Hi All,

Im new here. Im a very experienced dog owner who currently has no dog just two very lazy BSH cats and two young children. We are ready for a dog, well over the next year but we want to research lots into which would be the best breed for us. Im a gun dog girl and would prop choose a Viszla, Pointer, Working Cocker. But my husband loves Boxers.

Can anyone shed a little more light on the breed?

Thanks so much

Sophie x

There should bee many cheap books on amazon so you can research the breed.
From what I've heard they're not for everyone in regards to training and health defects inparticulary their heart.
Just make sure you choose a good breeder and be prepared to wait on a waiting list.
Dont be tempted to go to the advertising sites or the papers.

Boxers are commonly known as the clown of the canine world.

They are a bull-breed so that means that they can be stubborn
and willful. I would advise anyone that wants a Boxer puppy to go to
training classes preferably with trainers that understand the Boxer.
Socialisation & training is very important to have a well balanced canine
with no behavioural issues (any breed that isn't socialised & trained properly
can have behavioural issues)

They are an athletic breed, that can enjoy lots of activities and walks
when old enough (same as most breeds).

They enjoy human companionship and when part of a family with children
some would describe as an extra child, and where there's mischief to be had
you normally find the child and the Boxer together as partners in crime.
Althou some breeders do have dogs in kennels they are better as a house dog.

The average age span is 10yo, althou you will get some that are older.
Health: Hearts - Aortic Stenosis & Cardiomyopathy.
So make sure that the parents are heart tested and clear (grade 0 or 1).
Breeders should be able to show you certification for the dam.
If you look on the Boxer breed council's website you can see a list of dogs that have heart tested clear.
http://www.boxerbreedcouncil.co.uk click on health button and AS scroll down page and there is a link
for the heart test list.
Cancer - sadly one of the breeds that suffer with different cancers. Although I have only lost one after an operation
for a kidney tumour when a veteran 10yo. So you have to be watchful for lumps and bumps and I do
advise getting them checked out by vets.
Bloat - As the Boxer is a deep chested breed again something to be watchful of. I have lost one to bloat
again as a veteran aged 11yo. So I tend to try and leave an hour between exercise and feeding and I feed in raised feed stands. But if you read up there are other breeds at risk plus conflicting evidence of what is best to avoid this.
Kidney - Juvenile Renal Displacia. This is a relatively new health issue that has recently cropped up.
Is currently undergoing genetic investigation.

Some dogs can slobber...especially if you let them beg for food...
Ace bleach will get rid of the marks on clothes if they are a dog that is 'slobbery'.

Although a short coated breed they can still moult well.

Because of the docking ban they now are longtailed or you can go for a Bobtail Boxer which was created
by Boxer breeder and genetics advisor Dr Bruce Cattanach http://www.steynmere.com
click on genetics and bobtail buttons to read more about. However be aware that the 'commercial' element has
jumped on the bandwagon and charge extortionate prices. Do not pay anymore than you would for a
long tailed puppy average puppy price at moment seems to be £750-800.

They come in three different colours - Brindle, Red and White. Please note that white's are not rare.
They appear in every litter where the parents have lots of white markings. Whites are typically sold for 50%
less than their coloured siblings. White's aren't a colour accepted in the showring nor for breeding here in the UK.
They are sold as companions only.

As a owner of currently 4 Boxer girls ranging from 9 1/2 years to 3 years they do imprint on your heart.
They are fun 'big' characters, very loving towards their owners and family's. They do need consistent
firm but fair handling/training and all the work you put in whilst they are wee pups you will reap the
rewards as they grow and become adults. They don't tend to mature mentally and activity/energy levels
are normally quite high until they reach veterans. Yes 4 can be hard work but I wouldn't swap them for the world.
My mum after looking after my first Boxer on her own for three weeks finally understood why I loved her so..after
she'd always had GSD's and I'd grown up with them she wondered why I wanted one of 'those' dogs.
Character plus :)

Good luck with what ever you decide.
But go to Discover Dogs at Crufts in March and you'll meet other dedicated Boxer owners and their dogs
and they will tell you all about them again. :)

Boxers are adorable clowns, puppies for life as they never grow up, they need a lot of control and training because they are bonkers and they love a warm bed ( preferably yours) wonderful with children and very good pets. BUT they can be hard work because of their bouncy attitude. My daughters 4 dogs have had quite a range of skin cancer lumps so  insurance is a must, also bloat with one of her boys.

I agree with everything Boxercrazy says we are on our 6th Boxer a bitch called Betty,we were going to stop after having the 5th one put to sleep,as we have also a Boston so decided that was it but once you've had a Boxer you can't be without one as much as I love Mabel the Boston she is my baby,otherhalf couldnt be without a Boxer so Bety came along she is now 17mths well solcialised and has been to training since 12 weeks old she is now taking her Gold Good Citizen award,she also belongs to a Dog Dispay team and she also shown, so far she has been the best out of them all to train.I would also say please if you do decide to get a Boxer don't get one from any online sites that advertise them a lot come from puppy farms,try and go to some shows especially a Breed show near you as you can have the pick of Breeders there to ask any questions you have, they are a wealth of information especially those who have been in the bred for many years if you get stuck with looking for a show in your area let me know.Also as with any breed please make sure you have a puppy insured whatever breed you go for and if funds will allow get Life Cover.