Boxer Question puppy inquiery

Jim8851 · New Pup

Boxer Question puppy inquiery

BoxerSue · Congratulations!

The questions i would ask are about health testing on the parents of the puppy. Were either/both tested for heart issues? Thyroid issues? Hips? What are the parent's temperaments like? Not to diss this puppy but just about any AKC registred Boxer will have at least a couple of Champions in it's pedigree... the key is how far back are those Champions?
It is very important to remember, and many people do not understand this but, AKC registration means diddly squat. All it means is that both reported parents are registered Boxers. AKC will register a 3 legged, 4-eyed, zebra striped, purple boxer as long as both it's reported parents are registered. AKC registry is NOT a guarantee of quality as so many people seem to think. AKC is simply a registry, a listing, of purebred dogs, nothing more.
Prior to purchase/adoption I would also take this pup to your own vet for a full physical examination.
Please try to look at this puppy with your mind, not your heart (difficult I know). Make sur eyou know exactly what you are getting with this puppy. How is her health, really... while she may be current on vaccines, I would definitely do a well puppy vet visit to rule out any congenital issues such as heart murmurs. Also, why is this Man SELLING the puppy? If it was a gift to him that he can't keep, he should be more worried abut finding it a great home, not getting a good price for her.
FInally check into the breeder. Did the puppy come from a pet shop? ALmost certainly a puppy mill dog then. From a breeder who doesn't really know the breed but wants to make money?
Good luck, and applause to you for doing some research before just jumping into that adorable puppy. If you do decide to buy/adopt her then you will likely have her for another 8 to 12 years and need to know what you are getting into health and temperament wise.

Vickie · Where Am I?

I agree with Susan...my question is..where did you find this puppy..?? Where did they find this puppy..?? Newspaper..?? Internet.?? Keep in mind, a responsible breeder does not advertise.

As Susan said, it's great you are doing your research, this should not be a spur of the moment decision...Rescues are full of spur of the moment decisions, and byb's pups.

Good Luck...and please ask questions...!!

Jim8851 · New Pup

I'm pretty excited to say that i'm going to be putting a deposit on her today. She was bought from a breeder and i have the breeder contact info. she has all her shots and has had two different check ups at two different vets to varify everything is okay with her. He said i had a year health "warrenty" on her for lack of a better term, hes that confident that nothing is wrong with her.

I also like the fact she is 4 months old still by all means a pup considering boxers are puppies up to at least 2-4 years old. I'll have to get some pictures for you guys.

PawPrint · Smitten by Boxers

You need to call the breeder and/or just drive over and visit them. A responsible breeder will not allow someone to simply resell one of their puppies. However, a responsible breeder also would never have agreed to sell the sister a pup she never intended to keep. So you are probably SOL with hoping the breeder is a responsible one.

Susan mentioned health testing but I have a feeling you will be met with dead silence over such an important issue as well. As to a warranty, I am sure it sounds good. But I am also certain this man has no way to actually support it. He is the not the breeder and if you had a serious heart issues or hip dysplasia, he would tell you he is not the breeder. Basically he has no true liability. What he is doing right now is brokering this puppy. And brokers have no liability when selling puppies or kitties.

If the pup was given as a pet, then I agree this person should not be "selling" the pup. How much money are they asking for the youngester? I don't doubt the sister had the best intentions. But now we have a pup that has already had 3 owners, going on 4, at only 4 months of age. That is just sad :(

Vickie · Where Am I?

This is something I would personally stay away from. We have given you some very good advice. If I were you, I would contact your local boxer club...let them give you some breeders names, from health tested parents, not just vet checked, there is a huge difference. Sure, they may cost more, but in the long run, you will save money.

If you do decide to go with this pup, the best thing you can do is have her spay at 6 months of age. She will thank you for it in the long run.

Jim8851 · New Pup

I feel bad for the guy he is a disabled veteran who recieved the puppy as a gift from his sister after there father,brother passed away tragically. He was told he can not keep two dogs in his veteran's home only 1. I much rather give this dog that has been cleared by my as of a couple hours ago and his a good loving home, instead of it getting to the point where he has to surrender it or lose his housing. Its an unfortunate situation, i'm not out for a show dog i want a pet/companion as long as the pup is healthy which it is i'm happy to give it a good home. I dont understand where this health testing thing is coming from. The parents were both health tested before the litter and so is the puppy they both came back fine and there is documentation from a vet to prove it.

I agree with you guys on a lot of the stuff your right she probably isn't the most credible breeder around but has breed before and its not a mill dog. Its an unfortunate situation, i rather not reveal how much the dog costs as it fits for the situation. Call me nieve but he seems like a genuine guy.

The dog hasn't been owned by 3 different people, it was just the guy. The sister paid for it i guess i may have worded that wrong.

I'd be interested to hear your input on what should happen with this dog or what you would do if you were in his situation.

I feel like anything i've said has been wrong because this pup isn't costing me 1000's of dollars from a top of the line breeder that i have to wait a year before i get interviewed. I'm just upset because my excitement is gone, i just want to give a pup a good chance in life.

Any dog i purchase would be getting neutered/spayed at 6 months old even if it was the best dog in the litter from the top of the line best breeder out there. i have no intentions of breeding or ever will. i'm looking for a companion.

-- Edited by Jim8851 at 21:06, 2008-02-26

-- Edited by Jim8851 at 21:09, 2008-02-26

Vickie · Where Am I?

