Anyone have a Boxer?

[nuhmah]

DH and I are looking to get a dog, and a Boxer keeps coming to the top of our list. Anyone have one - any thoughts about them? Easy dogs to get along with, or are we out of our league?

[fats]

I'm not sure what you mean by "out of your league", but I can't imagine a boxer being out of anyone's league.

I have a female boxer at home - she's 6, and we're planning on getting another one eventually (sooner rather than later if I have my say!). All I can say is that I have spent my entire life with dogs - both mutts and purebreeds, and after having a boxer I would never get another kind.

Nola is the sweetest, most loving, happy, playful dog. The best part are the boxer wiggles - when they get happy and wag their tails, their entire body wiggles and it's so cute!! After getting her I joined a boxer message board and found that the traits that I loved in her were not just specific to her but to the breed in general. They are also extremely gentle and from what I understand, great with children. We don't have any kids, but Nola has never had any problem with our friends kids.

They are also major lap dogs - they don't know how big they are. Depending on how big a dog you want, if you get a female you're more likely to have one on the smaller side. With any dog, the males are usually larger. They aren't so big height-wise, but they are bulky and very muscular.

The only problem I've seen more than one boxer have is separation anxiety, but I think any dog can suffer from that. Nola has it big time and we haven't been able to cure her of it. She gets very upset when we leave her alone. I was also never able to crate train her.
Health wise, I think boxers are prone to tumors. Every breed has something - like hip displasia, heart problems. With boxers, it's cancer.

One thing I will recommend though - if you are going to get a puppy, go through a breeder. Pet stores are all getting their dogs from puppy mills and the dog suffers for it. I'm one of the many who fell in love with a Pet Store dog - I had always planned to go through a breeder but when I saw Nola I had to have her. They assured me that she was from a breeder in the midwest - lies of course. Well, I'm sure that her anxiety is a result of her breeding (in a puppy mill) and she also suffers from congenital kidney problems - she's only got one working kidney and that one isn't even full sized. Save yourself some heartache and get a dog from a reputable breeder.

If you don't want a puppy, go to a Boxer Rescue. They are all over the country (you can do an internet search) and they have purebred dogs, some of which are perfectly great dogs but had to be given up for legitimate reasons (family is moving, baby on the way, divorce, etc).

Let me know if you have any questions!!

[nuhmah]

Thanks for your response! Nola sounds absolutely adorable - that is fantastic that she has found a home that will take care of her. I wouldn't buy from a puppy store - I hate puppy mills, and will defenitely buy from a breeder in the area.

How does Nola react to strangers, and people she does not know?

[fats]

She really is adorable. Did I mention she's small? I meant to bring that up when I was talking about size. Nola is about 50-55lbs, so while some people thing that boxers are really big dogs, they don't have to be. Of course you really can't tell with a puppy, but we were lucky. And despite her kidney problem she's in incredible shape. Another thing they say about boxers is that they need a lot of exercise. Nola really gets none. I feel guilty because a lot of it is our own laziness - we don't bring her outside and play a lot and because she's so attached to us, she won't go out by herself (I'm hoping with a second dog, they'll entertain each other and she'll stay outside without us), but she really has a fantastic form and is very muscular. Somehow, she maintains it even though all she does is lounge on the couch all day. I wish I could bottle up whatever she's got and use it myself!

As for strangers, the thing about boxers is that they are great watch dogs but not good guard dogs. Meaning they will alert you when someone shows up at the door - bark and stuff, but if someone breaks in they will probably cover him with kisses and then show him where the jewels are. They are extremely friendly dogs (and have you felt their fur - like velvet. I also love their bellies - smooth and covered with freckles/brown spots). Nola is actually kind of shy so when a stranger comes over, she will bark and then go up to the person but if the person tries to pet her, she'll run and hide behind my legs. After 10 minutes or so, she comes around and starts licking the person. She really loves everyone.

[ee_chick]

I grew up with boxers, and I have two now. I've never had another type of dog, but I can't imagine making the switch. I'm a boxer lover. :) They're big lovebugs, and have a reputation for being excellent with children. I know I used my first boxers ears as a teething device, and he still followed me around like I was the best. ;)

How my pups react to strangers depends on where they see each other. If they're with me, in the house or on the street they're friendly wigglebutts. They think all people are put on earth specifically to love on them. :rolleyes: If someone comes into our yard uninvinted, they're pretty intimidating if you don't know them.

In my experience boxers are prone to health issues. If you're purchasing a puppy, I would be very selective with the breeder. If you're rescuing, I'd buy pet health insurance. They're known to have skin, heart, and tumor issues more than the average dog. We've had some that are incredibly healthy throughout their lives, and some that are not so lucky. Either way, I wouldn't trade them for anything.

[SaphirimalMei]

"when they get happy and wag their tails, their entire body wiggles and it's so cute!!" & "They are also major lap dogs - they don't know how big they are" Sounds like my Sainty boy! Saint is a boxer mix (boxer body and a houndy face). He weighs in at about 50lbs. He's a super sweet boy and has been so good with our baby girl. He was a pound puppy. Whoever had him before, docked his tail, but his ears are floppy.

Here he is :) (his ears are flying cuz he's running so fast!)
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d932b3127cce9c7fb16f515400000016108Actmbhy1btI

[nuhmah]

You guys have totally settled all my thoughts on boxers! Yay! Off to puppy hunting we go.

SaphirimalMei - Absolutely adorable!!!

[SaphirimalMei]

Hooray! Good luck on your puppy hunt :)Absolutely adorable!!! Thank you! We love our furry son :D He's a great dog!

