Importing a boxer from Europe

[atotten]

Hello,
I'm seriously considering importing a boxer from Europe. I'm currently living in Sweden for the summer and will be coming home the end of the month. I would of course visit the breeder and follow the same checklist for health screening and responsible breeding practices as I would if I were in the US. Does anyone have any advice?

 

[heather1031]

I dont have any advice but I will tell you I am sooo jealous. I have always wanted an import boxer, from a resposible breeder of course. I belive the look is so much better then most American bred boxers.

 

[mmichaelson]

I dont have any advice but I will tell you I am sooo jealous. I have always wanted an import boxer, from a resposible breeder of course. I belive the look is so much better then most American bred boxers.

Ditto here - that would be really neat! I want one with a natural tail too.

Keep us updated on how it's going!

 

[gmacleod]

Well, Swedish lines tend to have a heavy concentration of UK bloodlines... So pay more attention to screening for aortic/sub aortic stenosis than to cardiomyopathy. As a general rule, boxers in this part of the world are relatively free of cardiomyopathy, but to balance that, they tend to suffer more from AS/SAS than their North American counterparts.

Other than that - transporting a dog from one country to another is a relatively simple matter. Best to know well any vaccination requirements before entering the US.

 

[heather1031]

I dont think I, nor my house, could handle a natural tail. I think my legs would have too many whelps and my coffee table would always be clear. Good luck. Look for the same things as you would being here in the states.

 

[gmacleod]

ROFL! Well, docking is illegal in Sweden, so if you want a Swedish boxer it WILL have a tail. Unless, of course, you go for a bobtail boxer They are born without long tails.

 

[atotten]

Thanks all. I realize that a dog from Sweden would have its tail so I would look elsewhere..road trip. I guess getting the tail removed is major surgery if it's not done within the first few days correct?

 

[gmacleod]

Correct - it is a full amputation if not done in the first two days of life. And it's extremely painful too. It is not something that should ever be done unless there's a good medical reason necessitating it (eg. you slammed the dog's tail in the car door and it's now attached only by skin). Certainly not something you'd ever put a dog through for cosmetic reasons alone (and I doubt you'd find a vet who would do it either).

 

[heather1031]

Ive seen a few pictures of the bobtail boxers, didnt they start off by mixing corgie and boxer to get the natural bob? Thats odd. Anyone have a site? I tried a search on the net but not bringing anything up.

 

[1FlashyFan]

Bobtail boxer

Here's one link http://www.boxerunderground.com/1998 issues/oct_bu_98/bobtail.htm