Do Boxers like to cuddle

Do Boxers Like To Cuddle? 6 Thrilling Reasons They do

Last Updated/Info Checked on October 17, 2023 by Scott

Yes, Boxers love to cuddle and while it looks the cutest, these cuddles also help strengthen the bond between the owner and the boxer.

The friendly, loyal, and confident temperament of boxers enables them to develop a strong and affectionate bond with their family members whether they are humans or other Boxers.

Why I Chose Boxers To Be My Cuddle Buddies?

Other than being a pro dog trainer who answers questions like do boxers like to cuddle, I am an avid dog lover who loves having these furry beings around for the sake of fun and cuteness too.

This might tell you why I spent months finding the perfect cuddling partner for myself in the shape of a dog. Yes! Finding a dog that cuddles you and doesnt mind being curled up all the time isnt easy and I speak about it from experience.

But, let us come to the good part, I got myself a Boxer after months of searching and Ive lived with it enough to answer everything regarding whether or not Boxers are great cuddlers.

Other dog breeds that love cuddling include Poodles, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Newfoundland, Great Pyrenees, Huskies, Pomeranians, Malteses, beagles, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are typically cuddle-loving dogs.

So, read on!

Are Boxers Affectionate?

Youd be surprised to know that this breed of dog is also regarded as the most affectionate and cuddly breed.

The cuddles not only make the owner feel loved but also give a sensation of protection to the owner. After coming home from a long working day, I find cuddles from my boxer the best and the most amazing part of my day.

There is something just so soothing about these dogs!

Are Boxers Cuddly? Reasons Your Boxer Loves To Curl Up With You

There are many reasons why a boxer loves to cuddle up with you, and all of these reasons are adorable enough for you to let them cuddle 24 hours a day.

• It is in the nature of boxers to form a friendly bond with humans. To form the bond and cherish it, boxers curl up with humans several times a day. This friendly and loyal temperament of boxers makes them the cuddliest dog breed.
• Boxers are people-oriented dogs and love to interact with people. They hate to be left alone. If boxers are in a separate room or away from the owner for a long time then they may fall prey to anxiety and behavioral issues.
• Dogs also cuddle when they need warmth. In addition, your Boxer may be curling up with you because he needs to be protected. If your dog looks scared and is not ready to leave you then he surely is scared, make sure to look into the matter properly.
• While cuddling, a chemical called Oxytocin is released from the human and dogs bodies. This chemical gives both the Boxer and the human a feeling of comfort and care. We can say that this is the main reason why a boxer loves to curl up with you.
• Sometimes your boxer cuddles with you just because he misses you. Isnt it too adorable?
• Boredom is another reason behind the cuddling behavior of your boxer. When the dog does not find another thing to do, he starts curling up with the owner.

Are ALL Boxers Cuddle Lovers?

The answer to this question is No. Not all boxers are cuddle lovers, and even the cuddling behavior of humans may irritate some boxers.

Puppy boxers start running as soon as they see someone trying to carry them, hence they dont love being cuddled.

However, as they grow up, they eventually develop affectionate and cuddly behavior. Similarly, some old-aged boxers also mind being hugged.

Boxers have different ways of showing their affection toward their owners. Some boxers prefer to show affection using some way other than cuddles.

Energetic boxers too are not big fans of curling up, instead, they prefer playing with their owner.

Some other ways Boxers use to Show Affection

Apart from cuddles, a boxer can shower his love on the owner in some other ways. This should answer your question, Why do Boxers sit on you?

Have a look at them:

• Direct eye contact with the owner
• Getting excited when the owner is around
• Bringing his favorite toys or stuff
• Sniffing your shirts or the things that smell like the owner
• Leaning toward the owner
• Licking or showering the owner with kisses
• Sitting on the owners lap
• Following the owner everywhere
• Using their paws to get attention
• Following the owners instructions

Owners have also developed many ways of showing them love. Watch this adorable video:

Are Boxers Clingy? Should one limit the cuddles of Boxers? Wrapping Up

It is not really advised to limit the cuddling behavior of boxers. It is in the nature of this breed to be affectionate and dependent.

If you are limiting the cuddling behavior of boxers, then you surely are making them uncomfortable.

