New boxer lover with Question

[Lisa M]

If you are worried about your boxer harming the little guys (I know how that is, my dad has three Chihuahuas and they can be harmed very easily) I would reconsider the adoption or the plan. I can say that my boxer gets along nicely with our 8 pound cat, he wants to play with her, but he seems to know he's bigger. He is also very gentle with little dogs and puppies. I had to supervise him when they were first introduced and the cat of course avoided both of the dogs for the first few months, but now she comes right out into the living areas and even snuggles up to the dogs - when she's in the mood. Declawing really would be cruel and it would not stop the boxer from harming a little dog like a Chihuahua anyway, a boxer's "punch" would be enough to do damage to their little frame claws or not - this could be accidental or not.

With regards to just being out when the weather is not extreme, it doesn't sound like a good enough solution. In addition to the short fur etc. - boxers are family oriented. They will not be happy unless they are with you inside, even if it is nice out. The only times they will be happy outside is when you are out there too. They are not independant dogs at all, they are in your face, pet me, play with me, snuggle me types! They would, in my opinion, be better off in an apartment with a family there for them than in a big yard alone even if it was just when the weather was not too hot or cold.

As far as not good enough homes coming to boxer rescue - the rescue groups carefully screen potential owners as they know what happens when boxers are placed into homes that can't care for them. I think any boxer would be better in an indoor home, they are companion dogs that do not do well when isolated from the pack. MandyMom also offered to help place this boxer in what sounds like a more suitable situation for the breed.

I understand that you want to help, but a boxer is a big commitment and it is a somewhat demanding breed for many people (though the rewards are sooo worth it to those of us who know and love them) - they have a lot of energy and mostly want to have you around all the time. I work from home and my boxer will bask in the sunny windows most of the time that I'm working, but if he is being ignored for too long - he will come over and remind me it is time to take a break! He also gets mad if I'm working too late when we are supposed to be relaxing on the couch and he will climb into my lap while I'm typing or bring in truck loads of toys to "tempt" me away My lab mix, however, is content to just lie at my feet or under the desk whenever I'm in here.

 

[Christian C.]

Dear Abby,

Believe it or not, your situation kept me awake last night and I just wanted to put in my 2 cents with a few more comments. It sounds like you have your hands full with three dogs, but if at all possible it might be a good idea to stop by a book store or library and check out a few books on boxers. One good one that is widely available is "The Boxer: A Family Favorite" by Stephanie Abramson. The books will be a great introduction to the breed for you, and point out why we love them so much and also point out some of the things they may do that drive us crazy.

I also wanted to expand on some of the reasons it's not a good idea to keep the dog outside. Last year our boxer was sunning herself on our patio, and when we called her to come inside an hour later she didn't move. To make a long heart-stopping story short, she had swallowed a bee; it turns out she was allergic to the sting and had lapsed into a coma. It took a shot of adrenalin to get her heart started again, and we came very close to losing her.

Also, as you may have discovered by now, boxers are a very high energy breed. But just because they're outside doesn't mean they are "self-exercising." I also have a 6-month old puppy, and she needs a serious walk and romp each day to contain her exuberance. If your adopted dog doesn't have a chance to expend her energy, it increases the likelihood of rambunctious behaviour inside and with your smaller dogs.

Please let us all know how you're doing with her!

All best,

 

[pep0987]

Abby I am moving soon , I will be moving to Az I am going thourgh OK,CIty and Tulsa I have A 7 month old boxer. If you are willing I could take her.. Please don't leave her outside this is how mean dogs get mean and just because she lived with a aggrvies dog doen't make her a mean and aggrvise dog please don't let her live outside. I have two small kids Bailey would never hurt them.

 

[ElizabethH]

Junior has free range access to the house and outdoors. Although we live in a pretty temperate area I would NEVER leave him just outside - and 75 is pretty darn warm if you are sitting in the sun. Mostly, the boys lay out for about 5 minutes in the sun and then they are back inside. Also, they drink tons of water a day and I have bowls inside and out for them. Sammy is a rescue so he is not so sure what to do sometimes but now that he has a choice- he is definately chosing to be inside. PS- we have a HUGE dog house out there too but it is not the same for them.
It seems as though you have the best intentions but I must agree with the others, if you cannot leave him inside then please give him to one of the loving homes being offered.

