Dogue de Boxer

The Boxer originated in the 1800s in Germany and was used as a guard dog, to bait bulls, and in dog fighting. They are believed to have descended from the Tibetan Mastiff, which was a 16th century fighting dog. Other people claim that it is European and is related to the Dogue de Bordeaux from France. However, most people agree the Boxer is related to Bulldogs from the Molossus breed of dog that were used as war dogs by the Romans. These dogs are seen in art performing stag and boar hunting as far back as the 16th and 17th century. The modern Boxer is believed to be from the Brabanter and Danziger Bullenbeissers mixed with Mastiffs and Bulldogs. Their name came from the way they tend to stand on their hind feet and box with their front paws. By the 1900s, dog fighting was illegal and the Boxer became popular as a police dog, military dog, for showing, and as a family pet. In 1904, the breed was acknowledged by the American Kennel Club, won its first show in 1915, and is the 10th most popular breed in the United States. The Dogue de Bordeaux originated in the middle ages in France from the Mastiff where it was used for hunting, fighting, guarding, and as a military dog. Like the Boxer, they are thought to be ancestors of the Molossus breed from ancient Rome. This breed is also known as the French or Bordeaux Mastiff but was registered as the Dogue de Bordeaux in 2008 by the AKC where it is the 63rd most popular dog breed.