I am looking to get a boxer puppy in about 6 months, but want all the information I can possibly get before I "take the plunge." For some reason, I want a boy dog. I have never owned a boy dog. I have always had females. I was wondering if there is any huge difference between the males and females? Advantages? Disadvantages? Etc. I haven't heard that the female does mature a little faster than the males. Just curious, but getting very excited.
Male v. Female
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Boxer_21
Boxer Insane
I have a boy, Riley who just turned a year old on 3/22. He is absolutely the light of my life!! I can't imagine what life would be like without him now. He's honestly brought so much joy and happiness to my life, especially in times when I really need it.
All that mushy junk aside
, I only own a male boxer right now, but we're thinking of adding a female soon. I can tell you that from what I've read and heard, females do tend to be more independent whereas males are more "clingy". I can tell you that my boy is one of the best cuddlers that I've ever seen!! He loves laying down with me to nap and at night he's right by my side as well.
I've also read that males tend to bond closer to the female members of the family and in our case this is definitely true. I've never had such a strong bond with a dog than I do with Riley. It truly is an amazingly strong bond. He is constantly following me when I leave the room. Even when he looks like he's sound asleep he somehow notices when I leave the room. At the same time, I've also read that females seem to bond more with the male human members of the family.
While not by a lot, in most cases males are bigger than females. We're only talking a few inches in height and about 10lbs in weight bigger, if that.
As far as advantages and disadvantages, I really can't think of any because regardless of which sex you decide you'll love so incredibly much. However, going by what I've learned, if you're looking for a bigger sized dog who's more clingy and looking to cuddle more, than maybe a male would be better. If you're looking a more independent dog who'll seek you out when they're ready, then maybe a female is best. Keep in mind though, that there are exceptions to every rule so don't get a male solely because you want a cuddly dog because he could very well end up being independent. Good luck and keep us posted!!
All that mushy junk aside
, I only own a male boxer right now, but we're thinking of adding a female soon. I can tell you that from what I've read and heard, females do tend to be more independent whereas males are more "clingy". I can tell you that my boy is one of the best cuddlers that I've ever seen!! He loves laying down with me to nap and at night he's right by my side as well. I've also read that males tend to bond closer to the female members of the family and in our case this is definitely true. I've never had such a strong bond with a dog than I do with Riley. It truly is an amazingly strong bond. He is constantly following me when I leave the room. Even when he looks like he's sound asleep he somehow notices when I leave the room. At the same time, I've also read that females seem to bond more with the male human members of the family.
While not by a lot, in most cases males are bigger than females. We're only talking a few inches in height and about 10lbs in weight bigger, if that.
As far as advantages and disadvantages, I really can't think of any because regardless of which sex you decide you'll love so incredibly much. However, going by what I've learned, if you're looking for a bigger sized dog who's more clingy and looking to cuddle more, than maybe a male would be better. If you're looking a more independent dog who'll seek you out when they're ready, then maybe a female is best. Keep in mind though, that there are exceptions to every rule so don't get a male solely because you want a cuddly dog because he could very well end up being independent. Good luck and keep us posted!!
Thanks!!
Thanks for the thoughs. I'm not sure why I want a male, but I really do. Have just always had females all my life. And, not boxers either. But, something about this breed really draws me to it. But, like I said, I want to get all the info I can before making a decision.
I am currently looking at breeders in the area, so hopefully soon, I will have my own boxer to love. I am really excited too!!! :D
Thanks for the thoughs. I'm not sure why I want a male, but I really do. Have just always had females all my life. And, not boxers either. But, something about this breed really draws me to it. But, like I said, I want to get all the info I can before making a decision.
I am currently looking at breeders in the area, so hopefully soon, I will have my own boxer to love. I am really excited too!!! :D
buddy'smom
Boxer Pal
My first boxer was a male, my second is a female and my third is a male. Sadly we lost our first male at the young age of 7. We now have Kailee and Clyde.
Here is my opinion on the two sexes
I have found with both my males, they are somewhat more attached than the female. Males I have found are more of the constant shadow, following you from room to room, real snuggle bugs and easy to train.
Kailee on the other hand is far more independent in nature. She doesn't have that shadowing need that both my males show/ed, she has been a bit harder to train due to the independent and yes somewhat stubborn nature. She likes to snuggle, but only when it is of her choice.
When I am out walking Kailee and Clyde, I find Clyde far more attentive to his surroundings than she is, my previous male was the same. Kailee is more preoccupied and spontaneous than the males. I guess I am saying, both my males have shown while out they are on guard, but yet having a good time, where as Kailee may come on guard once her preoccupation is diminished.
Don't get me wrong, I totally love Kailee for she in her own independent way is as devoted as she can be given her nature. Kailee offers us far more of a challenge daily than both my males have not to mention her spontaneous ways and I love that about her too. To balance that out, I love the more dependent yet protective nature of the male. IMO if you want a truly balanced life with boxers you should get one of each :D
Jean
Here is my opinion on the two sexes
I have found with both my males, they are somewhat more attached than the female. Males I have found are more of the constant shadow, following you from room to room, real snuggle bugs and easy to train.
Kailee on the other hand is far more independent in nature. She doesn't have that shadowing need that both my males show/ed, she has been a bit harder to train due to the independent and yes somewhat stubborn nature. She likes to snuggle, but only when it is of her choice.
When I am out walking Kailee and Clyde, I find Clyde far more attentive to his surroundings than she is, my previous male was the same. Kailee is more preoccupied and spontaneous than the males. I guess I am saying, both my males have shown while out they are on guard, but yet having a good time, where as Kailee may come on guard once her preoccupation is diminished.
