BOXER PUP

[llm24]

Looking for advice from people who have boxer dogs

We have done a lot of research into buying a pup and we have decided as a family this is the dog for us

What I really would like to know is what people experiences are with these dogs as pets

There are only so many books you can read , online research you can do but hearing from people with first hand experience would be great

I don't own one but I've known a few. All were great with people but one isn't always 100% with other dogs. Of the other two, one is a sweetheart, but has some health issues (which are not uncommon in the breed), and the other was a lovely dog but died of cancer at about 10, so probe really deeply into the health and longevity of the dogs of any breeder you consider. As a breed, they are not particularly long-lived for dogs of their size (10-12 rather than eg German pointer, 12-14).

Is there a boxer FB page you could join? That would give you some insights into the breed.

IME, boxer owners tend to go back to the breed again and again - once they have had one, they get another.

Where I work they have four. They need training. I cannot over state this enough. They get very big and very powerful very quickly. They are big dogs and need training from the first min u get them in the front door.

They also have boundless amount of energy. It never ends. They run really really fast as well.

I have a fair amount of experience with dogs. I have had springers in the past and they have boundless amount of energy as well. But I would not choose a boxer. They are big and powerful.
Make sure u are up to keeping up with the training and giving them the exercise that they need

Meant to say. I have also had border collies , greyhounds and golden retrievers. I would choose all of those over a boxer.

All the boxers I know have TONS, and I mean TONS of energy. They are big, strong dogs and need lots of training early on to stop them jumping and pulling you on a lead.

They're all excellent with people but they get very over-excited and a teenage boxer is strong and could easily knock someone flying if not under control.

I would say you need to train them solidly from the beginning and make sure they get plenty of exercise as adults. Make sure you don't let them practise jumping, pulling etc. as they could easily cause injury due to their size and strength.

Oh, and they drool. A lot.

@vanillandhoney I meant to mention the drool. On a full size boxer that amount of drool ruins a sofa fast.

We're currently on our third boxer. First two from puppies and current one a 9 year old rescue.

They do need training but you will not go a single day without laughing at their sheer enthusiasm for life and to be fair complete stupidity!

They generally love all people and once you get used to having a 30k lapdog it's great. Our current rescue does have issues with other dogs but that's due to a complete lack of socialisation during the first five years of his life but is easily distracted by treats. There are common health issues and particularly susceptible to skin cancer which both our previous ones had.

They are big powerful cuddly teddy bears with a complete lack of common sense or judgement and having one back in our lives (especially an adult one without having to do the hard work during puppy and teenage years) has filled the gap we hadn't realised was there.

Thick as mince in the nicest possible way.

Need loads of exercise. I've had a springer and my mate had a boxer. My dog would be curled up in the pub after a good long walk - hers would be trying to chase anything and everything including the very feisty pub cat who twatted him over and over.

If you want advice from people who have the breed then maybe contact the breed club.
Not a breed I would have with very young children. Very strong and quite hard work.

The beautiful boxer clown of the dog world I have had two but totally different temperament
My first I had from a year old he was so laid back loved everybody and played well with other dogs They are also very loyal and will protect you from anything
My second bless him was a 8 year old rescue the complete opposite of my first he loved me but could be very odd
They are powerful but not overly so
If I had another now it would have to be a very young dog
And yes they drool some more than others

Hard to toilet train and very enthusiastic, about everything.

I had one from a puppy. First two years were hard as she chewed everything but after that she was a lovely friendly dog, more with people than other dogs though, she was never keen on tiny dogs for some reason. I would get another but I would definitely invest more time in training next time.

Just to add, I had 4 and 6 year old DCs when we got our boxer and she was great with them but I know some people aren’t keen on mixing puppies and children.

I have a 13 month old monster boxer.

We rescued/rehomed him at 8 months as he was too difficult for the family that had him we don't know the full story as those as through a dog rescue organisation. My DH has had boxers all his life. This is his 6th boxer as the last boxer died last year. He was 8 when we met and the most lovable affection dog ever. They are all quite different.

They are all a bit bonkers. They are all super fun. They are extremely affectionate.

My boxer is super strong in the lead and I can't walk him at the moment ( dh does ) and I take him to classes and training 121 and we got suspended until he was castrated and calmed down - he's just recovering now although I do think ours is on the extreme end and he is rather large for a boxer. PIL still have another boxer.

I would make sure you socialise him loads with lots of different people and dogs regularly. (I don't think lockdown helped our ddog)

They need quite a bit of exercise and a good garden to run in. They need loose lead tracing - not to pull -from a puppy.

As they are a large breed food and vets bills soon mount up as do collars and leads head as they are always the most expensive!

They're are some good groups on Facebook and sign up to puppy classes and socialisation classes.

