Boxers in apartments

[Marleysboys]

I lived in an apt with my husband and our at the time, 11 year old boxer. He was laid back but still wanted to run around like crazy sometimes. Our apt was about 950 sq ft and he did just fine in it. We took him outside for walks everyday. He wasn't really a barker so we didn't have many problems in that dept. We then moved into a condo and he adapted just fine to that too. The stairs started becoming a bit of a problem for him as he got older but again, walks every day. When we got our puppies..that was a challenge..taking them outside every 15-20 mins up and down the stairs UGH! since they are high energy dogs, they would run and run and run around our furniture!! Definitely decided it was time for a house..which we are currently in now with a big back yard for them to run around in. We managed just fine in an apt and condo, but really happy to be in the house w/ the yard.

I think you'll do just fine with a boxer as long as you take him/her on walks daily to get that exercise that they need to burn off energy, especially since you work long hours, except nothing less from the boxer to go nuts once you get home (we experience this every day when I get home from work- I work 10 hour days as well) haha. My suggestion is to do the walks before you leave for work and after you get home!! Good luck!

 

[FlOda]

My husband and I did a similar thing. We went to a boxer rescue, told them our situation, and came home with our 3 year old Hank on the 4th of July. Now, they brought out several dogs and there were some 5 year olds that were incredibly hyper, so age doesn't necessarily equal calmness. We loved Hank because although he was big, he didn't throw his weight around, and while initially hyper, he calmed down very quickly.

We live in a bungalow, so we're on the ground floor, but we have no real yard to speak of. We do live near a lot of canyons, so many mornings we take him out there to hike and jog. It seems like 30 minutes of canyon walking/running tires him out better than an hour of walking/running in the city (we shoot for 45 minutes-1hr on trails, and 1-2 miles in the city.) At night lately we've been taking 30 minutes to play hide-and-seek in the apartment, and other training games, which he really gets into and also tire him out, Then another shorter (15-30 mins) walk following. We do basically anything that gets him running from room to room and also learning commands at the same time. Now that we are both working again, we have a dog walker come around 4 to take him out and around. She only does 15 minutes right now as it's been so hot, we'll go up to longer walks as it cools off, but at least it gets him outside. With this one big walk, two little walks, 1 nightly training session routine he does pretty well, although if his nemesis neighbor dogs are outside he whines like crazy. We're working on that. (At least it's not barking) After that morning walk, he sleeps till 4pm, so he's a better apartment dog than my friend's chihuahuas.

 

[alyssakitz]

I think it's definitely do-able. While we don't live in an apartment, we do live in a house with an unfenced yard so basically the only outside time our dogs get is leashed or under close supervision. It might help that I have two and so they romp and play with each other all day and thus get their energy out that way. But every morning they go for a 1 mile walk with me or to the dogpark to play for an hour. Surprisingly enough, my older dog requires much more exercise to tire her out than the puppy does, so I make sure we spend a good amount of time tossing a ball for her while we are out. We will often go out for a second walk in the evening time. You could always see about getting a pet walker or doggie daycare for the days you are gone long hours.

The only downside I would see to an apartment would be the indoor play that goes on. My two burn through the house like crazy and it sounds like the ceiling is going to come down if you're on the lower level of the house. Something to think about as well is picking a dog who seems secure and comfortable. My girl is a little nutty and although she's nearly 5 she'll still whine and fuss like a baby when left alone. I think it would make apartment neighbors crazy. But I also think if you let your neighbors know you're getting a new dog and to please keep you informed if there's problems while you are out, then you can address any issues that do arise.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[tmcarson]

I also live in an apartment and have two boxers. Both of my Boxers adapt well. My apartment is fairly large, they have their own room, and have free roam of the house. They do not bark at all, unless wrestling with one another, and they get plenty of execise. We run for 1.5 miles a day. This exhausts their energy.

 

[NateBazooka]

I live in a one bedroom apartment with my boxer, and it's fine. We do generally go on a 4-5 mile walk every day, however. If it's raining in the evening (interrupting our walk time) he does tend to complain a bit.