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Why Do Boxer Dogs Box?
Boxers are known for their energetic and playful personalities, and one of the most distinctive behaviors of this breed is their tendency to “box” with their front legs.
Boxers will use their paws to swat and bat at objects, other dogs, and even people.
But why do boxers box? In this blog post, we’ll explore the reasons behind this behavior, from their history as working dogs to their playful and affectionate nature.
4 Astonishing Reasons Boxers Box
- Playful behavior
- Boxers are playful dogs and often engage in play by “boxing” with their front legs.
- This can involve batting at toys, other dogs, or even humans.
- This behavior is typically accompanied by wagging tails and playful barks or growls.
- Greeting behavior
- Boxers are also known for their “excited” greetings when their owners return home.
- They may jump up and “box” with their front legs as a way of expressing their excitement and affection.
- Exercise and training
- Boxers are high-energy dogs that require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.
- Some trainers use “boxing” exercises as part of their training regimen to help build a boxer’s coordination and agility.
- Protective behavior
- Boxers were originally bred as guard dogs and may exhibit protective behavior in certain situations.
- When a boxer feels threatened or senses danger, it may “box” with its front legs as a warning to potential intruders.
Overall, “boxing” behavior in boxers is a natural and instinctive behavior that can be exhibited in a variety of situations.
It’s usually a harmless and playful behavior that is just part of a boxer’s unique personality.
Before we go into greater detail on the 4 reasons Boxer Dog Box, let’s look at the history of the breed which provides some clues into why do Boxer Dogs Box.
Why Do Boxer Dogs Box? – Breed History
Our Boxer Katie – Puppy Mill Survivor relaxing on her bed
To understand why boxers box, it’s important to look at their history and breeding.
Boxers were first developed in Germany in the late 19th century, and they were originally bred as guard dogs and hunting dogs.
They were used to protect livestock and help hunt game, and their strong jaws and powerful build made them well-suited to these tasks.
As part of their job protecting livestock, boxers would use their front legs to bat at predators and distract them from their prey.
This behavior, which is sometimes referred to as “mouthing,” allowed the boxers to protect their charges without using their teeth.
Over time, this behavior became ingrained in the breed and was passed down through generations of boxers.
Today, even though boxers are no longer primarily used for hunting or guarding, the behavior of “boxing” with their front legs remains a characteristic of the breed.
It’s a natural instinct that has been passed down through generations of boxers, and it’s something that owners of this breed have come to love and expect.
To show your love of the Boxer Breed display a Pollyanna Pickering Boxer Dog Garden Flag available at Cherrybrook.com.
Now let’s look at the 4 reasons Why do Boxer Dogs Box?
Why Do Boxer Dogs Box – Playful and Affectionate Behavior
Mary, Duke (l), and Katie (r) were tired from playing in the yard
Boxers are known for their playful and affectionate personalities, and their “boxing” behavior is often a reflection of this.
When boxers are playing with other dogs or with their owners, they may use their front legs to swat at objects or engage in mock fighting.
This behavior is usually accompanied by wagging tails, barks, and playful growls, and it’s a way for boxers to express their joy and enthusiasm.
Boxers love to play, and “boxing” with their front legs is just one of the many ways they show their playful and affectionate nature.
Boxer Games
Our Boxers Duke and Katie love to play and some of their favorite games that reinforce their instinctual behaviors include
Chasing
Frisbee (Wham-O Outdoor Toys) or Ball Toss – We toss or throw the disc or ball and they chase it and bring it back. Repeat until they are tired.
We use the Kong Flyers, and the Chuck It Ball Launcher for chasing games.
Tugging
Our Boxer Duke loves to play tug-of-war and will not stop until he feels like he won. He is relentless and looks sad when we have to stop playing.
We use the Kong Jumbler Dog Toy for Tugging
Chasing Prey
Anyone who has Boxers knows they have a strong sense for chasing prey which is instinctual from their breeding history.
Our Boxers will go on “high alert” and be ready for the chase when they see a squirrel or rabbit in the yard.
To help address the urge to chase and pounce on prey, we like to use balls and other objects that bounce and move in different directions to simulate chasing prey.
We use Chuck It Flying Squirrel, which is which simulates chasing a squirrel, but bounces erratically and is puncture resistant.
Running and Jumping
Boxer dogs love to run off-leash and show their speed and agility.
We have a fenced-in yard where our Boxers love to run, jump and play to help burn off their pent-up energy.
We work on their agility with a flirt pole. We use the Squishy Face Studio Flirt Pole with Lure Squeaky Dog Toy.
For more information on Boxer Dog Exercise, read our articles.
7 Best Common Calorie Burning Exercises for Boxer Dogs and Owners
How to Tire Out A Boxer Dog – 5 Best Ways To Have A Calm, Happy Boxer Dog
Why Do Boxer Dogs Box? – Greetings
Image by Alan Smith from Pixabay
Boxer dogs may box as a form of greeting because it is a natural behavior that is rooted in their instincts.