Jumping is the alternative to cuddling, if your boxer jumps on you then you should limit him as it can be dangerous, but simple cuddles should not be discouraged at all.

If you do not like being cuddled or cannot afford a dependent and cuddly dog, then boxers are not for you, just go for some other breed.

Boxers, Cuddly? Meet Your 70-Pound Lap Dog

Boxers are among the most affectionate breeds youre likely to encounter.

Despite their sometimes intimidating appearance, fearlessness and their history as guard and hunting dogs, Boxers make super cuddly companions.

Given the chance, they will end up squarely on top of you, living up to their reputation as 70-pound lap dogs.

Do Boxers Like To Cuddle?

If a Boxer likes you, youll be left in little doubt about it.

Boxers enjoy being close and are charmingly in-your-face about their affections.

This doesnt mean your Boxer has to be all over you.

How an individual Boxer behaves has everything to do with how theyre raised and what kind of interactions the owner encourages.

Few people would object to a Boxer puppy in their lap, or giving them hugs but not everyone wants a full-grown dog on top of them.

Dont think that because Boxers like to cuddle, they must be allowed to do whatever they like.

Boxers can easily be taught to stay off furniture including couches, and to sleep in their own bed, if thats what you prefer.

Make the rules and stick to them consistently.

Irrepressibly friendly or not, its important for your Boxer to know you are the pack leader and that what you say goes including whats deemed an acceptable way to show affection.

Young Boxers can have a tendency to get overexcited and it needs to be managed from the start.

Training a young Boxer not to jump up on people can be one of the more challenging aspects of Boxer ownership, but it is essential.

The good news is adult Boxers are generally more aware of their own heft and naturally calmer.

Plus, you will have had more time to teach your Boxer impulse control.

Are Boxers Clingy?

Boxers will lavish you with affection but they are also strong willed, independent dogs that dont ordinarily become clingy.

Good breeding will assure your puppy comes with a steady, balanced Boxer temperament that embodies all the best aspects of the breed.

A typical Boxer will be:

• Sweet-natured
• Gentle
• Highly intelligent
• Alert
• Funny
• Playful
• Inquisitive
• Friendly
• Exuberant
• Protective
• Physical and affectionate
• Patient
• Sensitive
• Vocal (Boxers are typically not barkers but they have a range of groans and noises)
• Very trainable
• Fun-driven
• Energetic
• Perceptive (As guard dogs they are valued for their ability to accurately read a situation)
• Confident
• Courageous (Their history as a hunting dog proves this. They caught and held down bears and wild boar)
• Dignified
• Even-tempered

If there are any cons to the Boxer temperament its that they can also be:

Once your pup gets home, its over to you to shape him into a good canine citizen.

A well-socialized Boxer can happily stay home alone for reasonable amounts of time, as long as he is trained to do so and eased into it gradually.

What It Might Mean If Your Boxer Becomes Suddenly Clingy

Like any change in your Boxer, if your Boxer becomes suddenly clingy it may be an indication that something is wrong.

If your Boxer begins following you around when he normally doesnt, it might mean he is:

• Feeling anxious or afraid e.g. thunderstorms or fireworks
• Not feeling well

In the case of a female Boxer, sudden clinginess could be a sign that she is experiencing hormonal changes associated with her heat cycle.

Female Boxers that start to nest, cry or carry around a toy as though it were real may be going through a false pregnancy.

Otherwise, if your Boxer is eating and drinking normally and seems physically fine, its probably just a case of feeling a little out of sorts.

Boxers, like all dogs, may take time to adjust to changes in:

• Routines e.g. owners going back to work
• Living arrangements e.g. divorce, adult child moving out
• Dynamics between dogs in a multi-dog household e.g. new dog or puppy reaching maturity, female in heat etc

Note that neutering/spaying is known to negatively impact Boxer dog health and wellbeing in a multitude of ways, including behaviorally.

Neutered male dogs are more prone to fear-driven behavior problems including:

Are Boxers Needy?

It depends what you mean by needy.

Do Boxers require lots of your time and attention?

Yes.

Boxers are not set and forget dogs that you can leave out in the backyard.

