Boxers and Horses?

[cheryln55]

Hi all! My name is Cheryl and I am from the Phoenix, Az area. I have been thinking on purchasing a boxer puppy to add to our family since my old dog died last summer and I always have two dogs around. It feels weird with just one dog for some reason. Anyway, I have a couple questions. I own horses and live on horse property. I am not so worried about the puppy getting along with the horses, because I have had a few breeds of dogs in the past and if raised from the start with horses then it ususally works out. I was also thinking since boxers orginated from cattle dogs that they would most likely be okay with livestock. I have been reading up on the breed and my daughter babysat a boxer for a friend once and we just fell in love with that dog. My big question is that I occasionally take my dog on the trail with me and always camping with us. When we are out in the forest or desert my Australian Shepherd runs along with us and stays with us the whole time off a leash. Do you think a boxer would stay with his pack or run off and be uncatchable? All the dogs I have ever owned in my life were taught to walk on a leash and heel to me off a leash also. I teach them that before they go out with the horses and I always take my experienced trail dog with me when I train a young pup. So do you all think a well trained boxer would bolt and take off on the trail or do you think they would stay with their people/herd they are bonded with? I love everything so far that I have read about the breed, even the ornery puppy stages and their high energy level, but I have not read anything from other horse people about how they do around the horses and on the trail. Thanks for any input! Cheryl

 

[Jan]

My sister has horses and she used to have boxers. They always went riding with her and she never had problems. They would stay close and never wander off. It's all in the training I think.

 

[cheryln55]

Boxers and Horses

Yeah I agree Jan. The boxer my daughter babysat was an apartment dog and whenever she would go out for a walk if you took her off her leash she'd bolt. I imagine if that dog had room to play and lots of stuff to keep her busy, plus training she would of been like any other well trained dog. I hope to get a puppy soon. I thought about adopting an adult dog, but with horses you really have to raise them together from the start.

I always take an experienced well behaved trail dog with me when I start to take a young dog out with us. I find that young dogs will mimic the older dogs habits and since Rosie my older aussie is really good at her job she is perfect for training a puppy, plus Rosie loves puppies.

I also read that I should consider getting a male if I already have an alpha female dog. So that is what we are looking for.

Thanks for the reply. I guess there aren't many horse people on this board to be able to answer this question.

Cheryl

 

[harleyboxer]

I still managed a horse farm when I got Harley. He was 3 and had never seen horses. He attacks them whenever he see's them and nothing will stop him. He can't even sniff their noses without biting it. It's too bad because the barn I board at now is dog friendly and he could come with me and play with the other dogs. My old boston terrier was a great barn dog. He was a real pain in the butt to take down trail though. He had to sniff and pee on everything. I definitely recommend a female for trail riding!