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Which dog should I get, & advice on what to buy beforehand...

L

LiQiCE

Golden Member
Ok, I usually don't post "personal" stuff here, but I figured what the heck 🙂 ..

Anyways, so I'm pretty much set on adopting/rescuing a boxer. My former roommate has a rescued boxer (named boe) and I lived with both him and boe for a year, and I adore him. Thats why I decided on a boxer. Anyways, I understand the lifetime commitment to the dog, and have been doing my research on the breed. I think I'm ready to adopt! My preference is for a male boxer between 1-3 years old. There are two great looking boxers available in Madison, VA (about a 2 hour ride from here) that both meet my criteria...

Here's the links for them both:

Tippey
Sebastian

So anyways, names aside, which dog would you pick...? You really can only go on looks I guess since there's not much about personality there or anything.

Also, as a first time dog owner ... what do you think I should buy before I get the dog? I know there are some things that should wait until after you get the dog so you can determine things like size etc etc, but I figure getting a crate that is made roughly for the size of a boxer, and a leash would be a good idea, right?

Thanks for your help! 🙂

Oops, I tried to add a poll and screwed it up, is there anyway to add it afterwards?
 
Boxers are awesome dogs. A crate, a leash, food and water bowls are great. Ask what his current diet is and then feed him that for a while before introducing anything else.

And I like Tippy. He looks like a big teddy bear.

🙂
 
Yeah, I thought about adopting both but I don't think I could properly care for both dogs as a first time dog owner. I talked to the shelter and they didn't seem to have their hearts set on someone adopting both of them either.
 
Originally posted by: jadinolf
Tough call. They should really stay together.
Click to expand...

Ooh, I just saw that.

Yup, there is going to be an adjustment for them if they are separated. 🙁
 
Hm, guess there's no way to add a poll back into the original thread huh? ... Figures I click on the wrong button 🙂
 
- Crate
- Leash and collar (leash should be 6') Collar should be adjustable to fit the neck so you can put 2 fingers thru
- Water bowl and food bowl (I prefer stainless steel, stay away from plastic)
- A couple chew toys, nylabones and kongs are great - stay away from rawhide
- Doggie toothbrush and toothpaste (yup, they need to be brushed at least 2-3x/week)
- Waste removal equipment, I use a doggie rake/shovel...and you might get some plastic pick-up bags for when he's walked
- Grooming...I'm not sure what grooming supplies a shorthaired boxer needs, but some kind of brush
- Digital camera to take lots of pix! 😀
 
Originally posted by: jw791
- Crate
- Leash and collar (leash should be 6') Collar should be adjustable to fit the neck so you can put 2 fingers thru
- Water bowl and food bowl (I prefer stainless steel, stay away from plastic)
- A couple chew toys, nylabones and kongs are great - stay away from rawhide
- Doggie toothbrush and toothpaste (yup, they need to be brushed at least 2-3x/week)
- Waste removal equipment, I use a doggie rake/shovel...and you might get some plastic pick-up bags for when he's walked
- Grooming...I'm not sure what grooming supplies a shorthaired boxer needs, but some kind of brush
- Digital camera to take lots of pix! 😀
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the advice! I wonder, why do you say no rawhide? My old roommate's dog used to eat rawhide bones all the time, kept him entertained for quite awhile... is this bad?

And what is wrong with plastic bowls? I'm new to all of this so please bear with me 🙂 ... The books I've read haven't said much about no plastic bowls or no rawhide (although they did say to watch carefully to ensure the dog isn't swallowing large chunks of the rawhide).
 
rawhide can expand in the stomach and cause problems. Chicken bones etc. can splinter and cause problems as well.

I'm not sure about plastic bowls tho...more bacteria or something?

My input would be to do your best to get a dog that's dog-friendly, one that isn't aggressive towards other dogs, which would be a real pia, not to mention limit opportunities to chat with other cool chicks and their dogs. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: LiQiCE
[

Thanks for all the advice! I wonder, why do you say no rawhide? My old roommate's dog used to eat rawhide bones all the time, kept him entertained for quite awhile... is this bad?

And what is wrong with plastic bowls? I'm new to all of this so please bear with me 🙂 ... The books I've read haven't said much about no plastic bowls or no rawhide (although they did say to watch carefully to ensure the dog isn't swallowing large chunks of the rawhide).
Click to expand...


About the rawhide - that's exactly the reason. If you have a big chewer, the rawhide can break off and become soft. I used to give my pup rawhide, and he started to choke on a piece and I had to stick my fingers down his throat to extract it. IMO its dangerous stuff, and if there are good alternatives why give it?

As far as the bowls, I prefer stainless because it doesn't stain (duh), very dishwasher save, and its more durable. There are also rumblings that plastic bowls can irritate skin, cause a pinker nose, etc... but I haven't found a good link to really substantiate it.
 
Originally posted by: jw791
There are also rumblings that plastic bowls can irritate skin, cause a pinker nose, etc... but I haven't found a good link to really substantiate it.
Click to expand...
hmm never heard that.....interesting.

about the rawhides, if you're set on getting rawhides get the "pressed rawhides" they're better for the dog (less chance of expansion since smaller pieces are eaten) and they like them better, although they smell a little worse. get a crate (wire or plastic) the largest size you'll need for a full grown whatever dog you get. you can always partition it off. and try to feed him/her some really high quality kibble really good food, not iams or eukanuba or purina

the one thing I know about Boxers is they're very hyper. they jump up a lot, but all that can be trained out. I'm a German Shepherd person though. how could you resist this face 😀

edit: for got to add a few things. you'll want to invest in some Frontline Plus, it's for fleas and ticks etc. really good stuff, waterproof etc.

here's some good places to buy stuff:
cheapest frontline i could find and other good stuff: pet-RX
jeffers
drfoster & smith
jb wholesale
Click to expand...
 
