A few months ago I had to take my dog to the vets for a check up following his cruciate op.  Anyway when I was there the vet, who I have a lot of time for, asked where I got such a calm boxer from as they are usually bouncing off the walls.  He also asked if he was ok with other dogs as 'boxers are known for being funny with other dogs and being friendly is not a breed trait He also said that when they get fully mature at around 2 years old this is when such issues can become more prevalent.  My dog is 2 and has not changed in the slightest :)

My dog loves other dogs and people so could it be my vet has mainly come across boxers that have not been well socialised/not bred for good temperament?  I know much of a dogs behaviour is down to their upbringing but I was a bit taken aback by his comments.

I thought they were a friendly breed on the whole, all the ones I have come across certainly have been and if I thought they were on the whole dog aggressive I would have chosen a different breed.

What do you think?

My sister has a boxer bitch - the words 'calm' and 'boxer' are not something I would expect to hear in the same sentance, LOL

"Lively, strong, loyal to owner and family, but distrustful of strangers. Obedient, friendly at play, but with guarding instinct." this is the characteristics from the breed standard.

ETA, my sisters boxer is white.

In common with many breeds male boxers can be somewhat more male dominant, but all the well bred and socialised ones I know are friendly.

Bouncing off the walls is usual though, but this is where training comes in, but a real zest for life is typical, and they are not what I would call a calm breed.

I have met a very dog aggresive bitch, but again I suspect poor training and breeding.

I tried to explain to the vet that he was not always as calm as at the vets and tends to hurtle round at a million miles per hour LOL. 

He's never shown any aggressive tendencies and that was why I was a bit confused by his statement that they are dog aggressive as I didn't think that as a breed on the whole they were.  Of course there are always dogs of any breed that may display this behaviour but I didn't think that boxers were particularly known for it.

> being friendly is not a breed trait

Young vet was he? A sad indication of how the breed has changed, often not the most easy going dog with others, they should at least be calm, stealthy guard/family protectors.

I've selected for a calm biddable temperament over generations mainly because I train (dogs and people) so it would be rather 'shooting myself in the foot' to do otherwise, plus I can't stand manic dogs in my home!
I do get rather annoyed when boxers are given the blanket term 'nutters' when mine are anything but. Nature has the most influence here I believe because too many 'nutters' are being bred from.

The real beauty of owning a boxer with the correct temperament is being able to switch them on and off. Mad, flat out play at the drop of a hat then down and settled in the home. It is of course much easier to train one with the correct temperament.

> Bouncing off the walls is usual though, but this is where training comes in

I said we had discouraged undesirable behaviour from the day we got him, such as jumping up at people etc as although cute as a puppy its not so cute when fully grown and slobbery :).  Again he said the ones he knew had been trained but were still crazy.  Maybe it is down to breeding or some external factor such as diet.

> but a real zest for life is typical

Oh yes he is a real happy-go-lucky sort of chap.  He has his calm moments, when he's asleep.

With all of the dangerous dog media hype I was wondering if I would be stereotyped as having a 'vicious' breed.  Nice to know that it is more a male trait rather than a breed trait per se. 

Surprisingly no, the vet isn't young so that did surprise me somewhat and he has known me for some time. 

> The real beauty of owning a boxer with the correct temperament is being able to switch them on and off. Mad, flat out play at the drop of a hat then down and settled in the home.

Describes George to a T!  Glad to know he is 'normal' used in the loosest sense of the word LOL

I did like the adult dogs that the breeders had and whilst they were friendly and playful they were definitely not too pushy or in your face if you get what I mean.  Very keen to meet you but did not overwhelm.

I do get rather annoyed when boxers are given the blanket term 'nutters' when mine are anything but Ditto or people saying they are stupid.

I have had 3 boxers,  my first came from not the best selected kennel, she was pretty crackers.  The next two came from a very good kennel and had/have excellent sound temperament,   both loved/love all animals including cats.

The real beauty of owning a boxer with the correct temperament is being able to switch them on and off. Mad, flat out play at the drop of a hat then down and settled in the home. Couldn't agree more.

I've not heard of boxers being known to be dog aggressive generally, I'm sure I've heard that they can be a little 'aloof' with unknown dogs, but not aggressive.

Boxers are a breed I would love to have one day, the few I've met have been lovely, quite bouncy but very friendly & sweet.

My Boxers competed in and were placed in agility and obedience Two were PAT dogs one of the two competed at companion shows and at agility with my friend's 7 year old son.

Yes they ad their daft moments but only when running free and I wouldn't have had them any other way.

One of mine had issues with other dogs but that was after he was attacked several times. He never went looking for trouble only defended himself if pushed.

In the 28 years ( now I feel really old LOL!!!) I had been associated with Boxers I totally agree, you should be able to switch them on and off. I too do not like manic dogs in the home, and think Boxers do require specialist handling/training to avoid this, and of course seeking out good breeders is a must.

I would not say they are particularly dog agressive, indeed I have only experienced this once ( father & son) and it was dominance related, with certain members of the family not helping matters by their refusal to accept the more dominant dog was the more dominant (son) as the other was their favorite!!!!

There is an extremely dog-aggressive boxer that lives quite close to me, but I think the problem lies with the owner more than the dog.  Its the one dog I always dread meeting on our walks, as I'm always worried it will get away from the owner and pile into my three.  They don't look fully in control of it.  It's the only dog I've ever heard my mild-mannered younger male mutter under his breath at.  They also let it poo all over the pavement, so they are problem dog owners full stop.

The other boxers I have known have always been friendly towards my gang.  We found a bitch wandering loose a few years ago, and she was quite happy to walk with my elkhound bitch until we could get to a phone and call the number on her collar.  That's more the sort of temperament I would expect - there are a few boxers in my neighbourhood.  My uncle had one years ago, and I don't remember any problems with her.  Lindy Loppylugs - that was her name.

> Lindy Loppylugs - that was her name. >

Love the name Ness :)

It was very apt :-)

I LOVE Boxers, we have always had them in the family :-) a fair few round here. All of good temperament, except one bitch who attacked my girl when she was younger :-(, but i think that was due to training and lack of socialisation on the owners part.

> I think that was due to training and lack of socialisation on the owners part. <

From all the responses on here I get the impression that the above statement seems to be the case for the majority of any aggression issues.  And as the same can be said for any breed you have all put my mind at rest :)
My boxer is as far from aggressive as you can get and I would have another one of him any day, as would most people who know him.  And I have made sure his breeders know this, I'm guessing they appreciate good feedback so to speak :-D

My boxer was a dream, very very obediant and as an earlier post said he could be 'turned on or off'!

He did however not like many other dogs, fine with bitches though. 

So that's settled then....you've got a goodun' georgepig :-)

We never doubted it though did we? He sounds a darling :-) :-)

Well I always thought so (even when he's covered head to toe in mud!) but it was just what the vet said that shocked me a bit!  I suppose it just goes to show that vets aren't always the best people to ask breed specific info about, if it's not a breed they own.

I'm soooo tempted to get another.....

> I'm soooo tempted to get another.....

STEADY NOW .......one becomes two....etc etc... :-)

I know, I know....but we bumped into a pup on our walk last night and I swear I nearly stole it

And before you know it you'll have 4 like me !!!

And I'm sure my mum would 'love' me when I arrived with them all at Christmas, or went on my hols LOL :)

Most people seem to have more than one though, or rather the ones I see always seem to be out in multiples.

Only 4 .............
That's not enough have 5 that's more fun :)

ive been owned by four Boxers all living happily together and a Boston Terrier who is worse than any of the Boxers i dont know if it is the breed or the boxer traits have rubbed of on her