Help me decide about getting a Boxer.

[harley03]

How much do they drool?

Harley seems to drool quite a bit.
Usually around tasty food (drool actually drips from his mouth).
The worst case of drool he's EVER had was two days ago when I decided to take him for a short trip to the dog park. Remember the movie "Turner & Hooch", picture those drools comming from a boxer. Long, frothy, hanging drool that flew everywhere when he shook. Also he covered a small dog in drool at the park (thankfully the small dogs owner thought it was entertaining).
However, some boxers don't drool (or drool very little). The drool doesn't bother me AT ALL.
If you decide to get a boxer, I would expect at least some drooling because the breed does have floppy, hanging jowls whereas breeds without the hanging jowls seem to drool less.
They really are great dogs, but I wouldn't say they are the picture of cleanliness. Drool, loud flatulence, eye boogers which seems to find their way to the strangest places, some hair loss (some dogs are worse than others), and most tend to be really messy eaters (I'm always stepping in puddles around his water bowl and finding bits of food half way up the kitchen wall).

 

[BoxerLoverNC]

Lots of time!

This is our second set, and Micah is 1.5 years, SHayna is 7 months. My husband said to me yesterday, " I feel like all I do is work and take care of Micah and shayna and I get no time to myself."

Not that he dont love them to death, but it does seem to be so much sometimes. When, you are so tired from your day and dont feel good and just want to lay down, they are ready to go 100 miles an hour! It's exhausting sometimes. They can try your patience. I swear, when I talk to people about the energy required to take care of them, I compare it to having 5 toddlers in the house. And I'm a mother also, so I do reserve the right to compare.

Having said that, NO human has ever made me feel as loved as my boxers. And the joys, so outway everything else. If you think you can handle the time and energy needed, you may be ready. Only you know for sure.

 

[ladyluck_t]

Katie is my first boxer and to tell the truth i should have done some more research before i got her! What an unexpected joy! She is my very best friend and my sweetest daughter. And yes, i think of her as my child. You just cant help it, they act so human sometimes. I just look at my girl and think: "What a wonderful life it must be where everything is a toy and every moment is a game" Because that is how a boxer thinks!

 

[beetzy'smom]

Help Me Decide

Oh...MacFish do I know the pitbull thing. More than once while walking Betz around the blocks in our neighborhood people have accused her of wandering the neighborhood unleashed and threatening to attack. Forget the fact the animals who were doing this were actually pitbulls much larger than my petite 42 lb. luv puppy AND that Betz is either in the house, in a fenced yard or on the end of a leash! My most horrific experience...during one evening walk a little girl (5 or 6 maybe) went so far as to tell her grandma Betz tried to bite her. Retaliation because during an earlier walk weeks before I stopped and allowed her and her brother to pet Betz. Both of them started out nicely then they started 'bonking' Betz on the head with their fists saying "Boxer dog. Ugly Boxer dog! Do you know you're an ugly Boxer dog?" I was hurt and shocked at their behavior all the while Betz just grinned and wiggled. I quickly pulled her away from the children and told them NOT to touch her anymore. After that I stayed away from that particular block & avoided this child altogether. One evening though, after not seeing these kids out on the street for several days, Betz, my teenaged daughter & I walked around the block. After a couple of times, out of nowhere, the child appeared. Her grandmother quickly walked up behind her ready to guard her from us. The child pointed at Betz, looked at her grandma & that's when she accused Betz of trying to bite her! I was astounded!!!! Her grandmother looked at me and eyed Betz suspiciously. I immediately corrected the child, my daughter (who does not mince words) called the child a liar. Fortunately, the grandma paused long enough to ask the child if the dog did actually try to bite her. She was like, "Uh, well, no, but she BARKED at me!" Betz never barked, bit or did anything to this mean little girl. Her grandma was like, "Well I hope you learned to stay away from that dog!" Now when I walk Betz I make sure my husband and/or daughter are with me because I don't want ANYONE coming up and accusing Betz of being/doing anything she is not.
Drool? She does somewhat. Like previously mentioned...when she's crated and at the sight of canned dog food. The smell of lemon or pickles REALLY sets the drool machine into overdrive. Other than that she's not nearly as bad as I had anticipated.

 

[Shotze's Mom]

I agree youve been given good advice. I must add that it takes money. Sometimes LOTS of money as unexpected things DO happen. Be prepared to visit the Emergency vet at least once. But mainly it takes, love, patience and lots of attention. Boxers are high energy and love to chew. Dont be discouraged if your favorite shoes end up boxer toys. Invest in bitter sprays and things of that nature to deter them from chewing. They also love to give hugs and kisses and they do drool so you will end up covered in Boxer drool. They can be loud if bored or wanting attention. Not all are, but some are. They are extremly smart and learn fast, doent mean they will obey everytime, but they know right from wrong. You wont be happier with another breed IMO. I will own nothing other than a boxer....EVER! I love my furbaby.

 

[beetzy'smom]

Yes they DO love to give hugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[S@ndi]

I used to not like boxers

I used to only love border collie mixes. They are so smart, OBEDIENT, and give you their undying attention. But it's different than a boxer. The attention from a border collie is like if you're it's seargeant or something. A boxer attention is like your child. seriouslly. They truly love you and adore you. Even if they don't always obey (in your timing) ** A boxer is for those who are capable of respecting their dog not just demanding respect from them. ** As for drooling, mine doesn't at all. They have bread The big flaps out of her gene pool I guess. Even the red droopy eyes are gone. She is so clean. Now the big boy boxer we're adopting on the 25th. Well.....let's just say ... you can picture the drool from the dog on "Turner and Hooch" and that's him. But I love him. Kisses and all. Good luck and remember above all with boxers...patience,patience, patience. Oh and some pet insurance wouldn't be a bad idea too S@ndi

 

[Cindy Creel]

I think that boxers are as close to humans as possible. There are time when I believe that they actually are trying to talk to me. They are the loves of my life. I can not imagine life without them

Cindy

 

[dgreen76108]

I honestly have to say, I've had different breeds, but the boxer is what I love the most. I love them so much, I went and got another puppy 3 weeks ago. The key is patience. My 11 month old one is almost exactly where I want her to be. She can be mischief at time, but from what I have been told, it takes up to 3 years for them to get out of that. They love so much with their hearts. They do like alot of attention though and will let you know when they are in need of it. My oldest gets jealous when the little one climbs on my lap and she will try to climb on too (remind you that she is like 45 lbs). But the tire each other out, thank goodness. You will have loads of fun though. Good Luck!!