What should I know about boxers?

[oakash]

So, I have seriously been looking into Boxers lately, and my mom happens to like them as well. (One of the few smooth coated breeds she likes)

This wouldn't be anytime soon, but I still want to know what I should expect, and things like major health problems. And about breeders. i know they are pretty darn hyper, what about a off switch? Do they have it? I love the fact that they use their paws, so does my dog, she has got to have boxer blood in there somewhere!

So far, most of the boxers I have met haven't been the most obedient.... I can deal, my dog isn't the most either. Then again, they have been pretty young. Are they independent? Or does commands go in one ear and out the other?

And about this breeder, I at first though she was good. Then I noticed she was breeding a very young dog. I think it was the last female on the females page. And her health contract, is two years enough time to discover most of the dogs problems? Or should it be longer then two years. Other then that, I though she looked pretty good.

Like I said, this would be in a couple years, not very soon. In fact, maybe about 10 when I will be out of collage unless I can find one that will allow me to take a dog with me.

I know there is someone here who knows a lot about them, I think it is VintageBoxers?

 

[BoxMeIn21]

Sarah at Vintage Boxers is very knowledgeable, I happen to know her personally and she's actually my girl Disco's "other mother". She would be a very good resource to PM if you had more questions.

Health...here is the health testing that your breeder should do:

Boxer health testing

Cardio, thyroid, cancer and hip dysplasia are pretty common in the breed so you want to make sure you get a pup from a breeder who does the proper screening.

Boxers are very energetic and need a good outlet for their energy daily or they will make of fun of their own. But they do have an off switch if you've met their needs.
If you've met some disobedient boxers, then their owners slacked off on the training too early. They are VERY easy to train but it needs to be constant through puppyhood and into adulthood. You can't just go to one training class and be done, believe me, I know.
Not that I am biased, but to me Boxers are pretty much the bees knees...they are constant entertainment, smart, loyal and most of all stay puppy like well into their senior years.

 

[oakash]

Oops! I forgot to put in the breeder for you to take a look at!

Here it it! Page 1

And thanks for the reply, I shall PM VintageBoxers at once.

 

[KhayNette]

Agreed about watching for proper health screening. I owned two boxer girls once in my life, and they were wonderful wonderful dogs and have made me love the breed forever. However their deaths were both heart related and were so painful for me that I don't think I could ever bring myself to own another. I think they were from BYB but i was 9 when we got them so I couldn't say for sure. They are clowns, they are smart, they are affectionate, they are just wonderful dogs.

Just a note though, if drooling bothers you, or shedding, I'd think carefully because boxer fur is so little so it gets everywhere and it's hard to clean up, my roxy drooled incessantly however ruby didn't, but she was much more calm so i think thatis probably the reason.

 

[BoxMeIn21]

Oops! I forgot to put in the breeder for you to take a look at!

Here it it! Page 1

And thanks for the reply, I shall PM VintageBoxers at once.

Run far away from that breeder, this is a total BYB...it looks like they don't title their dogs in any venue. No mention of health testing. It looks like they use a white boxer in their breeding program which is very unethical because of the deafness issue. And last but certainly not least, their boxers are horrible representatives of the breed.

You want a breeder who is breeding to better the breed, not pollute it.

Here are some examples of reputable breeders:

Amity Hall Boxers

Wilky Boxers

Inspiration Boxers

Raineylane Boxers

PawPrint Boxers - Breeder of Champion Boxer Dogs in California. Show and Pet Puppies love it here!

Fantacboxers.com

Just to name a few...

 

[oakash]

Wow, I thought she was pretty decent too...Shows what I know. I have one more question, how do you go about finding good breeders somewhere close to you? I live in FL, In Volusia County.

 

[BoxMeIn21]

Well you're my neighbor! I am in Orlando...as far as finding a breeder near you. You might want to check out some local shows, those are always a great place to meet breeders and their dogs.

Peggy Otto of Pro-Boxers has a listing on her page of Am. Breeders:

Links - American Boxer Breeders

They are listed alphabetically, but they have the state listed, too.

Keep in mind that the perfect puppy may not always be in the same state you are. I drove out of state for both of my dogs.

Here is a great guide to finding a reputable breeder:

Searching for a Reputable Breeder

Good luck in your search!

 

[oakash]

Thanks so much! I don't know, right now thats not possible but when I can drive and have a place of my own, I might be able to. Again, thank you!

 

[Vintage Boxers]

Erin Def. hit alot of the points! I would be more than happy to help you, feel free to PM or email at any time.

American Boxer Club

Read, Research, and get to know your breeder when you do find one!

You can email through our website ( Vintage Boxers) or feel free to PM me here!

YAY, so happy to see someone taking the time to research the breed before they go out and get one!

 

[Spiritwind]

Run far away from that breeder, this is a total BYB...it looks like they don't title their dogs in any venue. No mention of health testing. It looks like they use a white boxer in their breeding program which is very unethical because of the deafness issue. And last but certainly not least, their boxers are horrible representatives of the breed.

You want a breeder who is breeding to better the breed, not pollute it.

Here are some examples of reputable breeders:

Amity Hall Boxers

Wilky Boxers

Inspiration Boxers

Raineylane Boxers

PawPrint Boxers - Breeder of Champion Boxer Dogs in California. Show and Pet Puppies love it here!

Fantacboxers.com

Just to name a few...

I have to say.. thank you for these links! I LOVE boxers and some day hope to add one to the my Collie clan... but I have had such a hard time finding breeders anywhere near my area, with dogs I liked! Love looking at reputable boxer breeder sites!!

The health issues (mainly heart issues) scare me with them, but I would like to have one pet boxer among the Collies some day...

 

[BoxMeIn21]

No problem!

 

[Barb04]

A boxer lives next to me who is friendly and has lots of energy. He wants to run, play (box some) but if I said "sit", he sits and stops acting so crazy. He's a very good listener. Because of him, I love the breed!

 

[Ratboy]

I have seen so many Boxers die young, I don't know if I could bring myself to get one. My one friend alone has had 3 die before the age of seven. One had cancer, the other died of heart trouble, and the first one died from a blood clot in the artery that supplied blood to his intestines. Another one I knew died of heart trouble at 8 years, and another one went sour at 3 with some sort of esophagus issue and after a bunch of surgeries, still had to be put down.

I did meet a white Boxer Sunday, it was 2 years old and wasn't deaf, and the owner said it was very healthy, so far. He was a very nice dog, but he was too hyper for King's taste these days. What a difference time makes. When he was less then 9, he made that Boxer look like he was sedated.

 

[JennSLK]

Health testing is #1. Boxers are not a healthy breed. Meaning they can have alot of problems.

Look for titles.

Also, please correct me if Im wrong. Stay far away from a breed who breeds whites. I have been told even good breeders will have the occasional one pop up in a litter, but they are spayed and are PETS.