 

[Sarah R]

My Boxer is a maniac when playing with larger dogs but when he plays with our cats or our bunny-though still exuberant-he is much, much more gentle. He tries to knock the bunny over but uses so little force he ends up just scooting him across the floor. Mostly just likes to hold onto them with his front paws and lays his head on them. This way he's in control but no one gets hurt. No one is exagerating when they tell you that this is not an outdoor breed but I think the lonliness would kill my dog long before the weather did. He literally asks to come in minutes after being put out, and when a boxer wants your attention believe me-he is going to get it one way or another.

 

[MandyMom]

Good luck to you Abby, with whatever you decide. You have lots of info now and I'm sure you will do what's best! You are on the right board for all the help you could possibly need.

 

[abby]

Everything is going very well. She has been staying with me inside while I am home and outside during the times that noone is here. The weather now is mild enough that she can't get too hot or too cold at any time throughout the day. As the weather becomes more extreme, I will keep her inside at all times. As for the other dogs,I haven't gotten them from my parents house yet. I think they will be fine together. My initial concern started when I introduced her to my grandmas dog.....there was a bit of a confrontation. Judging from what you have said, she will treat smaller dogs differently. My grandmothers dog is much bigger. As the days go on I become a little more attached. Things are going great now. I will keep you informed on how everything plays out when the rest of the crew gets here.

 

[Sabrina Jay]

Its just not the actual high temps you have to be concerned with. In high humidity, with low temps, she can also run into trouble being kept outside. You can have 80 degree temps, but with the high humidity levels we have in the midwest, that can also cause heat stroke in the boxers.

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

I would agree. The problem with heat is that they can't breathe. Short snouted dogs have lots of breathing difficulties in hot weather. Boxers can also have heart conditions which would only be aggravated by heat and humidity.

I'm originally from Tulsa and am moving back in June. Maybe when we get settled you can meet my two little girls. I am also worried about the weather extremes in Oklahoma, as I know it can be extremely hot in summer and very, very cold in the winter. But I plan to have air conditioning for my girls so they will always be comfortable and healthy.

I think it is terrific for you to help out your friends. It is a big commitment. And I also think if you are set on doing this and growing attached, you should give it some time and see if it won't all work out.

I highly recommend "The Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson which is available at most major bookstores, as a training "bible" for boxers. My girls have responded so well and are so beautifully behaved. They play with small dogs all the time and seem to adjust their "roughness" accordingly. Sometimes my dogs, as will any dog, get carried away and it becomes a little too rough, and I merely tell them to "Play Nice" or "Give Kisses" and they stop the rough play and become more gentle. Or we take a time out and let them shake it off and start again. But you can train them to behave in a more appropriate manner when they play. I know because I have done just that. I also monitor the play between my own two girls. They too can sometimes get a little rough with one another and I sometimes have to give them a time out too. They are, after all, dogs and can't reason like we can and don't know when 'enough is enough.'

Best of luck. Hopefully we can meet when I get to Tulsa again and by then you and your boxer rescue will be fully adjusted and happy as little clams

Regards.

 

[kasterbn]

Boxers are great outdoor dogs!

Abby-
Don't listen to these people. I have four boxers that live outdoors all year long and they are just fine!! I live in IL so you know we have some cold and some hot days. In the winter they just eat more and get a nice layer of fat and in the summer they eat less and lose all their fat. Animals adapt, just as they would in the wild. My boxers love running around outside in our yard. Sure they are cold in the winter, but as long as they have shelter and some straw to curl up in they are fine. Ours have a insulated pen in a big shed so they are fine and also have other dogs to curl up with. Also boxers naturally jump, so if you have a fence, make sure it is at least 5 foot high and you are fine. As to digging, yeah sometimes they might dig if they get bored, just give them lots of toys and some toys they can chew on. Otherwise if your yard is fenced in, get some rail road ties to put along the fence on the inside or out and then they won't be able to dig out. Well I hope I shed some light on this subject for you. Oh and we also breed boxers so I do know what I am talking about and have had them for 7 years. Thanks. Bye.