Tor

I must have been really lucky, when I was looking for my boxer puppy I contacted two local breeders who were wonderful, one requested an email as first contact, one a phonecall, so that's what I did. I visited one breeder but due to two missed pregnancies, ended up getting my puppy from an interstate breeder who had puppies on the ground right when I was looking. One had had his buyer fall through and he's turned out to be our perfect puppy. I wouldn't have had time to visit shows really and I would be too shy to approach people who were busy showing. It's hard to know what to suggest, you seem to be doing everything right. Do you know anyone who has a dog you like of the breed you want? Maybe you could go through them. There are also lots of Facebook groups that often have breeders participating .

Oh I'm trying to add a photo but it won't work!

Hello DOLers! I am the proud first-time owner of a boxer puppy, Sebastian, who is now 7 months old. He has been a fabulous puppy, no trouble toilet training or waking at night, he's generally calm inside the house, he's never chewed or destroyed anything, we just adore him. He is very confident and friendly and gets along well with other dogs. He is very polite when off-lead, he approaches and asks to play appropriately and backs off when told by another dog. He is also good at defusing any difficult situations, although I watch very closely and step in if necessary. He generally seems to know which dogs to steer clear of though. My goals for him are to be a polite and well-behaved dog who can be trusted off-lead. Eventually I'd like to train him as a therapy dog, I think he's got the right calm, bombproof temperament and he loves everyone. But I'm not interested in high level obedience or agility particularly. Maybe tracking one day down the road. We go to obedience class once a week and I do little sessions at least once a day. He has an off lead run at the dog beach or park at least five times a week, the other days I take him for a structured walk and/or to Petbarn. He knows sit, stay, come, off, touch,leave it, where's your ball/toy. We are working on back and heel. He walks well on a loose leash until he sees a person or another dog. And this is where I'd like some advice. He wants to say hello to everyone and pulls/lunges towards them. Right now I am getting him to sit and do some watch me, or other commands until they go past. I'm not letting him meet anyone on the lead at the moment as he just gets too excited. Is this the right approach? He does get plenty of social interaction at the dog park and Petbarn. Ultimately I'd like him to be able to sit calmly and accept a pat or hello. Right now I can usually get him to sit before he starts lunging or pulling but it can be hard if it's busy, as it was today. I distracted him with sticky cheese on my fingers to walk him into Petbarn without pulling, is that ok? Usually I do a combination of standing still and changing direction for pulling. Our other issue is at training. He just gets so excited by all the other dogs and is desperate to play with them. He ends up doing a fair bit of lead chewing and fighting which he never does anywhere else's. I think it's pure frustration and excitement. I don't let him play at all, except maybe at the end if there's a compatible dog. I usually take him three meters or so away from the group and he can usually listen quite well there for short bursts. Should I stop the group classes? I enjoy them, we have a lovely friendly club, but I don't want him to get so frustrated he starts to hate going. Phew! Sorry this is so long. I'm a first time puppy raiser, so any advice gratefully appreciated.

I'm really sorry to read this. We lost our little fluffy last year to heart failure, although he was managed with meds for a few months. Like Harley, it was so sad, but I remember his last day with love and it's nice to look back on now. I'm sure her last days will be happy ones

Sebastian (boxer) gets a bath once a month or so, mostly just for extra softness; although he's white, his fur repels dirt. He just shakes it off. Nails done every couple of weeks although not all at once. Face and eyes wiped daily, I usually wipe the tear stains, which he's been getting probably because of all the pollen atm, with diluted vinegar or antibacterial cream.

I can't really offer breed advice, I'm so besotted with my Boxer puppy that I just want to recommend them to everyone, even though they wouldn't suit long days by themselves. But I can speak to buying sight unseen. I knew exactly what I wanted in a breeder - full health testing due to the prevalence of heart disease and other congenital issues with Boxers, focus on emotional developement of puppies, puppies raised in a home, successful show results of parents/siblings and (most importantly) breeder support and advice for the life of the puppy. I found a wonderful breeder in my state, and was on the list for a litter due in December. Unfortunately the litter did not work out and I was reconciled to waiting until at least June of this year. On browsing the DOL listings without real plans, I happened to see the most beautiful picture of a sire and read the puppy listing. The breeder sounded perfect and had a litter on the ground ready to go in January. But the breeder was in another state. I contacted her anyway, sending a long description of my family and situation. She called me back and we talked for over an hour, plus several emails. Long story short, she thought she had the perfect puppy for us, she had over 50 applications for her litter of 9 and takes placement very seriously, as all good breeders do. After seeing photos and reading about this particular puppy I had no hesitation in accepting her recommendation. She arranged to fly him down to us and he is the most wonderful puppy. He is truly perfect for us, confident but not dominant, very loving but also happy to play in the backyard by himself. We've had him for a week, he has slept through the night from day one, is already toilet trained, picking up training commands quickly and fits perfectly into our busy life. He is actually far more laid back and chilled than I was expecting. So if you find a breeder you trust interstate, don't let location stop you from getting g a puppy from them. Good breeders are experts in matching puppies to their new families. Our breeder hasn't had a puppy return to her in over 20 years of breeding Boxers.

