Boxer dog problems are to be noted and tackled by the owners if they want their boxer to be in the best of health. This breed of dogs is quite popular with their desirable behavioral traits. Boxers are stocky, medium-sized and have a coat of short hair. They are characterized by short square muzzles. The most distinctive feature of this breed is of course the head. There are strict standards set by kennel clubs all over the world for the muzzle and other features of the head of a boxer. This dog has been bred for several purposes. It is a medium sized dog and has proved itself invaluable due to its loyalty, obedience and intelligence. They are commonly employed as service dogs, police dogs and were in fact used during war time as attack dogs and delivery dogs. At the end of the day, the boxer also makes a charming and loyal pet.
There are some boxer dog problems however. All dogs are descendants of wolves. The wide varieties of dogs we see today are all the result of selective breeding to retain some desirable traits. This has led to dogs that are dramatically in size, shape and appearance. You have dogs ranging from the giant St. Bernard dogs that can weigh over 300 pounds to tiny little Chihuahuas. Unfortunately, there are also some problems that accompany these breeds. There is health and behavioral problems that accompany some breeds and these problems are exclusive to the breeds. There are some unique boxer dog problems as well. These problems are usually well documented and information about these problems is available for people who want to know how to deal with these problems.
There can be two divisions for boxer dog problems – health problems and behavioral problems. When it comes to behavior, the boxer is a very friendly, playful and obedient dog and is hence quite popular as a companion dog. There are however a couple of personality traits, which are not exactly problems but can be depending on how you view them. For instance, the boxer is not very friendly with strangers. This is in fact a desirable trait and the boxer is valued as a guard dog for the sake of this trait. Then again, it can be a little unfriendly to strangers. Not exactly aggressive, but the dog can get defensive if it feels that its family members, human or otherwise, are under threat.
About boxer dog problems regarding health, the breed is very prone to cancer. Most boxer dogs die of cancer. In fact, according to a study that was conducted by the UK Kennel Club Health Survey, close to 40% of boxer deaths are due to cancer. The second most common cause is old age. Boxers have less than average life spans of around 9-10 years. Hip dysplasia is another common problem that affects large dogs. Although the boxer is classified as medium-sized, the large sized specimens are more prone to this problem. They are also prone to heart problems.