I regularly see a couple of boxers on my favourite dog walk. Both friendly, one loves to play with other dogs, the other just loves his ball. Both owners say they are very loving but quite thick. (One has always had boxers and reckons his current boy is the densest dog he's ever had!)
Both drool a LOT and are full of energy, but very friendly dogs. Personally I'd have a job holding on to either of them if they bolted; they are very strong!

Hi, I grew up with boxer dogs and love the breed - as someone else has said boxer owners tend to keep going back for more! However they're definitely not suitable for everyone. I agree that they need to be trained from day 1, find some good obedience classes, as although they don't have a mean bone in their body they are strong and remain excitable into old age so they need to know who's boss and then they are happy and lovely to have around. Also all their energy needs using up, so they suit an active family who are prepared to play every day, run and go on decent walks with them. I've read recommendations that they need 2 hours excercise a day, I think that's a bit OTT but I would say at least an hour. They are great running companions. Also you'll never have a dull day, they are such characters and so much fun, really soppy and affectionate too. In my experience great with kids, and ideally if you have them from a puppy and kids are involved in training and disciplining them from the start that works really well. A halti is really effective to keep them from pulling you over when walking - my Gran had several boxers over the years and this helped her. Access to open countryside and woodland is great as they can burn off that energy without annoying too many other dogs and walkers. Basically you have to like the Boxer's bouncy personality -( think Tigger from Winnie-the-Pooh). If you want a laid-back, low maintenance dog this isn't the one for you. Hope that helps xxx

Also, I wouldn't take on a rescue Boxer unless you have had some experience of the breed first. The rescue dogs will need an even firmer hand. Our first was a pup which we trained from the beginning and the second was a rescue who was brilliant but much harder work than the puppy.

I love boxers as had one growing up but wouldn't have one myself as they just need so much training and exercise! Ours was a female so not that big but never learned not too pull - even with lots of training. This was the time of Barbara Woodhouse so she had a metal choke chain and would pull till she bled and keep on pulling! (she went on a halti once we found out about them and was much better). Tended to try to fight other dogs but was very protective of the other dog we had. Loved balls - would chase onto a football pitch while the game was on to grab the ball (and burst it!). Loved her to bits - the sheer energy and enthusiasm! Her tail was docked (as was usual at that time) but how she wagged that stump! I absolutely love the breed and won't walk past one on the street - but wouldn't have one myself.

I have had my boxer since a puppy, he is 9yrs now. As far as breed goes, they are strong and bouncy and do need training and socialising asap. Mine was always terrible at recall, but he improved once past 2yrs. They can be messy - some drool (generally after eating and exercise, not constantly) more than others, and they do malt a little bit. Each boxer I have come across has a totally different temperament. They have a range of personalities. Mine has always been great with other dogs, and kids, although takes an disliking to the occasional adult, which can be embarrassing. He is so lovable and loyal though, plus a good guard dog at home, I would recommend them highly, but be prepared to put a fair bit of training in at the beginning, as it will benefit you greatly in the long run. Mine chewed A LOT of my shoes when he was a puppy. I love him to bits and he has always been great with my kids, who are 2 and 7 now - he is the elder brother! If you can handle a big, bouncy dog and don't mind a bit of mess, and investing in some training - go for it!! He often cheers me up after having a shit day! I have also never found he needs a CRAZY amount of exercise, nor anything excessive at the vets - but they are all so different - I can't emphasise this enough! I think female boxers are sometimes a little calmer...?? Xx

this response from KILO is spot on!!

And don't let them on the bed. Ever. It's probably cute when they are Tiny. put you never want to share a bed with a 40kg drool hound.

I don't know... I love sharing a bed with mine, as he is like an enormous hot water bottle. Albeit, he snores quite loudly!! And I'm single so glad of the company 🤣🤣

@ZubinB yes it is quite cute and he smells of popcorn. But he is such a bed hog! and when we first got him his favourite time to jump on the bed was 3am.

So I amend my comment to say train to allow on the bed only when invited!

I’ve had 2 boxers. As PPs have said, training from day 1 is vital- cute puppy on the sofa rapidly becomes 40kg of dog who now owns the sofa. They are used as police dogs in Germany as they like routine and rules- so “I was allowed the sofa, it’s my sofa” make sense.
Females I’ve had can be really broody (much more so than my border collies). Nests everywhere, filled with ‘babies’. We had a problem when one broody girl built her best with the entire hall carpet behind the front door and no-one could get into the house.
Sadly the breed is susceptible to problems, check with a reputable breeder and get puppy health checked.
Drool. So. Much. Drool.

good point! he only gets on the bed when I have put his blanket on there, he (mostly) knows not to if I haven't. It's weird, although he disrupts my sleep, I still like having him there - more so than the kids, who are considerably smaller and quieter... He's my first 'baby' and I feel he only has a couple of years left in him, maybe that is why?? 😬