Hi Ya'll!

Sharon T · New Pup

Hi Ya'll!

PawPrint · Smitten by Boxers

Welcome Sharon,

The problem I see is the livestock. Boxers have a high prey drive. They definitely need their own fenced area to keep the livestock safe. A close friend of mine also lives on a working farm. Despite that fact she has trained her dogs well, they have killed or injured several farm animals over time. I have spent time with her dogs and they are very well behaved girls. But they are Boxers and sometimes Mother Nature simply pulls them towards their inner wild ways.

She also has 2 other Boxers in her neighborhood. They have also killed other farm animals. Chickens, goats and Emus were the last victims I had heard about.

Another friend of mine has Boxers and horses. But the horses have their paddocks that are fenced off from the rest of the human living area. That has worked well.

While you can teach basic obedience to a Boxer, it is not easy if you are a first time owner. Boxers are smart. This makes them not as easy to train simply because they like to out smart the average human . Classes are not always needed, but they are strongly encouraged. I went to a great school when I had my first Boxer. She had me over a barrel because she was so clever.

I honestly think you might want to consider a more reliable farm dog. There are many different breeds that can easily work well on a farm. If you are dead set on a Boxer, I would wait until you have securely fenced a large area where the Boxer can be safe when they are not in your house. Remember, they are a house breed. They prefer your couch or your bed :)

Sharon T · New Pup

Thanks Christina! That is just the kind of information that I need. You mentioned that your friend had 2 boxers do you think that helped with the situation of them killing the animals? I know a pack mentality is quite strong. Our chickens are in houses so that wouldn't be a problem but the horses are in a fenced in area in front of my house. The dogs can get in their pasture. I had thought about lowering the electric fence that we have on the horses fence so the boxer wouldn't be able to go under the fence. We also have cows that can come next to the horses pasture.

We had a blue heeler & trust me I don't think a boxer could be any worse than she was as far as the animals were concerned, her problem was she didn't have an ear for us.

Thanks again!

Sharon T · New Pup

Does anyone else have any thoughts on this! I appreciate the info.

Thanks!

Sister Ray · All Grown Up

Prey drive varies from dog to dog. Most Boxers fall somewhere in the middle; they are usually okay with cats and other dogs, but will chase other critters. There are some that don't do that, but a lot of them do. Herding dogs usually don't have much, because of their work around livestock. Sporting dogs and hounds, on the other hand, will chase anything that moves. My Golden wouldn't chase even the most pesky cat, but squirrels were fair game.

If you are seriously considering a Boxer, I suggest doing some work with a local rescue group. You can get aquainted with the breed and also show you have the characteristics that this breed needs.

The training thing is true. I think it was Tracy Hendrickson of Sunchase that said Boxers are easily bored, and the way to succesfull training is to vary the routine.

Cinnamon Boxers · I Can't Stop Typing

Hello Sharon, welcome!

Clicker training is something to consider. I used it with one of mine a while back. It works.
http://www.clickertrain.com/whatis.html

I used to have a small farm, horses, cattle, goats, poultry etc... Some of mine could go with me to do the farm work. Others couldn't be trusted. For the most part they stayed in their own fenced area.

Sharon T · New Pup

Thank you SisterRay & Phyllis! We don't have a boxer rescue near where I live. There is a lady that I go to church with & she has 2 boxers. I am going to see if I can visit with her & her boxers. She adores her babies!

I did find a dog trainer in Collinsville, MS that is about 30 minutes from where I live. I am going to call & talk to them.

Thanks again!