Hiya - just after a bit of advice.  I've recently been chatting to a lady who has a boxer dog called Samson who is 3 years old.  Glazby is a 2 year old boxer.

We've arranged to get them to meet up on Easter Monday and were thinking of taking them up to a nearby field to meet (on neutral ground).

We both hope that they'll get on and want to play but wonder if you have any advice on getting them to meet?  They are both fully intact males so do you think its a good idea?  Would you advise to let them off their leads on the first meeting to see how they get on (after an initial sniff on the leads first)?

Thanks
Hayley & Glazby

Personally I would have them off lead as soon as they show that they will be ok with each other.  If on lead this is when dogs become more protective of them selves and of their owners.  if they can't escape they will have to fight kinda thing.

Make sure that if you gve treats to your dog then you will have to make sure it is ok with the other dogs owner that you can give him a treat aswell so all is fair.

if they show any kind of agression be VERY firm (this will be unlikly on nurtal land!)

Rox

Yes, off lead would be much better.  They'll probably want to do lots of peeing and sniffing.  Providing that both dogs are usually okay with other dogs then they'll be fine.  If they do get a bit 'up on their toes' and you are worried that it will develop into something then the best way to diffuse the situation is for both owners to walk off in opposite directions and the best way for it to become a fight is for the owners to react or try to interfere.
Sally

Thank you - I'll let you know how it goes on Monday, fingers crossed!!

They are both much the same from what I understand about Samson.  They both seem to like other dogs but other dogs seem to be put off by them.  They are friendly and don't mind being sniffed etc but will get a bit excited and jump around which seems to threaten other dogs who then invariably start on them.  Hopefully they will have fun together!!

to add on from what sally says........

...its when owners interfer that they get bitten so you will end up at vets AND doctors!

If they do get into a fight whatevery you do do not interfer although you may want to.  If they get standoffish then it wil likly to stop at that if you leave them to it!

Rox

Thanks again - I guess as "mums" Rachel (Samsons owner) and I will be a bit nervous incase of fights but I suppose that it generally sounds worse than it actually is and the only way of them being playpals is to sort out any differences so that they can get on!!

I'll be watching them with my heart in my mouth but won't intefere.  If they start getting a bit aggressive we'll do as you advised and both of us will walk away in different directions - hopefully our respective dogs will then come running after us!!

Thanks for the advice!!  :-)