Guest Anonymous Posted October 26, 2002 Share Posted October 26, 2002 Hello. I have never owned a dog, and am considering a Boxer. Is this a good/bad choice? I'd appreciate any input. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shannon_C Posted October 27, 2002 Share Posted October 27, 2002 Hi J Kent. You have chosen a wonderful breed and apart from there energetic ways i see that a Boxer would be a wonderful companion for you, they are loving affectionate and inquisitive, but provided you bring the pup up carefully, training him/her well, socialising and preventing bloat (which can occure but can be prevented by feeding 1 hour before and after exercise), many deep chested breeds can suffer with this problem but with proper precautions....there isnt any need to worry, but i would advise you to read as many books and speak to breeders as much has you can, so that you learn more about there care etc. There are many sites on the net (Boxers Breeders) who would be willing to help you, besides Boxers Lovers here. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted October 27, 2002 Share Posted October 27, 2002 Thank you, Shannon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aroura Posted October 27, 2002 Share Posted October 27, 2002 omg shannon, your back!!!! Where have you been? Its great to see you back!!!! Anyway, in answer to your question guest, Boxers are an excellent breed, even for a new owner. They are very bouncy as pups, and even as adults so you've got to be able to deal with that, but with adequete discipline (not hitting, just showing the boundrys) you'll find you've got the best dog you could ever dream of! I know this, because I have one! Talk to alot of breeders, and once you've chosen a breeder keep in contact. A good breeder can tell you everything you need to know. Good luck with finding your perfect pup! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shannon_C Posted October 27, 2002 Share Posted October 27, 2002 Hello Aroura, thankyou for the welcome back! Boy have i missed this place. I have been without a computer due to a virus getting into the system and its been so depressing, but so glad i am back here with you warm welcoming people! It seems i have a lot of catching up to do though :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smooshie Posted October 27, 2002 Share Posted October 27, 2002 Ta Daaaaaa!....you rang? :lol: ...Now K...what ever gave you the impression that I like Boxers???? :wink: J...I agree with all of the above posts...Boxers ARE a wonderful breed ...but they aren't for everyone.Mei Mei is very right in saying that you need to really be sure the breed suits your lifestyle/living conditions/amount of free time...etc. I think so far everyone has filled you in on the GOOD qualities of the Boxer...so I might as well throw in the not-so-endearing side....just to be objective :D.. -Boxers are a very "in your face" type of dog(picture a 65 lb LAP DOG :lol: ...they like to be wherever their family is and don't take kindly to being left alone,or ignored for long periods of time.Some have a tendancy to develope separation anxiety and become destructive.....crate training is a strongly recommended -They are VERY sensitive to both heat AND cold and should NEVER be considered an "outdoor dog". -they drool,snore,burp and pass gas frequently....if this is a problem for you...don't get a Boxer -they are very intelligent but tend to be stubborn and willful.Obedience training and proper socialization is a NECESSITY...they need to learn to respect that you are the boss. -Boxers are late to mature (that means they act like puppies and do no tend to "settle down" until the age of 3 or 4 years). Boxers require daily exercise! Taking a walk around the block is not sufficient. Jogging or a good play session with a ball or other dog is necessary for your Boxer to expend his energy. Of course, an adult Boxer needs less exercise than one under 3 yrs., but even the elderly dog deserves to be kept happy and fit by engaging in some amount of exercise each day with his owner. Boxers who do not receive proper exercise will most likely be very rambunctious and/or destructive. A tired Boxer is a well behaved Boxer! Also, Boxers under the age of 1 year should NOT be permitted to overextend himself, or participate in excessive running or jumping, as his bones are growing and it can contribute to major orthopedic problems down the road. -Boxers love to chew. Coffee tables, shoes, chair legs, door frames etc... are all fair game. It is imperative that you provide your Boxer with stimulating toys or activities to do when you cannot be around. It is your duty to provide a chewing outlet for your Boxer! -Some Boxers are messy eaters. You may find more kibble on the floor around their bowls, stuck to the wall, or caught in their jowls, than what actually made it into their tummies. Many Boxers send spit, slobber and chunks of food flying across the room after they shake their heads and many consider the couch cushions their personal napkins. -Boxers are prone to many health problems,such as Thyroid,cardiomyopathy,cancer,bloat,allergies,dysplasia,and various skin conditions like mange,seasonal alopecia,hot spots,and skin tags Whew!....with all that said, if you still think the Boxer might be the dog for you,then my advice is to interview as many breeders as possible and/or contact your local Boxer Rescue....maybe even attend a dog show in your area.....handlers and breeders LOVE to talk about their dogs :D All drawbacks aside,in my opinion Boxers are one of the most loving,affectionate,loyal, family oriented,playful and fun loving breeds out there.