BOXER FAQ'S

some of the most frequently asked questions I have been asked about the Boxer dog.......

HOW BIG....does a Boxer get ....

From this To this

The Canadian standard for males is 22 1/2" - 25" at the withers (the lump just below the back of the neck)Females 21" to 23 1/2"

Are Boxers good with children......

Although no dog should ever be left alone with children, it has been my experience that Boxers are a breed that can be trusted around children. A Boxer will rough house with boys and girls as well as sit or lay quietly with them, making most Boxers excellent pets around children.

Why do Boxers lay like that.......

Well this is one I can't answer... Boxers like to lay in the most uncomfortable looking positions, for what reasons no one knows but it does make good camera exercise and some great pictures for your album.....shhh.... quick get the camera before "Shelbe" and "Chopper" wake up !!!

Do I have to crop my Boxer.......
(make the ears stand up).......

....the answer to the question is, "NO"..... BUT whether you decide to or not is a question of taste, style and your own conscience.... both ear styles in my opinion are very attractive and have their own advantages, my advice on this subject..... Do what you feel is right for YOU and YOUR Boxer.

Do boxers drool lots......

Of all the Boxers I have ever known I have yet to come across one that drools. Boxers get a very wet mouth after drinking (as most dogs do) and will eagerly seek out the most expensive pair of pants or a bare leg to help them dry it!
Boxers mouths do get a bit mucky after eating but Boxers don't like that much either and will find a good cushion, blanket or carpet to clean their faces on!

Do boxers shed much......

Boxer hair is coarse and so can cause a problem with removal but if a boxer is groomed regularly shedding should not be a problem.

Are boxers easy to train......

well,"technically" I'm not *on* the couch....
but she is!!!

Well now this is a subject dear to my heart, I think Boxers are very easy to train...my youngest daughter trained her own Boxer (Scarlet) to her CD in her early teens. However having said that Boxers are very smart dogs who like comic relief and will readily supply it if you don't....so the easiest way to train a Boxer is to make it fun, fun, fun, and always make the lessons different if you don't your Boxer will know what is coming next........then who is training whom!!!!!

What is the right age to take a puppy home ?...

When the puppy is ready to leave it's Dam (Mother) which is most commonly around 8 weeks of age. The buyer, hopefully is ready to take the puppy home as soon as they have puppy proofed their home and have everything ready for the new puppy including a secure yard, a place inside to sleep, the right food, (the same as the breeder is feeding) fresh water daily and most of all time for love and attention.
What is the difference between show Quality and non-show Quality ?...
The first difference is price and this can vary from country to country, breeder to breeder but in most *all* cases the show puppy will be more expensive than the non-show puppy. Some differences can be as minor as coat quality or flash, or major as to be a disqualifying fault in boxers such as the White Boxer, the prices of the non-show dog vary within these parameters.
What is the Puppy Aptitude test, and what are some of the things tested for ?....
I like to watch to see which pups comes out of the whelping box first (not the one which falls out) most breeders and trainers would agree that the pup who follows you across the room watching your feet and looking up at your face would most likely make a good candidate for obedience where as the pup who walks self assuredly across the room on his own would most probably have the makings of a show dog. Puppies who remain in the whelping box playing with each other would not be hard to train but may be stubborn in their learning, as having a good time is better in thier opinion. Dominance is determined by gently turning a puppy onto his back to see what resistance if any he/she gives.... the theory being, the more resistance the puppy has to being on his back the more assertive he/she will be by nature. For a more indepth explaination on puppy aptitude testing look up the book "The Art of Raising a Puppy,"chapter six, page 61 by the Monks of New Skete, also the authors of, "How to be your Dogs Best Friend", (dont let the fact that they have German Shepherds deter you, both are excellent books to read for the new puppy/dog owner).
How old should my puppy be before I start training ?....
Puppies start (learning) training the minute they are born but training by human intervention can start as soon as the puppy gets to your home for example The "SIT/STAY", most puppies love their food and will sit in great aniticipation of being fed..so while getting the food ready give out the command, "sit stay"....good dog, when you put the dish down, command, "take it" ...good dog, as the puppy gets older stretch out the time period. (The three P's of training, Persistance, Perseverance, and most important *Praise*. Also remember, a puppy has a very short attention span). Puppy school is a very good idea with a Boxer, being around other dogs and breeds at an early age is a must and helps eliminate the Boxers natural tendencies to belligerency, which should *not* be confused with aggression.

Click here for more FAQ's