Both physically and temperament-wise, Boxers are unsuited to being outside dogs.

A Boxer is happiest in the heart of the family.

They are particularly fond of, and well suited to youngsters.

Boxers are well known for being gentle with, and protective of, children and babies.

A Boxer is not the breed for you if you work long hours and have little time to spend outdoors, playing and exercising.

This is a physically and mentally active breed.

A Boxer needs lots of attention, exercise and mental stimulation like learning tricks, practicing obedience or putting his phenomenal sense of smell to use with a bit of nose work.

Failure to meet a Boxers needs in one of these respects is generally to blame when a Boxer develops a problem behavior such as:

Dont overlook the importance of raw meaty bones as part of a fresh, natural canine diet.

The chance to rip and chew is very stress relieving for dogs raw bones contribute enormously to a Boxers psychological satisfaction and wellbeing.

On the flip side, Boxers are wonderful dogs for those with active lifestyles that a dog can participate in.

Are you the kind of person whose life revolves around their dog?

Even better.

How Boxer Dogs Show They Love You

Boxers are expert communicators with a range of quirky ways of expressing themselves.

Aside from climbing into your lap, you know your Boxer loves you if he:

• Gazes steadily into your eyes

Some might call it staring, Boxers call it communicating.

Mutual eye contact between dogs and humans is known to trigger the release, in both parties, of the love hormone, oxytocin.

Oxytocin is the hormone responsible for bonding between a mother and her baby.

Of course, your Boxers eye contact could also mean hes attempting to read you and predict what youre going to do next, or trying to tell you he wants something.

This a request for attention and a sure show of affection.

If youve taught your Boxer to shake, he may also be offering the behavior in an attempt to please.

Then again, hell just as readily park his jowls on a coffee table or anything else that happens to be the right height.

Physical contact is an expression of closeness and belonging.

Its a sign your Boxer trusts you and draws comfort from being nearby.

Are Boxers Velcro Dogs?

Boxers are highly interactive, engaged and sensitive dogs.

Whether these positive qualities distort into unhealthy attachment like velcro dog syndrome and even disorders like separation anxiety has a lot to do with management.

Velcro dog syndrome refers to a dog being overly attached to and dependent upon their owner.

Its sometimes seen in shelter dogs that have been abandoned in the past.

Sometimes owners can inadvertently encourage clinginess and velco tendencies by babying or helicopter parenting their Boxers rather than letting them be dogs.

While it might be flattering to think your Boxer cant bear to be without you, your dog needs to be relaxed and comfortable when youre not there.

If hes distressed, you can expect it to come out as problem behaviors.

Its important to properly socialize your Boxer puppy, gently exposing him to new and slightly frightening experiences to help build confidence.

Do Boxers Bond With One Person?

Boxers love people and are pretty universally friendly.

However, they bond strongly to their owners and can be trained to disregard strangers if thats what you prefer.

Some Boxers display a clear preference for men over women or vice versa.

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Do Boxers Have A Favorite Person?

In families, its not unusual for Boxers to have a favorite person.

This can have more to do with the person than the dog.

Dog trainer and ex-Navy SEAL Mike Ritland, who wrote the book Team Dog: How to Train Your Dogthe Navy SEAL Way has a Be the man technique which basically involves adopting a commanding posture and body language and generally conducting yourself like a leader and someone worthy of your dogs respect.

Boxers certainly respond to these cues and the human they like best may simply be the one that is knowingly or unknowingly behaving in this manner.

It may not be their owner, who dotes on them regardless, but someone else whose attention they have to earn.

Conclusion

Boxers are up-close-and-personal dogs that love to give and receive hugs.

A well-adjusted Boxer will be affectionate without being overly clingy.

Good breeding, socialization, training and house rules will help you put limits on your Boxers exuberance and make sure he expresses his affection in appropriate ways.

References

Mike Ritland, Team Dog: How To Train Your Dog The Navy SEAL Way, Putnam Publishing Group, 2016

Somppi, Sanni et al, Nasal Oxytocin Treatment Biases Dogs Visual Attention and Emotional Response toward Positive Human Facial Expressions, Frontiers in Psychology, 2017