NWR: Any Boxer Dog Owners on WW - Pros & Cons

Well, we have a part boxer, part pit, part who knows. FH got him at a few months old. I met him when he was about a year and a half old. He does not drool at all. He has lived in both an apt and a house. Our house now has a fenced in yard and it's been much better versus an apt. Jack (the dog) is very, very sweet. He is a 89 lb lap dog. He gets sad when he does not get walks. He loves to play. He gets super excited when people first come over, and then he calms down a few minutes later. He is awesome! Love boxers in general.

Love boxers, but all the ones I've ever met have been very hyper.

We have had two boy Boxers. Max and Beasley. My FI had Max from a baby and we had him until he was 11. Beasley we adopted (unbeknownst to us) at around two and was terminally ill. We had him three months. Boxers are awesome, amazing dogs! They are friendly but also loyal and protective. I highly recommend getting a Boxer! The downside is they are prone to a lot of health issues and don't have a super long life span. I would encourage you to do a lot of research on their health problems before signing on. They are known for heart problems and a lot of cancers. I don't tell you this to scare you away from the breed, but I'm not going to lie. As for getting a puppy versus an older dog, the pros and cons can go on for days. We volunteer with a homeless Boxer rescue organization so it goes against my gut to ever NOT advocate for adult dog rescue. But raising a dog from a puppy is a wonderful experience as well. If you go that route PLEASE research your breeder and DO NOT buy from (con't)

My FH parents have a Boxer/Mastiff mix. Lovingest damn dog ever. He definitely needs a house because he loves to play. They got him as a stray last year and estimate him to be 2-3 right now. Max doesn't really drool unless he gets a drink...and then its awful!

I looked at adopting a purebred from a local shelter. My only advice is be able to play/walk with them and realize they punch. Hard. The boxer we visited was able to punch in the gut. Max (my FH's family's dog) likes to put his massive paw up and drag your hand back to him.

Like Sarah's, he's a 90 lb lap dog and I love him to death!

My aunt had a boxer dog, worst dog I ever met. It would growl and bark and try to bite anyone that wasn't it's parent. He would sit on your things and growl at you. My aunt is admittedly is a pushover about her fur babies so I'd say you have to be committed about training them.

they lived in a house, got em at about 2yrs old. I would highly recommend getting to know the dog and REALLY committing to it's behavior training

A pet store as they support puppy mills which is a heinous, cruel business where animal abuse is rampant. First research the breed standards and questions you need to ask BEFORE you even start looking for a breeder. When I said they are known for heart problems, it's so much so that they renamed cardiomyopathy in these dogs to Boxer Cardiomyopathy, it's that common. They do drool, but usually just after drinking water. A dish towel on the floor near their bowl is a common thing to see in a Boxer household. And they shed and need a good amount of exercise. But they'll be your best friend like no one else and you'll never regret your Boxer buddy :-)

Thanks all for the info. Yeah, I've read/heard them to be fiercely loyal & protective dogs, but playful as well.

My major concern is space in regards to me and FH will start off in an 2 BR apt and don't want the joker to tear things up, but I don't want to hinder him/her because I also understand they're super energetic and need lots of walks and runs to tire their little butts out!

Thanks for the info. too about the pet stores @The Future Amy Everhart!

@Sarah, your pooch looks like he's got a wee bit of Great Dane in him! Boxers are my fave dogs but not great for apartment living. I have a cat; FH wants a weenie dog but not for a while. I'm ok with anything. Boxers need space though.

Hey there Lively Bride! He is such a mix of stuff! We may get his blood tested one day just to be sure. The vet said there's definitely some boxer and pit in him though.

Boxers do need space, but Jack does not tear up anything, nor does he mess inside ever. He is a really good dog and he was never even trained. We just treat him like we want to be treated. The worst thing he does is get excited when company comes over. And he likes to mess with the cat too, but she messes with him, so I can't blame him for that!

My FH has owned a boxer for about 9 years so I am typing as he is talking lol

We got her as a baby and she was 8-12 weeks old.

Pros:

-easy to train

-very playful

-good with kids and people in general

-did not have a drooling problem

-protective over the family

-just a great all around dog.

Cons:

-sometimes too playful.

-lifespans aren't that long due to health problems

-treating health problems can get expensive at the vet.

Unfortunately she passed away but FH still misses her dearly and she was such a great dog.

Kayla - what a cutie patootie! Thanks for the breakdown!

We have two boxers - a male (age 5 & 70lbs) and a female (age 2 & 55lbs)

Pros: Lovable, caring, protective, endless energy

Cons: Lots of breed specific health issues (skin cancer to name one we are dealing w/), they slober a lot when excited, too much energy for a small yard/apartment

I love my boxers - I dont think I would get them if I knew how much of a yard they need to run around in (long story - we had 1 and FH had 1)

Also, both dogs suffer from separation anxiety - even in the short time it takes to walk to the mailbox and back.

Agree with PP - they do "box" at you - I ended up w a black eye once. It wasnt malicious it was just playful and both dogs are strong so be careful.

My two love little kids and have no problem with lil ones being around = cats is another story as well as small dogs...no mean but when your 70lb dog thinks he is a toy poodle and wants to play w/ the little dog next door - it will never go well.

First off, there's no such thing as bad dogs, only bad owners.

My FH and I have a 5 yr old, 75lb Boxer named Eddie and we just recently rescued a 7 month old, almost 8lb Mini Poodle named Charlee. We got Charlee when she was about 13 weeks and weighed a whopping 3.5lbs and she and Eddie have become the best of friends!!

Our boxer is the most loving, playful dog-when I met FH 4 years ago I was NOT a dog person. At all. But Eddie is such a good dog, he won me over in no time! He doesn't drool, except after drinking, he does need a fair amount of exercise. We take him to the park and throw the ball until his tongue is almost touching the floor-he loves running!

They're typically hyper, and I've yet to meet one that isn't drooly. That being said, they are clingy and super lovey dovey

We have one! His name is Rambo! He just turned one and weighs 70 lbs. My FH absolutely LOVES boxers. He met the breeder and has literally known Rambo since he was just a week old. Basically I agree with everyone else, they're super energetic and are called boxers for a reason. I definitely feel like they need a lot of room to play, if not, lots of trips to the park or nice long walks. They're protective and playful and overall great dogs. The cons are some of their health problems. I knew someone who had a Boxer with arthritis. It was horrible to see her in so much pain. Also, just last week (night before thanksgiving) Rambo got hives from some sort of allergic reaction and his eyes got red and one side of his face got swollen (SUPER scary). Benadryl helped some but when we got him to the vet, he had to get a shot to help heal him. When I googled it, apparently it happens to a lot of Boxers. Overall, I love em. But you have to be ready for all that energy. (FH has the most recent pics)

@Karla - thanks for the info...makes lean more to wanting a place with a yard or a near by dog park.

@SoonToBeMrsE- I LOOOOOOVE Rambo! 70 lbs. at age 1..WOW, big boy and so adorable! I've read and heard their energy level can be bananas, so even more reason to consider yard space. I truly want to be good dog owner and be fair to my pet, Brandon (yes, I've already named him in my head...bless my heart...lol).

Thank you! And lol a girl can dream right! Brandon the Boxer haha. Yes he's a big boy. We thought he weighed 65 max but when we took him to the vet for his hives, his weight was like 72.5 lbs or something like that. People tell us it's because we didn't dock his tail. But idk if that's true. My FH swears by eukanuba food. That's what he's been feeding him since he was a puppy.