Working Dogs: History of the Boxer
This will be the first in a series of articles I will write about working dogs. The purpose of these articles is to explore the history and development of the different breeds that make up the class of working dogs.
The Boxer is a popular breed of dog in the United States. This breed has developed in Germany over the last 100 years, but the line of this dog developed since the 16th century throughout all of Europe. Before this time, ancestors of this dog would hardly be recognizable if placed alongside the modern-day Boxer. Even so, it is believed that the breed came from earlier descendants of the dog fighting type that was prominent in the valleys of Tibet.
The Boxer is closely related to the Bulldog-type breeds of dog. These are noted for courage and stamina. The color of the breed, too, is the result of centuries of breeding and development.
In Flemish culture of the 16th and 17th centuries, the Boxer is seen as a hunter of boar and stag. Some other ancestors of the Boxer from that time would be the Spanish Alano, the Matin de Terceira, and the Perro do Presa. These less-known breeds may also share a common ancestor with the Boxer.
In France, there was also an ancestor of the Box. This particular breed was known as Dogue de Bordeaux and closely resembled the Tibetan Mastiff. From the French breed developed the very large Bouldogue du Mida, which was found in southern France. This latter dog had many characteristics of the Boxer.
As the breed developed in Germany, it retained many characteristics of a terrier strain, along with its Bulldog blood. Some think English Bulldogs at this time were also imported from Germany. There exist a few illustrations of the English Bulldog from the mid-19th century which show a resemblance to the Boxer.
So we can see how the Boxer has had a fascinating history. It is interesting to note that it was a favorite dog in Germany, but it has since grown to have worldwide appeal. It has become and remains a very popular breed in the United States. Although the dog may look ferocious, it is very gentle.
These dogs get along well with children and are an asset to the family. They have a distinctive bark but are very loveable animals. My daughter owns a Boxer. So I can speak from experience as to the beautiful nature of these dogs.