Don't get me wrong, I totally love Kailee for she in her own independent way is as devoted as she can be given her nature. Kailee offers us far more of a challenge daily than both my males have not to mention her spontaneous ways and I love that about her too. To balance that out, I love the more dependent yet protective nature of the male. IMO if you want a truly balanced life with boxers you should get one of each :D
Jean
AntJan
Completely Boxer Crazy
Nikki is our 1st Boxer, and being that she's female, we've noticed she's definitely more independent. She will follow us around the house, but if she's content on the couch downstairs, she will not follow us upstairs until she's ready. Also when someone rings the doorbell and I don't recognize the person, I never open it... I'll go back upstairs or to the family room, but Nikki will remain by the front door area until she feels there's no more reason to protect the house.
On walks, she's more concerned about a smell that she's tracking. She does walk with her head up sometimes, but most of the time she's smelling around, hehe. Training her to do loose-leash walking was hard at first.
As for snuggling, she loves to do this, except hehe... sometimes she likes her own space, y'know? If she's resting and you snuggle in her face too long, she'll either get up & move, or lift her head up as if to say "Not right now, I'm resting". LOL!!
As for training, she's VERY smart. When you pair that with independence, it's more of a challenge to train. But now that she's 4-1/2, she's awesome. We've taught her commands in conjunction w/hand signals, so many times we'll just snap our finger, give her a hand signal, and she'll follow through.
One thing that I do envy in male Boxers is they seem to be easily trained under voice control. With Nikki, she always has to be on-lead. We tried letting her off-leash at a park once (when no one was around), and she went clear off to the other side of the park, towards a huge dirt field. The only thing that brought her back was the sound of me starting up the truck, LOL!!!
On walks, she's more concerned about a smell that she's tracking. She does walk with her head up sometimes, but most of the time she's smelling around, hehe. Training her to do loose-leash walking was hard at first.
As for snuggling, she loves to do this, except hehe... sometimes she likes her own space, y'know? If she's resting and you snuggle in her face too long, she'll either get up & move, or lift her head up as if to say "Not right now, I'm resting". LOL!!
As for training, she's VERY smart. When you pair that with independence, it's more of a challenge to train. But now that she's 4-1/2, she's awesome. We've taught her commands in conjunction w/hand signals, so many times we'll just snap our finger, give her a hand signal, and she'll follow through.
One thing that I do envy in male Boxers is they seem to be easily trained under voice control. With Nikki, she always has to be on-lead. We tried letting her off-leash at a park once (when no one was around), and she went clear off to the other side of the park, towards a huge dirt field. The only thing that brought her back was the sound of me starting up the truck, LOL!!!
Hannah's Mom
Boxer Booster
Our first boxer was a female, Hannah, and she was very easily trained, loved to cuddle and although attached to my husband, more so to me. She was the best dog we ever had.
Our second boxer, Micah, is only six months old but oh so different. He is not cuddly at all. He is more attached to my husband than me. He is learning quickly and I can't say either one learned faster.
I can't say either one was better because I love them both but I sure miss Hannah's cuddles.
Our second boxer, Micah, is only six months old but oh so different. He is not cuddly at all. He is more attached to my husband than me. He is learning quickly and I can't say either one learned faster.
I can't say either one was better because I love them both but I sure miss Hannah's cuddles.
Scrapper's Mom
Boxer Insane
Having had many of both sexes, I agree with most of the other posters. The males have been more overtly affectionate, and seem to bond more closely with the female members of the family, while the female dogs are more independent, crafty, and, IMO, not quite as easy to housetrain; to me it seems to take a bit longer. They seem to bond more closely with the boys in the house. Daisy, our previous dog, was the best guard dog, she was onto anything that came near her radar screen. Though not all females are this way, she was very protective and tolerant of my kids when they were babies. My son would pull on her ears, tail, fur, and she let him. Then she would bark at me if I corrected him, as if to say, "Leave him alone, I have this under control." Clearly, her mother-instinct was showing. They both have their advantages. Scrapper is absolutely the most cuddly, sweet dog, and when he looks at you with those huge brown eyes, you can't resist. Even my hubby is captivated. I think the best is to have one of each, one for you and one for your hubby to keep you both warm in winter!
Clearly, her mother-instinct was showing. They both have their advantages. Scrapper is absolutely the most cuddly, sweet dog, and when he looks at you with those huge brown eyes, you can't resist. Even my hubby is captivated. I think the best is to have one of each, one for you and one for your hubby to keep you both warm in winter!
Barb_IA
Boxer Insane
I've had both. Loki, my big boxer boy went to the bridge in March of 2002. He was a beautiful big fawn. I never had a bit of trouble training him. He was pretty goofy at times but, that's what we loved about him. He was the first male dog I had owned. My family always had females. I can't think of any reasons why you shouldn't get a male. Each have there own personalities. My brindle girl (Lacey) is the sweetest thing. I truely believe she is human in a boxer body.
No matter what you get you are sure to get strongly attached.
Barb
No matter what you get you are sure to get strongly attached.
Barb
Hello, I have a beautiful brindle male and we are getting a new baby by the end of this month. I don't know yet if it is going to be male or female, depends cause my breeder get's first pick. What I expirienced is that the males are tending to be very clingy and also gentle unless it comes to buisness. A little story here. My boy Simba let's my kids do to him whatever they want to do. Someone came on our property the other day to buy a car of my husband. He did not know, that the dog slipped out the door and was behind him when he talked to the guy. Only the deep growling gave away that Simba was there. The females attend to be rather witchy at times and sometimes more agressive. It just depends.
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