Because of their high IQ, Boxers respond well to firm but fun training, and it's best to get started early with these pups. When training a Boxer, it's important to keep a few things in mind: Start them young.
Stanley Coren's survey of obedience trainers, summarized in his book The Intelligence of Dogs, ranked Boxers at number 48 – average working/obedience intelligence.
According to The Intelligence of Dogs, which ranks 131 dog breeds in terms of their relative intelligence, the border collie is the smartest dog breed known to man. Need proof? Chaser, a linguistically gifted border collie from South Carolina, could recognize over 1,000 words.
Bernard Hopkins:
Hopkins went on fighting into his 50's and won a world title at 49. Hopkins had a watertight defense but his excellent ring smarts helped him to beat much younger, faster, and harder-hitting fighters to become the world champion numerous times in his late 40's.
The Root of the Behavior
Boxers are known for their affectionate natures and their tendency to bond firmly with their human families. Because they feel this connection so deeply, they tend to need your attention more intensely than some other breeds.
Once you bring a dog into your home, you become part of their pack. They enjoy sleeping with you because it makes them feel safe and comfortable. Sleeping together gives dogs an emotional connection to their owners. Dogs feel love and gratitude towards you, just like you feel towards them.
The boxer has a high need for companionship and exercise. If these needs are not met, boxers can be destructive if left alone in the house. Boxers are ideal for people who want a canine companion with them most of the time or for larger busy families with homes that are often occupied by someone.
A boxer is a champion snuggler. In fact, many owners report that their boxer loves to be held like a baby.
Boxer dogs are loyal, loving and athletic. This firm, muscular breed is considered a good dog for families, especially if you have an active lifestyle. When properly socialised, Boxers are patient and protective making them a good fit for households with children and other animals, including cats.
Just being part of the family, a dog will pick up about 165 words by the time he reaches maturity (2 years old for the Boxer).
Boxer. Boxer's are known to be on the quieter side, but they remain extremely dedicated to their human and love to show them through snuggling.
Recently, psychologists performed a study on dog behavior and learned without a doubt that dogs do get jealous. Whether it's jealousy as humans experience it, or an offshoot of deeply ingrained dog behavior like resource guarding or redirected excitement, dogs do feel envy.
Boxers aren't overly vocal. If they bark, it's usually for a reason like; for instance, they're playing or they're trying to communicate something. Drooling. One of the cutest things about a boxer is their jowls, but those jowls drool a little more than other dogs.
Boxers are upbeat and playful. Their patience and protective nature have earned them a reputation as a great dog with children. They take the jobs of watchdog and family guardian seriously and will meet threats fearlessly. Boxers do best when exposed to a lot of people and other animals in early puppyhood.
They are absolutely dependent upon the companionship of their families! This is not a dog to be left alone unattended for hours on end. They MUST live indoors with their families. It is common to find a Boxer who suffers from separation anxiety.
Boxers can be friendly and gentle companions who welcome new friends and are kind towards children. However, boxers are high-energy dogs who require plenty of exercise to remain calm. Without exercise, they may become hyper or aggressive.
The Boxer loves traditional games such as Go Fetch and Catch. He loves to run alongside you while you jog around the neighborhood, and, of course, he will enjoy curling up on the couch beside you when it's time to rest. One must remember, when planning activities for your pup, that the Boxer is a brachycephalic dog.
Boxers Dogs are known for their playful, energetic, loyal, friendly and intelligent manner. They love affection (as all dogs do) and require lots of love and petting.
With a protective nature, Boxers make great guard dogs when properly socialized and trained. They form powerful bonds with their families and are especially patient and protective over children. So, they'll face down potential threats with bravery.
Boxers will spend ages outside playing as long as they have a family member or two playing with them. They love taking long walks to explore, and playing in the yard or at the dog park with four-legged friends.
Boxers live 10-12 years on average.
They are considered a large breed of dog as well, with some male boxers reaching almost 80 pounds when fully grown. This is likely why the boxer life span is closer to 10 years rather than 15. Most large dogs live shorter life spans than small dogs.