pros & cons of 2 boxers together in a household...

[Rowdy Boys]

If you have the time, space and resources, I would definitely get two.

1. As I've always said, a lot depends on the dogs and their individual personalities. I have two boys with no problems. We raised Magnum from a puppy and adopted Omar at age two (Magnum was three at the time). But, Magnum has always been neutered and very, very submissive. Omar was in tact when we adopted him and he is very much the alpha dog. Now, if something were to ever happen to Magnum, given Omar's personality (even though he's since been neutered), I believe I'd have to get a puppy if I were to get another male.

2. Magnum is the oldest and he is about 16 months older than Omar. Magnum is five now and Omar just turned four. I don't think age has much to do with it. Once again, it's goes back to the dogs and their personalities.

3. They haven't really picked up any habits from one another. The only thing I'd say here is that when one finds something to get into, the other one usually joins in, so they tend to get each other in trouble.

4. They do not get jealous - per say... just the usual - if Magnum has a toy, Omar decides he wants it and takes it away. It doesn't matter that we have two of the exact same toy, Omar always wants the one Magnum has. If you're loving on Magnum, Omar has to be loved on too. They play fight and wrestle all the time. To someone unfamiliar with boxers, I'm sure it looks like a terrible dog fight, but it's not. LOL:D

5. The boys both sleep in their crates most of the time and the crates are the collapsable kind and are right next to each other. Sometimes they sleep on the floor in our room, curled up next to each other. Sometimes if Greg's not home and I decide to take a nap, I'll let them on the bed with me. SSSHHH!! We have a king-sized bed and they curl up as close to me as they can get.

6. Magnum and Omar are our first two dogs as our own family. When the time comes for one of them to pass on to the bridge, I know the other will be devastated. They are very much like Old Dan and Little Ann from Where the Red Fern Grows.

As Thomas Liggin said, yes, there is more food comsumption and therefore, more poop production. We go through a 40-lb. bag of dog food about every 3 weeks or so. Our annual check ups are timed perfectly - 6 months apart. I buy a 6-month supply of the heartworm and flea/tick meds for two and then I am stocked until the next one's appointment.

Good luck. You'll have twice the love.

 

[harley'smama]

I'm going to have to say I pretty much agree with what everyone has said so far!
I got Zoe when Harley was 7 months old! It was a hand full but I just couldn't wait to have another boxer. I've never looked back...they keep each other company, wear each other out, & keep us laughing :D BUT, they're also double the trouble sometimes They are inseperable!
I'd love to have another 1 or 2 but not until we have a bigger house.
If you have the $$ & patience for 2 then I say go for it.

By the way - birthdayic to Mollie & Callie

 

[MJM0512]

i also am having this thought "to get a scond boxer or not" the only thing that is slowing me down from getting another is i would kinda like a smaller second dog, like a boston terrier or a jack russell. but than again i love my guy and everything about him, so i am also thinking about getting a female, hopefully a white one. my guy is 3 months old now, so i think i will either get another one in 2-3 months or wait until next spring, i don't really wanna have to try to train a puppy to go outside to go potty in a michigan winter.
so if anybody hasany advice i would love to see hear it,
thanks

 

[newark]

We thought long and hard about getting a second boxer. I searched here on BW for all the posts about two boxer households. It's true that it's two times the clean up around the house and around the backyard. It's also true that they play together for hours. I no longer have one sad puppy face poking her head onto the keyboard asking me to play.

We decided to foster before making up our minds. Having done the foster route for six weeks now, I have still not made up my mind. The socialization for your dog is great, but it also makes you a bit lazy about working on socialization with other dogs. They play so much together that you can easily 'put off' going to the dog park and working on doggie manners. You have to be careful to continue to expose them to other dogs. Luckily, we go to obedience training classes often enough, and I do a twice weekly training session at the vet, so I'm getting my girl lots of socialization.

