Joomla 1.5 Template By Youjoomla.com

According to Matthew Cowley, in his article, " Dog Clowns," a fighter is all that's good in a dog. He's "a giggle a minute, lives life to the fullest, a maximum speed version of dog slapstick. But also he is a sympathetic soul, a shoulder to cry on, a confidante." Indeed, fighters are friendly outgoing folk dogs. They can become so contented that their full pelvis moves when they wag their tails. Preferred in the US since the 1940s, the fighter is an excellent family dog who got his name from his practice of beginning a fight by standing on his hind legs and fighting with his front paws. The fighter was one of the top ten breeds for the year 2008. Click now for the entire story on Top Dog strains of 2008.

History and Origin
One or two ideas exist about the origin of the fighter. One idea, from the 1800s, maintains the fighter was developed in Germany as a cross between the mastiff-type bullenbeisser and English bulldog. One of those first fighters was the pure white "Blanka." Considered an instrumental dog in the development of the breed, Blanka gave birth to a litter of puppies. One of her children, "Meta von der Passage" became a vital member of the fighter pedigree. It is said that almost all fighters can be worked back to Meta.

Another speculation isn't so accurate. It makes claims that the boxer is a much older breed, developed from fighting dogs of Tibet. Without reference to their origin, fighters are working dogs and was one of the first breeds in Germany to be trained as police dogs. They were also utilized in the formerly well-liked sport of dog fighting. Their bravery and bravado led them to be used to run messages on the battlegrounds during World War I and WWII. First registered with the AKC in 1904, the fighter didn't become well-liked with American families till the 1940s.

Appearance and Size
The fighter is a medium sized, square built dog with a noble appearance. He mixes strength and agility with elegance and style. The breed has a short back, strong limbs and a short square muzzle with a sticking out lower jaw and facial wrinkles.
His well developed muscles are hard and appear smooth under taut skin. Most boxers in the US have docked tails and cropped ears but in some countries, these cosmetic procedures are barred ( either or both practices ). The hair coat is short, glossy and lies smooth and tight to the body.
It can be brindle, fawn or brown, without or with white markings. Totally white fighters aren't common since breeders typically cull them due to their serious risk of hearing loss. The adult fighter stands 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder and weighs 65 to 70 pounds.

Character
The fighter is the final folks dog. He's deliberate and scared with strangers but curious, and he'll exhibit courageous bravery if threatened. Fighters can acclimatize to just about any environment, so long as they're with folks. Fighters are really clever but can be rowdy. Because of this, obedience coaching is a total must. The breed enjoys coaching and learns simply. Some have worked as guide dogs as well as guard dogs.

Home and Family Relations
The fighter is an amiable breed, dedicated to his folks. His personality is essentially frolicsome, yet he's patient and stoical with kids. He's long suffering of their escapades and loves to play. He could be a natural protector and, if trained, could be a good watch and guard dog. Without coaching, some fighters have a tendency to be too friendly and would rather lick and play with a trespasser rather than guarding.

Special Concerns
Fighters are low upkeep but they need consistent exercise. Their short hair coat needs minimum grooming. Though they're fantastic family pets, they generally tend to fight among themselves, particularly if the other family fighters are the same sex. The most important concern about the fighter is the hefty rate of cancer compared with other breeds.