Few questions about first dog

[SammynDqtz]

Here's my 2 cents for your questions...

1: either sex... just be sure you have him or her spayed or neutered.

2: If you are for sure prepared to go through teething and house training that can last at least until their first b-day... then a pup would be great if you don't want to go through that... get an adult.

3: Do not crate the dog for more than a few hours a day, and IMO a dog should NEVER be left alone outside, fence or not. Too much bad could happen, he could get loose or even stolen. Boxers are NOT outdoor dogs, they like their comfort and warmth, if they can't have a cozy spot to sleep indoors, don't consider a boxer.

4: Yes, a jog or a couple walks a day will do your boxer good.

5: Hmm... that depends... just be sure you are buying from a reputable breeder, one that is sure of their boxers temperments and health. 200 and 300 bucks is pretty cheap. I think I could quote Adeinert on this one.

6: That might be a good idea, if he can behave himeself. I'm sure as far as potty breaks go, he'll let you know or you'll just figure it out pretty fast.

7: Boxers are known to be good with kids but it takes training on the puppies and kids part. Teach your kids it is NOT okay to poke or pull on the dog. And teach the pup not to be nippy... most puppies are pretty mouthy for a while. Always be there when the kids and dog are together.

 

[scott015]

well i hope you guys dont get the wrong idea about me, but I have no intention on paying $800+ for a dog. Thats just too much money for me... but I dont wanna blow the whole idea off because of that...

if I do look in local paper and check them out and both parents and all puppies look good and healthy and they have all their shots, what would be the harm in that? i understand if their parents are on their death bed with flees and all just thrown in backyard that hasnt been cut, etc... but if it looks like a good enviroment whats wrong with that??

 

[xenaprincess]

Scott, I see that you have been given some excellent advice and support so far from other members. A Boxer is an excellent choice of breed for many reasons and they are GREAT with kids!
To try and answer your question about buying from the newspaper....the adds usually come from Back Yard Breeders and more often than not, health testing is not done! These people breed hand-over-fist for pure profit!! My Dad paid $750 for Xena and her sister. If you are thinking now that $800 + is too much than maybe you are not really ready for the committment of owning a dog. The buying price is just the beginning! Then you will have vet expenses, food, toys, bedding, crate, accessories (collar, leash, etc), spaying/neutering, future "emergency" expenses in case of illness or disease. A pet is a lifetime committment...not a one time expense, just like a skin kid!
Personnally, I think you should put some more thought into it!
Good Luck and welcome to BoxerWorld!

Sharon

 

[scott015]

well that is my point exactly... with all the other expenses, food, crate, etc just nearly a $1000 for the dog alone is alot... but maybe im wrong i just didnt realize that...

 

[myrocky]

Originally posted by scott015
well that is my point exactly... with all the other expenses, food, crate, etc just nearly a $1000 for the dog alone is alot... but maybe im wrong i just didnt realize that...

Also what if the puppy gets sick? The first month and a half that I had my puppy he was seriously ill. Just in medical expenses we paid $2000. That doesn't include food, crate, toys, or supplies. You also have to factor in getting the puppy spayed or neutered. The first year with a new puppy is a very expensive one and there is no getting around that.

Andie

 

[xenaprincess]

Scott, I also wanted to mention that approx. 17yrs ago I bought my Doberman from an add in the paper...paid $200 for him and thought I was well ahead of the game getting a good deal on him like I did. Within 1 month I was taking him to the vets emergency clinic at 3:00 am. He was sooooo full of intestinal worms he would have died if I had waited until the next day. So there was the first expence...paying for an emergency vet at 3:00am! He stayed at the vet hospital for 5 days. When I went to pick him up to bring him home, he was healthy and happy and I was handed a bill for $1700!!! Just to give you an idea on "emergency" expences!

Sharon

 

[KelAndRoxy]

I agree with myrocky. Spend the money now to get a good healt-tested puppy from a reputable breeder rather than spending maybe thousands of dollars down the road because you took the gamble on a BYB dog and lost. It will probably end up being cheaper in the long run. Just my 2 cents. Good luck in your search for a dog! :D

 

[jray]

There was a thread a bit ago on costs for a pup - food, crate, toys, vet, etc. We paid over $1000 for Oskar. We weren't going to breed him we just wanted a healthy home pup. We found a very reputible breeder who health tests etc. He is the best thing ever! I can say since we've had him (7 months) we have probably spent $2000 total on him, vet, food, toys, crate, etc. We don't have kids to take care of so we have Oskar and his brother the yorkie.

I'm glad you are thinking ahead before you take the jump into a boxer. they aren't for everyone. Please don't go to a pet store or in the newspaper for a pup. It's worth it in the long run for a healthy pup from a reputable breeder.

Oh and as for the potty question you'll be lucky to make it to 4 in the morning! We often were up at 2:00 and then again at 5:00!

Jenny & Oskar

 

[Comet_Hailey]

Hi Scott, I would have to agree with myrocky, the exspense is very high with a puppy. I know that we paid $850 for Hailey and then to spay her and to remove a lump (whick are common to Boxers) put our us over $1500 all together. Then comes the crate, toys and food and treats. Boxers are very smart dogs and need to be stimulated constantly, they can get board of a toy quickly so new things are needed. I would make sure that you are ready to spend the money, because even if it is a good breeder there still can be complications. They are also very curious dogs so you have to be ready for anything.
Good luck and I hope that you do end up getting a Boxer as they are fantastic companions.

 

[blurble33]

scott~

while i am not trying to endorse BYB's both of mine come from Back Yard Breeders, and both for the most part are great. the only health problems we had from our youngest was she had worms, which we had treated right away, and she never had them again. we also when she came into her first season found out she has a bad ovary but that is not a problem as long as we don't breed her, and it will be taken out in surgery in a month. the cost for that here is $80, but this is a small town. when i lived in memphis i had a st bernard and when we had her fixed it was a little over $200. i think what everyone is saying is that when u buy from a BYB u are taking a serious risk, there could be nothing wrong and their could be everything wrong, where as from a reputable breeder your dog will 99% chance be perfect but i am like you, there is no way i could pay that much for a dog. when we got our first one we had know idea about a BYB, i didn't find out about those until i got on here, and when my husband and i get our next boxer we have decided that we are going to either rescue or buy from a reputable breeder, just b/c we don't want to take a chance. boxers become a part of your family, they are our kids and we would do anything for them. if u are a dog lover like u say and u get a boxer he will become another child toi you and like a brother to your skinkid, your views on spending money will change then; at least mine did.

we have sme friends who recently bought a basset hound from a BYB, i warned them and told them to do this - ask if they could take it to their vet and get every test possible done, before they took it home. the breeder let them, they had to pay a downpayment and then after the vet they mailed the breesder the rest of the money. i would recommend doing that if u do buy from a BYB, u might have to do a lot of searching though, cuz i don't know how many breeders will actually do that.

good luck