When Sugar was a pup she did this to Tyson and now Lennox does it to Sugar (payback) - when they are running to go outside Lennox tries to bite Sugar's back legs like a piece of chicken. Iiiiiiiiiiiiii GUESS it's a fun game?

Ben's mom used to do it to his dad............... and now, Ben does it to her!

Definately payback.

Strangely enough, he also does it to my son [no one else], when they engage in rough play. [Son is 20]

So definately a boxer thing in our boxer family.

This is actually instinct at it's deepest level. The Boxers were bred from the hunting dogs of Europe. These dogs used to hunt big game in groups and grabbed their prey by the back legs to trip them and bring them down.

Just think of how long it's been since this heeling instinct was used. Boxers have been a recognised breed for over 100 years, then how many more in the development? That is many many MANY generations and still this instinct is alive in our breed. People don't understand how strong instinct is in animals and much it affects their behaviour.

I love this topic . . . . could you tell?

Leo does this to Boo all the time, especially when they are playing. If David & Boo start playing, Leo will start biting Boo's back legs..so Boo is getting it from both ends..Even if they are in full boxer burn outside, Leo trys to bite Boo's back legs, but he has a very hard catching him, then the next thing I know, they are boxing.

I love watching my silly boys play...100% Boxer style..

Kato doesn't do that but he does "stalk" Odie. We will be out in the yard messing around and Kato will start slinking up towards Odie slowly. He looks like a big cat stalking its prey. Once he gets close enough Odie shoots out like a rocket chasing Kato around the yard barking and yipping at his heels until he Kato get far enough away. Then it starts all over again. They will do this for hours if you let them. It is so funny at first. After about 20 minutes Odie's yipping gets annoying!

Quinsi does this to Jazi ALL the time! It's rather funny to see because apparently Quinsi thinks it's perfectly fine to do to her but when she turns the tables on him and starts doing it to him, he gets mad about it and then will sit on his butt to keep her from getting his back legs.. quite the comical pair those two..

Really interesting to know.

My pup does this to both Spot and Razz. It really irks Spot because Cosmo normally bites his good leg, so all he has left is his bad one. At least Spot has FINALLY started correcting him.

It is funny now that I know this is an instinct thing....

My Boxer Joe does this to my BT Scampy all of the time. It used to freak me out until I figured out he wasn't trying to eat him! It still really freaks out our guests.

My Boxer Joe does this to my BT Scampy all of the time. It used to freak me out until I figured out he wasn't trying to eat him! It still really freaks out our guests.

All three of mine do it. Pix used to do it to the point that we had to correct her on it - she'd lay there chewing on Nedra's foot like it was an ear of corn,

Nedra didn't really do it a whole lot until Pix did it to her - now she does it back, and both N & P have since taught Mia how to do it.

Silly kids!

I never really thought about it until reading this post, but I see this act of play everyday from Lincoln. He gets Hailey's back leg all the time. He will also bite at mine if we are playing and I walk off. Thinking back when Hailey was a puppy, she used to drive my other 2 non-boxers (Abby & Ginger) absolutely nuts doing this.
It's definitely a boxer thing

"The Boxers were bred from the hunting dogs of Europe. These dogs used to hunt big game in groups and grabbed their prey by the back legs to trip them and bring them down. "


I did not KNOW that - how interesting - that's makes sense!!!!!!!

Must be a boxer thing...Comet and Benny do it all the time. They will even lay down on the ground to get a better grip. They don't hurt each other....just chew on that little bend in the back leg. Too funny. Good to know mine aren't the only weird dogs out there!