The Boxer originated in Germany in the late 1800's, bred down from the larger Bullenbeisser, or "bull biter". Bullenbeissers were used by noblemen to hunt bear, bison, deer, and wild boar. When the estates were being broken up in the early 1800's and bear hunting was becoming less popular, they were bred with smaller, mastiff-like dogs to produce the modern Boxer. Since then, the Boxer has taken on many jobs, including police dog, war dog, and seeing eye dog.