Deciding to own a boxer takes preparation and thought! Here are some things to think about before making your decision. Where will you be purchasing your Boxer from??
These organizations provide loving care (and sometimes rehabilitation) to Boxers who have been surrendered by their owners, found abandoned or rescued from harmful situations.
Too many people get a Boxer for the wrong reasons and thankfully there are rescue organizations to take these dogs into their homes and provide care until a forever family can be found.
Now, this is not to say that rescue dogs are perfect, just that with a little love and care these can be the best companion you may ever have. Many volunteers have been so touched by a Boxer moving through the rescue system that they are impacted forever.
To help you decide if a rescue Boxer is for you, read the list below. You may be surprised what a 2nd chance Boxer can do for you!
1. No housebreaking! In fact, most rescue volunteers do their best to ensure the dogs are housebroken and know some basic commands.
2. Rescue/Adult Boxers are usually past the chewing stage. Just be sure to provide plenty of appropriate chew toys.
3. Reduced veterinary expenses. Most of the time, your Rescue Boxer will be neutered or spayed already (almost always) and have its shots. There will be instances when you need to continue a medication, but the volunteers will give you plenty of information prior to adopting a Boxer.
4. Sweet Dreams. Rescue/Adult Boxers usually mean that you get a goodnight sleep since you don’t have to calm the fears of a puppy. Additionally, adult Boxers have bigger bladders which means you won’t have to make a wee-wee run at 2am!
5. Thumbelina or Gargantua? You know how big the Boxer will be when you get a Rescue/Adult Boxer. There will be no surprises such as; you think you are getting a big puppy because of the big paws only to wind up with MiniMe.
written by Jody Mitchell, a stay at home mom and part time veterinarian assistant who has been saved by Boxer dog from car accident. Her amazing experience inspires her to write about Boxer: "The Boxer Chronicle - A Guide to All Things Boxer." Visit her Website http://www.boxerdogguide.com
Please help us with the over population of Boxers and dogs of all breeds! Do not support by purchasing from or becoming a BYB!
1. Motive for breeding: "fun", "good for kids", "to have puppies that are like your dog", "to make money". Does not screen buyers and seldom refuses to sell, even if buyer is unsuitable
2. Breeds the family pet to any convenient pet of the same breed just to have purebred pups. Has no concern for genetics, bloodlines, or breed improvement.
3. Though pet may be well loved, it was not x-rayed for hip dysplasia or checked for other problems.
4. Offers no health guarantee beyond proof of shots, if that. Unqualified to give help if problems develop.
5. Seller has little knowledge of breed history or of the AKC breed standard. May claim this does not matter for "just pets".
6. Pups raised in makeshift accommodations, indicating lack of long-term investment in breeding.
7. Even when selling "just pets", may produce AKC papers or "championship pedigrees" as proof of quality. Yet seller does not increase his own knowledge through participation in national, regional, or local breed clubs. Does not show own dogs to "prove" quality.
8. May be unwilling to show a buyer the entire litter or to introduce the dam of the litter. Cannot or will not compare/critique pups or pup’s ancestors.
9. Prices are at the low end of local range, since must move pups quickly. Selling them before 8 weeks can disturb the puppy's development of correct social behaviors.
10. No concern for the future of individual pups or the breed as a whole. Does not use AKC’s limited registration option or ask for spay/neuter contract to guard against the breeding of sub-standard pups. If you cannot keep pup, tells you to take it to a dog pound or to sell it.
written by Chris Halverson
More Below...
1. Dedication to producing quality dogs is serious avocation. Has so much invested in dogs that he struggles to break even, not make a profit. Will sell pups only to approved buyers.
2. Can explain how planned matings are used to emphasize specific qualities through line-breeding, out-crossing, or more rarely, inbreeding.
3. Has breeding stock x-rayed to check for hip dysplasia and tests for other genetic faults. Can produce certification to prove claims.
