Are Boxers Protective?
- Thread starter My D-man
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And they will know when it is the right time to protect, no worries. Just trust them and they will not let you down.:DThis is an interesting thread and raises a question I've often wondered about: whether or not Riley would actually protect me if I were threatened. Having been abused the first 4 months of his life (he is now 15 months old), he is still very nervous around strangers and steers clear of new people who come into our yard so I'm not really sure he would.
However, I have no doubt my first Boxer would have done anything to protect me from harm. Go figure....
One of the BW members (I'm sorry I can't remember who it is) posted something I've never forgotten about her Boxer and protection. She said her dog (who normally loved most people) had an adverse reaction to a man who came into her house with some friends of hers. Some time later, this same man attacked her (meaning the BW member) at knifepoint. I've always thought it was pretty amazing how her Boxer just knew something wasn't right about this person. I guess we should really trust their instincts.
However, I have no doubt my first Boxer would have done anything to protect me from harm. Go figure....
One of the BW members (I'm sorry I can't remember who it is) posted something I've never forgotten about her Boxer and protection. She said her dog (who normally loved most people) had an adverse reaction to a man who came into her house with some friends of hers. Some time later, this same man attacked her (meaning the BW member) at knifepoint. I've always thought it was pretty amazing how her Boxer just knew something wasn't right about this person. I guess we should really trust their instincts.
giveboxerahug
Guest
I never thought Kali would be very protective. She loves people more than any dog I have ever met. However my husband came in the back door one night(he usually comes in the front) and she went really stiff and growled really low and was bearing her teeth. All her hair was standing up. She stopped as soon as she realized who it was, but I now have no doubt she would defend us. She is such a sweet girl but she has what it takes to intimidate any intruder.
YourFriendDeb
Completely Boxer Crazy
Legend didn't use to be protective until we got Mazzy. Mazzy is VERY VERY protective of me especially, but also her home. If anyone walks by or approaches the house, she's all over them. Once we tell her its OK, she's fine.
She even gets all over Legend if he's bothering me...she's my girl!
She even gets all over Legend if he's bothering me...she's my girl!
Kathryn Saxon
Boxer Booster
My favorite part of the standard is:
"Deliberate and wary with strangers, he will exhibit curiosity but, most importantly, fearless courage if threatened. However, he responds promptly to friendly overtures honestly rendered. "
To me, that sums up true boxer temperament.
Those who are interested can check out the American Temperament Test Society's webpage and perhaps arrange
to take the test when it's conducted in your area.
Dogs are put through a series of stresses from mild (greeting a neutral stranger, then a friendly stranger, up to a threatening stranger.) In between they're asked to waslk on several unusual
surfaces (plastic, metal), respond to sounds like gunshots and
rocks in a bucket, respond to an umbrella opening, etc.
The test is the same for all breeds, but the expectations for "proper" behavior vary. Gun dogs, for example, are
permitted to look in the air at the sound of the gunshot, while boxers are expected to turn toward the origin of the shot. You wouldn't want a golden retriever to respond to a threatening stranger in the same fashion as a doberman or a boxer.
The threatening stranger starts off as just a peculiar stranger -- dressed funny, muttering to himself at a distance. He never gets truly close, but the judges mark the dog's reactions as it first notices the person up to the point that the stranger "approaches" whacking a stick around and shouting menacingly. A boxer should definitely be signalling with body language and barks that the stranger should come no closer.
The best reaction I saw on the day I went was a little French Bulldog who put all the big dogs to shame with his display of courage. It was a riot!
At any rate, it's an interesting controlled experiment to look into if you are curious about what your dog "might" do.
"Deliberate and wary with strangers, he will exhibit curiosity but, most importantly, fearless courage if threatened. However, he responds promptly to friendly overtures honestly rendered. "
To me, that sums up true boxer temperament.
Those who are interested can check out the American Temperament Test Society's webpage and perhaps arrange
to take the test when it's conducted in your area.
Dogs are put through a series of stresses from mild (greeting a neutral stranger, then a friendly stranger, up to a threatening stranger.) In between they're asked to waslk on several unusual
surfaces (plastic, metal), respond to sounds like gunshots and
rocks in a bucket, respond to an umbrella opening, etc.
The test is the same for all breeds, but the expectations for "proper" behavior vary. Gun dogs, for example, are
permitted to look in the air at the sound of the gunshot, while boxers are expected to turn toward the origin of the shot. You wouldn't want a golden retriever to respond to a threatening stranger in the same fashion as a doberman or a boxer.
The threatening stranger starts off as just a peculiar stranger -- dressed funny, muttering to himself at a distance. He never gets truly close, but the judges mark the dog's reactions as it first notices the person up to the point that the stranger "approaches" whacking a stick around and shouting menacingly. A boxer should definitely be signalling with body language and barks that the stranger should come no closer.
The best reaction I saw on the day I went was a little French Bulldog who put all the big dogs to shame with his display of courage. It was a riot!
At any rate, it's an interesting controlled experiment to look into if you are curious about what your dog "might" do.
Im sorry im chuckling here in my chair Harvey my 17month old boxer dog hasn't barked at anyone yet - if anyone comes to the door he runs off and hides eventually sticking his head round the corner as if to say "are they gone yet?"
I do hope he turns out to be a bit more protective of us!!!
Go look
Paul
I do hope he turns out to be a bit more protective of us!!!
Go look
Paul
I've taught Gypsy not to bark when she thinks that something's wrong, but to come get us. I know that there's something hinky if she comes in and grabs my hand gently with her mouth and pulls in a certain direction. I prefer to have the advantage of knowing that something's wrong without the loud advertisement. It's a good advantage. One night Gypsy woke me up this way and took me to the front door. Turns out that the local drunk was walking down the street and was getting too close to the house for her comfort. I LOVE the protective instinct in the boxers!
FlashyTitus
Super Boxer
I try to socialize Titus with as many kids as possible but limit the number of adults that he has contact with. This could be the wrong approach with him, not sure yet, but it always worked great with my German Shepherds. I can see a little protectiveness coming out in him at 5 months old. I'll update in a few months and tell you if I see a change.
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