Are Boxers consired an agressive breed in your local animal shelters? I'm from Southern California and at our local animal shelter Boxers that are up for adoption are labeled with a yellow "A" . Same as Pit bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans and American Bull dogs or any dog that is mixed with any of these breeds. I asked someone at the shelter what the yellow "A" meant and I was told that it means it's an agressive breed. What do you all think? I have a 12 month old male Boxer and he is somewhat agressive with other dogs, but maybe is because he has not been neutered yet.
agressive breed?
- Thread starter nanuke
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boxer-newbie
Super Boxer
Everyone always thinks boxers are aggressive but most of what I have read label them as companion dogs and family dogs.
agressive breed
Here's my take on that "aggressive breed," Any dog can become aggressive over a period of time, its lack of training, and socialization. I fostered boxers for a short time and I learned about aggressive, assertive dogs, they can and will respond to training!!
Give them some time and attention and don't let them run all over you. I've known people who have had pugs that were aggressive. I think that is a really poor description relating to a breed it should not go any dog/breed unless it truly displays this and hasn't been trained.
My pancho is the "clown," my white deaf boxer is truly a "lap dog," no aggression there.
Here's my take on that "aggressive breed," Any dog can become aggressive over a period of time, its lack of training, and socialization. I fostered boxers for a short time and I learned about aggressive, assertive dogs, they can and will respond to training!!
Give them some time and attention and don't let them run all over you. I've known people who have had pugs that were aggressive. I think that is a really poor description relating to a breed it should not go any dog/breed unless it truly displays this and hasn't been trained.
My pancho is the "clown," my white deaf boxer is truly a "lap dog," no aggression there.
Andi20
Super Boxer
You’re pretty much going to get a subjective opinion here on BW. I would say that there are some Boxers that are aggressive by nature but this doesn’t seem to be a trait common throughout the breed. Aggression can be the result of many things such as bad breeding, environment, etc. Unlike many Pit Bull owners (sorry to generalize), Boxer owners don’t consider aggression to be a desirable trait. Although, there are exceptions to everything.
You may want to look at statistics regarding bites, but keep in mind that Boxers are No.9 (I think, last time I checked) in popularity so this increases the number of bites. I.e. if you have 100 Boxers and 2 Shepherds and 10 Boxers and 2 Shepherd bite, 10% of Boxers bite and 100% of Shepherds bite. This is why Boxers are so high on the list.
You may want to look at statistics regarding bites, but keep in mind that Boxers are No.9 (I think, last time I checked) in popularity so this increases the number of bites. I.e. if you have 100 Boxers and 2 Shepherds and 10 Boxers and 2 Shepherd bite, 10% of Boxers bite and 100% of Shepherds bite. This is why Boxers are so high on the list.
Thomas Liggin
Boxer Insane
When you stop to think about it, it's understandable.
Boxers love to meet people, friends and strangers alike, and they are quite exuberant in their greetings. They will often charge at someone, while barking their greeting. This can easily be interpreted as aggression.
I've seen people jump back in their cars when our first Boxer, Rocky went into his welcoming mode. They thought he was going after them. Once they got to know him, they understood that he was excited and glad to see them.
So, it's easy to understand why they are considered aggressive. It may be wrong, but it is the impression they give, and first impressions are lasting impressions.
Many people think Boxers are fighting when they are playing together. To someone who isn't familiar with Boxers, their play is frequently indistinguishable from other dog's fights.
Tom
Boxers love to meet people, friends and strangers alike, and they are quite exuberant in their greetings. They will often charge at someone, while barking their greeting. This can easily be interpreted as aggression.
I've seen people jump back in their cars when our first Boxer, Rocky went into his welcoming mode. They thought he was going after them. Once they got to know him, they understood that he was excited and glad to see them.
So, it's easy to understand why they are considered aggressive. It may be wrong, but it is the impression they give, and first impressions are lasting impressions.
Many people think Boxers are fighting when they are playing together. To someone who isn't familiar with Boxers, their play is frequently indistinguishable from other dog's fights.
Tom
LAYLAMOMMY24
Super Boxer
I agree that it depends on the dog and the way it was brought up. We had a female dobie that we adopted from an animal shelter and she was so kissy and loveable but everyone was scared of her and she didnt know why. But when we adopted a male shihtzu he was so aggressive I couldnt put him in his kennel without biteing me it turned out he was female aggressive. But alot of the boxer thing is uneducated people they see this big muscle dog with big jowels and they are affraid... they should probably be more affraid of the little ankle biters....
MChick
Boxer Booster
I have never met an "agressive" boxer, but I'm sure that they exist. Any dog could be agressive under the correct circumstances.
Maggie and I were the "victims" of breed profiling the other day. I took her to the vet for her shots, and the vet (whom I don't like at all) put a MUZZLE on her and then gave me this look. He later gave me tranquilizers and said I had to give her one before bringing her in next time as that is his policy for "agressive" breeds. Now, he's seen my little terrier for years and HE really is agressive. He'll bite without thinking twice about it. Maggie is not going to bite unless hurt or cornered. She really is the sweetest dog. I've been fuming ever since our vet visit and am looking for a new one. One that will actually like my dog.
Maggie and I were the "victims" of breed profiling the other day. I took her to the vet for her shots, and the vet (whom I don't like at all) put a MUZZLE on her and then gave me this look. He later gave me tranquilizers and said I had to give her one before bringing her in next time as that is his policy for "agressive" breeds. Now, he's seen my little terrier for years and HE really is agressive. He'll bite without thinking twice about it. Maggie is not going to bite unless hurt or cornered. She really is the sweetest dog. I've been fuming ever since our vet visit and am looking for a new one. One that will actually like my dog.
Rowdy's Dad
Guest
Rowdy is the most docile dog on the planet. I probably shouldn't have named him Rowdy. He loves to wrestle with me and my boys, but he is usually a perfect gentleman around other people. He doesn't even bark when someone is at the door. He is great with other dogs. He usually won't even growl at another dog until the other dog has actually snapped at him. His only fault is that he hates cats, and that is because every cat that he has met attacked him when he tried to introduce himself.
Scrapper's Mom
Boxer Insane
MChick, check out what that tranquilizer actually is - it might be Acepromazine which is NOT supposed to be given to Boxers; Ace can depress their heart rate and blood pressure and they can die. This is a common pet tranquilizer/sedative, so beware and make sure it's not. Just a friendly warning!
Genie
PS I'd find a new vet too if this is his policy....
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