Thanks ridgiemum, I did consider ridgebacks, they are beautiful dogs

Thank you Simply Grand, I was planning to get a car harness eventually but I thought he'd be too little for one straight away and I'd need a crate? Maybe not though. I suppose a boxer puppy is bigger than lots of small adult dogs that use harnesses.

Thank you! I'm so excited but also a bit overwhelmed and nervous. Thanks for the advice re: puppy school, there is a big dog obedience club near here which we will start attending as soon as he is fully vaccinated. Does anyone have any good recommendations for good puppy training YouTube channels?

Hello everyone! I thought I would do an update. I am very excited to report that in the third week of January, we will be adding a white, male boxer puppy to our family! I was hoping to get a puppy from a fantastic breeder in Melbourne but unfortunately the latest litter did not work out, due to pregnancy loss. I thought I would have to wait another six months, which felt too long for a few reasons. But I was (mostly) resigned to waiting. Then something made me browse the DOL boxer puppy listings and I found an interstate breeder that does all he health testing I wanted, plus pays careful attention to feeding a raw natural diet and puts a high priority on puppies' emotional development. All necessary to me, but not something I could find in another breeder in my state. There was one puppy of the three still available that caught my eye straight away and after extensive talks with the breeder, she agreed we would be a great fit for each other. He had actually been reserved by someone else early on, but just the day before I got in touch, that buyer pulled out. I feel like he's meant for us, partly because - and this will make me sound crazy - two weeks ago I had a dream that we got a white male puppy and named him Sebastian. So that's his name and it suits him perfectly. I am jus waiting for the results of his BAER test on the 30th. The breeder tests all her white puppies, but is confident his hearing is fine in both ears just from observing him. She needs to be sure though as she won't place a puppy with any hearing issues into a home with children. I have a few questions - due to an overseas trip, we won't be getting him until he is 11 weeks old. The local puppy preschools I can find are for 8-12 week old puppies. Are they worth doing? Could I do most of what they will do from training videos and finding friendly vaccinated dogs for him to socialise with? My sister has a lovely staffy cross who will be a great friend. The breeder does lots of socialisation with them as far as I can tell and she is starting him with crate training, as that's something I want to do. Do I get a smaller harness for him now and a bigger one later, or are they adjustable? Same with collars, smaller then bigger or adjustable? I have been reading "Before you get your puppy" and I am wishing we were getting him at 8 or 9 weeks so I could follow the program better, but I'm also glad he'll be a bit older for the plane trip. Thank you all! I will post pics after his final health check

I'm going to vent a little here - I just found out today that I won't be getting to bring home a puppy in February. The breeder I have chosen carried out a mating that did result in a pregnancy but the initial scan only showed one puppy. We were warned that the pregnancy may not continue as one puppy is sometimes not enough to produce the required amount of hormones, but I was still hoping as I know initial scans don't show all the puppies. But the pre-whelp scan showed that the pregnancy had ended. So even though I was somewhat prepared, I'm still sad. Much worse for the breeder of course, to go to all that trouble and expense. So it will be a few more months yet. Oh well! At least I will have more time to prepare.

If your husband is home a fair bit and you have other supportive people who came visit regularly, I'd get the puppy. If you're going to be mostly alone, I'd wait a few years. Congratulations!

