Thinking about getting a boxer, but have questions...

[Billysmum]

We got Billy when my children were 2.5 yrs and 9 wks old, so they've grown up together, and Billy has NEVER said a cross word to either child.

Last year we got a Rottie and they get along great. Billy just loved having a puppy to play with.

I never saw any shedding from Billy, but in the morning the sofa is covered with black hair from Tommy (they're not supposed to sleep on the sofa!)

My husband knew a man with a Hungarian Visla and he had to get rid of it after about 1.5 yrs, because it turned on his wife! I don't know the background to this, but the dog hated the man's wife!

Good luck - (go for the Boxer!!!!!!!!!!)

 

[Sarah R]

Crystina the absolute best thing about Boxers and babies and toddlers is you will never have to wipe another yucky face again. Mine were 2-4-6 when we brought home our puppy and he thinks they are all litter mates-no wink here.
He also does a wonderful job of sitting below them at every meal and it really saves time with the clean up. He also tries to clean the counter but we are working on that (unsuccessfully). Perfect family dog-when we took the kids to a local dog show the only two breeds who went kid crazy were the Boxer and the English Bulldog. Most of the other breeds just weren't that interested.
Mine's young yet and while we know he could easily clear our 4 foot fence he hasn't figured it out.
He's not a big barker and he is so mischievous I don't know if he could find the time to be bored.
I would not use skittish for any boxer I have ever met. Actually rather fearless in my opinion.
My dog loves and I mean loves all other dogs except agressive ones-he just can't back down.
Honestly my husband was the one who wanted a boxer and I was leaning to everything but, but I can tell you you won't be disappointed-I've had lots of breeds but I've never met a dog quite like this one-I'm completely enamoured.lovicon It is just not a breed that lets you forget they are there and while my experience is limited I've heard this said by so many people on this post.
Welcome and enjoy! :D

 

[SeattleBoxer]

I had to replay to say how excited I am to see another person from Seattle!! You must get a boxer just so I don't feel lonely out here!!

As far as answers to your questions, I don't have much more to add that hasn't already been said except for the fact that we have had our boxer for 4 months and it has been 3.5 of the greatest!! (.5 out for sleepless nights and house breaking!!)

btw - she LOVED our snow yesterday!

 

[Lisa M]

I grew up with one boxer at our house and one at my grandparents. I must say I was often very naughty and most likely deserved to be bitten (usually after finding a favorite doll eaten by a boxer) but our boxers were always patient and stoic with me. I never remember being growled or barked at and I'm sure I was never nipped.

As far as your other questions, I agree with all of the other statements. The six foot fence will probably be high enough but some are climbers and will get over, especially it if they are left alone which they hate (even if accompanied by another dog but no humans). We've always had ours as house dogs and never leave them alone outside without us.

Also if you decide on two, I would recommend considering getting two boxers. There is no other breed that plays like the boxer, they are so much fun to watch playing with eachother boxering and doing other silly boxer "moves".

Our Casper is very quite, he just stands there staring at Sumi (a lab mix) when she barks. He usually only barks if he is trying to get attention (like when he wants our other dog to play with him and she doesn't feel like playing), which again a boxer might be prone to do if left alone. They want to be with the family 24/7, so if the plan is for the dog to be alone in the yard often, I would consider another breed.

 

[Lava Linda]

You've probably had most of your questions answered, but with regard to being skittish.... Neither of mine is skittish or nervous, but I'm met a couple very timid, highstrung boxers.
Within the breed, whichever breed you choose, you should meet the parents (or the dam, at least), and do some temperament testing on any pup you consider taking home. You should be able to find references for temperament testing puppies, or maybe someone on the board can suggest a good website. Turning them on their back is one test I use. The one litter of pups I raised would tolerate or even enjoy being turned over and held. I understand that pups that repeatedly panic or growl in this situation should be avoided, if you want a docile dog.

My male is extremely docile and gentle with people, and doesn't even REMOTELY resemble a watchdog. He's probably barked a dozen times in his 5 years. Purdy barks, but if the person says one nice word, she's all over them hoping to sneak in a quick lick or a cuddle.

 

[Timmy S.]

Hello Crystina! Like Linda mentioned, nice to see another person on the board from the Pacific Northwest! We live in Lacey now, but we used to live in Kent, just south of Seattle. It sounds like you are going through exactly what my g/f Trish and I went through a few months ago. With a new house we wanted to share our experiences with a dog. So like you, we did our homework on different breeds and decided on a Boxer. It came down to either a Siberian Husky or a Boxer, and now that we have Madison home with us, we are so happy that we picked a Boxer. In regards to your questions, there really isn't anything I can add that hasn't been stated before. We are brand new to owning a Boxer, but we now wish we would have gotten one sooner! Our little Maddy is just the best little girl in the world! We love her to death! We are amazed at how fast of a learner she is. She is practically potty trained at 10 weeks old! I don't know too much about Vizsla's, but I really hope you pick a Boxer. Like others before me have mentioned, Boxer's seem to have a personality much like a human being. If you would like a telephone number of a great Boxer breeder in the Puget Sound area(the breeder we got Maddy from), please ask! Good Luck!