Boxer Traits

[daisy6970]

Our boxer, Josie, licks EVERYTHING!!! Including anyone who walks in the door. That tongue is out of control!frogicon

[myahsgran]

My daughter once said that our Myah has a tongue like an aardvark !! Too true.. and that was when she was a wee baby, her tongue has grown with her. They are just big bundles of love.. a lot of work for the unwary, they need a lot of attention, but they are fun, playful dogs.

[AUNatalie]

This is my first time on the forum. I have a 2 year old fawn boxer named Isabella. I love to hear all the characteristics of everyone's boxers because she has all of them too. I've had one boxer before her and feel in love with the breed. Unfortunately my first boxer, Lillian, died at 2 and 1/2 years old. She had cardiomyopathy which is talked about on this web site.

Isabella is so funny because she has bursts of energy and flies all over the yard. She also loves to box with her other boxer friends. She does the kidney bean and thinks she is lap dog. She gets jealous if we pet my fiance's dog, which is a golden retriever, and starts WOO-WOOing or tries to push him out of the way. My favorite thing she does is lay with her back legs out straight behind her like a frog. My first boxer did not do that and I call her my little froggy. It's funny how their mood reflects their owner's because she always knows what kind of mood I'm in and mimics it. My fiance says that we're like Eliot and ET. When I'm sick, she's sick, etc.

I love hearing about everyone else boxer's because I know that I'm not the only one crazy for the breed. No one really understands how great they are until they have a boxer as a companion.

[myahsgran]

But, unfortunately, they are not for EVERYONE. They are a very high spirited dog that need a lot of attention, training and love. This takes time and if you don't have the time to devote to this breed, then they are not for you. A few years ago, someone at my work gave away a gorgeous brindle, because he was a "bad dog". There are no "bad dogs" just the wrong owners. Another breed would have probably worked out better for them. I hope that anyone seriously considering adding a boxer to their families, do the research first - this site is an excellent resource, because in a lot of ways, they can be very difficult dogs as well as the most affectionate clowns..

[AUNatalie]

You are absolutely right. It takes a certain kind of person to be a good boxer companion. My fiance, for instance, isn't as fond of the breed as I am. He doesn't have the temperment that I have to deal with my always playful, clowning, attention requiring boxer. He still loves her the same though he just prefers more laid back dogs like our golden retriever. Thanks for putting that out to the readers because anyone interested in having a boxer should know that they require a lot of attention, love, and understanding but they also give back the same.

[Ronaldcm]

My two boxers Bruiser and Shadow love to tease each other to no end, It is very funny some of the things they will do to each other. One of the funnier things they do is that they will pull the other ones bed apart. They are truely great dogs.

[AUNatalie]

Yes, they are truly wonderful dogs.

[sunni_d]

this is so awsome. i have totally and uderly fell head over heels for my Lucy. some of the things she does:

-Farting is at the top of the list
-big hugs and lovin
-kidneybeaning
-gets so excited when seeing new people, she can't even put her butt down in a sit-stay
-seeks under the covers in bed
-loves water (swimming, waterhose, everything)
-puppy dreams (i think they are about the cats playing with her since they never will in reality)
-and much much more.

She is my sweet lil angel, my clown and entertainment, my everything.

[Dreamsaj]

My boxer Santana is a male dark Brindle 3years old on the 22nd of Nov! Crop ears -Handsome also half human
He loves:
Laying on his back
He even bounces his tennis ball and catches it.
When I come Home I say "What does my baby have for me today?" and he goes and picks up the toy he has near him and curls his body as he is rushing towads me.
Sometimes when he takes his bath or poops my husband and I say he's doing the Bevis! Like MTVs Bevis and Butthead. Where Bevis is out of control. It's like the game red light green light one two three! He stops when I say three and goes wild while I am saying the phase!
He likes to shake his head while playing tug a war.
He is jealous and when my husband and I are hugging he tries to separate us.
He loves the beach and will only go in up to where he can stand up. He will swim only when he falls into a deep hole. but now he is so smart he will go right around them.cool:
He is a great Guard Dog and only barks when required.
and when he wants something he will look straight at it and just move his eyes to meetyyours but still facing his toy. Which is either under the sofa or under the bed.
He is our joy and just recently we got a female Light brindle companion for him and they are really getting along great!!
I can go on and on with his traits. I guess I have!
These dogs are my babies and they are priceless.

:

[Boxermom2]

I would like to know from those of you that have more than one boxer, is it normal that they play fight very rough? My two, Oscar and Chloe, (Mother and son, by the way) play fight hard. Sometimes, out in the yard they will rear up on their hind legs, growling ferousiously, and mouthing at each other as if they were going to eat each other up!! Yet, when they come down from that stance, they are wagging their tails at each other and licking each others faces. And inside, the "wrestle" constantly. They play chase in my tri-level house, which means they have 3 floors and two sets of stairs to run from each other. Did I forget to mention that they each weigh about 70 pounds!! It can be funny sometimes though. I do worry that they play too hard sometimes.
One additional trait that I have found in mine is what I call the "Boxer Butt Boogie." That it the unmistakable butt twitch that they have when I am behind them walking them on their leashes. I believe that you could set music to that twitch. It is hysterical.
Any input on the rough playing would be appreciated. I hope it's normal.

Take care all!

Lori, Oscar and Chloe

[Thomas Liggin]

It is indeed common for Boxers to engage in "rough" play. That is in comparison to other breeds.

They can engage in rough play by themselves. Since Indy was a small puppy (he's almost eleven months old) he's had a toy which is a ball within a ball. The inner ball is slightly larger than a tennis ball and the outer ball is slightly smaller than a soccer ball.

The outer ball has six holes slightly smaller than the diameter of the inner ball. While the outer ball would be too large for most grown Boxers to carry, Indy learned at nine weeks of age that he could carry it by inserting his lower jaw into one of the holes.

It is still one of his favorite toys. He practically destroys the house by butting and throwing it then chasing after it. All the while, he is growling, snarling and barking at it. Alone, he sounds like a pack of dogs engaged in warfare.

It provides great exercise. He attacks it as though it was his worst enemy. Two or more Boxers playing together will demonstrate this same trait toward each other.

Be sure to batten down all the hatches when they play like that since they can break things and overturn the largest sofas. They should always be supervised during rough play since they can and will break things and occassionally may accidentally hurt each other. Be sure to remove their collars for play. A flailing leg can get caught in the collar which can injure the leg, or choke the collared dog.

Be sure to supervise all their play. If they seem to be getting out of control, call a time out so they can settle down. Like all children, they need to learn where the lines are drawn.


Regards, Tom

[sunni_d]

Thomas Liggin....

Where did you get that ball????? Lucy loves balls of all sizes and shapes and i know that she would love the one you described. Also lucy can e very destructive with her toys. she plays really really rough. Will that ball hold up to the abuse of an overly excited boxer??? And if thats Indy in the picture he is absolutly beautiful.

Thanx