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

[notfred]

Originally posted by: LiQiCE

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.

I'm 23, but I'm short ... only 5'5" ...

Get a teacup poodle, a boxer will eat you.

 

[imported_Papi]

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: LiQiCE

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.

I'm 23, but I'm short ... only 5'5" ...

Get a teacup poodle, a boxer will eat you.

Im 5'3. Nim is 80lbs but all love inside 😉

 

[Ronstang]

Boxers are very easy to handle and respond quite well to discipline. They are usually eager to please. You can easily walk both dogs since they are used to being together. I say throw caution to the wind and get both Boxers and embark on a pet adventure you will never forget or regret. Like I said, I have expereince with having 2 boxers at a time and they are actually easier to take care of in pairs.

Just think......no one is going to mess with a 120lb guy with two big dogs, and the side benefit is they will attract chicks in the park......trust me on this one.

 

[LiQiCE]

I've lived with a boxer for a year already, and the boxer was 88 lbs. He never ate me, or even hurt me in the slightest bit (unless it was on accident from play fighting). I have no worries about the dog's size in comparison to myself in terms of everyday activities..

Certain things with having 2 dogs is going to be more difficult no matter what. One major thing is cost, for example if I have to put the dogs up in a kennel because I'm going on vacation, the cost is twice as much per day. Another major thing is traveling with the dogs, they need twice the amount of room.

I really appreciate your advice on getting the two dogs, but I don't think its really for me to have the two of them. I'd much rather start out with only 1 dog to worry about and if I really feel the need for a second, adopt at a later date.

 

[Ronstang]

Originally posted by: LiQiCE
I've lived with a boxer for a year already, and the boxer was 88 lbs. He never ate me, or even hurt me in the slightest bit (unless it was on accident from play fighting). I have no worries about the dog's size in comparison to myself in terms of everyday activities..

Certain things with having 2 dogs is going to be more difficult no matter what. One major thing is cost, for example if I have to put the dogs up in a kennel because I'm going on vacation, the cost is twice as much per day. Another major thing is traveling with the dogs, they need twice the amount of room.

I really appreciate your advice on getting the two dogs, but I don't think its really for me to have the two of them. I'd much rather start out with only 1 dog to worry about and if I really feel the need for a second, adopt at a later date.

I'm just messing with you. I understand your position. I still suggest you find a Boxer to adopt but try to find one that isn't part of a pair that way you can have one dog without making another an orphan.

 

[LiQiCE]

Originally posted by: Ronstang
I'm just messing with you. I understand your position. I still suggest you find a Boxer to adopt but try to find one that isn't part of a pair that way you can have one dog without making another an orphan.

Yeah I have my heart set on a boxer, so I'm not planning on giving that part up. I was just hoping that these two guys weren't going to be "all or nothing". I've been keeping my eyes peeled for any boxers which have come up available for adoption in the area, and I'll continue to! 🙂 ... If I end up being desperate I could always buy a boxer pup too.

 

[Ronstang]

Originally posted by: LiQiCE

Originally posted by: Ronstang
I'm just messing with you. I understand your position. I still suggest you find a Boxer to adopt but try to find one that isn't part of a pair that way you can have one dog without making another an orphan.

Yeah I have my heart set on a boxer, so I'm not planning on giving that part up. I was just hoping that these two guys weren't going to be "all or nothing". I've been keeping my eyes peeled for any boxers which have come up available for adoption in the area, and I'll continue to! 🙂 ... If I end up being desperate I could always buy a boxer pup too.

Definitely adopt, it is good to give a dog a good home who really deserves one. Puppies are great too but the work involved is 10 fold to get past the bad puppy habits plus a good Boxer pup will set you back $750-1000.

Did you get my PM BTW?

 

[imported_Papi]

Originally posted by: LiQiCE
I've lived with a boxer for a year already, and the boxer was 88 lbs. He never ate me, or even hurt me in the slightest bit (unless it was on accident from play fighting). I have no worries about the dog's size in comparison to myself in terms of everyday activities..

