Boxer lovers?

[MustardTent]

So, I'm getting a boxer puppy in about 8 weeks, and I'm totally excited.   Does anyone else here have a boxer?  I'd love to get some tips and perhaps hear some funny/interesting stories.

Oh yeah, any pictures of your boxer would be awesome too.

[Stingray]

Hmm, I thought be were going to be discussing boxer shorts. It's that or nothing in my book.

Guy that lives down the road from me has two boxers. They're both very aggressive and unpleasant dogs to be around. I expect that this is not representative of the breed. These guys are real losers, I've often suspected they're running a meth lab, and the dogs are there to discourage unwanted visitors.

You might want to check around and see if there's a local boxer rescue service. Many purebred dogs can be found this way. It's so much more rewarding to give a home to an animal who needs one than to just buy one from a puppy farm.

-S

[missioncontrol]

Oh yeah, any pictures of your boxer would be awesome too.

be careful some boxers are agressive........

[MustardTent]

Hmm, I thought be were going to be discussing boxer shorts. It's that or nothing in my book.

Guy that lives down the road from me has two boxers. They're both very aggressive and unpleasant dogs to be around. I expect that this is not representative of the breed. These guys are real losers, I've often suspected they're running a meth lab, and the dogs are there to discourage unwanted visitors.

You might want to check around and see if there's a local boxer rescue service. Many purebred dogs can be found this way. It's so much more rewarding to give a home to an animal who needs one than to just buy one from a puppy farm.

-S

I appreciate your situation Stingray, but you are right, that is not indicative of the breed.  I did puzzle over the breeder vs rescue service issue.  I decided to go with a registered AKC breeder.  It was a hard decision.

That is not to say that I won't ever get a dog from a rescue facility, but I felt that since I'm starting a family of my own, I'd rather be able to meet the puppy's parents, and get some indication of how the puppy's life is going to be before I pick it up (she has not been born yet).  I realize that this is similar to the Not In My Backyard situation, where people all want a solution to a problem, but not when that solution involves them in any way (ie. "People should get dogs from rescue facilities, but not me, cause I'm special for some reason").

In any case, I will NEVER get a dog from a puppy farm/pet store.  I can't believe the way those animals are treated...

[Bones]

I had a boxer for awhile. It was not vicious but always very excited. It would jump and could knock you down if you weren't ready. I wouldn't recommend them around smaller kids, such a strong animal. Its steamers were unbelievable in size, make sure you have a big shovel.

[missioncontrol]

more boxers

[MustardTent]

Wow, are those puppies?  Not soo cute 

[Stingray]

LOL @ "Steamers"

-S

[PetitMorte]

I have a boxer mix myself, and have been around many boxers that *are* representative of the breed. 
They are ***SMART*** dogs, fun-loving, playful, incredibly energetic, and extremely good with children. 

Now for the bad news:  They are ***SMART*** dogs, fun-loving, playful, and incredibly energetic.  If you don't put the time and energy into training them properly, they will grow up to be distructive, pushy, and agressive.  There aren't the kind of dog that you can just leave out in the yard.

If you do put the time and the tons of effort into training them and paying attention to them, you'll get some of the best dogs I've ever met.  They pick up new tricks and behaviors suprizingly fast, and actually look forward to being trained.  (training = attention and new challenges)  They love to play, and will usually out-last most people. 

I've also heard them described as natural clowns, and I believe that completely.  If they do something, and you laugh, they take that as positive reenforcement and will go out of their way to get you to laugh more. 

My dog has learned that if she steals my socks off the bed as I'm getting dressed in the morning, I'll chase her to get them back.  So she'll sit by the bed while I lay out my clothes, waiting until I have my back turned, or I'm putting on my shirt, and then will sneak up slowly and try to grab them.     If she gets caught mid-steal, she'll drop them, sit back down, and look around like "I wasn't doing anything!  It wasn't me!" and act all innocent.

Boxers are sweet by nature, like playful little kids.  You just have to give them attention, and remind them occasionally that YOU are the alpha in the house, and not them.  Otherwise you end up with a rotten kid.

[Stingray]

I have a boxer mix myself, and have been around many boxers that *are* representative of the breed. 
They are ***SMART*** dogs, fun-loving, playful, incredibly energetic, and extremely good with children. 

Now for the bad news:  They are ***SMART*** dogs, fun-loving, playful, and incredibly energetic.  If you don't put the time and energy into training them properly, they will grow up to be distructive, pushy, and agressive.  There aren't the kind of dog that you can just leave out in the yard.

 

This sounds like you're describing Australian Shepherds. Very full of energy, those dogs. I have a fairly good sized piece of property, so I'll walk several dogs at once on my land. The shepherd always tries to herd the other dogs in the direction that I'm headed.

-S

[ChadTower]

I prefer boxers myself, briefs are too damn tight.

[shmokes]

I think border collies make the best family dog.  They're smart, loyal, smart, friendly, smart, pretty, smart, obedient and smart.

[pointdablame]

I think golden retrievers make the best family dog.  They're smart, loyal, smart, friendly, smart, pretty, smart, obedient and smart.

Quote fixed for me