boxers for protection??

[fordraceing_]

i have another question, first thing i don't have any ideas of getting my boxer for protection. i was talking to my sister-inlaw and she said she didn't like boxers, said they were ugly and that her dad always had boxers and they were trained to protect the home. now everyone i know with a boxer a stranger could walk into the home if no one is home and pet the dog and probally steal the family jewls, as long as no kids are around. (most boxers i have seen are natural protective of the familys kids) im just wondering if boxers were actually used as protecters before, because they just seem to friendly to me. i don't think a boxer would be happy having such a serious 24/7 job like that.

thanks,
joe

 

[debbie knowles]

now everyone i know with a boxer a stranger could walk into the home if no one is home and pet the dog and probally steal the family jewls, as long as no kids are around.

I'l love to see someone try this at my house when I was not at home...or when I was at home for that fact!! I wish 'em luck....:D

 

[Tucker's Mom]

That's a tricky question. I believe that they can be trained to be protectors, just as any other breed can be trained. But, I haven't heard of many people using boxers this way in my area. But, at the same time, a lot of people look at a boxer and are intimidated by his general muscular appearance and square jaw. And, IMO, the boxers with clipped ears look even more intimidating. Someone who doesn't know the breed is more likely to think of them in the same way they would view a Pit or Dobie (or a junk yard dog). But, I would never train a boxer to bite people. With those big floppy lips, he would cause more damage to himself than the intruder!! (Harley has been in a few fights with raccoons, and he always came home with little holes in his lips)

Although my baby is not trained to protect the house, he does have a pretty tough bark. And people who don't know him won't even think about approaching the house until I tell them it's okay. But, that suits me just fine...I'm always afraid someone will try to kidknap him, and they are less likely to try if they think he'll bite.

 

[TracyandSam]

I can not speak for anyone else, and I certainly DID NOT get my boxer for a protector...but she does a wonderful job at it. She will not let anyone through our doors unless she knows from us that it is alright. I remember one of first nights we had her home and my husband came home from work. He gets home around 2 am so all is dark and quiet. I am just used to hearing him come in the door so I guess I don't even notice it when he got home. Well Greta sure did. She barked and growled like crazy (scared me to death!)when she heard him open the door. He actually had to close the door and go back into the garage and slowly open the door and speak to her before she clammed down. As I said, I never got my boxer with the intentions of her being my protector, but I do feel safer at night with hubby gone.

 

[Austin's Mom]

I'd like to see that in my house when I AM home! I didn't get Austin for protection, but I trust him with my life.

 

[SoleilBxrs]

boxers are not the type of dog that will just bark randomly at anything. What i've noticed is that they are good guard dogs (sometimes the guarding instinct kicks in later..), but they seem to asses the situation first. (unlike some dogs that just bark and bark and bark). A boxer will watch your moves, your demeanor, and your attitude before deciding if you are friend or foe. My dogs are very friendly, super wiggle-butts, and will let just about anyone into the house (that we know). But if someone approaches us, walking strangely, or w/ a large object (ie: hockey stick), you better bet that both dogs go into protection mode. (for examle, we were parked out infront of a skate rink, and a group of teenage hockey players all w/ their sticks up and waving around were walking towards our car. Cassius gave a very low, warning growl (i've never heard him do this), and when they got too close, he barked.. all the hairs on his neck/back were raised)

-Kat

 

[hipringle]

Soleibxrs, LOL, so true, I can just picture it!

 

[Gus's Teah]

Gus is mostly a clown...but a little bit of protector too

One of the reasons we chose to get a boxer was their protective instincts (among MANY others including their playful personality, being good with children, they're gorgeous, my husband had them growing up and loved them, etc...). We do not expect him to protect the house by any means, but when someone he doesn't know comes to the door, he had a pretty intimidating bark until we get to the door and tell him, "Thank you, I'll take care of this." We also have labs, but when anyone comes to the house, the only thing they want to do is lick them to death and play fetch! My husband started traveling a lot for his job about 1.5 years ago, and we decided that having a dog that would actually alert me if anyone were in the house would be a good thing, and since boxers were such good dogs anyways, we chose Gus. Now that I have experienced living with a boxer, I will probably never choose another breed ever again (even though I love my labs just as much, I like Gus's personality better ).

All that to say this, boxers have so many wonderful traits, they seem to exhibit all of the good traits found in many different breeds. Mine is (not all are) protective, but not the protector of the house and would never be expected to be.

 

[twrlrgrl]

Honestly, I think all dogs will protect a home if they sense that someone who is there is up to no good. Thats just my opinion but hey- boxers may look ugly and mean to some but they have a heart of gold!

 

[Steven Menk]

Boxers are good guard dogs if for nothing else because 99% of the people that would break into your house are afraid of dogs and Boxers look particularly intimidating to people who are afraid of dogs. I also think Boxer's reframed barking is actually more intimidating. Its like they're saying, "I'm so not afraid of you I don't even have to bother putting on a show".

As far as being natural guard dogs... I think Cosworth is pretty typical Boxer in that he is a people guarder, not a property guarder. I have people come by my house to clean or deliver stuff while I'm not home and Coz has reportedly greeted them with a wiggly butt and a desire to play. However if I'm asleep he's a different dog when it comes to strange noises or knocks at the door. If I visit my parents or sister's house Cosworth doesn't sleep. He goes on patrol and investigates every little noise from everywhere. Its like I'm home base. He'll go check something out, come back, check me out, then go out to check out the next thing.