WRITTEN BY: A LY S S A H E L M S , Media Manager
What do you think of when you hear the word “boxer”? Do you think of Rocky Balboa? Mike Tyson or Muhammad Ali? Maybe not, because if a you’re a dog person, you probably think of a nubby tailed, bouncy dog breed of the same name. Well, you wouldn’t be too far off if you did think of a famous fighter, because boxers get their name from the way they play on their back two feet and “boxing” with their front feet. Some historians say the name comes it’s German heritage and from a group of dogs in Munich called Bierboxers and the now extinct breed that boxers were developed from, the Bullenbeisser, also known as the German Bulldog. Today’s boxers are friendly, lively companions that are popular as family dogs. Their suspicion of strangers, alertness, agility, and strength make them formidable guard dogs. Boxers are the 14th most popular dog breed in America according to the American Kennel Club. Because of their popularity, a breed specific rescue is a must. Enter Carolina Boxer Rescue.
Carolina Boxer Rescue was started over 20 years ago by 3 women in North Carolina. The rescue has expanded into South Carolina as well as Virginia and parts of Georgia. CBR saves dogs from high kill shelters and also takes owner surrenders when families are no longer able to keep their boxers. Every year the rescue saves hundreds of dogs from euthanasia in shelters. They are entirely volunteer run and foster based and they do not have a facility- all of the foster dogs live as family pets in volunteers’ homes until they’re medically and behaviorally cleared for adoption. Some dogs are only in foster for days to weeks, others need a couple of months, and some stay with the rescue for the rest of their lives as hospice dogs. As with any breed specific rescue, quite a few dogs come in with health issues that must be addressed. Many dogs come in as heartworm positive and need treatment before being
