Are Boxers the Right Dogs for you? Find Out Now.

Boxers are one of the most popular breeds of dogs today. This is because they’re sturdy but elegant, they’re good with children, and they’re pretty clever companions at home. Whether you’re a father of two kids or a bachelor, you can do well with a boxer by your side. However, boxers do have specific needs and dispositions that, as an owner, you need to be aware of. In other words, these dogs are only perfect companions for you if you have the right attitude and the right lifestyle.

What’s your climate?

Boxers may have short fur but they also have short snouts. According to vets and breeders, they’re not the ideal pets to have when you’re in a place with extreme climates. The boxer’s physical characteristics make it hard for them to cope with extreme temperatures.

If you’re too near the equator, your boxers could have difficulty adjusting to the humidity and the heat. On the other hand, if you’re in an extremely cold place where it snows all the time, your boxers might need extra pieces of clothing to cope with the freezing temperature.

A boxer can survive in these conditions, but it might demand a lot more from you, as an owner, to keep their health up. Boxers can’t be kept indoors for too long, too, because they’re fairly active dogs. They’re generally good with children, but they might be too playful for toddlers and babies. Families with children 7 years and up will most probably enjoy the boxer’s company.

How much time do you have?

Boxers aren’t particularly passive as pets. They’d want your attention every now and again, so you need to make sure that someone’s left with them inside the house most of the time. They’re amusing creatures with bull-type short snouts and stocky bodies, and they like carrying small things like socks around the house.

Usually, this dog breed blends well with A-type individuals who like the outdoors. Again, this is the perfect dog breed to choose if you live in a temperate country. They’re very protective pets, so they also make for good guard dogs and “body guards” when you’re in the park with your kids. They can be goofy companions, but they’re also clever, so you need to be firm when you’re trying to train them.

Unlike other dog breeds, they generally have sweeter temperaments, so you don’t need to worry about leaving them with your bigger kids and your house guests. It’s better to acquire a boxer when it’s still a puppy because they can be difficult to train as adults. They’re very loyal to their masters, and the shift from one master to the other could be a handful. Once you have a boxer as a pet, though, it’ll be difficult to imagine life without them.

Health

If you’ve taken good care of your boxer, s/he can live for as long as 14 years. However, you need to watch out for common health problems like skin allergies, tumors, hip dysplasia and heart problems while they’re aging. To keep your boxer in tip top shape, make sure that s/he gets enough exercise everyday. Also, keep him/her close to humans. A neglected boxer can be extremely depressed.