If your Boxer dog is a typical family dog it will love being with you, love to play with you, absolutely thrive on your touch, relishes in hearing your voice, hates it when you are away and warns you if it thinks there is danger. Your Boxer treats you as if you were it's very own family. Your dog cares for you, truly and deeply. I do not have any problems calling their behaviour "love".

Your Boxer, if you have had it from a puppy, will develop a warm kinship with you and we do the same with them. We should treat them as members of our family, not like a human but not as "animal" as in all other animals. We should show our Boxer compassion, commitment and concern about our Boxer's physical and emotional welfare.

What is the most effective way of prolonging your Boxer's life?

Simply to realise that your Boxer is not a person in cute disguise. By understanding how your Boxer thinks, like the pack canine he really is and by understanding his unique nutritional and training needs, you will begin to understand the responsibilities caring for your four legged friend. Standard obedience training, including lead control, is probably the most important factor in your Boxer's life expectancy. Dog's on leads seldom get into life threatening situations. Simple obedience training for your Boxer is also at the heart of any remedial or advanced training, or simply enjoying travel with your canine companion.

Good intentions are not enough - you have to be honest with yourself and consider whether you are willing to be a responsible dog owner. Ask yourself these questions, if you are thinking of getting a Boxer or any other dog for that matter.

Will you keep your Boxer dog under control, they can be quite boisterous, especially male Boxer dogs?

Will you dog - proof your garden to prevent your Boxer from wandering?

Are you willing to carry a "pooper - scooper" with you and use it every time you take your Boxer out for play, training or exercise?

Will you control your Boxer's barking, so as not to annoy your neighbours?

From food and bedding to toys, there are essential items that you will need if you get a new Boxer puppy or dog. With a puppy you need to continue feeding the food supplied by the breeder. Change gradually to your preferred food after your Boxer pup settles down into your home.

Use a non - slip ceramic or metal food and water bowls. Non - slip rubber bases are excellent. The best have sloped sides on the inside that are easy for your Boxer to lick clean.

Moulded plastic baskets are relatively chew proof and easy to clean. Use washable bedding with zipped covers that can be removed for cleaning.

It makes sense these days to get your dog an identity chip from your local vet, if a chip is not an affordable option it is a good idea to have an engraved I.D. Tag ready, or a capsule I.D. Which you can write relevant details including your home and mobile numbers. Never put your Boxer's name on the I.D. Tag,"would be" dog thief's can entice your Boxer to them, simply by calling it's name.

When your Boxer is a puppy, you will only need to buy a lightweight and inexpensive braided nylon collar, which is ideal. Wait until the pup is physically mature before investing in an attractive design.

A well cared for Boxer Dog will provide you with a most loyal companion, who will always bring a smile to your face with his/her squashed face and puppy dog ways.

Take care of your four legged friend.