Two Boxers is the way to go....they are actually easier to take care of in pairs. I know, I have done it both ways. They are very social and don't like being alone and get mischievious, but with 2 they always have someone to be with. I will always get my Boxers in pairs from now on, and it is great to keep siblings together as dogs are a lot smarter and have more emotions than people give them credit for.....they know who their brothers and sisters are.

The last time I got a Boxer puppy we had her for about a week before I decided she needed one of her sisters and went back to the breeder and picked out another. You should have seen the way they reacted to each other after being separated for a week. It was one of the best pet decisions I have ever made. They were inseperable until Easter Sunday when unfortunately one was taken from us way before her time.

GET BOTH!!!!!!!!!!
 
Originally posted by: Ronstang
Two Boxers is the way to go....they are actually easier to take care of in pairs. I know, I have done it both ways. They are very social and don't like being alone and get mischievious, but with 2 they always have someone to be with. I will always get my Boxers in pairs from now on, and it is great to keep siblings together as dogs are a lot smarter and have more emotions than people give them credit for.....they know who their brothers and sisters are.

The last time I got a Boxer puppy we had her for about a week before I decided she needed one of her sisters and went back to the breeder and picked out another. You should have seen the way they reacted to each other after being separated for a week. It was one of the best pet decisions I have ever made. They were inseperable until Easter Sunday when unfortunately one was taken from us way before her time.

GET BOTH!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

My oldest sister raised boxers for a while and I can vouch for how sweet they are together. She kept a mother and son, and they were precious. They'd bark like crazy when I pulled up to the house but the closer I got the more they would wag their stubby little tails until it looked like their rumps were going to fall off.

One word of warning: Boxers do tend to get tumors. Val lost both of hers eventually due to this. 🙁

<---terrier woman, nothing is more hyper or neurotic! 😛

 
if you are going to pick one, get tippey. The fawn color just seems to look better than the brindle.

Boxers are awesome pets, my 7yr old boxer Holly is typical boxer....playful...clownish, but a great watchdog. she watches my son from the storm door whenever he is outside.



 
OK, no offense to anyone, but as a first time dog owner and someone who is living by themselves I don't think its possible to adopt both dogs. Walking two dogs who both weigh about 60-70 lbs. and me being a small guy, (I only weigh 120), I think it would be way too much for me.

If situations were perfect I would be more than glad to adopt both dogs, but I dont see that happening. I plan on crate training the dog if he isn't already trained, so I hope that would remove the boxer's separation anxiety if he has it.

In any case, it doesn't sound feasible to me to adopt both dogs at this point in my life. Maybe next time around...

Thanks to everyone for their help with the items to buy, I appreciate it! Please keep making suggestions and choosing which dog you'd adopt 😉
 
holy sh!t you weight 120 lbs?!?! how old are you, btw?

oh, and about the plastic bowls, here's the problem - it's believed that the plastic can get small scratches from teeth and claws, and food will sneak into these small cracks. it's difficult to wash at times, and occasionally bacteria will begin to grow.
 
Boxers are great dogs. I have a 4 year old Male Plain fawn boxer. He's a big suck.

IMO any dog is great, but I especially like boxers. They have such great characters. Almost human like. They show their emotions all the time.

As with any dog they are great companions as well as protectors. Fantastic with children also. I have two children one 8 and the other 2. Both boys.

My advise would be to adopt them both. If they've been kept together since birth they are most likely very attached to each other. If you aren't able to adopt them both I'd choose the one who is in best health.

I'm assuming its a shelter or rescue place you found these two boys at, so I would recommend also a full physical and well and blood work done. Almost every boxer has something wrong with it. I'd recommend pet insurance as well. Boxers hips go quickly, its hereditary (hip dysplasia). As well as heart disease and cancers.

I so far have been fortunate with my boxer, however lately his legs are acting up. I brought him for x-rays and was told he was fine. It comes and goes. I'm not exactly sure what it is...

Caring for an animal is the same as caring for yourself. you give it food, a place to be warm and cozy, and you should love it. Boxers are great dogs they like lots of exercise. I think keeping them together wont be that bad. They are very smart dogs and train easily. Seeing as how they are from a shelter you cant show them so they will basically be house pets and companions.

If you have any other questions about the breed or questions about me personal experiences. PM me!

PICS!!!
Nimo1
Nimo2
 
Originally posted by: theNEOone
holy sh!t you weight 120 lbs?!?! how old are you, btw?

oh, and about the plastic bowls, here's the problem - it's believed that the plastic can get small scratches from teeth and claws, and food will sneak into these small cracks. it's difficult to wash at times, and occasionally bacteria will begin to grow.
Click to expand...

I'm 23, but I'm short ... only 5'5" ...
 
I called the shelter today and found out that the shelter agrees with most everyone here. The two dogs must be adopted together ... Which I am not willing to do ... So its back to the drawing board for me to find a dog!

The dogs are not brothers in the sense of anything except they were both found together as strays. They're not related to one another except they're "friends" so to speak...

The shelter didn't originally plan on requiring the adoption of both dogs together, but have since changed their minds.

Oh well! At least it leaves me more time to buy the items I need 🙂
 
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