Decisions...

[Mama_Zookeeper]

My dad has told me he is ready to get another boxer again. He has asked for my help in finding him the right one. His boxer Chula passed on 2/14/10 and my mom, his wife of 41 years, passed on 4/29/10 both from cancer. He is about to retire in December and will have plenty of time for a puppy which is the route he wants to go.

We have been talking about rescue versus finding a breeder. Chula was rescued and he loved her dearly, but after the whirlwind year he has had, he is wondering if going the breeder route might save him some heart ache and money in the long run to avoid health problems. I am torn too in this because I see so many dogs in rescue who need good homes.

What do you guys think? Even a puppy from a reputable breeder is no guarantee it will be without issues. But it will lessen the chances he will have to go through the same kind of experiences we went through this past year. I think mainly from seeing my mom suffer so much, he is loathe to start again with a pup from unknown origins. Been looking through some "breeders" I have seen online and am fast losing hope there are very many reputable ones out there anymore. Maybe I am going the wrong way about looking for a puppy. It has been about 7 years since I have searched, so please refresh my memory friends. How are you guys going about starting the search?

 

[ehayes21]

I would start by checking out some boxer clubs in the area (or out of the area). They may have a breeder referral page. Maybe, go to some shows, etc...

Boxer Clubs Index

Look for breeders who are putting titles on their dogs, doing health testing, bettering the breed, etc...You'll soon be able to filter out the good from the bad. Good luck in your search!

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

Personally I'd recommend a rescue. We adopted our rescued Boxer when she was 4-5 years old and she's now around 9 and where she has some health issues she's still chugging away and enjoying life. Nothing is a guarantee (as you said). My boy from a great reputable breeder has severe allergies that make feeding him, walking him, bathing him, etc difficult at best, he's been to a dermatologist (more than once) as well as the regular vet all before he was a year old.

Not to mention does your dad really want to have to do the whole puppy thing? Potty training, obdience training, socializing, it's a tall order for an older person who is still grieving. A rescue that's 1-2 years old will be past most if not all of that and may make a better companion for him at this point in his life.

Good luck.

 

[srennie]

I'll ditto the rescue....our first boxer was a rescue and was very healthy until he passed from a brain tumor at 14y/o. Our 2nd was purchased as a puppy from a reputable breeder and had horrible health problems all through his first year of life (staph infection in his knee joint and a hemangio sarcoma). Then he was healthy for 8 years until he passed from a brain tumor at 9y/o. We now have another rescue who was 4y/o when we got her and while she has allergy issues, she is a happy, well behaved, EASY dog. I can't imagine ever doing the puppy thing again. Avoiding the stress of the spay/neuter is a big plus too! I like them to come to me vaccinated and fixed and eager to learn...not all crazy and bouncing off the walls,.

 

[Mama_Zookeeper]

Thank you so much for the Boxer Clubs Index! Perfect start!! I am disgusted with the things out there on the internet now. If I see one more reverse brindle boxer being touted as black I may barf! I really thought the black thing had died down, but it looks to still be a selling point for the obtuse.

Believe it or not, I think my dad is welcoming the thought of a puppy and all the chaos involved. Life is pretty quiet for him right now, too quiet. He needs the distraction badly and has a lot of love and caring to offer. We even talked about learning to show or do agility. He sounds interested. Yes we are grieving, but there is only so much sadness we can handle. A young boxer tornado may be just the ticket. I will still search the rescues for a young dog, his only request is that is be fawn because he has a thing for fawns. Sex is not an issue as he loves both and will have neuter or spay done. We have several months of searching before he retires and is ready, so thank you guys so much for the leads and advice.

 

[srennie]

You might get lucky and find a baby at the rescue. When we were applying to adopt Darby, the director was so impressed with our application that during the phone interview she asked us if we would consider a puppy. She had a little pup that was surrendered by the owners because she contracted pneumonia (probably cam from the breeder with it) and they couldn't afford to treat her. She told me that after her meds were complete and she had a clear chest x-ray she could be placed. We weren't interested in a pup but I'm sure someone took her.

The director also said that sometimes it's harder to place the adolescents than the adults because they go through that gangly stage where they aren't as 'cute' but still all crazy. So it might be pretty easy to find a crazy 6-8 month old.

I hope a new baby (whatever age) will be just what the Dr. ordrered for you dad. Since he'll be retired he'll have a constant companion.

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

You might get lucky and find a baby at the rescue. When we were applying to adopt Darby, the director was so impressed with our application that during the phone interview she asked us if we would consider a puppy. She had a little pup that was surrendered by the owners because she contracted pneumonia (probably cam from the breeder with it) and they couldn't afford to treat her. She told me that after her meds were complete and she had a clear chest x-ray she could be placed. We weren't interested in a pup but I'm sure someone took her.

The director also said that sometimes it's harder to place the adolescents than the adults because they go through that gangly stage where they aren't as 'cute' but still all crazy. So it might be pretty easy to find a crazy 6-8 month old.

I hope a new baby (whatever age) will be just what the Dr. ordrered for you dad. Since he'll be retired he'll have a constant companion.

Yes we had this too. They usually want a family who has someone home all day for puppies so it's harder for rescues to find that perfect home for them. Because I work from home we were a prime candidate so anytime I apply at a rescue if they have a dog younger than 3 months I've always gotten the talk of trying to get me to take a puppy. Before we got Tyson the rescue had an entire litter of Boxer puppies that were 10 weeks old so it does happen that's for sure. Especially right now due to the economy there are a bazillion reasons so it may not be all that difficult. And if he's going to be retired and home he'd probably be a great candidate for one through a rescue.

Just something else to think about anyway. Unfortunately the Boxer rescues are usually cram packed.

 

[srennie]

Yep, because I'm a full time mom and had 2 prior boxers they really wanted us to have a pup. NO THANK YOU!!! But, there are people who love puppies and that's great! My mother in law was an assistance canine puppy raiser for a few years. She loved the puppies and the raisers aren't supposed to do any real training, just basic house manners. I can't imagine going through raising a puppy just to give them away but thankfully there are people who can and are willing to do it. Hey, maybe that is somethign your dad would like to get involved with. What a sense of purpose that would give him and keep him busy to boot.

 

[Mama_Zookeeper]

Unfortunately the Boxer rescues are usually cram packed.

Ugh! Ain't that the truth!! The Boxer Club index had several links to boxer rescues as well, and I am really starting to get into the search now. He is going to be retiring right round the new year which unfortunately we all know will mean rescues will be packed with lovely Christmas gift pups. I wish I could have an island like that fictional dog topia one I saw online. Boxer racing around as far as the eyes can see....