If you are looking to pet a dog, a Boxer dog might be the right choice. Boxers are loyal, playful, intelligent, silly, energetic, and protective of their owners. They make a perfect pet and can be home-trained.
Boxer dogs come from the Molosser family, which comprises English Mastiff, Tibetan Mastiff, and Bullmastiff. In short, Boxer is a mastiff dog that is known as a family, courageous yet gentle pet.
How much does Boxer Dog & Puppy Cost in India?
The average cost of the Boxer dog puppy in India is around Rs. 30,000 while the price can range from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 50,000 depending upon the quality of litter, location, breeder reputation, and puppy’s health.
Boxer dogs are pretty popular across India and can be found in almost all cities. The price of a boxer dog is not high, but it may vary due to various factors.
Factors Influencing Price of Boxer Dog
Pet Puppy Boxer: If you intend to buy a puppy boxer as a pet, you need to ensure that it is from a good breeder.
Boxer puppies can be quite expensive depending on the reputation of the dog breeder, the quality of the puppy (show vs pet quality), and the gender of the puppy.
The quality of a puppy is divided into two factors – show and pet quality. Not all show puppies are of pet quality.
They may have high maintenance costs and can be expensive to have. Pet quality puppies, though they have some flaws, are cost reasonable.
Dog Breeder’s Reputation: There are two types of breeders – good and top. A boxer puppy will cost you more from a top breeder, as they provide permanent dog’s welfare and best care to the boxers. Moreover, a top breeder has boxers from healthy bloodlines.
Pup Quality: The cost of having a pup largely relies on bloodline quality. The healthier the pup, the costlier it will be.
Male vs Female Pups: Male pups are more active, while female pups are more protective and attentive. Boxer male pups tend to be more expensive as compared to their counterparts.
Dog Food Cost: A protein-rich food is a must for the dog. You can expect to spend about Rs. 5,500 to Rs. 7,000 monthly on dog food.
Vet Cost: Of course, you will have to take your pet dog to a vet for a routine checkup and sometimes in case of emergencies. You can expect to spend around Rs. 4,000 annually for vet visits.
Vaccination Cost: All pet dogs need to be vaccinated for healthy living. Consult a pet about a Boxer dog’s vaccination needs and cost when getting one. This will help you set a budget.
Neutering Cost: If you don’t intend to breed the dog, you may opt for Neutering it. The cost of spaying/sterilizing/Neutering varies from city to city. It may cost you somewhere around Rs. 4,000-Rs. 12,000.
Deworming and Medical Expenses: You may have to keep a stock of tick and flea powder, bandages, antiseptic spray, and worming medicine for your pet.
Grooming Cost: Boxer dogs have a short cost but shed a lot. You may have to brush the coat at least once a week or spend it on its groom weekly. Boxer dogs can do well with a single bath a month. You may need to buy dog-specific shampoo and soap.
Accessory Cost: Bed, collar, towel, water bowls, play toys, and leash are some of the accessories you may have to buy when you pet a dog.
These accessories may cost you around Rs. 3,500. The good thing is you don’t have to spend on it monthly. But, it is important to consider the accessory cost when petting a dog.
Training Cost: Though boxer dogs can be home trained, they may need professional training. Some boxer dogs can be aggressive and destructive. The right training will help tame them.
Training a boxer dog from a professional will cost somewhere between Rs. 5,000-Rs. 7,000 monthly.
Treat Cost: As an owner, you may want to offer treats to productively keep your boxer dog engaged. Eggs, paneer, veggies, and meat are the healthiest treat options. It is highly recommended to stick to organic treats as they are good for the pet’s health.
Dog Insurance: Owners of Boxer dogs have to be quite careful when taking the dog out for a walk. They can attack strangers and may put the owner in legal problems. Having pet insurance can help. In India, pet insurance is available from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 9,000.
Dog Walkers: People with a busy dialy schedule may find it challenging to take out the dog for a walk. Hiring a dog walker may help.
Boxer dogs don’t like to socialize with strangers and may want the owner to be around. If hiring a dog walker is the only way out, you may have to spend Rs. 500-Rs. 1500 per month.
Travel Cost: Boxer dogs don’t like to be left unattended. If you intend to travel, make sure you take along your dog. This means, when planning to adopt a boxer dog, you may have to consider travelling costs with the dog or the price of a boarding kennel.
Are boxers a good family dog?
Yes, boxers are family dogs. They know exactly how to protect the owner and his family. Boxers, if trained since their puppyhood, can behave in a crowd and perform very well as a family guardian and watchdog. They take their job to protect the family very seriously.
Boxer dogs are originally a part of the working group and expected to work as a guard; they still make a happy family companion.
This dog breed is very faithful and trustworthy. Boxer dogs can be an ideal pet as they love to lie down close to their owners.
They make a perfect companion in a home, as they ensure the security of the owner from a stranger without being aggressive. Boxer dogs are very calm and attentive. They don’t react unless they perceive any threat.
