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Will a Boxer be Suitable? Many people decide to buy a particular breed of dog because they like the look of it. There are many more considerations to be made before choosing a suitable breed. Here are some facts that you may or may not already know. We hope that this will help to ensure that you have chosen the correct breed for your situation. Boxers are "pack" animals and they do not do well on their own. They are happiest when considered a part of the family or if they have another canine friend to keep them company. A Boxer's temperament will be ruined if just placed in the back yard and ignored for most of the time. If you have a very busy life and won't be around much for your dog, then we suggest you look at purchasing a more independent breed. Boxers do not tolerate the cold well. They have little body fat & very short, fine hair. A young puppy will need to be provided with a bed in an area that is warm (about 20�C). Even adult Boxers do not like the cold. If you are cold enough to put a heater or fire on, then your Boxer will be miserable if left outside alone at night. If you are not prepared to let your dog sleep indoors during cold weather, then a long haired breed would be far more suitable. Boxers of all ages love to dig. Boxers and beautifully manicured lawns, or landscaped gardens just don't go hand in hand. If you want to keep a Boxer and have a beautiful garden, then you will need to fence off an area. If this is not possible, you are going to have to spend a lot of time in exercise and have a lot of patience in training. Boxers need a lot of exercise. They are most suited to households with a large yard, perhaps some children to play with, another dog, or an owner who is prepared to take them out for plenty of daily exercise. Boxers, despite their appearance, are not fierce or "macho". They are, however loyal & discerning and do well in a fight if one can't be avoided. If you want a guard dog instead of a companion, we recommend you pick a different breed. Boxers are exuberant and lively. Very small children and the elderly & frail can be easily knocked over by the enthusiastic antics of a Boxer. However a Boxer that has been brought up with the young & elderly, will usually be very mindful of these situations. All young puppies have poor to no bladder and bowel control. It is up to you to ensure that your puppy is placed outside at regular intervals to relieve himself. Hitting, shouting & rubbing a puppies nose in his mess will not make him learn any faster. In fact it will only destroy any trust he may have in you. If the idea of an accident occurring on your floor fills you with horror, then you might be better to consider a different pet all together. All puppies are destructive. Boxers are no exception and in fact they are late to mature. They can be destructive until they are about 12 months old and are not adult until about 2 years old. Crate training is a sensible approach to this. A puppy can be kept indoors where it is warm, but be confined to his crate during the night. This will ensure peace of mind and preserve your belongings. Another good alternative to a crate is a play pen, or x-pen as they are often called. It is not cheap keeping a dog, regardless of its breed. Remember you will have the cost of food, vaccinations, worming, heart worming and hopefully only the occasional veterinary bill. All dogs must be vaccinated and wormed. We will not sell our puppies to anyone who will not give an undertaking to continue a vaccination/worming regime. Remember that when you decide to go on vacation, you will either need to get a dog sitter, or place your dog in a boarding kennel. This can escalate the cost of your holiday by $70 - $100 per week. Even a weekend away may require your getting someone to come in and feed your dog. Alternatively, your Boxer would love to go on vacation with you. There are places you can holiday, where dogs are welcome. There are a number publications that deal with taking your dog on vacation. Finally, we believe that Boxers are one of the most enjoyable breeds around. They are loyal, loving, funny & have a wonderful sense of humour. However, they are not for everyone. If your home is your pride and joy and the idea of the occasional muddy paw-print on your clothing fills you with horror, then a less enthusiastic breed might be more suitable. On the other hand, if you enjoy the possibility of getting down and having a good "rough & tumble" with your dog and can turn a blind eye to the occasional mishap caused by over enthusiasm, then you will really enjoy the Boxer. Our dogs are firstly and foremost, valued members of our family and are treated accordingly. All of our puppies are whelped & raised in our house with love and meticulous care. They begin their socialising from the very moment of birth and this continues until the day they go to their new homes. We make absolutely no apologies for the fact that we will interview prospective buyers before making any commitment to sell. We then reserve the right to withdraw any agreement to sell, should we see fit. Our first loyalty is to our puppies and our objective is to select homes where they will have long and happy lives.
