Frustrated and looking for advice.

[gqneon]

It's been a month and 3 days since our boy Sampson went to the Bridge. It's gotten easier but I can tell there's no way we're going to make it another year without a Boxer in our lives. When I see people walking Boxers in public it takes every bit of self-control I have to not stop the car and ask to meet their dog.

So I put in an app with Legacy Boxer Rescue in my area, but was turned down for not having receipts of Sampson being neutered (even though he was neutered before he rescued us in Virginia some 7 years ago) and for not having receipts to show he's been on HW preventative his entire life. I never realized I'd need to save those longer than my tax records, and I never remember running out for him. (I still have 2 doses left of HW and 3 for flea/tick). At any rate - I know they only know about me what I can show them on paper, but it breaks my heart to know we can't adopt from them like I had somehow mistreated or neglected him...

I feel slighted but I still keep making what donations I can to them because I believe in their cause and if I'm not the kind of Boxer owner they approve of, then they must have some amazing rescue families. (That's the glass half-full approach there... trying to be positive about it.)

So, the next closest thing I can do - I'm searching for an awesome breeder. My wife and I used to sit around and talk about what Sampson's baby pictures must have looked like since the shelter we got him from didn't have any history for him, except that that last adopter beat him with a broom to keep him off the furniture... *cry* (It took me weeks of sweeping for him not to hide and cower... sadly, but in the end he learned it wasn't there to hurt him.) It would be neat to start from square one with a puppy that has a seriously well documented set of parents.

I've googled Texas Boxer Breeders a dozen times and gone several pages deep clicking every link. There's a TON of mills, and lots of craigslist-esque type sites or links that are clearly millers or BYB. Many of the breeders (including the list from the Dallas Boxer Club list) are no longer in existence, or the last update on their site is like 2009 or 2010. People are advertising black boxers, and I see sites with Boxers showing all these accolades and pedigrees who looked more like Amstaffs or American Bulldogs than Boxers. It's disheartening.

I would love to find a breeder, at any cost, who is truly in that:
a.) does FULL health testing on both sides before matching a pair to breed
b.) rears the pups and the Momma PROPERLY
c.) has a health guarantee and that I can feel comfortable about buying from.

It would be neat to introduce a happy little nub wagger sometime in the near future, and to be able to have him as a life-long friend. The home we gave Sampson is what every Boxer deserves, IMO, and it would be nice to share our home again.

So - all that being said - any thoughts or references in the Dallas area ( or really anywhere for that matter, but closer is nice ) that you would trust unequivocally and would recommend? Having only lived here a year and looking on the internet makes me scared everything is a miller or a scam out here... Thanks in advance if anyone can provide any input.

Moderator note: sorry for your loss but please read the rules as references to breeders can't be given. We would get too many spammers.
Thread moved from the Boxer ring forum to Choosing a breeder forum.

 

[ZekeZira]

I can't offer any advice on breeders but just wanted to tell you how sorry I am you lost your Sampson. I think if the rescue organization could read your post, they would approve you in a second. I hope you find that little nub that makes your family complete very, very soon.

 

[Sansal]

I'm wondering, can't your vet give you a statement that he was neutered (even if he didn't do the procedure himself) and I'm sure they could also provide you with the receipts you need? Either way, good luck, I'm sure you will soon again be sharing your life with a boxer lovicon

 

[Roxymyboxy]

I am sure that the Legacy Boxer Rescue have good intentions asking for reciepts. However, personally....I have never EVER kept Heartworm med reciepts! Sounds ridiculous and strange to me.....Maybe nueter reciepts/shot records...Seems like a dog rescue would WELCOME someone that is interested in adoption not try and make it difficult....they should screen but use common sense :/

 

[DiverDiva]

You could check the all-breed rescues in your area for Boxers. My Oscar is from a bully rescue group and Mali is from an all-breed shelter. There was no active Boxer rescue in my area at the time we adopted.

 

[furrykidmom]

Ideas

I would suggest a subscription to Boxer Ring magazine. It will list breeders. You still have to do homework on them

We also went to dog shows. It was frustrating because we do not show we just wanted a pet. Some people ignored us or snubbed us like we were not worthy but many people were very nice and helpful.

Continue your Internet search also. I remember there being breeders in Texas that we were interested in but it was too far for us. I do not think we are allowed to post breeders names.

I wish you much luck. It was such an incredible difference and so rewarding to raise our own. But it is also very rewarding to rescue for all parties involved. I am sorry to hear you had such a bad experience. Couldn't your vet back you up with a reference and past records?

Whichever way it goes. I wish you the best.

 

[DebbieJen]

We got Layla from a rescue when she was 8.5 months old. We found her on Petfinder.com after months of searching.

 

[chrystel]

Hey

First of all, I am so sorry for your loss :(

Second.. hmm The Legacy Boxer is odly very strict. I tried adopting throught them.
At the time, we had 1 boxer. Snatch. He is a small (48lbs), very obedient, laid back boxer. He is very submissive.
I applied to adopt a dog from them. They told me that first of all, i lived in an appartment which is not ideal - Granted.. but DH and I have different timing. He comes home for lunch. I come home at 3pm max. The dogs are never alone more than 4 to 5 hours.
We take them run EVERY single day. We have a field next door. We do agility, rollerbalding, jogging, park.. They have a great life!

Anyway.. they didn't think we were ok. Their reasons were: already a male (neutered) in the home, both of us were working and appartment.

I was kind of .. "huh"..

We bought Oxford, our second pup.. ( I REALLY wanted to adopt)

One of my coworker is trying to adopt from them at this moment. She is having the hardest time. They are super strict. We work for a vet....

 

[chrystel]

there is another resuce in dallas for boxer: NorCal boxer rescue... maybe you can check them out! they also have puppies! lovicon

 

[johann]

Another way to find good breeders is to go to dog shows (either boxer or all breed AKC). I'm sure you can find local-ish ones and talk to boxer exhibitors.

I'm sorry that you lost your boxer baby, I cannot imagine how hard that must be. I hope you are able to find a new boxer to love very soon.