Hello from Oregon

[Toy Dragon]

Hello, I'm new to BoxerWorld, although I've been reading posts for a couple of weeks now.

I live in Central Oregon and am currently dogless, although my father has one Mastiff (Prozac) and two mutts (Karma and Loaf).
I'm currently in college and will graduate in about 2-3 more terms. Right now I'm living with my mom, and will be moving out into my own place in probably about 2-3 years. I plan on moving straight into a house, I don't want to bother with renting and since I have contractors and cabinet-makers in the family, I figure I'll take advantage of their skills. I'm hoping to get a boxer after I graduate and have a steady, realiable job (no more part-time jobs for me). I was considering getting a boxer while I'm still in college, I've always got free hours between classes and I thought that would be good for a pup, but I think I'll wait till I've got a good, steady income in case something really bad happens.

I'm really interested in finding boxer owners here in Oregon. I haven't seen alot of threads concerning boxers here and was just wondering if the weather here is too harsh for boxers. I've seen a few around town every now and then, so I know there are Oregon boxer owners out there somewhere!

I'm also curious about the problems related to natural ears on boxers in the Oregon climate. When I do get a puppy, I'd like to keep it's ears natural, however long-eared dogs have a tendency to get bad ear infections here, my father's Mastiffs certainly did.
I've heard that ear-cropping prevents ear infections and other ear-related ailments. Any thoughts on this?

-Toy Dragon

 

[Draymia]

Hi and welcome to BW,

Here is a site for the Oregon Boxer Club.

http://www.geocities.com/oregonboxer/

Lots of valuable info there.

As for boxers in Oregon. I am from Washington and know of lots of breeders and boxer people in Oregon. They are all over the place. :D :D Of course any boxer needs to be an inside house dog. They do not do well out in the back yard. They crave and live for human companionship. They have to be your buddy!!

As for the ear croppping, I personally notice a few less problems with a cropped boxer versus the uncropped, but can't say you will see less problems because you live in Oregon. But, as in any state, you have to find a vet that can do a good job. Too many vets can't do a good job and end up doing a very poor and down right ugly crop. You have to do your homework to find someone who has the artistic talent to do a proper crop. A good breeder can help you find the proper person.

Good luck in finding that perfect puppy !!!

 

[Toy Dragon]

Thanks for replying!
I really love the look of both natural and cropped ears, but you're right about bad crop jobs, when they're bad, they're really bad. And of course there's no turning back if you get a bad crop, I think that's what I'm most worried about when I finally get my boxer baby. Of course, I'll just have to wait and see what I think the pup will look good with. :cool:
Thanks for the web link, so far it does look pretty helpful.
Are there many boxers in your area in Washington?
If I don't find a good breeder in Oregon, I'm going to try my luck in Washington and Northern California.
I want to do my homework on breeders before I adopt my first lil' 'un, but I've got a while before I'll really be ready. :D

-Toy Dragon

 

[MarinaS]

Hi and welcome First of all I think it's very wise of you to have plans on getting a boxer and research on the breed first. I am sure you are going to become an excellent dog parent

As for getting more info about cropped/uncropped ears I suggest that you make a search on the site search engine. We have had a lot of discussions on the topic so I am sure you will find a lot of opinions. I personally prefer the uncropped look, and my boxer girl Tina is uncropped. She has encountered a few ear problems in the past but they were rather allergy related. The only argument I have for natural ears is that boxers ears are not hairy inside, and as you know in breeds with naturally "standing" ears the hair inside prevents from getting dirt and small insects into the ears.
Anyway I think it's worth reading other opinions to make a final decision

Welcome once more

 

[Gus’s Mom]

Hello and welcome to BW! Good luck in your search for a boxer.

Linda & Murray

 

[Toy Dragon]

Thank you for the welcome, and hello to the boxers out there. :p

I hadn't even thought to search for the forums for ear croppings, thanks.

-Toy Dragon

 

[maynegirl4]

Hi & welcome to BW! It's nice to have you here with us. Good luck on finding the perfect Boxer baby, when the time is right for you. Then again, what Boxer isn't perfect?


Mary & Maggie

 

[Linda]

Welcome fellow Oregonian!

Always nice to see Oregonians here! Good luck with your search for a boxer.

As far as the ear infections... my opinion is that it really depends on the individual dog, and doesn't have anything to do with being cropped or not.

Our oldest boxer is cropped and he's had more ear problems than either of our other two. In fact, our natural-eared boxers have had NO ear problems.

Draymia - thanks for the link to the Oregon Boxer Club. I didn't know anything about it, and they meet very close to where I live!

 

[betsyjean]

Hello and welcome to BW! I am also in college, but unlike you I cannot wait to get my boxer She's coming home in June and I'm so excited! I also have been researching forever, and have learned more than I ever thought I could about one breed...just by being addicted to this website! :D I'm sure you will also be addicted in no time...and I think it's great that you are researching so far ahead of time! Looking forward to seeing you on the boards

Betsy