Future Service Dog

[ARCHANGLBXRS]

Hi can you guys PLEASE help me. I currently have a Service Dog (50lb white bitch) and a Therapy Dog / Service Dog in training (63lb checked dog) . Beau can't fully become a Service Dog I am affraid as he is Deaf and I don't want work to be to much for him although he LOVES it and cries when he doesn't get to go and help his mommy. I am looking for a reverse Brindle male (baby) on the large side so he could be used for mobilty as well (that;s the problem with my current SD is she is too little when I need that kind of help.) Everywhere I have looked that has bigger pups the parent aren't tested, can anyone direct me into where to find the perfect dog ? PAWlease

 

[boxer]

How big would he need to be for mobility? A standard sized male boxer would be between 66-75lb and 23-25" tall.

I'm afraid that no responsible breeder, who cares enough for the breed to be health testing their dogs is likely to be deliberately breeding dogs to be bigger than that size - because to do so is to contradict the breed standard... And a responsible breeder breeds to try to produce dogs as close to the breed standard as possible, not to deliberately diverge from it.

Now that doesn't mean that larger boxers are never produced by responsible breeders, just that they shouldn't be deliberately trying to do so. So the occassional dog that's larger or smaller than it should be is always going to crop up, but it probably won't be on a regular basis. I'm not sure that that helps you a lot in terms of searching for one though.

If a dog larger than 65-75 lb is what you need, had you considered just getting a larger breed? A bullmastiff might be a very good choice - just like a boxer only bigger

 

[ARCHANGLBXRS]

75 lbs would be great thats how much my friends golden weighs and she is solid

 

[boxer]

OK

Well that is a fairly standard male boxer, so you shouldn't have to be looking specifically for a breeder who "breeds big". The best place to start looking for a responsible breeder who does proper health tests is your local boxer club (you can find a list of clubs by area at http://www.americanboxerclub.org/us-boxer-clubs.html). A boxer club should be able to point you in the direction of members who do comply with the american boxer club's recommended health screening for breeding boxers and who may have a litter coming up Good luck in your search!

 

[Angie K]

Does it have to be a puppy? Why not look into Rescue? I have an (80lb) male Caspian who we adopted a year and a half ago. He is wonderful and I am in the process of having him certified as a therapy dog. I know Florida Boxer Rescue has lots of dogs that need homes and many of them would be great for your situation. You would be perfect for a dog with seperation anxiety because they would be with you all the time. They would be the happiest dog around.

 

[Chicagosarah]

If you decide to go the puppy route, contacts a few breeders that show, health test, etc. I may be off base, but I would think that out of those, I would find out which ones have had experience in their lines with offspring becoming therapy dogs or have siore/dams that have obedience titles. That may help find lines that have really excellent temperments and are easier to train for therapy work.

 

[ARCHANGLBXRS]

Thank you guys SO much for your responces
I am with Rescue but ALOT of the socialization begins at day 1 and the 16week mark is a major thing for exposing the puppy to things they will come in contact with later. I have already been waiting for a while and will wait as long as it takes to find the perfect dog.
Thanks Again

 

[adeinert]

Hi Amber!!!
Am I hearing that you need one from a reputable breeder because temperment is paramount? You know you could get on a list for first shot at those rare pups that come into rescue!
Anyway, email me and I'll give you the names of breeders here in FL that I am aware of that do health testing. Tulley's foster mommy has two dark brindle babies in the ring. The breeder of her male is local, she might be able to put you in touch with a quality breeder. The male is 17 months and what a beauty he is! He's not above breed standard but very impressive in size already. I do know that our moderator- boxer's comments on size will ring true when you speak with the breeders.

Let me know if I should peel my eyes on the dark brindles coming in too!?!?
<VBG>

Boxer hugs!