Dog Breed of The Month : The Boxer

Boxers are sturdy, short haired dogs that come from Germany. A combination of Old English Bulldogs and the Bullenbeisser (extinct), Boxers possess square, wide skulls with powerful jaws and an under bite. Placed in the working group, Boxers first appeared in dogs shows in 1895 and the flagship Boxer club was started the following year. Based on AKC data, Boxers have garnered the placement of 7th most loved breed in the U.S. for 4 ensuing years. Boxers are said to have acquired their name from its proclivity to stand on its hind legs when playing and “box” with its front paws but no one knows the validity of that.

Boxers typically measure 21.5 to 25 inches in height and weigh between 55-70 lbs.They formally needed their ears to be cropped and their tails docked to be counted as breed standards but cropping and docking have been banned in a lot of countries around the globe due to them being unnecessary and cruel however it’s still the norm for show dogs to be docked and cropped. Boxers have short, smooth fur. Fawn and brindle are the most prominent coat colors, often with white on the under belly and feet. These white markings are known as flash and when the white stretches to the face or neck, the dogs that have these markings are deemed “flashy”. Solid white to mostly white boxers are normal but precaution must be extended – they are prone to sunburn and skin cancer and 18% of white boxers are born deaf in one or both ears. Purebred black boxers do not exist. The boxer does not posess the gene for a solid black coat.

Boxers can have many health issues but cancer outnumbers them all. 38.5% of Boxers deaths are attributed to cancer. They have a shorter lifespan than many breeds, at 9-10 years. They are also prone to heart conditions, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, bloat, intestinal issues, and allergies. Boxers are a sporty breed and require adequate exercise but being that they are brachycephalic care must be taken in extreme heat or cold.

This breed is happy, playful, curious, and energetic usually making them very good with children. They are not by nature an aggressive breed but they are very protective of their families, and they are excellent guard dogs. Boxers are highly intelligent and eager to learn. A well socialized Boxer makes a perfect family pet and with training, get along well with other household pets. They can be headstrong though, and need a lot of human leadership.

Fun Facts:

1. Because Boxers are so easily trainable, strong, and energetic, they used to be used as performers in the circus.
2. The now-extinct ancestor of the Boxer, the Bullenbeisser, was used to hunt wild boar and stag. This dog had incredibly powerful jaws and could seize and hold large prey until it’s master came.
3. The Guinness World Record for longest tongue belongs to a Boxer named Brandy who had a 17 inch tongue.
4. Boxers became popular in the United States after WWII when soldiers brought them home as pets after using them in the military as guard and attack dogs.
5. Celebrities who own or have owned include Alec Baldwin, Humphrey Bogart, George Clooney, Jodie Foster, Luke Perry, Sylvester Stallone, Justin Timberlake, and Robin Williams.

Top 5 New Products under $20

The dog days of summer have set in. The best way to beat the heat is to stay indoors and pamper yourself AND your pooch. Here is a list of our new favorite products this summer, sure to stave off boredom and delight your deserving pooch and better yet, they are all under the low price of $20!

1. Warren London Pawdicure Nail Polish Pens for Dogs ($9.99) – Forget messy bottles and brushes! These easy to use pens make polish application quick and mess free. Non-toxic and formulated just for dogs. Only one layer is needed and it comes in 13 brilliant colors!
2. Espree Bark Art Hair Dye Blow Pens for Dogs ($14.99) – Perfect for celebrating holidays like the 4th of July or just for everyday fun, these hair dye blow pens are easy to use! Just aim and blow to release a fine mist of liquid hair dye. Safe, washable, and non-toxic! Set of 12 assorted colors.
3. Kong Shakers Dog Toys ($9.99-$11.99) – These lovable yet tough toys have something for every dog! Made of soft plush perfect for cuddling with a unique squeaker that squeaks and rattles for ultimate fun!
4. Pet Botanics Healthy Omega Dog Treats ($18.99) – These delicious and supremely nutritious dog treats provide your dogs with all the nutrients they need for beautiful skin and coats. Made of premium ingredients including real meat and fish, these low fat treats are multi-layered for ultimate tastiness!
5. Dingo Double Meat Knotted Dog Bones ( $5.79-$11.99) – Made from natural rawhide hand rolled around high quality chicken jerky, these premium dog bones have twice the meat that original Dingo bones offer!

Five Fun Dog Facts

1. The name of the Dog on the side of the Cracker Jack Box is Bingo.

2. Dogs judge objects first by their movement, then how bright they are, and finally by their shape.

3. Contrary to wive’s tales, dogs do not have cleaner mouths than humans and their saliva has no antiseptic properties.

4. There is a group of baboons in Saudi Arabia who kidnap puppies from their mothers and keep them as pets. They train the dogs to guard their group and in turn the baboons provide them with food and companionship, the same way that humans do.

5. Seeing-eye dogs are trained to use the bathroom on command. The blind person can feel the dog's back after giving the signal to go to know if they are urinating or defecating and can then clean up after them accordingly.

How to Break Your Dog’s Ball Obsession

Playing fetch is great exercise for you and your pup, and what’s not to like? You get to spend time together, your dog gets to run his little heart out, and its fun…. The ‘pros’ go on and on but for some dogs fetch, and balls in particular, cross the line from a fun game to an unhealthy obsession. These compulsive pups never get tired of retrieving, their eyes never leave the ball, and they get obsessive about the ball’s location and feel the need to take it with them everywhere. Instead of being fun, fetch ends up becoming an anxiety ridden event. 

So how do you know if your dog has ball obsession or just really loves to chase a ball? A non-obsessed dog will play with other toys, dogs, and kids. A ball obsessed dog will abandon any activity for fetch and will go into a trance like state when the ball is in play. Their bodies tense up and stiffen, their eyes glaze over, and their eyes are fixated on the ball only. They could become very neurotic about their ball and could become destructive or anxious without it.

Ball obsession has the potential to become dangerous. Your dog could become so focused on the game of fetch that he runs into traffic to get the ball. He could knock down kids, other dogs, or anything that stands in the way of him retrieving the ball. He could suffer from heat exhaustion because an obsessed dog doesn’t understand the need for a water break or rest time.

The earlier you decide to curb this obsession the better as it will only worsen in severity over time. Here are some steps to take to break your dog’s obsession with balls:

• Learn to recognize your dog’s behaviors when he’s going into an obsessive state and correct him before the obsession takes over.
• Try walking your dog before playing ball. This will help burn up some of his extra energy, leaving him to play in a less frenzied state.
• You want your dog to know that you are still the pack leader and that he must obey you no matter what. Use his ball as a reward. Make him sit and make eye contact you before you throw the ball. This will assert your dominance and keep him from getting too focused on the ball.
• Teach your dog a command such as “all done” or “take a break” to use when play time is over. Keep the ball put up, out of reach and be diligent – always use this command and always keep the ball put up so that your dog knows that you are in control. By doing this, you are showing dominance and ‘guarding’ your property.
• Try alternating toys during a game of fetch if he is fixated on a specific ball. Between throws of the coveted ball, try throwing another toy to change things up and keep him from obsessing on a specific toy.
• Never try taking the ball from your dog’s mouth. Always use the ‘drop it’ command. If your dog is hesitant to drop the ball, or flat out refuses, try offering them a treat or toy that they value equally and use the ‘drop it’ command.
• If the ball or other coveted toy is put up and your dog continues to beg for it or stare at the spot where it is put away, distract them by getting another toy to play with, going for a walk, going on a car ride, anything to change their focus. This is much more effective than telling them “no” or that they are bad as they do not understand the meaning you are trying to convey.