We wasn't trying to burst your bubble, we were just helping you make the right decision...As long as you are 110% for this pup, give her a forever loving home, well then good for you. We in rescue see so any sad situations, so many mistreated, abused boxers, so many given away just because, ( any reason will do )..moving, having a baby, wont stop barking, jumps the fence, you name it, we hear it..or see it all the time.

Keep up the research, learn as much about boxers as you can, and please...ask questions.

lennap · All Grown Up

Jim -

I don't really know much of anything, but it sounds to me like you found yourself a great dog who needs you as much as you need her. I am just an animal lover, who recently and unexpectedly inherited a boxer - who came here looking for information/advise - just like you.

You came to a boxer specific site, and at first did not say you were looking for a companion, in fact you indicated research and breed spcific interest - so I can understand why this group would think you were asking your questions from a different angle.

If you are unsure about the dry skin - call your local Veterinary hospital and ask them if it sounds legit.

Otherwise it sounds like you are good to go. Don't let anything or anyone dampen your excitement over your new baby. Enjoy her! I will tell you that my little girl may be dumb as dirt (she can't help it - she was severely abused, I think they knocked the sense out of her) she is also the sweetest thing you could imagine.

Good luck!
Lenna

BoxerSue · Congratulations!

I am sorry that you feel we were putting you down. That is not the case. Those of us who have been in the breed for a while know the ins and outs of BYB's, Brokers, Rescue, etc. The questions I gave you to ask were not meant only for someone who is interested in a show dog. The questions are important for anyone looking to find as healthy a boxer as possible whether for a pet/companion or as a show prospect.
The bottom line is this... Boxers are prone to heart disease and cancer among other things. The health testing I was referring to was clearance on heart disease (sub aortic stenosis, and cardiomyopathy) which can be passed genetically. THis type of health testing is very different than just taking your dogs to a vet for a check up. These are specific tests performed which rule out or confirm the presence of genetic health issues.
No one here has any problem with the fact that you are looking for a smooshy face to share your life with, in fact we applaud it. Most of the dogs here are not show dogs, but some are. We own whites, rescues, mixes, mismarks, healthy, unhealthy, registered, and not registered, show and pet Boxers.
Our responses come from the fact that many of us have dealt with the shadowy side of boxer breeding. The back yard or "hobby" breeders, who figure they can make a few bucks off their dogs, the puppy millers, the irresponsible breeders, the "accidental" purebred breedings, the dogs dumped in shelters and on rescues, etc. We have heard the tales of puppies bought from "great breeders" who guarantee the pup's health, then suddenly disappear off the face of the planet as soon as they cash the check. We have counseled the heartbroken owners dealing with 2 year old boxers droping dead at their feet from heart disease. This is where our caution and questions come from. You asked us what to look for and we told you.
You have made your decision. Congratulations you are getting a new puppy. I know she will be loved and cherished, by you, whatever the circumstances around her birth. I hope she has a long, healthy, wonderful life, and that you have many happy years ahead with her. My desire was to help you know exactly what you are getting with this puppy, not to make her seem less than deserving of a great home. In my opiion all dogs deserve a wonderful home. On the flip side, I have seen far too many boxers dumped because they have temperament issues, health issues, etc. As the saying goes... Buyer Beware.

Cinnamon Boxers · I Can't Stop Typing

Hello and welcome!

Enjoy your little boxer girly! We hope to hear lots of "tails" about her as she grows!

Vickie · Where Am I?

and please ...post pics of your new baby girl...:)

BoxerSue · Congratulations!

Oh yes, pics are a must must must!!!!

PawPrint · Smitten by Boxers

Jim8851 wrote:

I'd be interested to hear your input on what should happen with this dog or what you would do if you were in his situation.

The dog needs to be returned to his breeder. A responsible breeder will want their puppy back. ALWAYS

PawPrint · Smitten by Boxers

Jim8851 wrote:

I dont understand where this health testing thing is coming from. The parents were both health tested before the litter and so is the puppy they both came back fine and there is documentation from a vet to prove it.

Vets do not perform proper health testing on Boxers. And you do not have all health testing on both parents. You may have been told you do, but you do not. If you did, you could look at the paperwork and give me the Heath testing results from both OFA and the Cardiologist both parents should have seen.

This man and his sister are trying to sell a puppy. Regardless of the reasons, they will say whatever makes this puppy look like a good reason for someone to give them $$. You asked for honest opinions and that is what I am offering you.

And yes, the pup has had 3 owners. The breeders were the original owners. Shame on a breeder that does not believe the pups they created are theirs. The sister bought the pup and now she is an owner. The retired man is the 3rd owner. And now they are looking for a 4th owner. If you do not count the sister, then that makes her simply a broker. No responsible breeder will allow their pup to be brokered. And no responsible breeder would have sold a person a pup only to have that person give the pup away. Family or friends, it does not matter.

The beginning and end of this is the quality of the breeder. And right now, there are far too many large holes saying this breeder was not a very responsible one. Not to mention the original buyer is not very responsible.

PawPrint · Smitten by Boxers

By the way , "just a pet" type of a mentality never entered my mind. If you believe "just a pet" means the breeder does not need to be responsible, then that is that.

As for them tellling you the pup was health tested, that is a lie. You can't do genetic health testing on a puppy. Only grown adults. That is another buzz word used by irresponsible breeders and brokers. Sounds good on paper, doesn't it :(