The outward appearance of the boxer dog may look ordinary. The puppy grows up to be a mid sized dog, and most people are not frightened by the size of the dog. But the boxer has some interesting personality traits that make them ideal for many different situations. Most grow up to become extremely useful dogs. Here is why.

1) Sweet temperament.

The boxer pup has a sweet temper by nature. Trainers enjoy working with them. Therefore, they get a lot of attention from the trainers. They don't react excessively and seem to know when to tone down. Some dogs have incredibly high energy levels (think terriers) and a fiery temperament, making them harder to get along with.

2) Intelligent and obedient.

The boxer is so obedient and intelligent that it has been drafted to perform military and police operations. Mostly, they are involved with search and rescue work. Having a good temper means that they are usually stable, and behave in a predictable manner. This quality is important if you want the dog to fulfill an important role.

3) Sharp and protective.

Despite their size, boxer pups grow up to become courageous adults. They can be very protective over their owners. Their sensitive and sharp sense of smell and hearing helps them when they stand on guard. You often see boxer dogs being fielded as guard dogs by many homeowners.

If you want your boxer pup to grow up to become a useful dog, start training them early. The younger they are, the easier it is to train them. Pups are sometimes like small children - i.e. they absorb lessons like a sponge. They also tend to remember verbal commands better when you train them early.

In addition, it is important to teach your boxer pup the right social behavior as soon as possible. That means the moment you bring the young animal home, start to integrate the animal into the family environment. Bear in mind that dogs tend to behave differently in a group. If there is a leader, it will follow the leader's cue. If there is no leader in the group, there is a good chance that the dog may claim leadership. For sure, you don't want that to happen! If it does happen, your pet will be creating many undesirable problems for you. For example, you may find it hard to control the animal when taking it for walks. That is because it has assumed the leadership role.

So never let your boxer pet claim leadership over you. Assert your authority in a firm but loving manner. There is no need to get violent. All that is needed is a firm hand, and a firm tone of voice. Your pet will be able to sense your assertiveness, and will eventually assume the role of a follower.

Fortunately, boxers are such smart dogs that they seldom create unhappy situations for their owners. Young pups may be mischievous every now and then. Bot mostly, they are just being their playful self.