Discouraged By Breeder

ncarino · #1 06-17-2009, 02:51 PM

Hello All,

We have been researching and reading up on owning a dog for moer than 5 years - and more specifically the Boxer for about 2 years. We have never owned a dog before - but my father owns a Boxer, Tyson who is 10+ years and I lived with them for the first 2 years.

Anyways, I've been working with a few breeders here in Ontario - all have been very supportive and informative. I just received an email back from another breeder saying things like:

- you're a first time dog owner can you handle a boxer?
- you better make darned sure this breed is right for you...

the comments were quite harsh and in a negative tone. I understand the passion that people have for Boxers - but I find it really unfair to discourage first time boxer owners from owning a boxer - this is what happened to us last year too - I had a breeder BLAST me on another board for wanting to create limits in my home - i.e., dog not allowed in bedrooms. lol... anyway, the whole ordeal along with other circumstances made us double think, and put off owning a boxer.

Doesn't a dog owner have to start somewhere?

Her words were discouraging and now I really am thinking again... whether or not we can handle it - even though we feel we've been ready for years...

LILYLARUE · #2 06-17-2009, 03:33 PM

I think the breeder's may be checking to make sure that you have studied the breed and are very clear on what it takes to own a boxer. They aren't like just any other dog. They are very boisterous, very energetic and definitely requires a lot of attention and excercise.

There are so many boxers returned to breeders or turned into shelters cause "they were more than they could handle" with energy level or attention requirements. This breed doesn't really slow down til 3-4 yrs. old. And that is a guestimate. Some are laid low from birth and some never slow down. LOL

Boxer's certainly are a breed like no other. They can get into big trouble without boundries and limitations. And can get aggressive without proper training and socialization. They are known to be bull-headed and super intelligent in problem solving. Their space they seem to protect ends at the horizon and they are known to run to it as fast as they can. Most need leashes or they run and you certainly can't catch a boxer.

Of course, these are just a few traits that boxers have that can lead to big trouble if not attended to. Im sure the breeder's just want to make sure you know what you are in for and what is required to have a boxer be a well trained, well socialized, well balanced dog.

Many first time owners get boxers cause they are so darn cute and most likely, the only boxer they know is a well trained one. You don't see too many poorly trained ones cause well, the owner's can't handle them in public so you won't see them out misbehaving.

If the breeder's need reassurance, then you should be able to let them know what traits you are aware of, what training is necessary for this breed and that you understand what socialization includes. This is a good beginning to a better relationship with the breeder.

No breeder wants to have to have a dog returned to them, especially a poorly trained ADULT boxer where re-training is not only more difficult, but also bad habits that are hard to erase.

Caney Creek · #3 06-17-2009, 03:35 PM

Personally I wouldn't be so put off by the two comments that you listed. Any good breeder wants to make sure that their dogs are going to the best homes, homes where they will stay their entire lives, and be happy there, as well as make their family happy. If I were you I would have answered something to the likes of, "Yes I can handle a boxer, my I lived with one for 2 years in my parents' home and he was such a joy..." OR "I am fully aware of the responsibility involved in owning this breed and I am ready to welcome a boxer into my life..." Something along those lines. Breeders have to do something to weed out the unprepared & unsure puppy buyers... the phrase "are you sure?" seems like a good way to do that

I don't know the details of your conversation with last year's breeder, so I can't say whether that one was being unreasonable or not. It's possible that they were, but if so that shouldn't discourage you from getting a puppy from another breeder.

If her questions are giving you second thoughts, maybe you do fall into the "unsure" category. YOU have to be ready for a boxer, and when you are I think you will be able to answer those questions with an enthusiastic "YES!"

mueltrain · #4 06-17-2009, 03:39 PM

Im sure they just want to be sure you are ready for a boxer and are willing to work and not dump your boxer off at the first sign of difficulty. On a side note I am a new first time dog and boxer owner and i have been doing just fine and loving every minute of it!

Get your boxer and enjoy!

ehayes21 · #5 06-17-2009, 04:04 PM

I wouldn't be discouraged, in fact I would be rather happy they were serious about screening their potential puppy buyers. The more they grill you the better.

ncarino · #6 06-17-2009, 04:50 PM

I realize that the breeders have to be sure - I totally understand the consequences that any animal has to deal with when it comes to unprepared owners.

