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Original poster

Boxer puppy? help me decide

17 replies

Ripeberry · 15/09/2007 17:28

Hi, i posted a few days ago thinking about getting a Greyhound and i've been looking into it, but most of them seem to NOT like cats or other small furries and the problem is that i have two cats and some chickens.
A few days ago, went to collect my DD1 from a school mum's house and she had 3 lovely Boxer dogs.
Years ago i thought about getting a Boxer but i always thought they drooled all the time, but these dogs didn't!
Been reading about the breed on the internet and they sound perfect for a young familly.
I would wait until my DD2 went to school of course.
But i was wondering, have any MN's got a Boxer, are they as kind and gentle as they make out?
What is their average lifespan?
Thanking you in advance for any info.
AB

OP posts:

Wisteria · 15/09/2007 17:40

they are lovely but they do drool, more as they get older.
I adore them but wouldn't have one, look after my friend's sometimes though - he's great with other dogs. I don't think they live too long (about 8-10?)
Need firm control right from the start as they are very bouncy and could be dangerous round lo's but only because of over exuberance.

beautifulgirls · 15/09/2007 21:45

Scatty but usually very friendly. Some drool yes.
Have you tried the kennel club website to research breeds?

CissyCharlton · 15/09/2007 22:00

I had two boxers when I was growing up. I also recently fostered a rescue for a while.

They are lovely, lovely dogs and very good with children. They do drool, some more then others, but are low shedders so will not make your house smell (too badly) or cover your lovely house with hair.

The downside is that they are very bouncy. They are unlikely to ever deliberately hurt a little one but they may knock them over accidentally. They are full of energy and need loads of excercise, especially in the first few years.

I absolutely love them, but won't get another until my 5 year old and 18 month are a bit older. Lots of people fall for their charm, but you only have to see how many Boxer rescues there are to see how hard they, like lots of breeds can be with very young children around.

oops · 16/09/2007 21:13

Message withdrawn

Pixel · 17/09/2007 00:00

My friend has two! they are very friendly but I can only take them in small doses. They are on the go the whole time and so strong and muscular they tend to knock people flying without meaning to. She has always had boxers and is used to their ways but didn't have any while her children were small as they do need a lot of attention.

bethoo · 04/10/2007 12:36

i have two seven year old boxers and also a 7 month old baby and it was hard at first squeexing in walks betwene feeds but it is a lot calmer now and my baby loves them! and they tolerate alot!
they are great dogs, go for it. just try and stop them jumping up as soon as you get them and lead train them straight away as they are pullers!

pud1 · 05/10/2007 10:15

i have a 3 year old boxer dog. when my oh brought him home i was not much of a dog lover but i have to say that he has converted me. if you want a good family dog then a boxer is the way to go, he is never aggresive although he can be a little playful. he has a character all of his own and never fails to make me laugh and best of all he thinks he is a 4 stone lap dog and is fantastic company,
when we got him my BIL got a king charles spaniel, i did think that maybe we had done the wrong thing in getting a big dog as a small one would be easier but i was wrong. the king charles is a real yapper and he is quite smelly due to his long coat ( even though he is reguarly groomed) i would have 10 boxer dogs if my house was big enough they are fab

bethoo · 05/10/2007 10:26

pud1 - have you checked out my pics of my boys on my profile?

babywhiting · 05/10/2007 10:30

dont do it my boxer is 8 months and he is scatty although he is very gorgeous. kids love him and he loves my other puppy too!!!
need lots and lots of training !!!

babywhiting · 05/10/2007 10:38

my pup is on profile too!!

pud1 · 05/10/2007 10:56

have just looked at them both. how can anyone not want one of those. am going to put my boy on my profile now.
i am 22 weeks pg at the moment. have either of you got any tips on introducing baby to boxer

bethoo · 05/10/2007 11:07

babywhiting - how gorgeous! they look like butter would not melt! takes me back to when mine were pups! such a long time ago!

Pud1 - i was advised that as soon as you have baby home let dog sniff and lick feet and hands (at newborns age they do not suck their own hands and feet, now my son is 7 months dogs are not encouraged to lick his limbs. i think if you cut the dog out and deny interaction they can become resentful and jealous. i know we all found it hard at first as before my baby came along the dogs slept with me, sat on my lap (yes two of them weighing 5 stone each!)and i took them evrywhere possible. when baby came it was hard as baby demanded attention all the time! though they still get walks they do not get all the attention but as long as they get attention they are happy. when baby sleeps we play and they get all the cuddles. though one of them headbutts the bedroom door everynight at early hours of the morning and when i wake up he at the bottom of the bed asleep!

fifisworld · 05/10/2007 13:27

I have a boxer puppy who is 6 month old (pic on my profile too )

He is a really lovely dog, he has a gorgeous nature and is fantastic with my ds who is 8 month.
They do need lots of exercise and are mental.
That tip about introducing them to a newborn is really useful as im almost 30 weeks pg and although he's used to ds i want to introduce him to ds2 properly and safely.

ratclare · 05/10/2007 18:53

how about a rescue boxer ? that way you can have a lovely dog that is housetrained and used to kids , ok so you miss the adorable puppy stage ( constant puddles and piles of poo,chewing,playbiting ,endless puppy training etc!)but you get a great dog and can feel smug at the same time ,you will be the madonna of dogs ( ooo i want a little brown puppy!!!!)

ipodtherforipoor · 05/10/2007 18:57

Our boxer is 9 and still mental. She is starting to show signs of getting a bit grumpy with old age, but all in all she has always been very tolerant of DS aged 2.

However, bnoxer hair is the Devils work - it works its way into fabric and never can be brushed out! - she has never been in my car, yet all the seats are covered in her hair form our clothes and shoes! its short hair but its stubborn

bethoo · 08/10/2007 10:29

Fifisworld - how adorable, a little brindle!
has anyone seen the film Turner and Hooch with Tom Hanks as that dog is what i want next as just a larger version of boxer!
but on the whole boxers are great! i would not change them for the world.
though word of advice - make sure they are insured as mine have heart issues , gum issues and possible skin cancer.

Martha200 · 09/10/2007 20:46

Boxers are fab

My only real experience of them is via my in laws. They had a white boxer dog (always insisted the dogs were not docked)called Dotty and she did drool quite a bit (but that was when she was younger and manipulative in getting food at the dinner table!)

She died when she was 8, and got on very well with everyone, including one cat they had and a rescue mongrel.

Then they took on a white male boxer from a rescue centre, again white, one blue eye and one brown and is also deaf!!

He does not drool, not bouncy but enjoys his walks and is SOPPY as hell. We go to visit and our 4 yr old gets spoilt by the grandparents and I spoil the dog he loves cuddles

He met our son when he was a baby, and I never leave a baby young/child alone with a dog, but he is soooo gentle, always has been.

Feel they are very loyal dogs and yes definitely insure as they are prone to certain problems.

Worth taking some time getting to know said dog, whatever breed to get a feel for whether they will fit into your family.

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