Bradenton Dog

dog training

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Breed Profile: Boxer

by Lauren R. Tharp

Originally used for dog fighting, the Boxer would stand on its hind legs, striking out at its opponent with its front paws like, well, a boxer!  Officially recognized as a breed in 1904, the Boxer is currently the 7th most popular breed in the United States.  Many celebrities have taken a liking to Boxers over the years, including Humphrey Bogart and Justin Timberlake.

Physical Traits

Size & Weight:  On the larger end of “medium.”  Boxers typically measure 20-25 inches at the shoulder (with the females being on the smaller end of the scale) and weigh around 50-70 pounds.  They’re very muscular.

Coat & Color:  Smooth, coarse, short hair in either fawn/red or brindle coloring.  They can also come with a black mask and/or white markings.

Other:  “White” Boxers are fairly common.  However, they are actually considered to be a “fawn” or “brindle” dog with overly excessive white markings rather than a truly “white” dog.

Life Expectancy:  8-12 years.

Temperament

The top five character traits of a Boxer?  Alert, loyal, curious, brave, and very playful.  Boxers are equally at home in the role of a watchdog or bouncing around out back with the kids.  However, this breed can also be trouble if the owner isn’t confident enough to handle it.  This is a dog who likes to know who’s boss—and may challenge you for the title!  But, with the right amount of training and love, you could end up with a wonderful pet you won’t soon forget.

Wags

  • Little grooming needed.
  • Patient with children, even younger ones.  (Though be sure to supervise any early interaction until your Boxer is properly trained).  Boxers are known for loving kids and going out of their way to keep them happy and safe.
  • Highly excellent watch dogs.

Challenges

  • Not the best dog for first-time owners.  Boxers require a confident owner who’s willing to put in the time and effort into rigorous obedience training.
  • Early socialization is a must.  Got someone (human/pet/other) you want your Boxer to like?  Better introduce them to each other now!
  • Rowdy, slobbering, and prone to snoring.

If you are looking for a Boxer in your area, please check your local shelters or visit Florida Boxer Rescue.

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Breed Profile: German Shepherd

by Lauren R. Tharp

The fourth most popular breed in the United States, the German Shepherd has long been known for its heroic exploits and loyalty as a family pet. First recognized by the AKC in 1908, the German Shepherd is the leading police, military, and guard dog breed in the world…and is also known for being a wonderful pet!
Physical Traits

Size & Weight: Medium to large dogs (with the males of the breed being larger). They’re usually 22-26 inches in height and weigh 75-90 pounds.

Coat & Color: German Shepherds have a double-coat of short to medium length. Their outer coat is extremely dense, while their inner coat is more on the plush side. The most common color is black with tan, but sable, solid black, and solid white are also available.

Other: Rin Tin Tin was a German Shepherd! As were Batman’s dog, Ace; Bolt in the computer-animated movie of the same name; and Charlie Barkin in All Dogs Go to Heaven.

Life Expectancy: 10-13 years.
Temperament

The German Shepherd in one word: Dependable. These dogs are muscular, intelligent (rated the 3rd most intelligent dog breed in the world!), and highly active. They are protective and obedient although early and thorough training is required early on. They do not bond quickly, but once they do bond, it’s for life.

Wags

• Is incredibly obedient, quick to learn, and eager to please.

• A loyal and loving family pet if socialized early on.

• An excellent guard dog—as stated above, the German Shepherd is the leading breed of guard dog in the world!

Challenges

• Early socialization and obedience training is a must. German Shepherds can become very territorial, overly protective, and stubborn if not taught “right” from “wrong” at a young age. If not, they can be hard to control and sometimes dangerous. (Note: With proper training, you couldn’t wish for a better pet! Put in the effort and you’ll get the reward).

• Regular grooming is required, and even with regular grooming, German Shepherds shed a lot.

• Exercise, exercise, exercise. The German Shepherd is always on the go!—and you will be too if you own one!

Looking for a German Shepherd? Please contact Tampa Bay German Shepherd Rescue to learn more about their adoptable dogs.
A special thanks to Dog Mountain for use of this featured image of the German Shepherd.