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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Put me off getting a boxer puppy!

93 replies

Applestreet · 15/03/2023 12:01

We have been waiting a long time for what we think is the right time for our family to get a dog (I’m a SAHM, my husband can WFH, kids are young but settled and used to being around dogs, we have a nice garden). DH grew up with dogs but I’ve never had one.

We’ve done a lot of research and think we’ve settled on a Boxer but are very keen to hear personal experiences from boxer owners, and any dog owners who are in a similar position to us. We want to make sure we can offer a dog a happy home and so would love to hear any disadvantages or worries dog-owners have had (as well as good stories ofc!)

OP posts:

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slowsundays · 15/03/2023 16:01

I know a few boxers. Gorgeous temperament but like everyone else has said, certifiably mental. I couldn't handle one.

ringofrosies · 15/03/2023 16:03

Loveliest nature but my goodness do they have a lot of energy and strength! I remember walking a family friend’s once when I was a teen and nearly being pulled off my feet. She was beautiful looking and so loving. Never known a dog like her yet.

solostwhattodo · 15/03/2023 16:07

The most loving bouncy eejits you'd have the pleasure of having in the family! Ours snores like a train too
He's great with our children and their friends and unless he's having a ridiculous moment he does hve good call back.
The best thing though is the cuddles. The worst is the whip his tail gives you!

picklemewalnuts · 15/03/2023 16:13

They aren't a beginner dog. Mad as a box as frogs. You can do everything right, and they are still chaos in a box.

Adorable. But you'll be tearing your hair out. People tend to panic with any standard puppy, due to the deftness and destructiveness and general full on neediness of them. A boxer puppy?! Madness.

Imagine an enthusiastic, high energy toddler that doesn't grow up. Not in two or three years. Ever. All day every day.

KILM · 15/03/2023 16:14

Very very lovely and sweet natured.
But same as PPs, never known one that was able to be let off the lead reliably, and they do this 'pounce' thing to play which while very sweet, they are big strong dogs so it HURTS. A friends boxer has been bitten because they don't know their own strength and are too rough in play with other dogs. She loves him to bits but will never have another - you just can't relax on walks with him and they need a lot of exercise so it means a lot of stress. They are adorable (although v slobbery) but I couldn't handle the bounce + weight/strength of them personally. The bouncing isn't the issue, the fact they are SOLID and bouncy is.

BoxerMam · 15/03/2023 16:19

I'm biased but they're the best dogs ever. They're so full of personality. So loving and playful. They do calm down when they're older.

They can be stubborn, and need consistent training to make sure they don't become unruly.

They need a high quality diet, allergies,bad gas, stomach upsets are common. They are prone to cancers, skin conditions, cherry eye, cardiac problems and others so a decent insurance is a must.

They love people, shouldn't be left alone for long but are happy to snore the day away after exercise!

A bored boxer is a destructive one - they need toys to keep their brains ticking over (and that's a massive expense here as even hard wearing Kong toys need regularly replaced!)

They are HARD work. That being said, I'd never be without a boxer, and it's all worth it!

Here are mine (first white girl no longer with us) 💔

BoxerMam · 15/03/2023 16:20

This pic wouldn't add to my last post!

Flojoohno · 15/03/2023 16:22

Nope. All that saliva puts me off.

nicetoseetgesunsout · 15/03/2023 16:23

They're lovely but very active, jumpy, bouncy and attention seeking

GeorgiaGirl52 · 15/03/2023 16:52

My DD and her boyfriend got a boxer - named it Georgia after me, so that I would let them keep it at my house. I had a garden. She was bouncy, friendly, and happy. She was NEVER able to be walked. Only a strong adult could handle her on a lead, and she walked you - you did not control her.
She also slobbered and flung spittle with every move of her head.
She greeted you with her paws on your shoulders and could easily knock you down. (I learned to back up against the wall when I saw her coming.)
She ate two sofas. Right down to the wooden framework.
DD and boyfriend moved away and left Georgia with me. After a year of waiting for them to get her back, I gave her to Boxer Rescue.

BenCoopersSupportWren · 15/03/2023 17:03

Batshit.
Too strong for children to be able to walk them safely.
Barely trainable.
Slobber everywhere.
Prone to serious heart problems, seizures, breathing issues, degenerative myelopathy (causes paralysis) and skin problems.
Can drop down dead at very young age (because of aforementioned heart issues).

