Thinking about getting a Boxer

[DogNamed_Boo]

My mom says they are 'dummer than a box of rocks' (and I have to admit, Gage and Daisy [our two neighbors Boxers] aren't very bright but I like them anyway.)

You will find we'll all disagree is this statement...As Alisha said ..they know what they are taught ...just like our children ..they have to be taught manners. Boxers a very smart ...learn very fast...but they become bored very easy if they are trained the same thing over & over again. They love to please...they know your emotions. I personally would not have another breed. Nothing against your Mom at all ..so please don't take this wrong...but someone who says Boxers are dumb....they do not know Boxers...!

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Boo & Vickie

 

[craZ4HERKIE]

I personally will NEVER be w/o a Boxer...they are the most wonderful, soulful, personable breed that I have ever run across.Herkie is very high energy....but he has acclamated himself to our lifestlye in our townhouse...15-20 min walk in the am....10 min walk before work(because of heat)...and a 20-30 min walk in the even.These walks don't tire him out too much unless it's very hot or humid.So he burns around the house and plays with his toys....but will lay down when I instruct him too.I am very careful about his exposure to the heat....because Boxers are so succeptable to it.I have banned him from the park until early fall....I refuse to risk him being overheated!

Also...I have NEVER met a dumb boxer...I am just waiting on Herkie to master the English language....I've been told he's crazy, but NEVER dumb.My best friend ALWAYS comments on how smart he is!If you do decide on a Boxer...it will bring you a joy that you have yet to experience.Please let us know how it goes!

 

[shara0013]

That's not what I ment when I siad that they are 'dum'. What I ment was that the Boxers I know are probably really smart but they can have an I.Q. of 0 some of the time. For example: I was walking Blackie (my male Lab/Rottie mix) and Rose (Blackie's daughter. Also part German Shepherd/Cattle dog) with a friend and Gage came up to us. (We live out in the country on ten acres. We were walking our dogs on the road and apperently our neighbors had just let Gage out to run.)
Now, Blackie doesn't get along well with other male dogs so he doesn't like Gage very much. Anyways, I yelled at Gage to go home but he just stopped and looked at me, then came toward us again. Then he got right up next to Blackie and Blackie growled and Gage stopped but then went right up next to him agian. Blackie then growled again but Gage didn't do any thing so Blackie kinda lunged at Gage. That got Gage back, but in a couple of seconds he was back by Blackie again.
As I said, he wasn't very bright. Now I don't agree with my mom when she says they are stupid but Gage was being kinda dum.
Also, if I do decide to get a Boxer instead of an AmStaff, is there anything else I should know about the breed?

 

[BeckyNC]

Since I haven't met Gage, I couldn't tell you what was on his mind. ANY dog can have a lapse in judgement. Gage's actions could have been the actions of any breed of dog. Boxers are quite intelligent dogs, no matter how you cut it. Some might be more intelligent than others, but I do not think it's fair to the breed to say the breed as a whole can act "dumb" sometimes.

 

[Alisha Mobley]

Anyways, I yelled at Gage to go home but he just stopped and looked at me, then came toward us again.

If a dog hasn't been taught what "go home" means, it will not respond. Boxers are very curious and normally not fearful. I understand that yelling at some dogs will result in them running away...it sounds like you yelling at Gage made him more cautious but his curiousity still got the better of him.

Then he got right up next to Blackie and Blackie growled and Gage stopped but then went right up next to him agian. Blackie then growled again but Gage didn't do any thing so Blackie kinda lunged at Gage. That got Gage back, but in a couple of seconds he was back by Blackie again.

There are many things that can cause this type of reaction. Age being one...is Gage young? Not well socialized with dogs resulting in a lack of communication skills on Gage's part could be another reason. Not seeing the body language of either dog makes it hard to give much of an opinion...Gage could be a "rude" dog and does not respect others space, maybe a young dog that wanted to play, maybe he was attempting to stand his ground and after the lunge changed his mind, etc. But, the last thing that comes to my mind is a dumb dog. Our trainer teaches us there is no such thing as a dumb dog...trainability ranges from breed to breed but as for "smarts", dogs do not lack.

Also, if I do decide to get a Boxer instead of an AmStaff, is there anything else I should know about the breed?

Lots! Have you read thru this thread? Boxer Traits

 

[twrlrgrl]

Do It!

I researched a heck of a lot. I never knew anyone with a boxer or never had one of my own but the pay offs are worth it!! I LOVE MY BOXER! she likes to run but does not require a heck of a lot of exercise, these pups are sooo smart too you will be amazed at how fast they learn. good luck and I think I speak for most of us when I say - GET THE BOXER!

 

[shara0013]

Ya, now that you mention it, I do think that Gage is under-socilized. (I love him though!) I DON'T think Boxers are dum in any way. I like the Boxers but I like AmStaffs too!! It's such a hard decision!
Does anybody know of any good AmStaff forums? I've read about Boxers from people who have had first experience (you guys) but now I would like to talk to some people who have had good AmStaff experince and compare the two breeds. I still LOVE Boxers but I am kinda (i.e. 65%) leaning toward the AmStaff right now. (Boxers sound great too though!!)

 

[ses02e]

7 week old puppy?

Hi. I have finally found the perfect Boxer for me. She is only 7 weeks old though. Is that ok?? She is from Louisiana. The owner says she has been very well socialized with 4 grown boxers and three children and she spends a lot of time with the puppies. I was happy with everything she said I just wanted to check with the experts first. Is 7 weeks ok?

 

[MyahsGranny]

7 Weeks Too Young?

We got our girl at 6 weeks, which was way too young. Normally reputable breeders don't let them go until they are older (We found that out later). She was so tiny (and sooo cute)! The only problem we had was with her urinating in the house, because she was too young to teach not to. Until they turn around and smell their own urine, they aren't aware that they have done it (it's involuntary until then), but as soon as she started to, we taught her to go outside. Not difficult to do, because they are very smart and want only to please you!