quite stunning. Large, powerful and sleek with an imposing appearance and loud bark, the Boxer is a fantastic watchdog. While their looks may be intimidating, this breed also makes for a wonderful family pet.

Is the Boxer Right for You? Boxer Behavior to Keep in Mind

While the Boxer is a great dog and very popular all around the world (especially in the United States), because this is a large breed dog one should keep a few things in mind.

You do not mind excited and rambunctious puppies. Boxer puppies are generally very active and love to jump and bounce around. If you love playing with and being entertained by a puppy, the Boxer is for you! If your home is filled with expensive items and you generally keep things as clean as a whistle, having a Boxer pup playfully hopping around may not be right for you.
A Boxer makes a lot of amusing noises. If you want a quiet dog, you may want to think about another breed. However, if you love Boxers and are amused by the many noises one can make, this is the dog for you! The Boxer, along with other mastiff breeds such as the Pug dog were breed to have flat faces and wide noses. Because of the shape of a Boxer's head and face, a Boxer will:

Snort
Sneeze
Grunt
Snore
Pass gas, otherwise known as flatulence ( and some other words that we won't mention). All dogs do this, the Boxer may just be a bit less discrete!

The Boxer is, in general, a bit stubborn. While this breed may not immediately follow every command and in some cases play a mental game with you called, "Who's the Boss?", with patience and consistency the Boxer breed can be trained. If you are looking for the easy way out, this breed is not for you. If you are looking for a dog that needs interactive and effort from their owner to be fully trained and you are happy to do it, a Boxer will fit well into your life style.
The Boxer can display some destructive behavior is not properly stimulated throughout the day. Just as a human would have a difficult time sitting in 1 room all day, alone and without entertainment, so does the Boxer. The breed needs an owner who is able to provide a daily schedule of activities: Walks, exercise, grooming, bathing, regular meals, playtime and plenty of interesting dog toys. If a Boxer is given enough attention and activity when their owner is home, they will most likely settle down and behavior well when left home alone.
Separation Anxiety can occur with a Boxer who is left alone for too long. How long is too long? That depends on the dog! Having their owner leave for 10 minutes can be stressful, for others, nervousness can set in after a couple hours. If your Boxer is very sensitive to being left alone, you can train him or her to learn to cope. When you leave, do not make a huge fuss and give hugs and kisses; this will tell your dog that leaving is a big deal. You should give your dog all the attention in the world, but about 30 minutes before you actually leave. Once they have been feed, been taken out to eliminate and perhaps had a walk, you should quietly leave. Throwing a toy as a distraction works well. Leave for just a few minutes and work your way up to longer and longer amounts of time. When you arrive home, again do not cause a fuss. Calmly enter and greet your dog with a relaxed tone. Your dog will read off of you and react accordingly. If you announce your arrival back as if you have just returned from a month-long vacation and shower him or her with affection, your Boxer will become very excited. If you arrive back calmly, and wait a bit before enthusiastic interaction, your dog will then not associate play and fun with your arrival. They will simply enjoy the attention.
The Boxer is on the top of the medium sized dog breeds. While a dog of any size can live in any sized home, it space should be considered before bringing a Boxer home. While the Boxer can make do with living in a small apartment, having a larger living area is best for the Boxer breed. Boxer behavior dictates that this breed generally loves to run around and have room to jump and play, even as an adult. If you have hardly any extra room in your living room, what will happen when your Boxer puppy grows into a 70 pound (32kb) large adult dog? You will be sharing your couch with this breed and it is best to think ahead to what life will be like with this sized dog. If you do have extra room (imagine living with one extra human in your house) , they Boxer is the right breed for you!