In the wild, dogs often use their paws to communicate with each other, for example, to establish dominance or to initiate play.
When Boxer dogs box, they may be using their paws to communicate their excitement and eagerness to interact with the person or other dog.
Boxers may also box as a way to get attention or to seek affection.
Boxer dogs are known for their strong desire to be close to their human companions, and they may use this behavior as a way to get attention or solicit affection from their owners.
It is important to note that while boxing is a common behavior for Boxer dogs, it is not always appropriate.
Some people may find it annoying or even intimidating, especially if the dog is large and energetic.
As with any behavior, it is important to train your Boxer to display appropriate behavior and to redirect their energy in a positive way if necessary.
Train your Boxer not to jump on people and “box” with guests in your house.
We use and recommend Holly and Hugo online learning, especially the course on Basic Dog Commands for Beginners, and Masterclass on Obedience and Socialization.
For additional information on Training your Boxer, read our articles
Boxer Dog Training 6 Effective Skills for a Loyal, Obedient Boxer Dog
3 Common Boxer Dog Behavior Issues and Practical Solutions for a Well Behaved Boxer Dog
Why Do Boxer Dogs Box? Exercise and Training
Exercise and Training
Boxers are high-energy dogs that require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.
They are known for their athleticism and agility, and their “boxing” behavior can be a way for them to exercise and build coordination.
Some trainers use “boxing” exercises as part of their training regimen to help boxers develop better coordination and control.
For example, a trainer might have a boxer “box” with its front legs to hit a target or to jump over an obstacle.
For more information on Boxer Dog exercise and mental stimulation, Read our articles
Boxer Dog Exercises – 3 Best Types of Exercise From Boxer Puppy To Senior Dog
9 Best Ways To Mentally Stimulate Your Boxer Dog for a Happy, Obedient Companion
Why Do Boxer Dogs Box? – Protective Behavior
Boxers were originally bred as working dogs, and they were used for a variety of tasks, including guarding, hunting, and herding.
Their protective instincts are part of what makes them such effective guard dogs.
When they sense a threat or danger, they will often resort to “boxing” behavior as part of their protective behavior.
Boxers will use their front paws to “box” or push away perceived threats or attackers.
This behavior is a way for them to establish dominance and assert their presence.
It can also be a way for them to create space between themselves and a perceived threat.
By using their paws in this way, boxers can protect themselves and their family members from potential harm.
Boxers are known for being loyal and protective of their family members, and they will do whatever it takes to keep them safe.
While their “boxing” behavior may seem playful at times, it is an important part of their protective instincts and should be taken seriously.
Boxer owners should be aware of their dog’s behavior and be prepared to intervene if necessary to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
To help restrain your Boxer dog we recommend Joyride Harnesses. They allow you to control your Boxer without damaging the windpipe or the esophagus if they are pulling too hard on the leash.
Below is a table summarizing the 4 reasons for answering the question Why do Boxer Dogs Box? It includes the situation when a Boxer Dog boxes and a summary description for each situation.
| Situation | Description |
| Play | Boxers are known for their playful and energetic personalities, and “boxing” behavior is often exhibited during playtime as a form of interactive play. |
| Greeting | Boxers are social dogs and often use “boxing” behavior as a form of greeting to show affection to their owners and other humans. |
| Exercise and Training | Some trainers use “boxing” exercises as part of their training regimen to help boxers develop better coordination and control. |
| Protective Behavior | Boxers may exhibit protective behavior by “boxing” with their front legs as a warning to potential intruders. This behavior is usually accompanied by other warning signs, such as barking, growling, and defensive postures. |
Why Do Boxer Dogs Box – Summary
Why do Boxer Dogs Box? The main reason behind their “boxing” using their front paws like a boxer, is it is instinctual.
Boxers have a long and storied history including a number of jobs as working dogs, including herding cattle, guarding, and as security dogs.
This breeding history led to an instinct to Box.
There are typically 4 reasons to answer why do Boxer Dogs box. These include
- Playful Behavior
- Greeting behavior
- Exercise and Training
- Protective Behavior
It’s important to distinguish when your Boxer is boxing because it is playing or when it is in protective mode.
Now that you know the answer to the question – Why do Boxer Dogs Box? Enjoy spending time with your Boxer and doing a little boxing with them so you have a happy, well-adjusted Boxer.
Discoverboxerdogs.com are Mary and Chris Kustanbauter. We reside in Red Lion, PA with our two Boxers, Duke, and Katie, who are both rescue dogs. We have been working with Adopt A Boxer Rescue for the past 17 years and have adopted 5 Boxers from this fine organization. To learn more visit our Home, Boxer Dog Family, and Blogs Pages Visit us on social media on Facebook – Discoverboxerdogs.com, Instagram, and Pinterest.
