What do you think? Will a puppy annoy my older boxer?

[LizzysDad]

My baby Lizzy, is 11 years old & in great health, has led a spoiled life with me. She's my "mountain dog" loves camping, hiking (over 700+ miles in her life!) boating and has always lived alone with no other dogs, she associates very well with other dogs and is very gentle with puppies, loves playing with them (duh! a boxer!).
I would like Lizzy to have some influence over the puppy, I feel strongly that her motherly instinct will "kick in" and she'll take the puppy under her wing (she's never had puppies). I can see Lizzy showing the puppy the ropes, running through the woods, hiking, camping, etc. I'm not getting a puppy to replace Lizzy by any means, but she is getting older and with Lizzy in such great health I think now is about the only time. I don't want to wait until she passes to get another boxer (I don't want the end of an era and the beginning of another, ).
Finally, my question is, does anyone have any direct experience with this situation? Do you think Lizzy may reject the puppy, or just become annoyed with it? Is she too old and would rather spend her days lounging around the house? I was thinking a puppy may rejuvenate her a little. Maybe I'm naive. Any thoughts? If I had to get rid of the puppy later because Lizzy was upset, I would. But I would have a very hard time doing that, so obviously I'd like to avoid that. Please help with your thoughts! Sorry for the long post!

 

[Austin's Mom]

I can only speak from my own experience. When Austin was 7 dh DH came home with a three month old boxer puppy someone gave him. I knew in my heart that Austin wouldn't be happy. But I gave it a shot anyway. Austin has always been the only dog here, he's set in his ways and likes to basically just lay on my bed and look out the window for the most part. He would not accept the puppy. Junior was always taunting him to play, nipping and barking at him. Austin wanted no part of it. Not to mention that he doesn't like us giving attention to any other dog but him. I couldn't leave the two of them alone, Aus kept getting nastier and nastier with Junior and it broke my heart to see him so unhappy about his new brother. Now mind you Austin is not a mean dog. But he was not nice to Junior after a couple of days. It finally got to the point where he almost took the puppy's face off, so I knew he had to go. He went to a great home, and we get updates on him, but it just didn't work out.

Like I said, this is just my experience. I hope it will work out for you and your baby will love her new sibling. Austin was just too spoiled I think. Good luck!

 

[x19er]

Our Sophie is now 11 to Dino's 3. After we lost our boxer boy we decided to get a puppy as Sophie seemed to have lost her get up and go - we decided a puppy would be best as Sophie is not keen on other dogs, although she adored our first boxer boy. She has been super with him and turned into a real mother, he's learned a lot from her and she has had a great time playing and charging round after him. I feel it has kept her going having a youngster to look after and keep her on her toes. Sophie had very good health until the past few weeks as she is learning to cope with canine vestibular disease at the moment (makes her dizzy and disorientated) and she seems to have aged somewhat and I can see that she would be unable to cope with a younger dog now but if your Lizzy is doing well at 11 then I would go for it. We really were unsure as to how Sophie would react to a puppy but for us it turned out just fine!

Being Mother:
http://www.boxerworld.com/photo/showphoto.php?photo=58007&cat=500&ppuser=43029
Keeping the Youngster in his Place:
http://www.boxerworld.com/photo/showphoto.php?photo=72368&cat=500&ppuser=43029

 

[DiverDiva]

Would you consider a new dog that wasn't a puppy? If there is a local Boxer rescue or an all-breed rescue that happens to have a Boxer, you could have the dogs meet once or twice before you finalize the adoption. That is what I did when I got our second Boxer. My situation was a little different in that I adopted Mali from a somewhat distant shelter, but I did take Oscar and if they had not gotten along I would not have adopted her. I kept checking petfinder.com until I found her.
Just another possibility to consider.

 

[winn dixie]

my experience with bring a pup home,when there is an elder dog,depends on the personality of the older dog.. I have experienced the get out of my face and leave me alone attitude ,to playful acceptance...either way puppies can be very annoying to either personality...but I have always had it work out...my baby jake was really showing signs of age when we brought hannah home,she was 6 weeks old...and it changed his life...he perked up,went outside more,began jumping on the couch again,and did a complete turn around...I will always be grateful to hannah for the influence she had over him....it was such a good decision....

 

[LizzysDad]

Still torn....

Thanks everyone for the replies! I'm still torn over what to do, I am hoping to get a few more responses to help me feel more at ease. I can't see Lizzy being mean to a puppy, but I don't want her to be miserable in her old age either.
As far as getting a mature boxer from a rescue, I'm all for that, however I think the impact on Lizzy would be greater than a puppy who she could "raise" (back to the whole motherly instinct thing). With getting an older dog, I believe that the chances are higher for Lizzy to reject her, feeling threatened for attention. I strongly think that if she would accept any dog, it would be a puppy. Also, what does anyone think of a male vs. female puppy? Do you feel that this may make any difference?
Thanks again for the responses, I really appreciate it! Any additional responses from others with a similar situation are very much welcomed! Thanks so much!
Lots O' BOXER VIBES!!!!

 

[TossBranAbi]

Tossie was older when Brady came into her life and she was fine with him. However, he was her puppy (accident) but she didn't "raise" them as they were bottle fed, and not even around her until Brady came home after he was weaned. She tolerated him just fine. I am sure she knew he was hers but the connection was not the same since she didn't fed the puppies and such.

If she is in good health, I would say there isn't a reason you shouldn't get another puppy or an older dog like already suggested.

X19er - I was not aware that Sophie doll was not feeling well, I hope she is ok. Sophie is such a beautiful girl and I look up to her.

 

[simmons]

I like the idea of adopting a boxer...who knows maybe they will have a puppy for you too!! This way, you can find the perfect match for Lilly!! If you buy a puppy and like you said it doesn't work out.....you will have to get rid of him.

If you adopt you can test the boxers out (tempermant and such) in your home with Lizzy. If it works then you have a new addidtion. If not, then the boxer goes back to the foster home and you tried!!!!

Keep us updated!!