4. Lifetime commitment to replace a dog with genetic faults or to help owner deal with problem.
5. Loves the breed and can talk at length about its background, uses, and ideal type.
6. Has a serious investment in dog equipment and facilities.
7. Belongs to national, regional, and local dog clubs, indicating a love for the sport of purebred dogs. Exhibits own dogs as an objective test of how his stock measures up.
8. Shows litter and dam in a sanitary environment. Helps buyer evaluate and choose a pup. Explains criteria for "show prospects" versus "pet picks".
9. Prices will be at the high end of local range, not cut-rate. Price will not reflect all that is invested in the pups.
10. After purchase, will help you with grooming or training problems. Will take back a pup you cannot keep rather than see it disposed of inappropriately. Sells pets with spay/neuter agreement and on AKC limited registration.
written by Chris Halverson
Please help us with the over population of Boxers and dogs of all breeds! Do not support by purchasing from non-reputable breeders, they may be a puppy mill!!!
Puppy mills are nothing new. These mass dog-breeding operations have been around for decades, but they continue to be a problem because unsuspecting consumers keep buying those adorable puppies in the pet store window. Or on some slick Internet site. Or even through an ad in the trusted local newspaper.
But behind the friendly facade of these pet shops, web sites, and newspaper ads, there often lies a puppy mill. These canine breeding facilities frequently house dogs in shockingly poor conditions, particularly for "breeding stock" animals who are caged and continually bred for years, without human companionship and with little hope of ever becoming part of a family. After their fertility wanes, breeding animals are commonly killed, abandoned or sold to another mill. The annual result of all this breeding is hundreds of thousands of puppies, many with behavior and/or health problems.
The puppies will be shipped cross country by truck to be sold in pet shops, but many are also sold via newspaper classifieds or Internet sites — and are often accompanied by false claims such as, "We'd never sell puppies from a puppy mill."
Because a puppy mill is a business, the facility is designed purely for profit, not comfort. Laws are on the books to provide minimum-care standards for puppy-mill animals, but enforcement has historically been spotty at best. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) licenses and inspects puppy mills for violations of the Animal Welfare Act; likewise, some state laws are designed to protect the charges in the average puppy mill. But puppy mills can successfully navigate around these laws, whether by selling directly to consumers (thereby avoiding USDA licensing requirements) or simply by avoiding the reach of law enforcement (with so few USDA inspectors and minor fines, it's easy to stay in business).
written by the Humane Society
1. Loyalty, Loyalty, Loyalty!
Chances are good that by adopting a senior mutt, you have rescued a wonderful, loving canine from an untimely, unfortunate and unwarranted death. A senior mutt can sense that he or she was saved and will be eternally loyal to his or her new "forever" family.
2. Ease Of Guardianship
Senior mutts are mellow, relaxed and ready for a new home. They are past the puppy chewing and destruction stage and usually come with basic training. Most senior mutts are happiest sitting at your feet or curled up in their bed next to yours.
3. No Huge Lifestyle Change
You don't need to worry about puppy proofing your house and constant training. ("No! Drop it! Not yours!") And older dogs let you get a good night's sleep!
4. Stress Reliever
Life today can be very hectic. Studies have shown that animal guardianship can decrease blood pressure levels and reduce stress. Senior mutts enjoy leisurely walks, which will encourage you to exercise for even a few minutes on your busiest days.
5. WYSIWYG ("What you see is what you get.")
Senior mutts are full grown and their personalities are completely developed. When you meet with your senior dog, you will know what kind of wonderful, loving canine he or she is and will always be.
6. Doggie Wisdom
Senior canines have learned many of life's lessons. They know, for example, that shoes are for walking and bones are for chewing.
7. Calm, Cool & Collected
Most senior dogs do not demand the time and attention that a younger dog does and are satisfied with casual walks and cuddling. Many senior mutts snooze the day away inside while you are busy at work and are waiting calmly at the door for you when you return home.
8. Old Dog, New Tricks
Senior dogs can learn new tricks and be valuable family and community members. They also make excellent therapy dogs.
9. Companionship For All
Senior dogs make wonderful companions for everyone, especially senior people and busy professionals.
