A boxer puppy can be a fun and interesting animal to add to the family. It is a intelligent and fairly active dog that learns new things very quickly. But the best trait about the boxer puppy is that it is a very sociable creature. A fine temper is what makes a dog ideal as a pet. You don't want an animal that is overly active or overly aggressive. They can be hard to train and get along with. If there are children around, they can even be dangerous.
A boxer puppy grows up to be a mid sized adult. It has a coat that is largely made up of fawn, brindle or various shades of red. The rest of the fur is white. Occasionally, you will see a boxer puppy that appears to be completely white. White boxers are treated differently for several reasons.
Firstly, they do not meet the official standards set by the AFC (American Kennel Club), and therefore, cannot be registered as a boxer. People hunting for dogs as pets are often put off by dogs that don't come with the official registrations. Their concern is that the dog may not be the breed that they are looking for.
In part, this phenomenon is due to the ignorance of many dog owners. A white boxer is still a boxer. But it has inherited the genes of its parents, which give it a white coat of fur. In fact, it is approximated that 1 in 4 boxers are born white.
What causes the boxer to be white is that there is a lack of pigment cells. This does not affect the personality of the dog. But it does has some health implications. The dog's inner ears are lined with sensory hairs, which help the animal to hear properly. Due to the lack of cell pigments, such sensory hairs do not grow properly, therefore resulting in a higher chance of encountering deafness. For this reason, pet owners who want to bring a white boxer home must be aware of this risk.
The sad part is, some dog breeders decide to put white boxers to sleep. They find it hard to sell these dogs because of registration issues with the AFC, and they also don't want the dogs to suffer, as they are likely to be abandoned if they do become deaf later on in life.
House training a boxer puppy is quite similar to training other puppies. Because of its sharp senses, it can learn and respond to verbal cues very quickly. Most trainers find boxer pups to be fun and easy to work with, as they pick things up fast. Like all other puppies, you will also have to help cultivate good eliminating habits. Use the most commonly known crate training method if you like.
If you have other pets in the house, having a boxer around should pose little problems. Boxers can get along with almost everyone, even cats. But don't try to be too clever and try to get it to get along with a mouse or a guinea pig. The dog may not have ill intention, but it is, by nature, very playful. It may not be able to resist the temptation to chase the smaller animals round the house!
A boxer puppy will eventually grow up to be a courageous and obedient adult. Their behavior is predictable. Therefore, the military and the police like to train boxers to perform various search and rescue functions. If you like, you can also train the boxer to become a guard dog. A boxer dog is fearless enough to make a good guard dog. An untrained boxer will naturally defend its owner or its home against intruders.
Keeping a boxer happy is simple. The boxer pup doesn't require all your attention. But it does need its daily exercise. Take a walk with your boxer on a daily basis. Every once a week, go for a long walk to give your pet adequate exercise. This will help use up the energy that your pet possess naturally.
Grooming is also an easy task. The boxer dog has short fur, so it doesn't require much trimming or combing. Use a hard bristle brush to remove stray or loose hair from its coat. Don't bathe the dog unnecessarily. The fur has natural oils that help protect the animal against bacteria and insects. Bathing too frequently may remove these oils.
A boxer puppy can cost anywhere between $500 to $1,000,...sometimes more. The price demands on the reputation and the expertise of the dog breeder. The more well known the breeder, the faster the pups will sell out. Hence, the heavier price tag. But don't get put off just because of the price tag. Dog breeders don't become popular for no good reason. They may be better at breeding boxers, or they may be known to deliver healthy pups consistently. Ask around to find out before buying.
The best place to start looking is through pet forums or classified sites. Try to buy from a professional dog breeder. If you see a pup being advertised by a pet owner, make sure you ask why he or she is selling. Verify the health of the pup by bringing the animal to a vet of your choice. There is no need to be in a hurry to buy. Never get pressured into bringing a pup home just because the seller says someone else is interested in the pup. If the boxer pup is meant for you, it will be eventually with up with you. That is called affinity. Besides, a responsible dog breeder will be able to tell that you are truly interested in the dog, and will give you time to decide. After all, a good dog breeder also want to find a good owner for the litter.
Give more time and attention to your newly acquired pet in the beginning. You will soon find that the boxer dog can be a loyal and loving companion. It is good with children, and is one of the most well behaved dogs you'll ever find. Soon, you will thinking how you managed to get by without your boxer pup :)
