Looking for FIRST dog

[scott015]

Hey guys, first want to introduce myself. Im Scott...

anyway, im 24 and married and also have a 3 year old son. As a kid I never had a dog. About 1 year ago my wife and I were given a min pin from a friend who breads them. Anyway, the dog was great, but we only kept him about 3 months... then gave him away to a better home (is spoiled rotten now) we just didnt think we had the time for her.

Well things have changed a little since then. My wife and I now own our own business. So I figure I can even bring the dog to work once in a while... I work basically 7-7 everyday... except on weekends. My wife works with me, but she doesnt work but half my hours.

Anyway, I dont wanna rush into getting any kind of dog without doing some research. I was wanting a dog that would be GREAT with kids(have a kid), maybe sorta a watchdog (got broken into my house about 3 months ago) be smart and easy to train (never done it before)

i was thinking of a boxer or rotwyler... i just always like those 2 kinds of dogs..

I have a fenced in back yard and I also like to run about 1 mile a day... would that be good time to take dog with me?

well what do you guys think? would getting a boxer be good for me? considering the young kid and hectic work schedule? Like I said, I can bring the dog to work once in a while, maybe even everyday as its a pup... but dont know, just depends on how he/she acts...

any info on where to get one? how much? sex? how to train?

basically any info you guys can give me is greatly appreciated as basically do not know anything... thanks

 

[MJ Reed]

Scott,
If I were you I would Look into rescue. That is what me and my husband (Scott) did. We both wanted a dog for a companion and I did not want to deal with a puppy. They are cute but a lot of work! So last April we adopted Keaton , he is about 5 or 6 and is the sweetest most loving guy we could have asked for.

Monica

 

[Barb_IA]

Originally posted by scott015


About 1 year ago my wife and I were given a min pin from a friend who breads them. Anyway, the dog was great, but we only kept him about 3 months... then gave him away to a better home (is spoiled rotten now) we just didnt think we had the time for her.

i

I don't mean to sound harsh, but I do hope that you are truely ready to care for another dog. We hear so many times about people who just didn't have the time...plus many other excuses.
Glad to hear the mini pin went to a good home. There are so many boxers in boxer rescue needing good homes. When I get dog...it's forever. I can't imagine giving them up.

Welcome to Boxerworld!

Barb and boxer Lacey

 

[scott015]

yes i am ready, if i wasnt I wouldnt be doing this. When we got the first dog, we didnt really even want her. Nothing against her, but we sorta knew the time wasnt right. We were in process of moving job locations, grandfather just passd away, having miscariage, and moving my grandmother out of state... lots of things going on... not to mention I was working 2 jobs.... but now things are alot more settled down...

i found this dog.... this is exactly what I want my boxer to look like... is this a certain breed or anything??

http://www.ncbr.org/texas.htm

i like the one called "DIESEL"

 

[Barb_IA]

Diesel appears to be all boxer to me...very nice looking boy. Vasha one of our other members may be able to tell you more about him.

 

[Adelle]

Diesel is gorgeous, but don't get too fixated on a paticular look/color - if you go through rescue the fit and personality of the dog is far more important than the look if the match is going to work out. The biggest thing you will need to look for is a dog that is good with small kids. You should probably look for a dog that is a bit older/calmer.

Good luck and Welcome to BW

Adelle, Nessa & Finnegan

 

[vasha]

Originally posted by scott015
When we got the first dog, we didnt really even want her.

Then why would you take her? I would suggest you re-evaluate your committment to a dog and put in application with NCBR. Rescue dogs are special and deserve a home they can count on, forever because they were abandoned, given up or dumped at shelters.

Boxers are very intelligent dogs, but not necessarily easy to train as they do have a stubborn streak in them. Most boxer owners learn to love and work with that, you would need to have infinite patience with a boxer because of their lovable goofiness.

Boxers are generally good with children, but just like people have different personality traits, there is no guarantee that your boxer will be good with children. I have a male boxer that hates children, however my female loves them. Again, there's no guarantee that ANY dog will be good with children.

If your application is rejected by NCBR, and you plan on purchasing a boxer, please contact the Dallas Boxer Club or the boxer club in your area for a list of reputable breeders. For more information on reputable breeders and the kinds of testing they do, please visit www.boxerworld.com/breeders.

Originally posted by Barb_IA
Vasha one of our other members may be able to tell you more about him.

I'm no longer a member of NCBR but I did have the pleasure of meeting Diesel once and he is a beautiful boy with a great personality!

 

[sashaberry]

First of all, I wish you the best of luck with this decision, but let me inform you of a few things. My BF and I got our baby Sasha about 4 months ago and love her to death. HOWEVER, I NEVER imagined all of the work and training that goes into a puppy. We do not have children and often say how grateful I am that Sasha is our only child at this point, because I could not do both.

Sasha, as most boxers, is very intelligent and was quite easy to housebreak, BUT she is stubborn and will not do something if she does not want to. We absolutely have to exercise her everyday no matter what because if we don;t we are in for a night of barking, whining and jumping up and down. She is o.k around kids, but very hyper so with a 3 year old, I think I would look into an older boxer. I am sure as she is more socialized with young children and when we start obedience classes (1/22) she will learn to stay calm when meeting new people but until then...

Just wanted you to get an opinion from someone who gets frustrated with the 6 am wake up to go out and use the bathroom on the weekends, which is the only time I would be able to sleep in, but now we have our baby so sleeping in is not an option.

Best of luck!!!

 

[adeinert]

I think my boxers are VERY intelligent but if you ask most general trainers, boxers are not the dog of choice for an "easy to train" pet. Boxers do a lot of thinking for themselves. Mine are always the class clowns and always do things different.
I have been in classes nonstop for years because frankly they are like children and deserve a good education.

Boxers are also very time hungry. If a mini-pin seemed like much, a boxer will seem like triplets. They are emotionally needy and feel (and I believe are) abused when left out and left behind often. They are also commonly surrendered to rescue between the ages of 9 and 18 months because that's when most people realize what they've gotten themselves into. And if a BYB puppy, they most likely have taken up residency at the vet's for all the ailments. At this age, they've grown big in size but still very much puppies in behavior. You can compare it to the notorious terrible two's.

With that said, I'd never own another breed. But each breed is special and unique and the boxers are not easy to own for everyone. Spend a lot of time with your local boxer club and get to know boxers of all ages and you will get a better picture of what owning a boxer is like. Everyone on here has decided boxers are best. But for each of the 380 purebreds dumped in my state last year were 380 families that decided differently.

Good luck in your research. And if you're ready for another child (one who will never grow out of the toddler stage) then let the fun begin!
Ashlie