Should I get a boxer?
- Thread starter lansupt
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adeinert
Boxer Insane
Boxers are definitely not for everyone. They do drool, it's a trait found often in boxers and they do shed. Yes, their hair is shorter, but in Florida in the spring and in again in August you can really see it accumulating on the tile in just a few days. I don't care what condition your dog is in, I see them using the shed blades at shows at this time of the year too. They're dogs!
If anyone was worried about some drool or didn't want to vacuum up some hair, I would beg them not to get a dog.
I have heard from trainers that boxers are "hard to train." I get looks in obedience and agility classes all the time about my boxers. I don't think they are doing anything wrong but to people accustomed to more "moldable" ' yes-dogs', they think boxers are sometimes stubborn or fool around. I say boxers think for themselves but I find them a total joy to train.
When I only owned one boxer, yard play off leash was not enough exercise for him. He needed a three mile run and multiple walks. Now that I own three, most of their running comes from the few play sessions outside and walks (I would really be in shape if they EACH got a 3 mile run daily!!!)
I know of a rescued boxer that is a service alert dog. He was adopted when he was older and does a terrific job. Boxers are full of personality and compared to many breeds I would say they are high maintenance but if the human is smart enough to keep up with them, they can be developed to their full potential. We get tons into rescue in FL, because their owners "couldn't keep up" intellectually I think, or were to lazy to keep up. Also, Fl is full of unethical breeders loading the market with poor representations of our beloved breed.
Some do bark to alert, others don't. If the person outside just heard a bark, the job would have been done though. Anyone that knows boxers, knows they are cuddle bugs and wouldn't hurt anyone so I guess they are good "bark alert dogs". Police often tell you that the signs of owning a dog or a bark are terrific deterents even if it really is the friendliest dog in the world (like boxers.)
Boxers love to play but mostly are couch potatoes cuddling up beside you. A boxer's worst nightmare is to be separated from you -so closing one off in another room or putting it outside alone would be the worst form of cruelty for a boxer. Some find their velcro nature overbearing. I just love it! Definitely read up on the breed, they are one of a kind, that's for sure!
Ashlie
boxer mommy to the rescued boxertrio
If anyone was worried about some drool or didn't want to vacuum up some hair, I would beg them not to get a dog.
I have heard from trainers that boxers are "hard to train." I get looks in obedience and agility classes all the time about my boxers. I don't think they are doing anything wrong but to people accustomed to more "moldable" ' yes-dogs', they think boxers are sometimes stubborn or fool around. I say boxers think for themselves but I find them a total joy to train.
When I only owned one boxer, yard play off leash was not enough exercise for him. He needed a three mile run and multiple walks. Now that I own three, most of their running comes from the few play sessions outside and walks (I would really be in shape if they EACH got a 3 mile run daily!!!)
I know of a rescued boxer that is a service alert dog. He was adopted when he was older and does a terrific job. Boxers are full of personality and compared to many breeds I would say they are high maintenance but if the human is smart enough to keep up with them, they can be developed to their full potential. We get tons into rescue in FL, because their owners "couldn't keep up" intellectually I think, or were to lazy to keep up. Also, Fl is full of unethical breeders loading the market with poor representations of our beloved breed.
Some do bark to alert, others don't. If the person outside just heard a bark, the job would have been done though. Anyone that knows boxers, knows they are cuddle bugs and wouldn't hurt anyone so I guess they are good "bark alert dogs". Police often tell you that the signs of owning a dog or a bark are terrific deterents even if it really is the friendliest dog in the world (like boxers.)
Boxers love to play but mostly are couch potatoes cuddling up beside you. A boxer's worst nightmare is to be separated from you -so closing one off in another room or putting it outside alone would be the worst form of cruelty for a boxer. Some find their velcro nature overbearing. I just love it! Definitely read up on the breed, they are one of a kind, that's for sure!
Ashlie
boxer mommy to the rescued boxertrio
ricos_mama
Boxer Booster
I think that a boxer would be an excellent companion for you, they are very, very loving and all they want to do is please you. My pup was a little hard to train, but i think that is mainly because he has a very strong spirit, the breeder called him the escape artist when i went to pick him up, 
. My boxer does drool a little bit, but only after he drinks a lot. He is also very protective. I have also noticed that boxers are very expressive compared to other dogs, and so sweet!!! keep us posted, lots of luck to you and if and when you do get a boxer there are a lot of people here wiling to help you with any questions!!!
TCCIC
Rhiana & Rico
. My boxer does drool a little bit, but only after he drinks a lot. He is also very protective. I have also noticed that boxers are very expressive compared to other dogs, and so sweet!!! keep us posted, lots of luck to you and if and when you do get a boxer there are a lot of people here wiling to help you with any questions!!!TCCIC
Rhiana & Rico
Simba
Boxer Booster
Hello and Welcome!!!!!!!
Hello and welcome to BW Family!!!!! Sounds like a boxer just might be a good choice for you. They are the best friend that anyone has been looking for, they are loyal, they are soooo loveable lovicon Great attuides, and great company They will love you back fro ever unconditional.. Thats why we choosed a boxer. Good luck on you're choice keep us informed.
Teri and simba
Hello and welcome to BW Family!!!!! Sounds like a boxer just might be a good choice for you. They are the best friend that anyone has been looking for, they are loyal, they are soooo loveable lovicon Great attuides, and great company They will love you back fro ever unconditional.. Thats why we choosed a boxer. Good luck on you're choice keep us informed.
Teri and simba
More confused than ever now!
