Bountiful Boxers: 4 very different dogs up for adoption

I wasn't crazy about the Boxer dogs that shipped with Pets - the head seemed bug-eyed and ill-proportioned, though the body wasn't bad (excepting the inability to change things like spine slope and shoulder bulk. Sigh.) - so I decided not just to make my own, but to make a range of dogs encompassing some different aspects of the breed.

There are four Boxers here, different in looks and personality, so pick your favourite or download the whole group and infuse some sensible genetics into your neighbourhood!

About

The Boxer originated as a breed in nineteenth-century Germany, and is part of the Molosser group. Boxers are medium-sized, stocky and muscular dogs, with a lively temperament. They are loyal and very loving, and make excellent family pets, although they can be slow to warm to strangers, and often have a strong guarding instinct.

The Kennel Club's breed standard says the Boxer's head should be 'in proportion to [the] body' with a muzzle that is 'broad, deep and powerful, never narrow, pointed, short or shallow'.

I've found it nigh on impossible to recreate a really perfect Boxer in CAP, but these four dogs are all based on animals I've known or cared for, and I think they capture something of the Boxer spirit - that sense of playfulness and mischief - without looking freakishly exaggerated. The intention was to create pets that look like 'average' dogs within their breed standard, rather than show dog types, and to demonstrate some of the diversity within the breed.

No cropped ears or docked tails, however. Heck, no. :D

So, without further ado, allow me to present the pack...


Lindy is what's known as a flashy brindle, due to her white markings. She's a pretty dog, but rather heavily built... kind of a big, puppyish girl who doesn't know her own strength, especially when she jumps on the bed to wake you up. This playful lummox spends most of her time running around madly, or attempting to destroy squeaky chew bones. She would love to be part of a busy family, where there's always something going on, and someone to play with!

Gender: Female
Age: Adult
Traits: Hyper / Noisy / Playful


A white Boxer is technically defined as any Boxer dog with white markings on more than one-third of his coat. This deviates from the breed standard, so white Boxers are usually only placed in homes with spay/neuter agreements by their breeders (although, in the past, white puppies were often euthanised). About 18% of white Boxers are deaf in one or both ears, though rescue organisations report seeing double that number.

Kevin is meant to illustrate the kind of Boxer who often ends up in rescue: not the best-bred dog in the world, and with maybe a few problems behind him. He has the typical Boxer conformation, but his muzzle is a little narrow, his ears are a bit big, and the sensitive pink skin typical of white Boxers can be seen on his face and belly.

Your sim will have to work hard to break through this guy's issues, but perservere and you'll find - like most 'problem' dogs - Kevin has a lot of love to give that special sim.

Gender: Male
Age: Adult
Traits: Independent / Shy / Skittish


Plain brindles like Petra have few or no white markings. Her sleek, dark coat is heavily detailed, even if she does tend to disappear on dark evenings.

Petra is more lightly built in the body than Lindy, although with a large, square-jawed head, and she has a proud, noble appearance... but don't let it fool you. She loves to roll around in unsavoury things, and will plunge into the nearest pool, given half the chance. Petra would be the perfect companion for an active, outdoorsy sim, and is just waiting to find her forever home.

Gender: Female
Age: Adult
Traits: Likes Swimming / Loyal / Piggy


Flashy fawn boy Joey is a handful, but it's nothing an experienced - and very patient - owner couldn't handle. He's a well-built dog, muscular without being too massive (although he does look a bit mastiff-like from certain angles. Why no medium size between small and large dogs, EA? Why?), and with a square, compact head.

Joey isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but he loves to play with other pets and sims alike. Be warned, however: if he isn't kept active and entertained, Joey will try to entertain himself... and this invariably ends with furniture being eaten.

Gender: Male
Age: Adult
Traits: Destructive / Clueless / Friendly

Compatability

Obviously, you will need the Pets expansion installed.