Sweet dogs, but I'd never have one (or any brachycephalic breed).

Auntieobem · 15/03/2023 17:09

Best breed in the world!! Ours sleeps for 80% of the time and then is full of beans for the other 20%. I disagree with pps who've said they are difficult to train, ours is v clever and biddable. Really good with children (though a bit boisterous!) and just a fabulous family dog.

Whichwhatnow · 15/03/2023 17:17

My sister has had three boxers now - she's had other breeds too but boxers are her favourite!

Pros - so full of joy and great fun to play with, loads of character, good with kids and other dogs, very friendly!

Cons - very excitable and bouncy, slobbery, need a LOT of exercise (not that it seems to make much difference to the energy levels!), can be hard to train, attention seeking, can be destructive, also (IMO) tend to be thick as pig shit 😆

I've loved all of my sister's dogs for their personalities. They're perfect for her as she lives in the countryside and is home most of the day, so has both lots of space for them to run around and lots of time to play with and train them. Plus she's not particularly bothered about chewed up sofa legs or shoes. For me they'd be a nightmare!

emptythelitterbox · 15/03/2023 17:18

Probably not a good choice for a young family.
They need a lot of training and exercise and are prone to health issues.
Your DC won't like being jumped on and knocked down or drug into the bushes by a large energetic strong dog.

Whichwhatnow · 15/03/2023 17:24

Ah yes, health issues also - two of my sister's boxers died of cancer when still pretty young (around 8) which was pretty traumatic 😔. They were both still completely nuts and full of energy right to the end though...

Sunflowers765 · 15/03/2023 17:32

A boxer will mow down your children!! They will literally run full pelt through anyone. I speak from painful experience!
Get a Labrador instead 😀

BoxerMam · 15/03/2023 17:42

I've never had an issue with my kids being knocked over and we currently have 3 boxers and 4 children - my eldest child is 12 and the youngest 4.

My 12 year old can easily walk any of ours (one at a time) without being pulled, and if we are all out for a walk together she regularly does hold the lead. I wouldnt be comfortable with her walking any breed of dog without an adult present, and I'm not disputing that they're powerful but it's quite possible to train them not to pull or knock kids over!

As I said in my earlier post, they need consistent training - the training is lifelong, it never stops but the rewards are immense.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 15/03/2023 17:42

They have fantastic temperaments but they are extremely high energy and need a lot of exercise and stimulation. I've never met a calm one - with the exception of a very old girl who was about fourteen

They're incredibly bouncy and LOVE people, which means they're a huge liability and can do a lot of damage if they knock someone over. They can also be really destructive when bored.

I love them but I would never ever get one as they just take up so much of your time and energy, and they need a lot of training.

ShowOfHands · 15/03/2023 17:48

My cousin breeds boxers. Hers are playful but very well trained and biddable. I like them and I don't like dogs. She's a fab owner though and very, very keen on training and education. She says they're a full time job to entertain but worth it.

rwalker · 15/03/2023 17:51

My friends got one drool and Slava over everything it’s gets in your clothes your hands makes me physically heave

Pendingname · 15/03/2023 17:59

We've had four now. Two from puppies and two adopted at age 10 and 9. They are the most beautiful loving dogs and while bouncy and generally insane seem to know when they need to be gentle.

They are convinced they are lapdogs but you will never go a day without laughing and the excited wiggle of joy when you come home, downstairs or even back from the toilet makes everything else worthwhile.

Somanysocks · 15/03/2023 18:00

Bonkers, is the first word that comes to mind in relation to boxers.

Mollymalone123 · 15/03/2023 18:09

Only dog that terrified me as a child was next doors boxer.he lunged at me whilst I was trying to cross a road and I was pushed into an oncoming car.luckily the driver stopped in time but they had issues shooing the dog away from me.They popped me in car and took me home -the dog had yet again escaped his garden and was out roaming -they never seemed to have it under control so not the dogs fault.

Kaylisa · 15/03/2023 18:57

I love Boxers. But I wouldn’t have one personally. And I have springers so high energy doesn’t put me off.
It’s the health issues and more likely to die younger than other breeds that puts me off

liveforsummer · 15/03/2023 19:09

If you want a dog who still has the energy and crazy of a puppy til the day they die then a boxer is for you ....

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