Hi all

My boss  is set on getting a boxer , long story short she has done her research but I'm unsure of some of the things she was told about them by breeders. Now i dont know anything about them apart from that the ones iv met have been lovley but full of energy.
Shes asking me as im the only one who owns dogs that she knows. But i would rather ask on here as i know nothing about them.

these are the things she learnt about them are any of these true? ( owners and breeders told her the below)

1\ they look intimidating to strangers but are big clowns really and are just as friendly as a Labrador?

2\ a good choice for a first dog?

3\ easy to train but can be headstrong and just needs patience?

4\ needs lots of physical and mental exercise?

5\ very loyal to there people?

6\ they have a lot of health issues including a higher rate of cancer.

She said she will be doing lots of research before getting one but there her favorite breed and she said i know people say start with something easier like a lab but i dont want to get a breed im not interested in. She loves boxers. Im just concered about her being a first time owner , shes never had a dog before. I do agree that she is suited to them but its just the fact shes a newbie to dogs that worries me as iv read there not the best first dogs but she said that the owners said she'll be fine , yes it wont be easy but it can be done.

I just want to ask are Boxers ok for some first time owners?

As an owner and breeder for almost 40 years my answers would be
1)Yes (but the first time I was ever bitten by a dog was by a Labrador!)
2) Yes
3)Yes again
4) Not my experience.  Puppies do NOT need lots of physical exercise but all boxers need to use their brains.
5) Most definitely.
6) In almost forty years I have only lost two to cancer.  One was eight years old, the other was 13 1/2.  Did none of the breeders contacted mention heart issues or JKD (Juvenile Kidney Displaysia)?  These two issues are the real problems in the breed.  Parents should have clear heart scores and JKD is indicated by looking at the pedigrees.  Have a look at the Boxer Breed Council website.  All covered on there.

Some breeds are easier than others for first-time owners but that very much depends on the owner, really.  Male dobermanns are often a terrible choice but that was my first dog, and he turned out very well - because I was already developing a head for training, I was researching, I had the clicker before I had the puppy, etc.  Where it goes wrong is people getting high energy, intelligent dogs (which boxers definitely are on both points) without doing research or being prepared or being patient.  It sounds like she is putting the groundwork in which will make a huge difference for her.

What I would definitely recommend is that she finds a good class or private trainer, from the start, to guide her through.  In my experience with all sorts of breeds, how the training is done and the life is managed up until pup is about 4 months old makes all the difference.  I'm talking general training, teaching them to walk on a lead, manners around people and dogs, teaching an off switch - everything.  If I get a call for puppy training over 4 months, almost every single time, problems are setting in (which is why I'm called), bad habits have been learned.  If I get a call at the beginning, I am so happy because I know that pup will be learning the good stuff before the bad stuff sets in!  Lead walking especially, I see a lot of boxers straining at the end of the lead or on headcollars as they pull hard (and headcollars are not ideal on a brachycephalic dog, so better to train in the first place than have to manage a puller later on).

They do need a lot of input.  Very high energy dogs, I find them utterly doolally personally, but in a completely joyful way - really nice dogs.  They just love life!  As with most energetic dogs though mental stimulation is usually more important.  They do need exercise, certainly, but are one of those dogs where someone could easily fall into the trap of giving them more and more to try and tire them out, only to find a fitter and fitter dog that then NEEDS more and more.  But work the brain, and they will settle.

Healthwise I'm sure there are people on here more in the know than me but yes, health is a big issue.  Heart and cancer I believe are the worst problems but I could be wrong.  If I were looking for a pup I would be very careful about looking for breeders who are doing everything they possibly can in terms of health screening, researching pedigrees to select healthy parents.

I've never found them intimidating really but some people probably will do - a lot of dogs can, because they naturally have a forward-heavy stance which can look threatening, and the squishy face and sometimes snuffly, snorty noise due to that facial structure does unnerve some dogs.  What I do find is that they are a bit slobbery!

Thank you so so much to both of you for replying.

Nikita, she said she will be doing loads of reading on both dog training and behaviour as well as reading everybook on the boxer before taking one on. She is also going to meet as many as she can and not just at shows but in there own home environment as well and then when shes ready shes going to find a good one to one trainer\behaviorist who can help pick the right puppy for her and then rigjt from the start at 8 weeks help her with training as she would preger to prevent than fix. Shes the most dedicated person i know.

Do you have any tips for how to find a good trainer and any books you would reccomend hekr to read on behaviour and training?

I have never had to recommend that puppy buyers find a good trainer.  All they need is to carry on the interaction and socialisation I have done.  Maybe Dobermanns are different. I have people coming back for the sort of boxer they bought donkey's year ago and have said if I'm not breeding again, then they won't have another boxer. I only breed to keep something to progress the breed so it can be a long wait but they are the type of puppy buyers I love.

My advice to any prospective owner of a new breed would be to locate, via the relevant Breed Club, a good breeder and go visit!   Ask them all the questions they will and should have.  Although breeders are busy people, they usually find time to sit with prospective owners (even if they don't have a litter) and talk 'breed'.   Show them the adults because as a rule, puppies are always aaaaah.

We have one living locally who is a nightmare.   I often see him when I go to the vet and his owner has to keep him out of the waiting area - not vicious, just soooo boisterous!

ps   I hate this breed's thin whippety full tail, but that's just me

I'm only suggesting a trainer because she's a first time dog owner, going for a breed that can be very high energy and need a lot of input.  She does sound very sensible though so she may not need it!

Something in common with a lot of dogs in Pet only homes is weight.  I ahve looked after a grossl;y overweight boy who was on tramadol and otyher meds and his problems were primarily caused by his weight!!

Now a breed with hihger than average issues with heartds must be kept fit and lean.

I was at an exemption show yesterday to support a local rescue and the one thing I saw in so many dogs attending, of all types and breeds, was how over weight they were!  I find keeping my own diet under control quite difficult but the one thing I ensure for my dogs is that they are spot on for weight.  I'm a Yorkshire lass, not going to waste money feeding food that isn't needed

I am exactly the same, I am 4 stone overweight at present (well at least 3, and on yet another diet), but the dogs are kept fit.

Same here my dogs were always lean. Me not so much

The one thing i will say about them is when let off lead they like to run up into the faces of other dogs, it is very rude and likely to get a negative response. Yes they are being friendly but in an asb way. A lot of dogs can find them hard to read as well. The ones i know are very people and dog friendly bar one. They are full on, one i know is nearly 10 and charges around like she is still 6 months old.

Health testing is a must for both parents.

I believe that training is essential whether classes or solo. I prefer classes as it teaches pups how to settle sroun other dogs