(see K....I'm, not biased at all :wink: ) Good luck with your search! Let us know what you decide :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted October 28, 2002 Share Posted October 28, 2002 Having owned 9 boxers in my lifetime counting my current 2, of course I think they are just wonderful. I agree with all the above posts and most definitely with Smooshie. I love their exhuberance, passion, and devotion, but they do demand a lot of attention, exercise, obedience training, crating. They also need to be ruled with a firm but gentle hand, and sometimes that's hard to do when that darling little face is staring up at you after eating the sofa cushions and saying "whadda ya mad about, mom". Whatever you decide and whatever breed, just make sure to buy from a reputable breeder who tests their female and demands the same of the stud for cardiomyopathy, hip dysplasia, eye check, brucelliousis, thyroid not just a vet check. As Smooshie mentioned do go to some shows and talk to the breeder/handlers. Boxer rescue orgs. are also great places. Most of these dogs are through the chewing stage, housebroken. They live in foster homes where some receive obedience training and the foster parents know if they are good w/children, cats, other dogs, etc. and do a wonderful job as foster parents giving these dogs second chances at finding a forever home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad4duchess Posted October 28, 2002 Share Posted October 28, 2002 When I first started asking my parents for a dogs I wanted a Boxer, my mom wanted a Weimeriener, and my dad has had Pitbulls since he was a kid all the begging paid off except I didn't get a boxer but I like the dog I have right now. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aroura Posted November 1, 2002 Share Posted November 1, 2002 Smooshie, good points!!! Well, if I didn't know Lily was a boxer before that post, I'd definatly know by now! Yup, she measures up to all those 'bad' points, but they are all very lovable to me, and no matter how mad she makes me by being destructive, whiney, burpy, slobbery, smearing food all over the walls and my clothes when I get changed.... those good points just outweigh the bad times infinity!!!! :rocol: If its true that laughter is the best medicine I'd be pretty sure that Boxer owners would be some of the healthiest people in the world (I don't think its true though, I've got a cold as we speak!) Oh, and when people ask why I chose a boxer.... well I just tell them a pictures worth 1000 words!!!! [img]http://home.austarnet.com.au/creamy_pumkin/Dogs/Lily/LilyBeanBag.jpg[/img] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shannon_C Posted November 1, 2002 Share Posted November 1, 2002 Aroura. Absolutely you and Lilly were meant to be together, she is beautiful.....she is a very stricking looking brindle and i think she was worth the money! Its right what you say about some people, what they spend there money on......i too would rather have a dog myself, especially as i am partial to Bullmastiffs! I dont smoke nor drink (bad habits) i would rather spend my money on a four legged friend...your story is similiar to mine when i first got Charlie (Bullmastiff) he cost 600 but i had him for 500 because the breeder said he had white tips on his paws and a black tail and that he might not be good for showing if it didnt clear, (well what do you know, it did) we only wanted him for a pet anyway, but at the time i thought where on earth am i going to get the money from, it just happened that my partner and myself had some money owing to us...but of course we had to wait a few weeks, which was worth it as my bully boy is real fun to have around and real pleasure to own. I would say that Boxers and Bullmastiffs are not different in character when it comes to slobber lol. Im really pleased that you have found another new friend! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smooshie Posted November 1, 2002 Share Posted November 1, 2002 Lily is an absolute darling! Nothing beats a big Boxer grin :lol: ........apparently she's fashion conscious too.....she's color -coordinated with that cushion! :wink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aroura Posted November 3, 2002 Share Posted November 3, 2002 Thanks shannon :) Sounds like boxers are just a smaller, more compact Bullmastiff! At least Bull mastiffs have a size to match their character though! :o Smooshie, fashion consious? You bet'ya! She wouldn't sit anywhere else but that bean bag... but seeing as dad had spent a long time making it many years ago and her claws were beggining to wreck it they had to confiscate it :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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