Will Boxer Dogs Bite?

Because of their muscular build and formidable presence, it’s not hard to imagine a boxer becoming aggressive or violent. But will boxer dogs bite?

We’ve all heard stories of boxers and similarly sized dogs growling at or even attacking people and other animals. But don’t be quick to judge these easygoing dogs. Contrary to popular belief, boxers are actually friendly, gentle, and devoted creatures.

Are you considering adding a boxer to your household? Worried that he could bite or attack your family or other pets? Read on to learn more about the boxer, its temperament, and how to make sure yours doesn’t become a biter.

Boxer Temperament

The boxer has a powerful body, huge jaws, and yes, a strong bite. But it’s also charming, outgoing, and affectionate. Pet owners are charmed by its expressive face, keen intelligence, and oddball sense of humor.

It’s partly this upbeat playfulness that makes boxers good family pets. These gentle giants are lively and silly companions. They exhibit some truly clownish antics that endear them to their owners.

Boxers are extremely loyal and get attached to their people. They’re also courageous and protective, taking their jobs as guard dogs seriously. Like other breeds, they can become aggressive when they sense that they or their owners are being threatened.

The American Kennel Club says that boxers don’t always like being around other dog breeds of the same sex. But they will generally tolerate other boxers of the opposite sex.

The boxer’s ancestors were trained to be hunting dogs. This is why the boxer is so active and playful. These dogs must be kept indoors or in a fenced-in yard because they will inevitably get lost chasing after small animals if allowed to run loose.

Boxers are innately intelligent and are quick problem solvers. These qualities enable them to work as search-and-rescue dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs. Boxers also excel in obedience training and activities like herding and canine sports. 

Do Boxers Bite?

Boxers have strong jaws and a bite strength of 230 psi. They can certainly do considerable damage with that level of bite power. Luckily, boxers are also one of the friendliest dog breeds out there.

Some boxers turn aggressive because they were not properly socialized as puppies. They were not exposed enough to people and other animals and, thus, grew fearful.

A boxer can also develop aggression because the owner was unable to establish his dominance. In rare cases, boxers can become aggressive because of a thyroid issue or other medical problems.

With the exception of these cases, boxers generally don’t grow up to be biters. With proper training and early socialization, boxers make loyal and amiable companions.

Despite their history as hunters and their substantial physical power, boxers are gentle, calm, and even-tempered. They are patient and protective, which makes them suitable companions for children.

How to Stop Your Boxer From Biting

• Boxers are innately energetic. They expend much of this energy through play and roughhousing with their owners and with other dogs. They have a tendency for playful biting, which, if not corrected, can cause serious injuries.
• As soon as you bring your boxer home, begin teaching him to avoid biting.
• Channel your boxer’s energy through games, walks, obedience training, and play dates with other dogs.
• One of the best ways to prevent unwanted behavior is by keeping your boxer engaged. When they get bored, boxers can become destructive or aggressive. Avoid this by providing enough toys so that your pet has something to do when you’re not around.
• Distract your boxer from biting games and help him expend energy by engaging him in active games like hide-and-seek and fetch.
• Teach your boxer to not fear people and other dogs. Let him socialize by bringing him to the dog park or setting up playdates with other dog owners. This will help your dog become calmer when meeting people and other dogs for the first time.
• Exposure to other dogs is crucial to teaching your boxer not to bite. Dogs actually teach each other the acceptable amount of biting.
• If your boxer pup bites down too hard on your skin, say “Ouch!” or make some other noise that will startle him. This will teach him to control the strength of his bite.
• If your pup starts biting you playfully, distract him by giving him a chew toy. This will teach him that he should chew on toys instead of skin.
• Use a skin-safe taste deterrent spray. When your boxer pup tastes it, he will learn to associate skin with the unpleasant taste. This will discourage him from biting or chomping down on anyone’s skin again. 
• Consider spaying or neutering your boxer. This can make dogs less prone to aggression and will prevent issues like biting,  excessive barking, and urine-marking.

Boxers may look intimidating, but will boxer dogs bite? Not if they were trained and socialized properly. If you’re thinking of getting yourself a boxer, make sure you can provide a safe environment and can train him to stay calm and non-aggressive towards people and other pets.