In all honesty, though - I have been reading and reading, and talking to people - for many years - lol... and I know that I want one... that our family wants one... what it takes to properly socialize and train a puppy (well, from a technical viewpoint - haven't really done so in real life... yet...) SO, I guess I just get butterflies because it is the first time I'm going into owning a dog... that happens to be a boxer. Part of the butterflies is because I want to be sure that the breeder I work with has been responsible and that I will be getting a boxer that is as true to the breed as possible... I am absolutely honest with my 'butterfly' issue with the breeders - lol... but in all fairness, are we humans always a little nervous when diving into something new? ...regardless of what it is?

lol... maybe I'm being too sensitive... lol - I don't know. We are set to bring home a puppy in August - so it's the final stretch of research - it seems like it's been a long time coming, and it has...

One thing is for sure - my husband and I are committed to raising the perfect canine citizen...

Thank you to everyone who took the time to reply

your comments are much appreciated!

Cali Koa · #7 06-17-2009, 04:59 PM

If you've done your research you already know the minuses of boxers. They are just being cautious, some people probably expect them to come trained and don't realize how much time and work you have to put into them.

We are first time boxer owners and have had Koa for four months now. It's been a lot of work but he is soooo worth it! He's sweet, goofy, full of beans and thinks he's a lap dog. They are the best dogs in the world, in my opinion. Good luck!

kayboxer · #8 06-17-2009, 05:50 PM

One more thing to keep in mind, this breeder has hopefully spend a lot of time and money in her breeding. If the parents have had all the tests, and if one was a show dog or highly trained agility dog, they have spent some serious money and huge amounts of time. They want to make sure their pups go to loving, serious homes. Walk into any animal shelter or go to any boxer rescue online and look at all the precious boxers that have been dumped, abused or just totally ignored and now have to find a new home, which can be very very difficult. So, don't be put off, actually, I'd be the opposite. Knowning that this breeder truely cares where her pups go should be actually reassuring, and she is just wanting reassurance from you.
Boxers are very people oriented, they want their family and need to be with them. They will follow you room to room. Mine remind me of velcro.

Instead of not letting your boxer into the bedroom such as your first post stated, what about putting a crate in the room so your pup can be with you and feel some reassurance? Just a little suggestion.
Anyway, if you get a boxer you will be rewarded with lots of love, wiggles and kisses. And just a warning, they are like potato chips....once you have one, you'll probably have to have another! Good luck and let us know if you bring home a boxer baby!

ncarino · #9 06-18-2009, 07:56 AM

Thank you everyone for all the reassurance - I know that Boxers are great dogs... and it shows in all of you

Glad to be a part of this board - and I'm soo looking forward to sharing our boxer journey with you all...

JeffDery · #10 06-18-2009, 09:03 AM

I'm a first time dog owner. I got a boxer. Life has changed for me since. My secret to have a good dog is exercise. Now I get up at 6:30am get dress tie Dax to a lease and out we go. We get back around 7:20am after a walk, a bike ride or a rollerskate ride depending on the weather. This is the commitement you have to think about before you get your puppy.

If I dont do exercise in the morning, I have a bad dog. I mean it. Dax is very intelligent and will do bad things in the house if she did not exercise properly.

That's not all, she needs exercise at night too. After a full day in the crate (i have to work to pay for her food, and well I do office work, I'm in "crate" like her :-) So after diner, it is outside time again. I often spend more than 90 minutes playing fetch, walk or let her play with the neiboorg's dogs in the field.

If you leave in an appartment and dont have access to a backyard, well... get a cat. I have a hell of a back yard just beside a little wooded area where she can be off leash and secure. Even with that she still needs to see more, to walk on "new" grass... It is a need for her, and I, as the pack leader, must fullfill that for her to keep her balanced.

In the weekend, Me, My GF and Maksim (5yo) goes to new place where we can walk with Dax. Most of the time in the woods or by the sea. Exercise makes her calm and submissive.

I read in this forum, a tired puppy is a good puppy. this is so true.

So before you get you puppy, ask yourself: "Will I go out EVERY DAY to walk/run my dog, 2 times a day for 30-60 minutes each time (more when possible)?
- Every day means WINTER DAYS too and when it rains... I'm dead serious... EVERY DAY!!!" If you say YES! then I'm telling you... your chance to have a "good dog" are excellent.

I remember last winter, minus 30 celsius, big wind and Dax not wanting to get inside. She was like NO I need to run outside, i'm not comming inside... This is where the laser beam got usefull. She could run for 30 minutes to get that beam... wierd but she had to exersice even if I'm freezing in my snowsuit. The laser beam batteries was freezing after 10 minutes, I had to keep them warm... lol. This tells you that the dog NEEDS to burn energy.

Now Dax is 9 months old and I am in pretty good shape, thanks for that Dax I could not have done it alone.