Fist, Sorry for not registering, but if I stick around and get a boxer I will :)
I've been thinking of getting a dog, and a boxer specifically for several months now. I've been researching the breed trying to figure out if it is right for me. Maybe you can help with some questions that relate to my specific situation and wants.
I have read that boxers tend to do OK with Cats, so I am not too worried about that. I have 2 cats, both love dogs. (they both play with the neighbor's lab, and my sister's Jack russle and Beagle when I dogsit)
What about other small animals, Rabbits specifically. While the rabbit spends most of it's time in a cage, she does romp around her room sometimes. Will the fact that the rabbit is not always on the floor make it more of a hunting target? Toy? Or any other thing that the dog might hurt, even if not done on purpose?
I have a pet door for my cats. It is small, but both of my sister's dogs can get through pretty easily, though a taller dog like a boxer might have an issue, I think it should be able to make it in and out with a bit of squating once full grown. Is that any issue? Is there any reason i should NOT let the dog come and go as it wants? (yard is totally fenced with a 6 foot wood privacy fence)
My cats use a self feeder. I would prefer to do the same with any dog that I get. Are boxers known to over-eat at all? I am assuming that as long as the dog is brought up knowing that the food is always there he'll eat only what he needs as apposed to gorging. Is this a fairly safe assumption?
I work fairly long hours, especially during the summer months. 12-16 hours a day from the end of july until mid september. As a blue collar guy, I am usually pretty exhausted when I get home. Attention and playtime with any dog will be minimal during these months. HOWEVER, here is my half baked idea during this time.
Some of the guys I work with bring their dogs with them to work. The dogs travel with them in the truck, either staying inside or waiting nearby. (AC remaining on of course) My thought was to possibly get the dog in Sept or Oct, when things aren't quite so busy, giving the dog nearly a full year to get used to being out in new and strange places before it gets really busy.
I have a few concerns about the dog being with me at work. Mainly that there are often other dogs around, sometimes in more rural areas they are loose, and/or in packs. In the more urban areas I work I often encounter puppy farms, mainly pitts. While I have never had a problem with any dog (well except one who was VERY protective of it's person) I'm worried that another dog present might stir things up more. (Walking around a house with 20 pitts of various ages is daunting enough)
The other thing I worry about is if I let it out of the truck it would have to know (be trained) not to use the bathroom unless it was allowed to. I can't have my dog pooping on people's front lawn ;)
My last question for now is about heat. I live in Greensboro North Carolina. We've been under a heat wave for about 2 weeks now. High temps reached 101 the other day, and have averaged over 95 in the last 2 weeks.
This is my biggest worry for the breed in general. I don't want the dog to be stuck home alone for over 12 hours a day, but at the same time I don't want to torture it by having it outside in 95 degree heat all day either. What do you all think about that?
Before you ask, there are some days I may be able to stop home for a short while, but others I won't be working close to home and will not be able to stop in at all. I think it is best to assume I cannot come home during the day, because my ability to do so would be random at best.
Hello and thanks for asking your questions. I would say a Boxer might not be the right breed for you. They require constant attention. They do not do well if left alone for long periods. And if that is necessary, they need to be the priority upon returning home.
You would never want to leave a dog in a running car. They are smart enough to try and drive off :) Plus dogs have died while being left in running vehicles for various reasons.
Boxers have a high prey drive. The bunny would probably not be safe. It is in the Boxers' nature to hunt to some degree. And even a buddy they loved as a youngster may quickly change into a meal when they are older. Bunnies have no protection against predators and would have no defence is the Boxer decided to change their play mode.
It sounds like overall you have a very busy life at the moment. I would suggest perhaps thinking about waiting until your have more hours to yourself and less traveling time. Boxers require far more time than you presently have to share. And a bored Boxer is a destructive Boxer. They are like a child. Look at your present schedule and ask yourself if you would be able to raise a newborn human baby. That will be your answer :)
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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Christina Ghimenti PawPrint Boxers
I have to agree with Christina, your life seems to be very busy, and I don't think you would have the time for a Boxer....or any animal at this point...
Boxers love to be with their people...as do most dogs....
Boxers left alone, can get into a lot of trouble.... a bored boxer is a busy boxer and not in a good way...
Maybe when your life slows down a bit, you can consider having a boxer.
I understand it is not what you wanted to hear, but I give you credit for asking the questions first. And folks on this forum will be honest, which is what you need.
A mature Boxer is like a 4 year old child. They have the same mentality. Would you leave a 4 year old child (or any child for that matter) unattended in a running car? The answer should be No. And the same applies to leaving a dog unattended in a running car.
I wanted a dog when I was younger. But I was cautioned by my father to wait until I had the perfect set up for a dog. That included a real house with a fenced yard and plenty of time to spend with my dog. While it took several years of waiting, I would say it was very much worth it :)
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*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Christina Ghimenti PawPrint Boxers
I am a brand new boxer owner. Not being as experienced as the others of this board I might be able to relate better. I can honestly say that I do not think that you are ready at this time. I did hours and hours of research before I decide to go through with getting a boxer and then go through rescue to get one.
I'm a stay at home mom and I still find it hard to sometimes to squeeze in those play dates and walks 2-3 times a day. On the days she gets enough play time she is great when she doesn't she wakes me up at 3am and 4am and 4:30 or walks around whinning like a kid constantly saying "I'm bored".
The the cat thing could go either way. Boxers have a high play drive and might scare the cats with their aggresive play. My cats never minded dogs until I got Gwen. Now they cats hide and growl when the dogs gets to close. My Gwen only Goes after them IF they run. She usually just whines and barks and stares at them.
And as far as food goes , It is not a good idea to "free feed" boxers becasue they are suseptible to bloat. It is suggested that any large breed dog is fed 2-3 smaller meals to help prevent such complications.
One last thing. Dog are pack animals as I am sure you know. Some breed handle being alone well for long hours, some do ok, but others like the boxer get very lonely very quickly.
I love my new boxer Gwen, but even I can admitt that she is more work than I had expected and I am still getting use to her neediness. Hower, I wouldn't trade her for the any other dog.
I didn't read any further than the part where you work 12-16 hours daily in the summer. Unless you can take your boxer with you, then don't get one! As every one before me has stated, they need your attention! They crave it, they demand it if they can't get it. Just ask my dead lawn ornament pink flamongoes, all my potted plants, two of my lawn chairs, one plastic wading pool, several empty pizza boxes, half the contents of our garage, a 45x45 blue tarp....one day we caught our boxer chewing the siding off of the house.
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