[Katie1]

We got our boxer mix a year ago, and he is the best thing that's ever happened to us. Sherlock is absolutely adorable, and such a sweetheart. One thing to keep in mind is that boxers have a ton of energy. You really have to be able to give the attention and exercise that they need. We take Sherlock to the dog park a few times a week, take him for long walks all the time, and send him to day care at least one day a week. Still, after even one day being stuck indoors he is completely hyper. I had been told how much attention boxers need before we got him, but it's one thing to hear it and another to live it. I know we are doing everything we possibly can to make him a happy dog, but it still breaks my heart when we have a busy weekend planned and he doesn't get to go to the park, or when I have a busy week at work and he's stuck in his crate all day. (Not that he minds- he actually loves his crate.)

I really encourage you to check rescues before going to a breeder. My BF was insistent on wanting a purebred boxer, but I really wanted a rescue dog. Rescues don't often have purebreds, but we decided to give it a few months and see what happened. Well, we finally got a call saying they had a puppy for us- they knew the mom was boxer, but they weren't sure if he was mixed with anything else. As soon as we saw him BF totally dropped his insistence on a purebred. We're still not sure what he's mixed with- he has a hound-like face but he also resembles a Rhodesian Ridgeback. Anyway, he has the best personality and from what I understand, mutts tend to have a lot less health problems than purebred dogs. I'll try to post a picture:

http://images.snapfish.com/3444498%3B23232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2338%3D4%3B5%3D434%3 DXROQDF%3E23236599%3B654%3Bot1lsi

[nuhmah]

Well, it has been a while since I posted here, but in the time since we have bought a dog! We bought a pretty little boxer puppy - we pick her up on Tuesday! She goes to the vet on Monday for her 8 week shots, and then we can get her!

Here is a picture from the day we picked her out - I am so excited to get her! We are defenitely going to crate train... thanks so much to everyone for all their input and the great pictures of their "fur kids."
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/thaisa47/100_2881picdog.jpg

I have also started hanging out at www.boxerworld.com - they have a message board forum that is easy to use like this one, and has a TON of resources!

[AlisonCO]

Congrats! She is so cute - what is her name? I have two boxers - one that we got as a puppy and one that we adopted later - DH and I also volunteer with rescue. I agree that boxerworld is an awesome resource - I used to be over there alot. Please let me know if you have questions.

I couldn't resist:)
Tucker and Luna a few months ago
http://www.allsam.com/MAY2005/images/053005_02.jpg

[nuhmah]

Alison - what a cute picture!!! Your kids - skin and fur - are beautiful!

We have decided to name her Macie... so, now is where the fun begins. I have never had a puppy before (my parents were suckers for strays and such - we lived in the country), and I do not know how often she will need shots, when she can start playing with other dogs, and if its *really* ok for me to be taking her out.

I teach school, so I am home for a couple more weeks... my building is REALLY open to the prospect of dogs - my vice principal brought her dog to my interview, and there are no less than 4 dogs in the building on any given day - I am really seriously thinking about bringing her to school with me for a bit. Is this something that any of you would suggest? I want her to be exposed to children and how they act/react (I teach middle school), but I don't want to put her in a potentially dangerous situation.

[fats]

OMG - nuhmah, she is so adorable!!! We got a new puppy too!! We picked him up two weeks ago in Maine and so far he's been such a great little guy.

This is on the drive home from Maine with my 6 year old looking on]
http://photobucket.com/albums/b131/fatsella/Emmitt/th_107_0788.jpg

Alison - your pups are so cute too. I really love white boxers and originally that's what I was looking for, but I'm so happy with Emmitt. Going through the puppy stage is both fun and exhausting!

[nuhmah]

fats - (on a sidenote, that is a little weird to be calling someone that! ;) )

what an adorable puppy! Congratulations on the new addition to your family... 3 days!!! We went and bought her crate, a little collar and leash, as well as some treats for when we pick her up. I am so excited!

[fats]

I didn't realize you hadn't picked her up yet!!! You're going to have so much fun with her!!! Don't forget all the chewy toys. Emmitt is totally teething - and watch out, puppy teeth are sharp!!

[nuhmah]

I bought her a puppy kong, and am planning to bring some cheese and little pieces of turkey as treats for the ride home. We got her a couple of chew toys (one with a squeaker, one is more of a ball) to see what she likes before we go hog wild buying stuff. :)

I am starting to get nervous about helping her adjust to us... it has been a long time since I had a puppy in the house, and it is hard to remember!

[nuhmah]

OK... we brought her home on Tuesday night. She was nervous and a little whiney, but not too bad. I only gave in once to the whining!

So, she is still not eating. This morning she was a little more playful than she has been (without prodding her to be that way), and she has now slept through two nights without pooping or peeing in her crate! Yay!!!!

How do I get her to eat? Anyone else go through this? I did try to warm up some of her food (and I did moisten it, so it was soft and warm this morning), and that seemed to help. She is pooping twice a day, but I am concerned that she is also not drinking much water, either.

Other than that, she is so cute! Very SMART and friendly - she is already coming when called, and will walk along side of me. She seems to understand what you want her to do - I grew up with Labs my whole life, and this is totally different than working with them!

[Leia]

I love your puppy! Her coloring is so beautiful. I hope you post more pix! :D

[jaeger]

Well, it has been a while since I posted here, but in the time since we have bought a dog! We bought a pretty little boxer puppy - we pick her up on Tuesday! She goes to the vet on Monday for her 8 week shots, and then we can get her!

Here is a picture from the day we picked her out - I am so excited to get her! We are defenitely going to crate train... thanks so much to everyone for all their input and the great pictures of their "fur kids."
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/thaisa47/100_2881picdog.jpg

I have also started hanging out at www.boxerworld.com - they have a message board forum that is easy to use like this one, and has a TON of resources!

What a cutie!