Getting another dog

[lindseyellen]

Hi everyone! I currently have a 61/2 month old female boxer. I have never had a boxer but have always had yorkies growing up. My fiance and I choose a boxer mostly because he talked me into it, but now that we have Lilly I am completely in love and couldn't imagine my life without her. I have also fallen in love the the boxer breed and am learning so much as we go. We are thinking of getting another dog because we love dogs and because I think it would be good company for Lilly. I was considering a yorkie because Lilly loves my yorkies at moms house but I am worried because she hasn't learned to be gentle all of the time. Does anyone have any suggestions? yorkies or otherwise.

[SherylM]

If you are wanting a small dog, I would suggest researching Boston Terriers. I have had Bostons and Boxers together and find them a very good fit. Bostons are tough little buggers and can hold their own against a boxer!

[SweetCody]

Any reason why you don't want another boxer???

[dorimama]

We have a 1 year old boxer who lives with a Bichon mix and a Toy Poodle, both dogs are under 20lbs. What we found is that the little dogs want nothing to do with our boxer as she is far too rambunctuous for them. Boxers are very "handsy" dogs so they use their paws to communicate which does not go over well with the little dogs and in fact it can cause injury to them. If you're looking for a companion or playmate for your boxer I would suggest another medium - large size dog that can handle her "boxerness". However, if you would perfer a smaller dog I would reccommend something a bit more hardy like a Miniature Pincher or Puggle (Pug/beagle mix).

Ultimately it's up to you and what fits your lifestyle. I know my boxer is way too much for my little dogs but not every little dog acts little and not every boxer is as crazy as the next one. What I would reccommend is to not get stuck on a particular breed but instead consider the dogs personality and chemistry with your boxer. There are lots of needy, wonderful dogs out there both pure and mixed in breed, desperately waiting for a home. Personally, I prefer mixes, they tend to be much healthier and less predisposed to the genetic conditions of their breeds. Check out your local animal shelter/rescue where I'm sure you'll find the perfect match for your girl.

Good luck!

[RileyandMax]

We have a 4 year old female soft-coated wheaten terrier and a 3.5 month old male boxer puppy. While obviously our boxer isn't full size, our 35 lb. wheaten holds her own with him and my in-laws german shepherd... and usually outplays the shepherd and doesn't mind getting rough.

Wheatens, like boxers, are a playful breed that keep that puppy personality all of their lives. They require some grooming, but don't shed or bark really much at all.

While our girl will perk up and bark at unexpected visitors, they aren't really watchdogs... As the saying goes, they consider a stranger a friend they haven't met yet.

[jimandthom]

Absolutely agree with DoriMama, that you should consider a mix breed. All our dogs in the last 20 years or so had been mixes and our experience has been no health issues, allergies etc. In April 2008, however, we entered the goofy wonderful world of the boxer by taking in a deaf white puppy who the BYB couldn't sell. At that time Wolfie was only 12, Pax was 6 and both could or were willing to keep up and put up with her. This summer though it became apperant that she needed a playmate. So along came Zeke, who is a mix puppy of Shepard/Dobie and whatever else thrown in. The nice thing of a mix breed, the diversity of the gene pool may reduce specific health problems of a pure-bred i.e. hip problems in a Shepard and still retain some of the specific breed personality. We wanted a playmate to have a Shepard watchful type personality. Wolfie who is Shepard/Rottie??, will actually wake Bailey up when we ask, find her in the yard to bring her indoors etc. Zeke is learning the same things and providing the physical activity level she needs. So as Dorimama suggested check out the rescues/shelters etc for the personality type you are comfortable with and that could provide the playmate in size and energy.

[zomo]

I vote for Boston Terrier they seem to go so well together. I know several people who have these two and they get along great.