How to Choose A Boxer Dog

Get an American Boxer Dog That's Right for YOU

Choosing your boxer dog is the next step after you make the decision that a boxer is the right breed for you and your family. That involves deciding where to get an American boxer dog and knowing which one is right for you. Keep reading for some tips.

Choosing the right boxer dog for you and your family isn't always as simple as it might sound. You want to be sure you take time to carefully consider all of the factors before making a final decision on a boxer puppy.

I can't cover absolutely every issue here, but if you've taken the time to learn as much as you can about the boxer breed and then you know what to look for, you'll be in a better position to choose a boxer dog wisely...

Factors to Look for When Choosing

The definition of good stock or purebred must include beauty, and in a boxer, good-looking means the coat is fawn or brindle, with the white markings or "flash" covering not more than one-third of the entire coat.

Sometimes the distribution of the "flash" alone may make the difference between a show champion and just a pet boxer. Our Lucy had a bit more white than is considered desirable, but she was a striking dog, and everywhere we went, people commented on her beauty.

The all-white boxer or "check" is prone to blindness and deafness, and the American Boxer Club members are not to register, sell or use the "whites" for breeding. Some people do prefer white boxers, but if you ever plan to show your dog or breed him/her, you might want to avoid the white variation.

When it comes to choosing your boxer dog, whether male or female, there are not many clear-cut differences in their personalities. At times, the male is calmer, more tolerant of other dogs, willing to hold still for those hugs than the female. But at other times, the female can be so. One owner said the female boxer is more hyperactive and aggressive especially toward other females, and that the aggression has increased as the female gets older. So it may be a bit of a crapshoot...

Where to Get Your American Boxer Dog

An easier and more pleasant journey with your chosen boxer starts with checking out the parent dogs for unbecoming traits like aggression, hyperactivity and extreme shyness. This is easier to do when you get your boxer from a reputable breeder or from a pet shop that gets their animals only from known breeders. Exercise prudence if you are getting your boxer puppy from pet stores, which often get their supply from breeders of unknown reputation.

These "puppy mills" are not known to put much emphasis on the quality and health of pups they are producing. Reputable breeders adhere to the accepted standards for boxers in terms of uniformity in the breed, good health, temperament, size and color.

Reputable breeders will also be able to show the pedigree and registration papers and/or pictures of the parent dogs that may reside somewhere else. Professional breeders are also there to produce dog show champions or prospects. Even if you are not looking to raise a show boxer, known breeders can provide you with some "best buy" puppies because not all the puppies in a litter are show prospect/champion materials.

But the full litter would have had benefited from the same proven bloodlines, nutrition and medical care. So you can choose from among the good-looking brothers or sisters of a potential champion for a bargain.

Your other source option is animal shelters. In the US alone, animal shelters receive up to 12 million homeless dogs and cats every year, and about 25% of them are purebred. When I've been on sites such as PetFinder.com, I've seen quite a large number of boxers or boxer mixes, which surprised me, since I think they're such a great dog.

At any rate, adopting a shelter dog can be a great thing to do... After all, paying the adoption fee is a lot cheaper than the price you will pay to a breeder or pet store, AND you will be saving a life.

In Summary...

When you're ready to take on choosing your boxer dog, just be sure to take your time, really look at the pup (both inside and out) and make the best decision on which boxer dog is right for your situation. Do that, and you're bound to have years of happiness with your new furry friend!

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