Advice on Boxers? (the dog) **UPDATE**

L

Left Hand Black

25+ Posts
I'm going to a local Boxer rescue group on saturday to look at a dog. I've heard nothing but great things about the breed but I thought I'd ask some of you for advice or just things I should keep in mind.

Thanks.
 
EvilHorn does not post much here any more but he has a gorgeous Boxer and loves the breed. I assume he knows quite a bit about them too. I would send him a private message and if he gets it he may respond. That is the best source I can think of that is a person.
 
I was going to get a Boxer, but I had a little girl that was 3yr old at the time. I ended up going with a Beagle. The only thing I would keep in mind is if you have a small child Boxers' can tend to play a little rough.
 
First of all, good for you for going to a boxer rescue. Are you in DFW? If so, I'm guessing it's Legacy Boxer Rescue, and they do great things and are good people.

I've had 2 boxers, and I currently have a girl brindle boxer who is the best dog that I could ever imagine. She is so nice and just wants to be around her people. She would never hurt a thing. My wife and I have a little girl on the way, so I was somewhat concerned, but have heard nothing but great things from other owners about Boxers and little children.

They do require a lot of attention though. You can't just put them in the back yard and forget about them or they will get destructive.
If you let treat them well and show them affection, they will return that love to you tenfold, that I can guarantee. I've been around a lot of dogs in my life, but I probably will only have boxers as a pet from now on, that's how strongly I feel about the breed.

My only warning is that they might break your heart. The breed is very prone to cancer and some heart problems. I lost my first boxer at age 5 from a brain tumor and we never he knew he was sick until 2 days before he died. It killed me.
 
I've been around boxers since I was a kid. My mom showed and bred them. They are kick *** dogs.

I have two right now. A brindle ***** and a fawn dog. They are litter mates and we got them when they were 8 weeks old. My oldest daughter was 6 when we got them and my middle was 1.

One reason we didn't hesitate to get them is that they are GREAT with kids. They have very soft mouths even as puppies and they are loving to a fault.

I've been around dozens of boxers in my life and have yet to get bitten. They love to lick and they like to be in your face, so you'll have to set boundaries, but they are very protective of kids and family, but it takes a lot to set them off.

Our *****, Jasmine (named by oldest daughter) is like a second mother in our family. Wherever the kids are that's where she is. When my youngest was born she wouldn't let Tex (our male) anywhere near the baby. If I play too rough with the kids or chase them and they scream, she'll get between us.

She never comes at me, but just tries to stay between them and me.

They love to run and Jasmine can jump 6 feet straight up from a stand still. Make sure you have plenty of room.

They are sweet and wonderful dogs. They sound intimidating, but aren't viscous and they love people so much that sometimes they have to be restrained.

I'll never own any other breed.

Mine will be 5 this year and I can also verify that they are prone to tumors and they tend to die younger than some other breeds. A 10 year old boxer is an old boxer.

Over the years that I've been around them our rarely made it past 10. But every day you have them will kick ***.
 
Sweet loving dogs with short life expectancies of 6-8 years on average.

They can have a lot of genetic illnesses, hearts, cancer, allergies, etc. I had one who got an inoperable mast cell tumor at 4 and had to be put down, but she was my favorite dog ever. The previous one died at 6 from a heart arrhythmia. Both of my last two required surgery on they back legs by the time they were 2 for the equivalent of ACL tears or moving the patella. The first one lived to 9 or 10 but had tumors everywhere and they started around 7.

They make good indoor dogs since they don't have tails to knock everything over. I never had the ears cropped on my 3 dogs.

In reply to:
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One more thing. They love to run very fast and jump.

Make sure you can devote the time to train obedience. I think this is the reason many boxers end up in shelters. Priority should be given to making sure they don't jump up on people. None of mine did past the age of 5 months.

I would recommend getting them enrolled in a good obedience class and working them. They are an intelligent breed and will learn fast.
 
Thanks for the replies.

My twins are 7 so I'm not too worried about them being with the dog. However, I've read about the prevalence of tumors and it really does concern me. I can't afford extensive treatment, nor do I want to put down a dog and crush my kids' hearts.

