Boxers

[Bartman]

I got my Boxer as a rescue when he was 3 yrs old (he lived to 8). When I got him he had no manners at all and, although he never started fights, he got attacked quite often as he likely displayed the wrong attitude and was poorly socialized. A Boxer is a great dog IF you establish yourself as the Alpha dog and are very consistent. They also respond very well to crate training (no destructiveness). With some quality time spent I could call my dog back when he was chasing a squirrel and he would come. If two dogs ever looked a little tense all I had to do was growl, bark or shake my keys and the situation was totally diffused. The training took longer than if I had raised him from a puppy but he was a fantastic dog that I would have put in any situation with confidence.

Amongst my parents and siblings we have now had 7 Boxers. You will never regret getting a Boxer IF you are willing to always be the boss. Also, once they get to be around 3 they settle down quite a bit.

I now have a Vizsla which is basically a Boxer sprinkled with sweetener.

[AndyL]

I think myka nailed the breed pretty much... Except for one thing - boxers have been showing neural/brain issues developing in the breed over the past decade. They always did have some more tempermental issues (as above, boredom, destructiveness, and some say depression) but those seem to be getting exaggerated with the current blood lines...

There's one a couple doors down from me who is literally a jekyll/hyde dog one day you'll walk up and he's an absolutely loveable pussycat; next day - same circumstances he's going insane trying to tear you to pieces... The owners are good to forwarn you what kind of day the dog is having; but I couldn't imagine dealing with that kind of temperment swings...

[michika]

We've tentatively passed on the puppy for now. After budgeting out the approximate costs and adding them to our current dog related costs, we don't believe we are willing to take her one. However, we did make mention that if in two weeks no other suitable homes had been found that we would certainly re-consider.

We estimate that she would cost us about $150-$200 per month extra for her share of the dog-walker, insurance, food, toys, treats. This number excluded vet costs, and a spay.

[muck]

Got any pics of her, Catherine?

[reef bound]

Wow! A lot of boxer people out there. We also have 2 currently, and have had 2 prior to these ones. We didn't have a lot of health issues with any of them, however they get a lot of moles or growths which you always are having checked out. (always were benign)
Our first 2 lived until 9 and 10 years old. Our current 2 are 5 1/2 and 6 years. They have sensitive stomachs so are always fed high quality food which in itself runs us about $75/month for the 2. They have wonderful personalities, 2 very different male dogs. They will chew the odd item left out in the house, or steal a loaf of bread off the counter if they're home alone. But really great dogs. They like to think of themselves as people --brothers to my 2 boys, kids to us; when told to get off the couch the alpha dog looks at me like "are you serious?".
One is very high energy, the other could sleep all day out in the sun. All in all, we love the breed, but have always known the family tree behind them.....as with any dog, if you don't know what's in that tree, there could be potential problems.
If you end up with her definitely do the puppy school thing. Very helpful.
Lisa

[my2rotties]

I think it is so awesome you really did your home work before taking on any dog. I wish all people would do this, since dogs are not disposable. I hope she finds a good home.

Originally Posted by michika

We've tentatively passed on the puppy for now. After budgeting out the approximate costs and adding them to our current dog related costs, we don't believe we are willing to take her one. However, we did make mention that if in two weeks no other suitable homes had been found that we would certainly re-consider.

We estimate that she would cost us about $150-$200 per month extra for her share of the dog-walker, insurance, food, toys, treats. This number excluded vet costs, and a spay.

[Carmen]

I too am so incredibly happy to see a responsible person out there studying up on a breed before "jumping in"! They, all dogs, are a huge commitment, and need to fit into your family in all ways including financially, physically, and emotionally! Not saying that this dog is not a good fit but just really think you are being a great person in considering all the pros and cons.
Good for you Catherine!

[Myka]

Originally Posted by michika

We estimate that she would cost us about $150-$200 per month extra for her share of the dog-walker, insurance, food, toys, treats. This number excluded vet costs, and a spay.

Wow, that sounds awfully steep! My dog is 85lbs, and I feed her uber ultra kibble (Evo Red Bites) along with yogurt and salmon oil daily, 3x a week she gets 1/3 large can of Tripett green tripe, and one week per month she gets human grade probiotics. Her total food costs are about $75/month, but there is no way my dog costs me $150-200 a month. My dog doesn't need a doggie walker though, and I don't have insurance on her either. This has been a good decision in her case as she's only cost me about $2500-3000 in vet bills over 10 1/2 years including shots, teeth cleaning, spaying, yearly blood panels now that she's a senior, and 2 emergencies where she injured herself when she was younger. She's only half Boxer though, so I've been lucky with her health. She doesn't get treats (I don't believe in them), and she probably gets 5 new toys per year which includes her Nylabones ($80/yr ish). You sure your new hound will cost that much? Wowzers.

[michika]

Lets see,

We pay $25 per visit for two dogs to go out with the walker, or $13 to be let out throughout the day if the weather is miserable. I pay $75 per month to insure both of our current dogs. We put out approximately $150 per month in food alone. Plus one of our dogs is a big chewer, and we spend a large amount on regular toy replacement, so that works out to be 1-3 toys per month.

Tentatively for numbers I got $30 a month to insure the puppy, we estimated about $80 a month in food, plus we assumed the same cost for toys as Matia. Adding the puppy onto our dogwalker plan is additionally more costly, because a young puppy cannot go out in groups with our older dogs yet, or the three of them have to go on group walks with just themselves. Regardless though she eventually brings the walker total up to $35 for walks, and $17 for in-house stuff.

The puppy also still requires her spay, which has been recommended by her current vet to be after she's hit the 5 month mark.

This was one of the photos we got.

[muck]

She looks very similar in coloring to my girl.
Here is a pic of Jaime at 4 months...