Certain things with having 2 dogs is going to be more difficult no matter what. One major thing is cost, for example if I have to put the dogs up in a kennel because I'm going on vacation, the cost is twice as much per day. Another major thing is traveling with the dogs, they need twice the amount of room.

I really appreciate your advice on getting the two dogs, but I don't think its really for me to have the two of them. I'd much rather start out with only 1 dog to worry about and if I really feel the need for a second, adopt at a later date.

It's a smart decision. If you don't feel you would care for them, then not to get them at all. Very responsible!

 

[bunker]

Have you looked here?

http://www.americanboxerrescue.org/

 

[Zrom999]

Get the one that won't bite you in the ass.

 

[stevens]

One thing that you really need to look out for in large breed dogs is hip displasia (sp?). I have grown up with labs, and 2 of them developed hip problems. It is very painful for the dogs and it is very expensive to fix. If the dog has any limps or sensitivity in his hips you may want to have his hips checked. Best of luck to you.

 

[DrPizza]

Actually, walking big dogs isn't really that hard.... I saw your concern for that and I was already planning on adding to what you'll want to get. Definitely, if you are getting a bigger dog, get an anti-pulling harness. (not a choke chain, or one of those collars that digs into their necks to make them not want to pull)... I still can't figure out how the anti-pull harnesses work... the just go on similar to a regular harness, and under the front legs. The dogs don't pull. Even on rollerblades, I can stop 3 dogs (over 200 pounds worth) without too much effort. If you're having any trouble with the dog destroying things, chewing on the corners of furniture, tearing up garbage, etc., get a shock collar. They're a little on the expensive side, but work extremely well. My vet recommended one to us and assured us that it's humane; it's unpleasant, but far more startling than painful (and what pain there is, doesn't linger). Make sure, though, that the dog doesn't recognize what the controller is for the collar and doesn't link you pressing the button to the shock... otherwise it'll understand that it can't do the bad things when you're around, but if you're gone, it can do as it pleases.

And... finally, before you completely discount the idea of 2 boxers, get input from boxer owners as to how much extra care they need... Some dogs need to be brushed daily, and their extra care can really take up more time than you may be willing to spend on just "care" things. If the care of boxers is relatively simple (provide food, water, outside to #1 or #2, and walks), then taking care of 2 is no more difficult than taking care of 1. And, you'll be rewarded with twice as much affection from your pets.

btw, 3 dogs is really hard... I only have 2 hands to pet them with when they greet me at the door every day.

 

[LiQiCE]

Originally posted by: Ronstang
Definitely adopt, it is good to give a dog a good home who really deserves one. Puppies are great too but the work involved is 10 fold to get past the bad puppy habits plus a good Boxer pup will set you back $750-1000.

Did you get my PM BTW?

I'd like to adopt, but this is the fourth or fifth time that I've been turned away for adopting a dog. I thought that it would be much easier to adopt a boxer than its been! At this point it almost seems easier to buy a pup! I haven't given up hope yet, but I originally thought there'd be more boxers out there in need of adoption then I could handle. Right now, its more like there are too few and there's competition for them (to which I lose out a lot of the time because I have no previous dog owner experience). I did get your PM, haven't gotten a chance to respond cuz I'm at work .. just been jumping on here every once in awhile during the afternoon to reply 🙂

I did try americanboxerrescue and I emailed the lady in Reston, VA who happens to be a member of the rescue. I got no response from her, and I had to ask another member of the organization for an application which has gone unanswered as well.

yoyo,

I don't think its an issue of not wanting to care for 2 dogs, I think its just an issue of being overwhelmed with two dogs and of course money. I'm not 100% familiar with the costs of owning a dog, but the initial costs are pretty high even when adopting... and if I'd need to buy two of everything, then it'd be twice as expensive to start out!

 

[Mill]

Weimaraner.

 

[LiQiCE]

Originally posted by: Millennium
Weimaraner.

Thanks for the advice, but I'm sold on boxers! I just have to find one now 🙂