When did boxers get a bad name?

[heartsong12]

I get some neighbors that scream and run. It really is funny. Diabla and I just look at them kinda strange like and if there are other more knowledgable neighbors around they laugh. But I live in an apartment complex and at night I never am afraid to go out with my baby girl. The roughest neighbors are the most afraid. So I just let them believe what they want.
But over all I am lucky. In my complex there are 3 boxers and 2 pit bulls.

 

[Shanz]

Sirus' Mommy....ppl like that really make me want to hit them. Im very short tempered and not a real people person to begin with.. usually when ppl are like that I snap at them.

M neighbourhood has lots of "thugs" or little boys who think theyre "thugs" who compliment on Cin all the time...how nice of a dog she is how they want one like her.. only because they think shes a pitbull...and the ones who know shes a boxer... like her cuz they think shes "dangerous". As for my GSD..theyre scared sh!tless of her..she doesnt like strangers and shes very protective of me...

 

[magoo's_mama]

As for my GSD..theyre scared sh!tless of her..

People were always afraid of my parents GSD too. She was a a very lovely and friendly girl but she too was very protective of her family.

As for Magoo we run into both types of people, most people thankfully know he is a boxer and want to pet him and give him love (and he just eats it up too) but then others are very afraid of him. One of the neighbor kids who is a bit of a brat was talking with our other neighbor kid and he said" I know that dog he bites" (the bratty kid had just moved in that week we had never seen him before) and the other neighbor boy said "no he doesn't he boxes, he's a boxer, he's nice" I let both of them play with him for a few minutes.
I like to educate people about the sweetness of boxers but I'm also to quick to let them know they are not for every one because they're high matenience and so hyper.

 

[stusdc]

Harumph

Personally, i'm quite glad of "other peoples ignorance". I know that when my wife and my son are out alone with lennox, nobody will be brave enough... as all boxer lovers know our babies will only "Turn" when their humans are in danger or trouble, i know that my baby would defend our lives with his.

As for burgulars, a boxer WILL let you in the house, Just don't try to leave!!!

 

[crashsmom]

We run across this all the time. Crash is only 4 months old but people still turn away from him and do everything possible to avoid him. I've heard several comments about him being a pit bull. I feel like yelling "he's a boxer!". At first I thought it was because my baby is white. Now I know it's just uneducated people making assumptions!
If they only knew what they are missing out on.....

 

[Julie P.]

What I have discovered, in our little town, is that boxers seem to be well liked and admired. However, some of the general negative comments I get are usually about the "boxer stare”. People who have not had the privilege of knowing a boxer do not seem to understand boxer’s facial expressions. I have been told that when other breeds stare-you-down it usually means a challenge. But, I do not beleive this is so with a boxer. I wrote an essay regarding the "boxer stare" in college. My teacher was thankful for the subject matter, as she too did not understand the boxer's personality.

 

[mancin]

crashsmom, funny I have a rottweiler named Crash and I'm also in Troutdale. Maybe we can meet up sometime and have our pups meet! (send me a PM)

Julie P, funny you mention the boxer stare. My trainer is amazed in class when we do the "watch me" command because Tyson is so good at looking you in the eyes and keeping the "stare".

I've also an experience w/ Tyson just recently. I had both Tyson and Crash at the pet store. This lady was in front of me in line and kept turning around and looking at Tyson. Every time he'd inch towards her, she'd move forward as to get away from him. I kept putting Tyson in a sit/stay, but other people kept coming over to him and fussing over him. The lady turned around and saw our rottweiler and went to pet him (while still avoiding Tyson). She says to Crash, "Well aren't you a well behaved dog unlike the other one here... yeah you are so calm and nice.." I had to bite my lip. Tyson wasn't being unruly. Sure he was wiggling his little nub and giving people kisses when they bent down to pet him, but he wasn't even bothering her!!! Every time she turned around and gave him an evil eye I wanted to tell her to turn back around!! Never thought I'd see a day where someone thought a rottweiler was less intimidating than a boxer!!!

 

[neraknna]

I have never had a negative reaction by anybody with my 1 year old fawn boy but since getting Meadow, My 3 month old brindle girl, 4 different people have confused her for a pitbull. I guess after reading others experiences, I better get used to it!

 

[Luvnmyboxer]

I guess i"m lucky that I have never received a negative comment about Titan ( rather the ppl who make dumb comments are lucky). When we are out ppl usually just say "nice boxer" kinda comments. However I work in a dental office and to waste time waiting for the Dr. I usually talk to the patients about my dog- when they ask what it is I say something about "he's a boxer, and he is the happiest, friendliest dog in the world, loves kids, ppl and everyone and everything he meets". That way it's kinda hard for them to say something negative about boxers to me. If they think something bad I guarantee by the time the leave the office they know more about boxers and know there are nice ones out there. Most say something like "oh i've heards they're real good with kids"--which makes me SMILE and reminds me there are smart ppl out there.

 

[dmartin]

I am very very fortunate regarding the part of the country I live in!. Since having Cheetah (14 months old and Guinness 13 weeks old)...all we hear is compliments...and people...with children...coming up to us to meet our sweethearts. The owner/manager of the puppy daycare and all employees....and other customers...always ask when Cheetah and Guinness will be there to visit. When we take them to the Vet....they are the center of attention with their goofy smiling faces and friendly overtures. If Cheetah and Guinness are riding in the car ...the people in the passing cars always smile and wave. I have never...not once..heard one bad comment...seen a bad look...or even had a mother remove her child for the vicinity of our boxers. If fact..as a mother...and a grandmother..i have always been amazed at the parents that would allow their small child to approach a strange dog....I never would.