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Q & A
Here
are answers* to some questions you may have about the Boxer:
Q?
Do you have the miniature boxer or the regular size boxer?
A: There are no miniature
boxers. The boxer is a medium sized dog ranging height from 20 inches at the
withers for a female to 25 or 26 inches for a male. Boston terriers are sometimes
mistaken for a miniature boxer.
Q?
What colors are boxers?
A: Boxer coats are
usually fawn or brindle and they can be white.
Q?
How much to do they cost?
A: The cost depends
on the area of the country that you live in. A pet boxer at 8 weeks of age without
ears cropped will probably cost between $300 and $500.
Q?
What about rare white boxers?
A: White boxers
are not rare. Reputable breeders place white boxers with a spay or neuter contract
as they should not be bred. Some white boxers are deaf.
Q?
Are boxers good with children?
A: Boxers love children.
They make great family pets because they love people, particularly children.
Q?
Can a boxer live outside?
A: The boxer does
not have the coat to withstand extreme cold and, because of their short muzzle,
also cannot tolerate the humidity very well. Because boxers are such people
dogs, they make very good house pets but do not do well as an outside dog.
Q?
Are boxers easy to train?
A: Boxers are very
intelligent dogs, however, they do get bored easily. Training sessions should
be kept to a short period of time and be as non-repetitive as possible.
Q?
Should I crop the ears?
A: This decision
is entirely up to you. It is not necessary to crop the ears unless you plan
to show the dog. If you do decide to crop the ears, use a vet recommended by
the breeder. Be prepared to spend quite a bit of time taping the ears and "training"
them to stand. The vet who cropped the ears or the breeder should offer to help
you with the taping.
Q?
How much money can I make if I have my female boxer bred?
A: None. If you want
to make money, do not get into the business of breeding dogs. There is a tremendous
responsibility in bringing a litter into the world as well as quite a bit of
expense. If you decide to have a litter, both the stud you select and your bitch
should have been checked for hip dysphasia, heart problems and have a brucellosis
test done. When the litter is due, you must be prepared to take time off of
work to whelp puppies; recognize a problem and get her to the vet; and be prepared
to hand raise puppies in the event you lose the bitch or she has no milk. Puppies
should not leave for new homes until they are at least 8 weeks old. By this
time, they will have been to the vet at least twice. Once for tail docking and
dew claw removal and once for their first shots. Your responsibility as a breeder
does not end with sending the puppy home with it's new owner. You should be
prepared to take any dog back (FOR IT'S LIFETIME) that you have sold
should the new owner not be able to keep it for any reason.
Q?
How do I distinguish a reputable breeder from a "puppy
mill" or "backyard breeder"?
A: Spend the time to research the breed. The internet, the library and
local breed clubs are good sources of information. Avoid, if possible, buying
from an ad in the newspaper. Most reputable breeders don't need to advertise
- their puppies are sold by word of mouth. The local breed clubs and all-breed
clubs should have a list of reputable breeders for you to contact.
Most reputable breeders
test for these major boxer health problems:
1. Subaortic Stenosis (SAS) - Echocardiogram - OFA will register the
results.
2. Boxer Cardiomyopathy - Holter monitor before breeding. This test does
not tell you that your dog will never have BCM but it does tell you that they
are clear or not at the time of the test.
3. Hip dysphasia - X-ray after the age of 18 months and get an OFA rating.
Thyroid is another health problem in boxers and can be tested for as
directed by the veterinarian. It normally is not life threatening and can be
treated with medication. Bitches with thyroid problems sometimes have trouble
conceiving and whelping puppies. Cancer and spondylosis also seem to
be common in Boxers but there are no tests at this time to diagnose these in
advance.
A reputable breeder should be able to produce the above test results and any
information on the health of both the dam and the sire as well as be able to
tell you the health history of the line.
When purchasing a puppy, a reputable breeder will normally have a contract to
sign stating the terms of the sale - cost, neuter/spay if this has not already
been done, and a clause that states that the buyer agrees to contact the breeder
if for any reason they cannot keep the dog at any time in it's life as well
as any other specifics of the purchase.
A reputable breeder will supply, at the time of purchase, a health record of
the puppy which includes all shot information, a 5 generation pedigree, a blue
slip/registration paper or copy of one if the paperwork has not been returned
from AKC yet, information on what to feed the puppy and information on training
classes for you and your puppy.
Many breeders send a puppy kit with the puppy's favorite toy, puppy food, and
maybe a collar and leash. A reputable breeder will be available for any questions
you have or help you need in raising your puppy.
(*These questions
and answers are our opinions and findings- although we believe the answers to be
as factual as possible, obviously there are exceptions to the rule. Please do
your own research
to learn more about the boxer breed.)
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