Yes

I will be buying a purebred Boxer puppy next year, right now I am saving up the purchase price - we have budgeted for insurance, training, feeding etc. I'm sure I could get a puppy more cheaply, but I want a pup who's parents have been health tested for the diseases Boxers are prone to - heart conditions mostly. I also trust my breeder to help me choose the right puppy, given that I am a less-experienced dog person. I want a dog that can run with me, so she has already said two of her breeding bitches would be more suitable than the one from more European lines who is heavier and less leggy. I also want an excellent temperament, on the calmer side of Boxer exuberance, as I intend to train for Delta therapy work, and this particular breeder has experience in that area also. I am also paying for a 36 month health guarantee, providing I follow the late/no de sexing contract and feed the recommended food. The puppies are very carefully raised and well socialised, and the information pack they come with is very extensive. The breeder is explicit about offering lifetime support and is a very experienced breeder and shower of Boxers, which is very important in a breed where the consequences for getting it wrong are pretty severe. I would say the same goes for Bull Terriers. ETA: realise that's unclear, I'm not paying extra for the health guarantee, that's just part of the puppy purchase price.

I considered Pointers too, but my heart just belongs to Boxers! And I understand the swimming, I'd feel the same way about a dog that didn't want to run.

I used to pay $60 every 3 months for my rescue fluffy. He was a Maltese x, and that was for a wash, brush, suitable seasonal clip, nails trimmed etc. That was quite cheap though, I know other places that charge more like $80 or $90. I used to bathe him once a week or so, and brush him a couple of times a week as well.

I am planning on a Boxer puppy towards the end of next year, because I think they're wonderful and suit what I want (funny, loving, generally love people, big and scary enough looking enough to be a deterrent, good running partner if you get one from the right lines, fab with kids, potentially good pet therapy dogs). I also know that they can be tricky with others dogs as they have a particular play style that other dogs may not appreciate, and their stance etc can be read as an aggressive threat. That's not such an issue to me though as although I don't want a reactive dog, I don't care if he or she is really into playing with other dogs, probably prefer one that was more human than dog focussed anyway. I have heard of people successfully training Boxers to approach and play with other dogs in a more gentle way. As for health issues, as long as you find a breeder who does the right health tests of breeding stocks (for example, there are two heart tests available, but many breeders only do one), I don't think they are more prone than other purebreds. They tend to be shorter-lived on average, but the breeder I've chosen has healthy 11 and 12 year old ex-breeding stock, so that's a good indicator. When we visited I was completely charmed by the way five big dogs, including a 5 month old puppy greeted us politely, albeit enthusiastically, at the door, enjoyed all my kids' attention and then just calmly hung out in their beds for the rest of our visit. And they didn't smell! No snoring either apart from the more European style girl. And no drooling. Not sure about water. I remember my husband's Boxer was not a fan at all, but I've seen them splashing around at the beach near us, so maybe it is an individual thing. I don't think they're known for their love of water though. My other possibility was a Dalmation, thanks to the recommendations I got on my first thread here. I still love them and secretly plan to get one in a few years.

That is my secret (from my husband) plan, MC Wiggles

The photos are definitely tipping the balance! I actually read on anoher breed discussion topic, someone said that although practicalities are important, it's also important to follow your heart a little bit. So I think my heart will lead me right to a squishy Boxer puppy. I was interested to see if the consensus would be 'no way, a Boxer is a terrible fit for your family!' But since that hasn't been the case, it has definitely made me feel confident in my most likely decision. I have had my eyes opened to the beauty of Dalmations though.

I just love those photos Jed. And that you for the encouragement. I am not in any hurry, probably the earliest would be the second half on next year and I'm happy to wait longer for the right puppy. The black faces are more intimidating! But I just love the flashy. Brindle or fawn, either is fine. Does anyone have any thoughts about whether a male or female would be better? ETA: Jed I tried to PM you but it wouldn't go through.

Ha, I don't run myself on really hot days, so I think we'll do well together. :D

Oh more fabulous advice! Thank you all. I had thought about the longevity issue actually, and that a Boxer might have fewer running years than other breeds. I am going to be very careful when choosing a breeder, and will make sure health and soundness is a top priority, along with temperament. And perhaps there is a Dallie in my future too... Prodigybxr, thank you for your post. I have PMd you.

Thank you! I will try and get over there, sounds interesting. And dotdashdot I don't need any encouragement believe me!

The Kelpies and Kelpie x are always the ones that catch my eye on rescue sites. I. A bit nervous about getting a full on working dog though!

I was just looking at the Dalmation rescue pages (just looking! ) and there is a beautiful Dalmation girl on the NSW site. Probably lucky she's in NSW...