10. Save A Life
Senior dogs are often the first to be euthanized in area shelters. Passed over for cute and cuddly puppies, they often have little chance to be adopted.
Sources: Senior Mutt Match (www.seniormuttmatch.com); The Sanctuary for Old Dogs (www.sanctuaryforseniordogs.org); The Senior Dogs Project (www.srdogs.com)
© Denna Pace 2001
1. When called on bad breeding practices, ALWAYS claim that you are merely an innocent posting as a favor to a friend or family member.
2. Point out that everybody you know breeds this way, therefore it must be okay.
3. Claim that "snobby show breeders" are only criticizing you because they want to corner the market on puppy profit.
4. Claim that a Champion in the pedigree is just as good as 56 Champions in the pedigree. Not that it matters, because you doubt that there is such a thing as a dog with 56 champions in the pedigree.
5. Claim that you are just trying to produce good pets, therefore good pets are all you need for breeding.
6. When asked about health testing, enthusiastically point out that your b###h had a health checkup before breeding.
7. Be sure to mention that you do not need to run such health tests as OFA, CERF, thyroid, cardiac, patellae, etc., because your dogs look healthy and had no visible problems at their last vet checkup.
8. Point out that these tests cost too much and would cut into your profit margin. Be sure to champion the right of poor people to breed dogs.
9. Confidently assure worried rescuers that no puppy you produce, or any of their puppies or grand puppies or great-grandpuppies will end up in shelters because you have a bunch of friends who have told you that they'd like a pup from your b###h.
10. Point out that you don't need Championships or working titles on your dogs because you are breeding for temperament and your dog is really sweet.
11. Silence those annoying people who ask about your health guarantee by assuring them that buyers can return any sick puppies and you will replace it with another pup as long as it got sick within a certain amount of time of sale and as long as you don't think the buyer did something to make the puppy sick.
12. If your breed or line is rare (or you have a "rare" color, or believe
your breed or color is rare), be sure to remind everyone that you do not need to show, temperament test, or health test your breeding stock because you are doing the world a service by continuing this "rare" breed/color/line.
13. No matter what anyone else says, claim that you obviously know what you are doing because you've been breeding for a long time. Point to the hundreds of puppies you've pumped out over the years as proof.
14. If this is your first attempt at breeding, make sure to remind everyone that you HAVE to breed your dog because how else are you going to learn how to breed?
15. Assure everyone that your dog does not need to be shown because you were assured by someone at Petsmart/the park/the vet's office/a friend that your dog is a perfect example of the breed.
16. Always remember that "rare" colors, oversized or undersized dogs, and mixes of popular breeds are great selling points. Anyone who doesn't think so is obviously not in tune with their customers' wishes.
17. Claim that your dogs are better because they are not inbred, as
inbreeding obviously produces sick/stupid/deformed dogs. If breeding poo [as in "****-a-Poo," "Peek-a-Poo," etc.] dogs or other mutts, always point to "hybrid vigor" as proof of your dogs' superiority.
18. Remind everyone that you do not need a waiting list because your puppies are cute.
19. Assure everyone that your puppies will not end up in shelters because they are cute.
20. Claim that YOUR breed never ends up in shelters in your area, therefore your puppies will never end up in shelters.
21. If asked why you think your dogs are breeding quality, point out that they "have papers." Extra points awarded for using the phrase "AKC Certified." Double points if those papers come from the Continental Kennel Club.
22. If you sell a sick puppy, always blame the owners for making it sick. If the owners are clearly not responsible, blame their vet. (see #11)
23. If presented with irrefutable evidence proving you wrong on any excuses you have used, pretend your server did not receive the post/e-mail.
24. Claim that none of the rules of ethical breeding apply to you because you only intend to have one litter and therefore aren't a "real" breeder.
25. If all else fails, tell everyone who criticizes you to "get a life."
Written by Denna Pace . It was compiled by reading the horrible BYB ads on rec.pets.dogs.breed. Please credit when quoting.