Just when I think I have decided one way or the other someone brings up something that sways me the other way. I will try to explain what I expect in a dog a little better and hope that will bring a more positive insight. First let me say that I appreciate everyones help. I have read all of the traits and I think that boxers are just big Jack Russells (I say this in caution because I know how proud you boxer parents are) I have a Jack and she has everything the boxer has except for the jowls, size and the woo woo song LOL...I am sure that if she heard it she would try to do it. She is 8 going on 6 months and the vet said she would only be like this another 7 years
the only thing I think that is worrying me about the boxer is...the drooling and protection. I want a companion not a yard dog. Unconditional love is a must as well as a cuddling loving baby who would never let anyone hurt his mommy!
Just when I think I have decided one way or the other someone brings up something that sways me the other way. I will try to explain what I expect in a dog a little better and hope that will bring a more positive insight. First let me say that I appreciate everyones help. I have read all of the traits and I think that boxers are just big Jack Russells (I say this in caution because I know how proud you boxer parents are) I have a Jack and she has everything the boxer has except for the jowls, size and the woo woo song LOL...I am sure that if she heard it she would try to do it. She is 8 going on 6 months and the vet said she would only be like this another 7 years
the only thing I think that is worrying me about the boxer is...the drooling and protection. I want a companion not a yard dog. Unconditional love is a must as well as a cuddling loving baby who would never let anyone hurt his mommy!
debbie knowles
Boxer Insane
lansupt said:
You just described my 2 year old Jack Knowles to a tee! And he doesn't drool either....well....unless cheese is involved in some way..but even then not much!
Boxers are perfect to me and I will not spend one day of the rest of my life without one or two. Good Luck with your decision. djk
Yes, I feel the need to chime in again about this "drooling" thing...
....what dogs don't drool? Put a piece of food in front of me when I'm really hungry and heck, I might drool...Sometimes I think the movie "Turner and Hooch" gets overvisited in this respect....and Hooch was not a Boxer.
.....and as for the "shedding," there are these things called brooms. I really don't think they shed that much.
I'd much rather have a short-haired Boxer than a dog with long hair...say a Chow or collie or something like that...
Get a Boxer.
Bob.
....what dogs don't drool? Put a piece of food in front of me when I'm really hungry and heck, I might drool...Sometimes I think the movie "Turner and Hooch" gets overvisited in this respect....and Hooch was not a Boxer.
.....and as for the "shedding," there are these things called brooms. I really don't think they shed that much.
I'd much rather have a short-haired Boxer than a dog with long hair...say a Chow or collie or something like that...
Get a Boxer.
Bob.
pyermoli
Super Boxer
When I was looking for a dog I had my heart set on a boxer. I fell in love with the face too, how can you help it? I also was looking for a guard dog, one that would bark and show his presence. I got my boxer Oscar and much to my dismay he still doesn't bark at two going on three. I spoke to the vet about it because I was concerned and he was surprised to hear that he doesn't bark. my friends tell me they've never seen a quieter dog. I think this is rare, though so I hope it doesn't discourage you. As for the unmanageability, that is not true. I thought mine would be impossible when I first got him but he turned out to be amazing, more than I could ever wish for. My boxer also doesn't drool too much. Only when he just finished drinking, but he doesn't drool all the time. They Do not shed that much, as a matter of fact I think they're coats and hair length is perfect and very easy to take care of. All in all he will be the best friend you'll ever have, they just have a way about them that can make any bad feelings go away and make you feel like nothing else in the world matters. Good luck to you!!!
BeckyNC
Boxer Insane
I wanted to chime in that my Boxer girl is not an excessive shedder. She's been shedding more, now that it's springtime, but I find it quite manageable. I hope others will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think labs shed more. I am anal about cleanliness and I have found that vacuuming once a week takes care of things to my liking (though I haven't vacuumed now in 2 weeks and everything looks fine!). Let's put it this way........I grew up with a Husky and Tae sheds so lightly compared to Daisy the Husky!
Regarding the drooling, Boxers often have water in the jowels (sp?) after drinking and sometimes it drips on the floor (or they wipe their faces on you or the couch LOL!). Fortunately, Tae leaves any excess water next to her water dish on the kitchen floor! When we go on walks and it is warm out, she foams a bit under the chin, which can turn into drool. I just wipe her face when we walk in the door (my friends think this is funny). I try to do the face wipe before she shakes Yesterday a little drool ended up on a kitchen cabinet following a shake! Tae also gets a little drooley when she sees another dog and gets excited. All in all, since I am anal about cleanliness, I would say the drooling is minimal and easily managed, just lieke the shedding.
Tae is more fun than I ever imagined. She does like attention, as all Boxers do, but she's such a nut and a clown, that it's so worth it!
Regarding the drooling, Boxers often have water in the jowels (sp?) after drinking and sometimes it drips on the floor (or they wipe their faces on you or the couch LOL!). Fortunately, Tae leaves any excess water next to her water dish on the kitchen floor! When we go on walks and it is warm out, she foams a bit under the chin, which can turn into drool. I just wipe her face when we walk in the door (my friends think this is funny). I try to do the face wipe before she shakes
Yesterday a little drool ended up on a kitchen cabinet following a shake! Tae also gets a little drooley when she sees another dog and gets excited. All in all, since I am anal about cleanliness, I would say the drooling is minimal and easily managed, just lieke the shedding.Tae is more fun than I ever imagined. She does like attention, as all Boxers do, but she's such a nut and a clown, that it's so worth it!
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