One thing I wasn't ready for was the heavy destruction of the backyard. I mean, two boxers, going crazy out there - they can do some serious damage to a lawn! Which isn't so bad, until you realize that all that dirt and sand then makes it into your house, your couch, your bed (itchy!). I clean a lot more now and my house never feels clean.

The cost wasn't a concern for me, even though I have to buy seperate food for the fosters (which ends up costing me more). I know how much I need for a pup and make sure I have it, only twice over.

All the good points of owning two have been mentioned, and I agree wholeheartedly with them. It has been a great experience for us and Jersey couldn't be happier. I do get a bit sad though, as I don't get the same amount of attention from my baby girl as I used to (so really -I'm- the one with jealousy issues). :o

I think in the end, we'll take a break from fostering so I can get my alone time with Jersey, then either stick with fostering or end up adopting. Seeing how your dog lives with another boxer is very special - it's not something that I feel I, as a human, can offer her, much as I may want to.

 

[shanghai_cookie]

THANK YOU!

Thanks to everyone for your really useful and insightful feedback!

Gosh, my fiance and I are so close to wanting a buddy for Kobe to hang out with -- Kobe also shoves his face under my arm when I'm on the computer!

I think I'll give it a few years until we've purchased our own home. Most of you appear to have nice backyard and running room for your 2 boxers. We still live in an apartment and rent it. So already, maybe we shouldn't risk the extra wear and tear that will come from playing.

Also, even though we live in an apartment, the complex does have a big enclosed garden/yard area. Kobe gets to run around 3 times a day downstairs.

But nothing beats your own yard where they can run and play without a leash right? Kobe's got a special extra long leash that lets him still chase after a ball, etc...when he's outside, but for the most part, I can't let him off lead for fear of people complaining.

I can also imagine me being either tangled up or dragged down the street by the power of 2 boxers! I have enough trouble walking Kobe. he's all muscle and still hasn't fully learned to not pull when he gets excited about something. Imagine 2?

I'm so jealous of all of you with 2 boxers! The second we buy a home with a yard, we'll have to get Kobe a new friend. :P

Thanks again!

 

[vasha]

you don't necessarily need to wait til you have a house - i have two in an apartment.

vasha

 

[buddy'smom]

I have 2 in an apt as well

and it is working out great! :D

We had the big backyard before moving to this city, and yes, opening up the backdoor and letting your boxer outside is an added convenience, but it isn't really all that hard in an apt.

We moved here with just Kailee, and in March we adopted Clyde so we have a female/male pair.

We too have a fenced in area to let them run outside, and they get their time out there minimum 4 times a day, but the added advantage is, we have to leash them to take them out there, and being as the leash is already with us, they usually end up being walked 2 out of the 4 times we take them out daily. There walks are down to the lakeshore, or the river and they end up being a great time for all of us. This has become not only advantageous to them but to us as well. We always found when we had the yard, we could compensate sometimes by just letting them run in the yard, rather than walking them. Now, we too are getting a walk daily which has been wonderful, and in this climate has helped break the monotony of winter months. Kailee, although content living as a single boxer, has flourished in having Clyde here for company. They don't become too boisterous in the apt. with their play, they seem to know outside time is frolic time. I think in all respects, it works well in an apt. as long as you are comitted and creative to their exercise times Just my 2 cents.

Jean

 

[Camella'sMoM]

what a good post....

 

[Bella'sMom]

Very informative! "Where the Red Fern Grows", one of my favorite books.

 

[jeepinboxer]

well not sure if i read this in someones post or not but if you travel at all they keep each other company when they are in the kennel or with friends or whatever so they atleast know each other well, when you go to work and the house is empty they keep each other entertained instead of the couch they destroy or whatever else, they grow such a spectacular bond, i left for my deployment when my younger one was still real young and we just got her about 2 months and now my wife sends me pictures and they are inseperable they sleep next to each other, go everywhere together, the only thing is the older one is stingy with chews and stuff but when i get home i plan on working on that, im sure it can be worked out. but definitly worth having two,