Boxer Temperament: Is a Boxer a Good Breed for You?

Boxer TemperamentBecause they were originally bred as fighting animals, boxers are courageous, stubborn, and cunning. These specific boxer temperament traits led them to become interesting and often amusing pets. They love fun, are a very active and loyal breed, and they are highly intelligent. Source: http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/boxer/detail/ 

Boxers are known for being very loving and loyal. Some believe themselves to be lapdogs and will attempt to sit on you when they are in the mood to cuddle.

Boxers are good with children, being both patient and happy to be around them. They also tend to be protective of their families, so they make decent guard dogs as well.

Potential owners should keep in mind that this strongly built breed requires a lot of exercise. They enjoy daily physical and mental challenges. Source: http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/boxer/

If not given enough stimulation, these work dogs will get bored and can chew up and destroy your house. It is recommended that you get one only if you would like a dog that has an intense need for companionship and exercise. Source: https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/dog-breeds/boxer

Basic Boxer Temperament

Typical boxer breed behavior includes an excitedness and rowdiness, such as jumping when riled up.

Boxers are also very stubborn and strong-willed. They require an owner with a dominant personality to take charge of them, to ensure that they behave when they get too excited, or when they become alarmed when in the presence of other dogs that they may perceive as a threat to the family. Source: http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/boxers.html

They tend to be aggressive and will try to display dominance in the presence of other dogs of the same sex. They may also sometimes see smaller animals, such as cats, as prey, so your boxer may need to be trained not to pursue them on walks.

Like other medium-sized dog breeds, behaviors typical to boxers include drooling and slobbering, snoring, snorting, wheezing, and flatulence.

Boxers tend to be vocal dogs as well, and make grumbling and grunting noises when interacting with their owners.

Boxers Are a Stubborn Breed

One trait that some people might find off-putting about a boxer temperament is that they are very stubborn. They are highly independent and not pushovers. Raising and training them is a challenge, especially for some people who aren’t used to a dog bracing its legs and refusing to go where they are ordered.

The boxer temperament is one of strong will, training must be consistent and firm. Young boxers are very excitable. They will bounce and jump around and will need to be taught to stay down.

Because boxers are smart, they will get bored and ignore repetitious commands during training. They respond best to training that is fun and engaging.

On the plus side, because they like to think for themselves, boxers tend to be great problem solvers.

Longer Puppy Mindset

Boxers are not fully mature until three years of age. They are stuck in puppy mode for a lot longer than other breeds. This means that the first three years of your boxer’s life requires constant and firm training so that they learn socializing and maintain good behavioral habits.

Playful and Loving

While some may find the look of a boxer to be intimidating, they are actually very playful animals. This high spirited breed is often energetic and happy, known to twist their bodies into semi-circles while dancing about.

A Brief History of Boxers

The breed we know as boxers today are descendants of Tibetan fighting dogs. They were bred in Germany for stamina, courage, and their fawn and white fur color patterns.

Boxers were used as fighting dogs until dog fighting and bullbaiting practices were outlawed.

After dog fighting went out of vogue, boxers were bred to be guard dogs. They were imported to the United States after World War I. Source: http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/boxer#/slide/1

Even though they were originally bred as fighting dogs, a boxer’s temperament can be molded by proper raising and training to make it a very well behaved, and loving companion.