The boxer was bred "on paper" in Germany at the beginning of the last century. Indeed, the standard currently in force is still, apart from minor modifications, that of 1905, which revised the previous one of 1895. It was not until 1933, however, through the tireless work of the greatest breeder of all time, Friederun Stockmann, that the first true boxer was born, bearing a decidedly resounding name: Lustig von Dom. The nearly 40 years that passed between the first standard and the birth of Lustig give a sense of how much effort was required to achieve concrete results.

Indeed, the boxer is not to be regarded as the continuation of a selection already carried out by nature, but rather a wager that blended two strains of molossoids (descendants of the Molossus, the fighting dogs of antiquity). On one side, therefore, we find the ancient German bullenbeisser (meaning "bull-biter"), and on the other the English bulldog. The choice of the latter was very significant, both in making the breed better suited to living alongside humans and in giving it certain defining characteristics that make the boxer unique among dog breeds. At the same time, however, descent from the bulldog can give rise to congenital and hereditary defects that should not be underestimated.

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The boxer's characteristics

The boxer is a loyal and straightforward companion, fond of children, always likeable and affectionate. Bred originally as a personal protection dog, it has gradually adapted to city life and over time has become a loving and faithful friend to the family that takes it in. The typical "boxer expression", though difficult to define in a few words, remains unforgettable in the mind of anyone who has ever come across one of these dogs.

Anyone who watches a boxer at work on a training ground will quickly realise that no ill-intentioned person, if attacked, will easily be able to defend themselves. "It is a robust dog by virtue of its very structure: it must, of course, have been raised correctly by someone who has a thorough understanding of the breed's needs and the purposes that a dog bred in full compliance with the selection rules must fulfil," explains veterinarian Cinzia Cortelezzi.

How to choose a puppy

What characteristics should a puppy have? It is important to find a good breeder, and to be wary of those who promise you a future champion career for the puppy you are about to take home. "Observe the puppy together with its littermates: watch whether its attitude is that of the dominant one (sometimes an almost too strong character!) or that of a passive 'pushover'. In general, a specimen that behaves in a balanced way will be the best in the litter," Cortelezzi continues. Externally, the puppy should appear healthy, with a coat in good condition. The build should be sturdy and substantial. A practical example? Strong paws from an early age tell us that the dog will grow into a well-built adult in full vigour.

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The boxer's health and the daily care it needs

Many of the boxer's faults are inherent in what is known in dog breeding as "hypertype". A short nasal canal, a rounded skull, a generally very robust appearance: all indicators for identifying "hypertypical" specimens and, as such, no longer true boxers. "The hypertype, as well as the degree of inbreeding present in the pedigrees of a great many individuals of the breed, must be held responsible for cardio-circulatory problems, sometimes unsatisfactory fertility, and low disease resistance," concludes Dr Cortelezzi. This is why breed clubs have recently launched serious breeding and selection programmes to improve the quality of puppies.

In all other respects, the boxer has proved over the years to be a perfect companion dog. Its short coat, which is not easily dirtied, makes it possible to keep it in a flat, provided it is taken on long walks outdoors. Its proud, yet never aggressive, nature also makes it preferable to many so-called guard breeds, which often display personality traits that are too forceful and difficult to manage. With its sturdy build and its affectionate nature, the boxer has for many years now been a faithful and invaluable companion for adults and children alike.