brachiocephalic look...

Question
Hello,

   I purchased an AKC Boxer from a breeder.  He's just turned 11 weeks old.  This dog still does not have that classic pushed in face look, rather, his muzzle profile looks more like that of a hound.  He still has that dome on the top of his head and is currently on a major growing spree.  It seems like every time he wakes from a nap, he's grown taller.  At what age will his facial structure look more like a boxer that the longish puppy shaped Boxer face?  It's been a few years since I had a Boxer puppy, and I don't recall worrying about the shape of the head before.

One more question regarding Boxer behavioral traits.  I also have this wonderful pit bull terrier that LOVES to play ball or tracking type games.  I can hide his ball any place in the yard and eventually he will pick up the scent and find it.  He runs around the yard like a chicken with his head cut off until he picks up the smell.  Now, both my deceased female boxer and my new male puppy boxer express zero interest in playing fetch or tracking, but -- what they both love to do, is "dog" my pit bull while he runs after the ball.  They don't care if he gets the ball or not, they just seem to key on him running.  It seems to be a game to them.  They would both nip at Omar's heels and chew on the sides of his face.  Omar ignores them, since he is so wrapped up in his own quest for the ball.  Question:  What's in the Boxers head that makes them act this way?  Is this some recessive boxer trait?  I've never read anything about this particular idiosyncrasy? What trait were my boxers trying to express by tracking the tracker?  When the dog was created, what was the intent of this instinct?

Can't wait to hear your thoughts.  

Best Regards,

JD Lowes
Dallas, GA.

Answer
Boxer puppy heads are "knobby" but flatten out more as they mature.

Boxer faces change as they as from puppy to adulthood. And then whitened and gray when aging.

Faces can be narrow and long, varying in both aspects.

Faces can be wide and short, varying in both aspects.

Eyes can change the look also. Some are very broad through the eye area and "wide" whereas some are closer set and more narrow.

You can have any combination of those mentioned above.

As far as the personality: Boxers share the same traits but varying. Some are extroverts and some are introverts, as in people. Some are chilled out and some more energetic and appearing higher strung (it's energy and curiosity)...

Some would rather chase and retrieve the ball- and others could care less. I've know Boxers the same age that one would go crazy chasing a red laser light and the other look at you like you're an idiot ng less.

So your Boxer could care less about the ball, and more about the "chase" because he enjoys the running and competition with the other dog. Boxers like to run and chase each other and turn around and the "chasee" becomes the "chaser" - reversing and taking turns. It's a common Boxer play.

Some Boxers like both- chasing another dog and each other, and chasing after a ball or frisbee, or stick to fetch.

Each dog, especially a Boxer, has his own unique personality of likes and dislikes, favorite things, characteristics and quirks-- yet share similarities and commonalities with other Boxers.

American Kennel Club
Boxer Standard
http://www.akc.org/breeds/boxer/index.cfm

American Boxer Club
http://www.americanboxerclub.org/illstand1.html

American Boxer Club
Head
http://www.americanboxerclub.org/illstand3.html

Personal web pages of Boxers posted by Boxer owners:
(You will notice that faces vary- some are slim and long- some are shorter and wider.
http://www.dogguide.net/dog-pictures/pictures/boxer/
http://www.loveyourdog.com/boxers.html


Great Boxer Forums AND Resources
http://boxerworld.com
http://dogs.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Dog_Boxer
http://www.boxerdognow.com/
http://www.boxerforums.com/modules.php?name=Forums

As far as "when the dog was created, what the intent this instinct?"
What? The fun of chasing the dog that is chasing the ball? There is no intent, no reason- he is simply having fun- Boxers are the "clown" of all breeds.

Google "Boxer dogs" and/or "Boxer breed" and you'll find more interesting selections to keep you busy for a week.

There is no "intent" with a fun loving, playful, funny Boxer.