Health, History and Interesting Issue of Boxer Dogs
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
|
|
[ Brindle boxers with natural and cropped ears ]Boxers can develop "cancers, progressive retinal atrophy, torsion (bloat), epilepsy, bleeding disorders, intestinal problems" (Bailey 37), heart murmurs and ailments of the joints, such as arthritis and hip dysplasia, although most good breeders test their breeding stock before breeding and the incidence is slowly decreasing.
White boxers have a tendency to develop deafness at a rate much higher
than other boxers. Some studies indicate 30-40% of all white boxers are
deaf in one or both ears. Since white boxers are not albinos but simply
have a white coat, they have no added risk of skin cancer as compared to
other boxers.
History
The ancestors of this breed were the German Bullenbeisser, a dog of
Mastiff descent, and the English Bulldog. 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 favoured and the
Bullenbeisser grew smaller and was then called the Brabanter.
In the late 19th century, the Brabanter was crossed with an English
Bulldog to start the line that would become the modern Boxer. In 1894,
three Germans by the name of Roberth, Konig, and Hopner decided to
stabilise 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 breed was introduced to other parts of Europe in the late 1800s and
to the United States around the turn of the century. The American Kennel
Club (AKC) recognised the first Boxer champion 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. Boxer mascots, taken home by returning soldiers, introduced
the dog to a much wider audience and it soon became a favorite as a
companion animal, as a show dog, and as a guard dog.
The name "Boxer" is supposedly derived from this breed of dog beginning
a fight by standing on its two hind legs and "boxing" with its two front
paws.
[ Fawn boxer doing dog agility Aframe with uncropped ears flying ]
Uses of Boxer Dogs
Boxers are friendly, lively companions that are often used as family dogs, although they are also used as guard dogs. They also sometimes appear at dog agility trials and flyball.
Before dog fighting was made illegal, Boxers were often used in dog fights. These strong and intelligent animals have even been sometimes used as guide dogs for the blind and police dogs in K9 units in place of the typical German Shepherd.
Boxer Dog Breed Information and Pictures
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Boxer".