Do Boxer dogs get along with kids?
Yes, a boxer dog can go along with kids if appropriately introduced. Boxer dogs are energetic and playful. They can be silly and goofy at times. Children are often drawn to such a personality.
They, however, might need some guidance initially as to how to play and be gentle with kids around. Boxer dogs can go running, jumping, all around, making a fantastic outdoor play for kids and their entire family.
About & History
Boxer dog is a cross-breed of Bullenbeisser and Bulldog. Bullenbeisser was once a hunting dog or a dog that helped hold prey with their broad jaw and teeth until the huntsmen arrived.
Bullenbeisser is now extinct, and Boxer is its new breeding. Boxer, just like its ancestor, has a distinguished head and face.
Boxers have been around since the time of World War I when the army used it as a messenger, guard, and pack dog.
By World War II, the dog became popular in various countries as an ideal companion. Today, the boxer breed is considered a family pet for its attentive, protective, and playful nature.
Appearance
Boxer dogs have a square appearance and are medium-sized, measuring around 53-63 cm to the withers. Female boxers, however, are slightly shorter than their counterparts.
The chest of a boxer dog is deep, neck arched with no excess skin, sloping shoulders, and long upper arm. They have strong front legs. The back of the Boxer is broad and muscular.
The face of a boxer dog is very distinctive. The dog has mighty cheeks and a broad snout. The face and head have no excessive skin.
It has a black nose with wide nostrils and has round and medium-sized eyes. Ears are thin and wide apart, lying on against the skull. The weight of a boxer dog is usually around 25-32 kg.
Temperament
Boxer dogs are friendly, playful, and protective. They enjoy the company and develop belongingness with the owner. They may develop anxiety when away from their owners or left alone.
The boxer dogs can be extremely destructive when bored. Therefore, their mind needs to be stimulated to ensure they are act positively.
Trainability
Boxer dogs can be trained from puppyhood. They are intelligent and willing to learn. They can be taught good manners at home.
Their mind, however, needs to be stimulated with regular training otherwise they may act disobediently and throw tantrums like a child.
They need daily exposure to the outer world to release extra energy by running, jumping, and playing in the open.
In case of limited or no outdoor access, they may start looking for entertainment at home, from scratching the furniture to licking your slippers.
Boxer dogs can be groomed to behave well with consistent home training involving some playful activities.
Grooming & Care
Boxer dogs need grooming and care like any other dog pet. Their coat, however, does require much grooming. Just like cats, boxers can groom and keep them neat and tidy. The best you can do is set a routine for grooming and care that should include:
Brushing the Hair: Ensure to brush the hair or coat of the boxer dog with a hard rubber grooming mitt or bristle. Weekly brushing is highly recommended. This will ensure minimum hair fall as they can shed a lot.
If you plan to use a shedding blade, make sure you don’t use it around the dog’s leg as it may cause injury. To improve the shine of the coat, you can rub it down with a chamois cloth.
Brushing the Teeth: Dental hygiene is also important to keep away tartar and bacteria build-up. To ensure your dog is free of periodontal diseases, brush its teeth weekly and, if possible, daily.
Trimming the Nails: Most dogs can shed their nails naturally. If you hear a clicking sound on the floor when the dog walks, it could mean the nails are too long and haven’t shed naturally. Monthly trimming of the nail can help keep the nails in good shape.
Boxer Dog Facts
Boxers are full of energy. They can be overly excited, jumping, and hopping around the house. They need regular exposure to the outer world to best utilize their energy.
Boxers are friendly dogs. They make a perfect companion. They can be overly excited to meet their owner and may show love for jumping and licking around them.
Boxers are well-behaved when provided with training in puppyhood. However, a grown-up boxer may be a little challenging to handle.
Although boxer dogs love to be outside playing and jumping, they are not outdoor dogs. This means they cannot be left outside the home, as they feel uncomfortable in hot and cold climates.
Boxers take time to mature. Expecting them to behave well instantly after training is not worthy as they may take time to control their senses.
This dog breed loves to be around its owner and family. They cannot be left alone. In case they are left unattended for several hours, they may misbehave and turn destructive.
Drooling and snoring are pretty common for boxers. So if you plan to have a boxer dog, be ready to hear the snores when they sleep and clean the drool all over the house.
Boxers have short hair, and they shed a lot in springtime.
Boxers love to learn but don’t like to be ruled. They can learn everything if done with fun. Boxers don’t like harsh and rough handling.
Boxers are known as watchdogs when trained right. They ensure the security of the owner and the family. Some boxers, if not trained, may not exhibit any protective nature towards the owner.
Conclusion
Boxer dogs make great pets. They are enthusiastic, silly, playful, and overprotective. Boxer dogs love to be around family and can be gentle with kids. They are not outdoor dogs and may act destructively when left alone.