Cant Decide..Puppy or Adult??

[northernboxr]

I can totally understand wanting your first Boxer to be a puppy. I got mine as a puppy. Now that I've done the 'puppy' thing, I'll only adopt adult dogs. Puppies are so much work and patience.

I fully agree. Riker is now almost 7 months old. He is finally starting to be a companion and not a holy terror. I love him to death, but he was more work than I ever could have imagined! When he gets a sister in a year or so, there is no way I'll get another puppy.

An adult dog may come with a few problems that you'll have to work on. However, a puppy comes with EVERY problem an adult dog might have. For instance- they can't be left alone for very long, they are destructive, they bark, they cry, they pee on the floor, they jump up on people etc etc...

Unless you have your heart set on a puppy (they are so darn cute, which keeps you loving them)- I'd go for the adult.

 

[Keeper's Mom]

I have never owned a puppy as an adult and never planned to. Way too much work for me. We adopted Keeper at a little over two years old and he is attached at the hip to my husband. Funny since we were told he was skitish of men. He did have some separation anxiety but otherwise he is the perfect dog. We wanted a dog around 2-3 years so we still had a lot of years with them but the puppy stage was over.

 

[kennyj]

re:pup or adult

with us a pup was our best bet, as we have small children and were worried about the older dog having problems with kids....but we got ours from a boxer rescue here in ontario and they really tell you all the issues the dog has pup or adult, the screening process and application was excellent...the one we dealt with really seemed to care where the pups were going, just make sure you choose a well known rescue....either way a pup or adult is a good way to go, just remeber your saving a life, good luck....Ken

 

[Opus]

Both of ours were adopted adults and I wouldn't have it any other way. Spike (our boxer/lab male) came from the local Humane Association shelter. Bella was a 1 y/o girl that some rather unpleasant neighbors weren't caring for properly.
#2 daughter (who speaks Spanish) walked over there one night and handed them $100 and said "I'm taking your dog." Brassy, but it worked.

There is nothing than can compare with the love you get from an animal when you dramatically improve their life. No two were ever happier or more spoiled than these guys. I can recommend it without reservation.

 

[rfdfirewife]

I too was a little worried about rescuing. Yes my two are both puppies, but...We got Addie at 8 weeks and raised her, and Clay we just recently rescued a month ago. Clay is much more effectionate, as he hasnt ever had the attention before. Hes a hoot, hes never had the toys either, so everyday is a new adventure. Addie on the other hand is used to it, and tries to demand things. Shes more entergetic. It may just be that Clay is still getting used to everything, as hes coming out of his shell more and more. (he did his first boxer burn through the house this week, and has started counter surfing) I know that as puppies are cute, a bit older (he was 8 mo) are easier to handle and train, I think its because they are so grateful to have a home.