Boxer or Pit Bull?
Pet Chat
I received a letter from a concerned citizen about a dog that is living a few houses down the road from them. This dog is supposed to be a Boxer and the person writing in to me would like to know if a Boxer is a "Pit Bull".
The answer is no. There are many types of dogs that the general public seems to lump into this "Pit Bull" category. I myself have a very handsome male Bullmastiff and he too sometimes gets mistaken as a "pit".
There was one time I had him at the park and we were just sitting watching the people go by. I actually heard someone say "wow, that is the biggest Pit Bull I ever saw".
Boxers can be wonderful dogs and are commonly known for their clownish nature. The following description of a Boxer as a breed comes from the CKC website. This is a partial excerpt from the complete breed standard:
The Boxer was developed in Germany as a medium-sized security dog. The breed is valued as a spirited pet and guardian of home and family.
Developed to serve the multiple purposes of guard, working and escort dog, he must combine elegance with substance and ample power, not alone for beauty, but to ensure the speed, dexterity and jumping ability essential to arduous hiking, riding expedition, police or military duty.
The Boxer is a medium-sized, sturdy dog, of square build with short back, strong limbs, and short, tight-fitting coat. His musculation, well developed, should be clean, hard and appear smooth (not bulging) under taut skin His movements should denote energy.
The gait is firm yet elastic (springy), the stride free and ground covering, the carriage proud and noble.
Only a body whose individual parts are built to withstand the most strenuous efforts, assembled as a complete and harmonious whole, can respond to these combined demands.
Therefore, to be at his highest efficiency he must never be plump or heavy, and, while equipped for great speed, he must never be racy.
The head imparts to the Boxer a unique individual stamp peculiar to him alone.
It must be in perfect proportion to his body, never small in comparison to the over-all picture. His muzzle is his most distinctive feature and the greatest value to be placed on its being of correct form and in absolute proper proportion to the skull.
Faults: Head not typical, plump bull-doggy appearance, light bone, lack of balance, bad condition, lack of noble bearing.
Character and temperament are of paramount importance in the Boxer. Instinctively a hearing Guard dog, his bearing is alert, dignified and self-assured, even at rest.
His behavior should exhibit constrained animation. His temperament is fundamentally playful, yet patient and stoical with children.
Deliberate and wary with strangers, he will exhibit curiosity, but most importantly, fearless courage and tenacity if threatened.
However, he responds promptly to friendly overtures when honestly rendered. His intelligence, loyal affection, and tractability to discipline make him a highly desirable companion.
Faults: Lack of dignity and alertness, shyness, cowardice, treachery and viciousness (belligerency toward other dogs should not be considered viciousness).
Hope this helped to tell you a little about the Boxer breed. I would suggest that perhaps if people have a dog for a neighbor, take the time to introduce yourself to the owners and get to know them and the dog.
It never hurts to have a new friend.
* Pet Chat is a weekly question and answer column written by Moncton SPCA Director of Operations Nanette Pearl.
Do you have a question about pets, the Moncton SPCA or anything else "pet" related? Send your questions by e-mail to nanette@monctonspca.org or visit the Moncton SPCA website at www.monctonspca.ca.
The staff and volunteers of the SPCA remind readers to please spay and neuter their pets.
More Leisure
Search Articles
More CE Network Sites & Partners:
