Is this a normal boxer trait?

[dreamreach]

My daughter has a non-neutered, 7 year old male brindle. He got loose .... and has been running loose for 2 weeks.
It's a very rural area but there are daily sitings of him... but when approached, he bolts. We've been taking 4 hour watches in different areas to try and catch him, but so far no luck. We were told that it is a boxer trait
to do this. That they are by nature so timid, that once frightened an in an unfamiliar situation that they won't even come to their owners when called.
So hard to understand since he is from a very loving home. Any help anyone
might be able to offer would be greatly appreciated.

 

[champbaby]

I have never heard of this so sorry I cant help but I hope you find him. Good luck

 

[Scrapper's Mom]

I don't think it's particularly a boxer trait; the longer they are running feral, the more they revert to their wild characteristics. This has happened with a whippet that was lost at NY Airport coming home from Westminster earlier this year; she has been feral so long that she will not come when called although she has been sited numerous times. You have to be crafty and think of a way to get close somehow...

 

[JulieM]

It has nothing to do with being timid; and Boxers are not remotely a timid breed, if they're bred correctly. (Poorly bred ones may well be exceptionally timid, though.) You'd be better off running away from him when you do see him; Boxers love games, and "Chase Me" is a favorite - it's better to be the chasee than the chaser. At this point, however, he's likely enjoying his freedom; returning to his owners needs to be worth it to him, and there's not much that will meet that criteria. You can try setting out live traps in the area with really good food; the problem is you'll attract a number of other creatures, as well. Typically with dogs that have been loose for more than a day or so, they're caught when they wander into a fenced yard or a garage/shed, and whoever lives there happens to see them and close them in. You should be putting up posters, if you haven't already, and knocking on doors so that people in the area are aware that he's running loose and you're looking for him (might also help prevent him getting shot, if he's mistaken for a viscious dog or if there is livestock in the area.)

 

[dreamreach]

Thanks for your input. We've still not found Mocha. There are sitings of him in about a 4 mile square area, but so far no one seems to be able to capture him. I just pray we can bring him home before he dies of starvation.