I'm looking at an indoor dog, one that stays in the house while I'm at work. No 24 hour yard dogs for me. I come home for lunch, so he'll get his alone time split up at least. The dog I'm looking at is 3 yrs, housebroken, and very chill I'm told. He should be able to handle being alone during work hours.

And no, I'm not in DFW but OKC. (Hey, at least I'm not a sooner)
 
I crate mine during the day since I'm trying to sell my house and they don't have any problems with that.

If you let him have the run of the house he might chew stuff so be careful of that.
 
I have two fawn females, 5 years old who are sisters. They are unbelievable great pets. My grandaughter rides on them, pulls them around, etc. and they are just kind and gentle around her. They are great to walk or run with and with a little training, will not chew things they shouldn't.

Mine have some health problems. Both have irritation of the stomach which require they eat rabbit, carrot and potato dog food that goes for about $80 per 50 pound bag. It gives them bad breath and sometimes bad gas.
 
I was at my vets office once and someone brought up boxers. They said thatthey are heartbreakers because they are the most wonderful dogs, but are prone to health issues and many have short lives.
 
I have no idea why they are particularly prone to tumors. I've always wondered myself. I just know that they get a lot of them. Many are benign, but it's not a great tendency to have.

I would guess it's just a recessive that is accentuated by focused breeding. Like hemophilia in European Aristocracy or hip displaysia in German Shepherds.
 
I think they got the genetic tendency for cancer from the old bulldog lines that also give them the pug nose and white markings.
 
we have a brindle currently (Rocco) and lost our fawn 2 years ago to lymphoma. Chloe was only 5.

we have a 3 month old baby and Rocco somehow knows to be gentle

they are the best dogs in the world. Rocco currently has his head resting on my feet. I think I'm gonna give him a hug.
 
I've had two boxers. They both died of cancer. One at age 11, the other at age 10. Cancer seems to be quite common with boxers. My dogs were both wonderful. There's nothing that a kid could do to them that would make violent. Nothing, ever. Those dogs love people in general, and children in particular. I wouldn't think that they would make very good guardian dogs for the reason that they tend to get friendly with people quickly.

In summary: I love their character, hate that they get so much cancer.
 
I am the biggest dog lover there is and it would kill me to know that my dog was only going to live to be 5-8 max. Not to high jack, but a Beagle also makes a great pet and is all the things that are great about Boxers and their size makes them more adept to being inside than a Boxer. Again I don't mean to change the subject, but it would break my heart knowing that he/she would not live more than 5-8 years.

Good luck with which ever you choose!
 
Had one boxer and my Mom had another. Great dogs. Bright, hilarious mannerisms, playful, loyal to a fault. They'd die for their family and they're great with kids.

Both lived to be 12.
 
OK, time for an update:


After much research (and soaking up the opinions from you fine folks here at hornfans), I decided against getting a boxer. I just can't stand the thought of getting a wonderful dog, my kids and I falling in love with it, and then it dies at age 5 or 6. I know it could happen with ANY breed but I guess I'm gonna take my chances on a breed that is perceived as more healthy.

There is a no-kill shelter near where I live, so my fiancee and I are going to see what we can find over there. Thanks again for your responses. And for those of you that lost a good pet too soon, my heart goes out to you.
 
I certainly understand your perspective and there are some great breeds that don't have the same issues

with that said, I wouldn't change anything about the time we had with our first boxer. That time lead to our second boxer, and will lead to more over time.
 
We own two boxers (one white and one fawn) and they are without a doubt the best dogs I have ever had. The only down side to them is the constant farting.
pukey.gif
 
My last boxer would be like the one in the clip. The baby would crawl to her and pull her ears and lay on her chest and the dog would not move as long as the baby was there.
 
bobby1.jpg


Here's Bobby, 6 yrs old and healthy. My parent's two previous boxers lived until they were 11. Like everyone else has said, they LOVE children and are very protective, very people-possessive because of this. If you are worried about their short lifespan you can try and turn it into a positive. You and your kids are going to have to go through this sooner or later and you can explain to them that you want to rescue this dog and give him the best 3 or 4 years possible. Either way, good luck!
 
**Update Time**

So I decided to throw caution to the wind and adopt a boxer. The advantages of such a family friendly pet outweighed the health concerns that were bothering me.

Thanks for the help guys! Here's a pic:



Frito the Boxer
 
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