Just wondering-Is my girl really an *odd* Boxer??

[MikaMay]

I've been thinking about this.....Mika is my first Boxer. She was 2 yrs. when I got her and she had basically been a kennel dog. Her breeder told me she'd need lots of work -- was only partially housetrained, had no lead training, was rambunctious, wasn't sure how'd she'd be in the car because they only took her to the vet's, etc.
Well, she's been pretty well behaved since I got her. Took about 2 weeks to housetrain, walks on my left side on lead and never pulls, yes, she has her playful moments, but what dog doesn't? She does not countersurf, raid the trash, or destroy things -- has no issues with cats, squirrels, other dogs, etc. In fact, I raise Maltese and they all eat out of Mika's dish *while* she's eating. She loves going in the car and is very good. For quite some time now, I have taken her places off leash and she always recalls and really does not go far from me. She's almost like my shadow. She does not and has never jumped on people and is protective of me but in a *polite* way.
I called her breeder to make sure she gave me the right dog LOL (actually called her to tell her how well Mika was doing) and she was very surprised and all she could say was that apparently Mika just found the *right mommy*.

I bring this up because I went to a cookout at most likely my future in-law's on Saturday evening and my son encouraged me to take Mika. Well, his in-law's to be are long time Boxer lovers and owners themselves and they told me she was not like a normal Boxer. Of course, she was very well behaved as usual and they went on and on about how good she is and told me about the Boxers they have now and have had in the past and how she acted like none of them.

Did I just get lucky with her or is she really un-Boxer like in the way she acts? I should add she does *box* and I have been thinking that Boxers just must be incredible dogs (of course, they are and I've been really missing out on a great breed-- but is she really all that unusual?

I love her to bits -- she has a way of making me laugh when I'm down and is just so darned smart it's sort of eerie sometimes.

[punchinella]

Well, since I don't know exactly what Boxer traits they're referring to, so I can't say for sure if she possesses those same characteristics. However, keep in mind, sure most Boxers have similar traits common to Boxers, but still have individual personalities that make them unique. I always hear Boxer owners talk about how their dogs will "woo" (making a woo-woo sound). I've never heard Punchie do this, even when she's talking to toys or fussing with me. She may do this later in life, but certainly not yet. But she also has many other "Boxer" traits, like kidney beaning, burns, and hopping around like a bunny. But our special routines and experiences together are what make her special to me, not her 'Boxerishness'.

And the fact she was well-behaved is NOT unBoxerlike - Punchie can be very well-behaved when she wants to be Maybe they just weren't very good teachers

[Kathie11]

It's hard to tell if Mika has boxer traits but as long as the two of you get along and by the sounds of it, you're a perfect match. By the negative comments the breeder was saying perhaps Mika never received the one-on-one attention she needed. But since boxers are such people dogs Mika really loves the attention you are giving her and she just wants to keep you happy. We rescued Louie when he was 1.5 years old and he thrives on making us happy.

[Gillian Ward]

maybe a little,but pretty darn well behaved is my gillian...i think that because they are so smart it spreads each ones traits or character maybe just a littlte more widely...gilly is nothing like my last boxer gabby but they did share those broad boxer traits...i think too i worked alot harder and more with gilly as i was going through divorce and used her as an escape as well....she never wants to be out of sight and watches over us like a hawk...i think its great that you are having a wonderful experience with your baby and id be willing to bet you will forever have a boxer in your life...they are simply the best...paul

[wrinkles_mom]

I wouldn't say she's weird; she's just herself! I have two boxers; one who can't sit still and always wants to be where we are; the other one is content to be off by himself sometimes and isn't as "rambuncious". The still kidney bean, do burns around the yard and are both energetic.

Maybe your baby is happy to be out of the kennel and is being gracious to you by behaving so well. Not matter what, it sounds like she's wonderful and happy to have such a good mom!

[agilityboxer]

I stayed at a friend of mines home the other night with her two boxers. There was a small gathering of people arriving all night and never once did I hear her boxers alarm bark. They are around 3-4 years old, and Im thinking to myself man what am I doing wrong(mine go nuts at every new arrival)…… So I stayed there over night and when I got up in the morning to get a glass of water I was tiptoeing to the kitchen trying not to make a sound and I never heard a peep out of them. Mine on the other hand will frequently bark as soon as someone else in the house is up, like when my parents come to visit. They hear this odd nose outside of the bedroom an then its on! How different it would be to have quiet boxers!

[Rocky's Ma]

People are always surprised at how mellow Rocky is for a Boxer. That's not to say he doesn't act like one though. He is just very well behaved and content...he has his goofball moments though! He has never destroyed things, is very well behaved in public and was housebroken at 9 weeks. The lady at the store where I buy his food says he's "abnormal in a good way".

[lovemygracie]

My boxer Ty who I got as a two year old sounds somewhat like your girl. His previous owners said he wasn't trained and I expected to have to work hard with him, but when I took him home he was eager to please and learned fast and never gave me any trouble. He behaved even better than my Gracie girl, who I have had since she was 8 weeks.
My theory is that boxers who haven't had the greatest start in life really recognize when they have it good in a new home and they pick up on what you like and behave accordingly.
She sounds like a normal boxer to me...especially the parts about being your shadow, making you laugh, boxing, and being eerily smart!

[Xander's Mom]

No shes not odd--- Shes just got manners BE THANKFUL! (some of us aren't so lucky...)

[Harry'sMom]

Mika sounds wonderful. Harry is a very mellow boxer, content and quiet, which is a good thing because when he does bark it goes right through me. He has plenty of boxer traits, just not the eternal puppyhood that some people describe.