This Boxer Christmas Tree Ornament
Is 4 1/2 inches tall, 3 1/2 inches wide, and is attached to a 3 inch red-colored ribbon (approximately 7 1/2 - 8 inches from bottom to tip of ribbon when hanging). The Boxer is in the center of a decorative Christmas wreath with a sign at the top of it that reads, "Happy Howlidays," and has a white bone dangling from the bottom. The Green wreath is adorned with red berries and bright green glitter.
History of the Boxer:
According to the 2006 AKC statistics, the Boxer is the 7th most popular breed in the US and they’ve held that ranking since 2002. They have German origins, a combination between the German Bullenbeisser (now extinct) and the English bulldog. The Boxer is a shorthaired, medium sized, stocky, muscular dog, with a wide skull, deep, strong chest and a square-jawed muzzle, with large eyes. They range in size between 23-25 inches and weigh between 55-70 pounds. Their coats are generally fawn or brindle, with a white underbelly. They’re playful, energetic, make good guard dogs and tend to be great with children. They’re also headstrong, have a longer than average ‘puppyhood’ and are called the ‘Peter Pan’ of dogs, reaching full maturity at about 2-3 years of age.
Usefulness of Dogs:
Dogs have been helpful in carrying duties for their owners for many years. From carrying loads to pulling carts and sleds, to tracking animals, to herding animals on ranches and farms, dogs have carried out many tasks and helped humans in many ways. Several breeds of dogs including shepherds, have been trained to assist law enforcement personnel throughout the world. Among the dogs trained to help ranchers, Collies seem to be the most popular breed chosen for rounding up herds of animals. Their extremely high intelligence and ability to work well with other animals seems to make them the prime choice. Other dogs, such as the Saint Bernard, are excellent for rescue work. These dogs have long been known for their history of saving lives in the Alps, where they originated. Some dogs make great hunting companions. Beagles, Retrievers, Labs, and several types of Hounds have been known for their ability to track, draw out, and retrieve animals for hunters. Dogs also make great household pets. The Cocker Spaniel, for example, is very smart and quite docile, so they make good protectors of little children and babies, as they will ward off any small animals or unwanted visitors. Likewise, Terriers are especially known for their ability to fend off small critters like mice and rats. In psychology, dogs helped with Ivan Pavlov’s discovery of conditioned responses to stimuli. In his experiments he found that responses, like panting and salivating, were results from the presentation of treats. Originally Pavlov was studying the digestive system and was studying the saliva of the dog. Upon noticing that the dogs in his experiment began salivating before they got the treats, Pavlov became more interested with figuring out why. By altering his experiments he was then able to make dogs respond by salivating to different stimuli. For his experiments, with the help of dogs, Pavlov became well known for his findings on conditioned responses, and ultimately, with the help of his canine friends, he was awarded a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1904.