Their temperament reflects their breeding. They prefer to be in the company of their owners and are loyal pets that will fiercely guard their family and home against strangers. Few boxers bark excessively.
Socialize your Boxer puppy early.
Boxers are naturally protective, and that can mean that they are distrustful of strangers, sometimes even attacking both people and other dogs.
A boxer is a champion snuggler. In fact, many owners report that their boxer loves to be held like a baby.
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.
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.
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.
When a dog feel relaxed and comfortable with his human pack leader, he wants to be included, he wants to be in close proximity and yes, he'll want to sit right up on you, even if he is a 50 to 70 pound (22 to 31 kg) dog.
The Root of the Behavior
More often than not, Boxers lean to communicate that they love you and want to be close to you. Boxers are known for their affectionate natures and their tendency to bond firmly with their human families.
Boxers are lovers, not fighters.
A Boxer is happiest when he's with his family, especially children. He's protective and patient with kids and makes an ideal family dog.
Because of their intelligence, boxers can get bored easily. Repetition may lead them to seek something new (and potentially poorly behaved) to do. Therefore, engaging and stimulating activities are essential when owning a boxer.
They are not an aloof or independent breed. Their social nature and their typically high energy level make them well-suited to joining in family activities. If your boxer needs to be home alone for many hours each day, he will likely need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation when you are home to keep him happy.
Boxers are up-close-and-personal dogs that love to give and receive hugs. A well-adjusted Boxer will be affectionate without being overly clingy. Good breeding, socialization, training and house rules will help you put limits on your Boxer's exuberance and make sure he expresses his affection in appropriate ways.
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.
Just as humans stare into the eyes of someone they adore, dogs will stare at their owners to express affection. In fact, mutual staring between humans and dogs releases oxytocin, known as the love hormone. This chemical plays an important role in bonding and boosts feelings of love and trust.
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.
Signs of a dominant dog include:
Jumping up on you even if you order him to get down. Taking over furniture and not moving out of the way when you want to sit down. When being let off leash outside, running away quickly without listening to a verbal cue from you that he is allowed to explore.
Play is an easy and fun way to bond with your Boxer. Any game he enjoys is fine, just as long as you're doing it together! Agility trainers encourage play with their students because they have found it creates dogs that listen better and work harder for their owners.
Weaknesses: Boxing is useless against Takedowns and Grappling. Boxing is useless against Weapons such as knives and guns. Boxing stands a slim chance against Multiple opponents. When one of them grabs your back, you're dead meat.
People that own boxers are said to live life to the fullest and are known to be extremely playful. Boxer owners are busy, love life, and quickly welcome strangers as new friends. Boxers banish stress with their silly and playful demeanor and their owners are generally happy-go-lucky people.
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If your dog puts his paw on you, it can be his way of saying "I love you." We pet our pups to show our love and affection. Turns out they do the same.
Other breeds that are known for being loyal natural protectors, like Doberman Pinschers and Boxers, may be following you to keep an eye out for any danger that may cross your path. As well, sporting breeds such as Labrador Retrievers and pointers may just want to stick with you because they enjoy your company.
Leaning against you is a form of closeness and affection and you'll likely see it a lot in a breed that thrives on human contact the way Boxers do. It's also attention seeking, it usually gets them a back rub and as always, any behavior that is positively reinforced is bound to be repeated.