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| Great Lakes Boxer Club UKC Licensed Conformation Club #MI-110 |
| Featured Article July, 2008 |
| Boxers Working Cattle and Hogs Submitted by Christine Fleisher Rugby Boxers |
Boxers were bred for bull baiting and hunting wild boars. Many people would doubt that they are still able to do these
jobs. But after the outlawing of these sports the farmers, butchers and military took the Boxer and proved how
versatile they truly are. In books like "The Boxer" by Wagner, and "My Life With Boxers" by Stockman that have been
written about the breed, it was the farmers and butchers that had taken this breed and placed great value on them as
family pets. Dogs that can work all day yet settle as a family member at night guarding the family.
Back in the 90's, my husband and I raised hogs from birth to market and had always had farm dogs to help us. When
our 139 pound Shepherd/Boxer died, we started looking for a purebred dog to replace him. We wanted an agile,
smart, and easy to bath dog. An intelligent dog that could work on his own if need be, brave enough not to take flight if
bitten, but that was also a "people" dog. Enter the first Boxer in our lives.
If you've ever moved cattle or hog, you know how valuable a good moving dog is. The hogs can grow tusks up to 4
inches long and can gut a dog before his human partner can intervene. Hogs are quick - that is why a quick thinking
and nimble dog works best. Our male, Lord McDuff, would hold his ground and THINK of another way around
problems.
It was like watching a ballet to see him work; convincing a 600 pound sow to go into the trailer is no fun. But in his day,
he would help me get in hogs and cattle by himself. Bringing them to me at the front of the barn, he worked "cool" - not
getting mad, or scared - nipping the animals nose or between the legs to make them drive. When one thing didn't
work, he would stop and think about what to do. I never had a dog do that, but all the Boxers I used did.
He would hold his head a little above his shoulders and his gait was long and smooth, very fluid. I remember how he
could change direction just with one paw touching, like a cutting horse turning and weaving, holding eye contact to help
convince the animal of his serious intentions.
Our little Taz would even jump on the back of a pack of bunched up hogs and run along the top of them, biting their
ears and noses to break up the bunch, then drive them out of the pen into the trailer. Grinning so proudly when all were
loaded and the job was finished.
I've also seen Duffy and Sassy hang on to the nose of a bull, or large hog, being flung about like a rag doll. Sometimes
touching the ground, getting a new grip and being flung again. Always going back to the work at hand getting that
ornery critter where his master wanted. Once these two dogs convinced a young bull to quit his attack on my husband
and return to the barnyard. The bull had Mike on the ground and was butting him with his head. Sassy and Duffy bit
him on the legs until the bull charged them, and then together they attacked until the bull ran back where he belonged.
We only did basic obedience training on our Boxers, plus the command "Watch'em". This command we used to keep
the cattle back when we cleaned the barn area. They seem to have an inborn instinct to drive animals back to where
they belong.
So, does the Boxer still have this quality? Yes, I believe all of mine could be "darn good farm dogs" again if asked.
They will also track and hunt!
jobs. But after the outlawing of these sports the farmers, butchers and military took the Boxer and proved how
versatile they truly are. In books like "The Boxer" by Wagner, and "My Life With Boxers" by Stockman that have been
written about the breed, it was the farmers and butchers that had taken this breed and placed great value on them as
family pets. Dogs that can work all day yet settle as a family member at night guarding the family.
Back in the 90's, my husband and I raised hogs from birth to market and had always had farm dogs to help us. When
our 139 pound Shepherd/Boxer died, we started looking for a purebred dog to replace him. We wanted an agile,
smart, and easy to bath dog. An intelligent dog that could work on his own if need be, brave enough not to take flight if
bitten, but that was also a "people" dog. Enter the first Boxer in our lives.
If you've ever moved cattle or hog, you know how valuable a good moving dog is. The hogs can grow tusks up to 4
inches long and can gut a dog before his human partner can intervene. Hogs are quick - that is why a quick thinking
and nimble dog works best. Our male, Lord McDuff, would hold his ground and THINK of another way around
problems.
It was like watching a ballet to see him work; convincing a 600 pound sow to go into the trailer is no fun. But in his day,
he would help me get in hogs and cattle by himself. Bringing them to me at the front of the barn, he worked "cool" - not
getting mad, or scared - nipping the animals nose or between the legs to make them drive. When one thing didn't
work, he would stop and think about what to do. I never had a dog do that, but all the Boxers I used did.
He would hold his head a little above his shoulders and his gait was long and smooth, very fluid. I remember how he
could change direction just with one paw touching, like a cutting horse turning and weaving, holding eye contact to help
convince the animal of his serious intentions.
Our little Taz would even jump on the back of a pack of bunched up hogs and run along the top of them, biting their
ears and noses to break up the bunch, then drive them out of the pen into the trailer. Grinning so proudly when all were
loaded and the job was finished.
I've also seen Duffy and Sassy hang on to the nose of a bull, or large hog, being flung about like a rag doll. Sometimes
touching the ground, getting a new grip and being flung again. Always going back to the work at hand getting that
ornery critter where his master wanted. Once these two dogs convinced a young bull to quit his attack on my husband
and return to the barnyard. The bull had Mike on the ground and was butting him with his head. Sassy and Duffy bit
him on the legs until the bull charged them, and then together they attacked until the bull ran back where he belonged.
We only did basic obedience training on our Boxers, plus the command "Watch'em". This command we used to keep
the cattle back when we cleaned the barn area. They seem to have an inborn instinct to drive animals back to where
they belong.
So, does the Boxer still have this quality? Yes, I believe all of mine could be "darn good farm dogs" again if asked.
They will also track and hunt!
| Lord McDuff of Balbuster 1993-2003 |
| Lady Sassafras 1992-2007 |
| Lady of Tasmania 1994-2005 |
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