Your Mother was a Boxer; Your Father was a Boxer
March 25, 2010 10:23 AM Subscribe
Looking for a Boxer in the mid-Atlantic states.
I am ready to add another dog to our home. I'd like a Boxer. I've read a great deal about what makes a good breeder (including the Humane Society's page and associated checklist (PDF), but I am having a hard time finding breeders to begin the process of vetting them. Suggestions, please?
I am ready to add another dog to our home. I'd like a Boxer. I've read a great deal about what makes a good breeder (including the Humane Society's page and associated checklist (PDF), but I am having a hard time finding breeders to begin the process of vetting them. Suggestions, please?
Any time you are looking at a purebred dog, always start with the national breed club.
posted by biscotti at 10:39 AM on March 25, 2010
posted by biscotti at 10:39 AM on March 25, 2010
The animal rescue from which we got our dog (in Delaware) tends to have a lot of boxers and boxer mixes. If you're not dead-set on getting a pure-bred with papers, it's certainly worth considering adopting instead of buying.
posted by JMOZ at 10:39 AM on March 25, 2010
posted by JMOZ at 10:39 AM on March 25, 2010
Nthing rescue. Rescue is not just about mistreated or abandoned dogs--many dog owners who find that they cannot keep their pet for whatever reason (divorce, moving, job changes, etc.) will turn to rescue to find a good forever home for their dog. And Brittanie is right, if you are patient, you can likely get a puppy. Please consider this! My brother rescued his Boxer--purebred, with papers--and never ever regretted doing that instead of using a breeder.
posted by devinemissk at 10:53 AM on March 25, 2010
posted by devinemissk at 10:53 AM on March 25, 2010
You know you can find Boxer pups and young dogs in rescue, too.
posted by onhazier at 11:02 AM on March 25, 2010
posted by onhazier at 11:02 AM on March 25, 2010
Rescue dogs are super-ultra-awesome.* That said...
Responsible breeders are good to talk to even if you're looking for an older dog, young adult, or retired show dog - and with boxers especially, this is appealing because they have such a long puppyhood (14 years or so, if you ask me.)
People put info out on the grapevine about who's got what available - because responsible breeders take back the dogs that the buyer couldn't keep, sometimes these bounce-backs are looking for a second family...or infinite other circumstances that result in perfectly lovely, trained, socialized dogs needing to be placed, but not strictly what one would call "rescues."
Google local breed clubs for breed activities in your area - get acquainted with the boxer folks. The same people in a region go to the events so it's familiar faces over and over. Go to a dog show near you, they're fun! http://www.infodog.com/showinfo/state.htm Watch the dogs in the ring, and after they've competed ask to meet them. (It can be a little stressful to bug them before they go in.) Talk to the handlers and breeders. See who you hit it off with, who answers your questions right, and who gives you the brush-off.
We got our guy at a year old from a breeder, for whom his original show home fell through because one stubborn testicle just. wouldn't. drop.
posted by Lou Stuells at 11:16 AM on March 25, 2010
Responsible breeders are good to talk to even if you're looking for an older dog, young adult, or retired show dog - and with boxers especially, this is appealing because they have such a long puppyhood (14 years or so, if you ask me.)
People put info out on the grapevine about who's got what available - because responsible breeders take back the dogs that the buyer couldn't keep, sometimes these bounce-backs are looking for a second family...or infinite other circumstances that result in perfectly lovely, trained, socialized dogs needing to be placed, but not strictly what one would call "rescues."
Google local breed clubs for breed activities in your area - get acquainted with the boxer folks. The same people in a region go to the events so it's familiar faces over and over. Go to a dog show near you, they're fun! http://www.infodog.com/showinfo/state.htm Watch the dogs in the ring, and after they've competed ask to meet them. (It can be a little stressful to bug them before they go in.) Talk to the handlers and breeders. See who you hit it off with, who answers your questions right, and who gives you the brush-off.
We got our guy at a year old from a breeder, for whom his original show home fell through because one stubborn testicle just. wouldn't. drop.
posted by Lou Stuells at 11:16 AM on March 25, 2010
One of the drawbacks to boxers is that they have a huge genetic predisposition towards developing cancer - They are more likely to develop cancer than any other breed. So, maybe a boxer mix might be worth considering too. Good luck!
posted by Ostara at 11:34 AM on March 25, 2010
posted by Ostara at 11:34 AM on March 25, 2010
Best answer: National breed club to refer you to the regional breed club near you, who will usually have a list of reputable breeders and often a breed specific rescue with pups and adults that are placed in foster homes. Another really option is to attend local dog shows (including obedience, rally, agility, not just conformation) and get to know the local breeder community. If you talk to the people in your regional breed club they often know of adolescent dogs who are leaving the show circuit that need homes and which breeders have upcoming litters and generally are willing to talk your ear off about the breed and give you all kinds of information. The calls I made to breeders were usually highly informative hour long conversations, even when they had no upcoming litters. No matter which way you ultimately go, talking to your local breed club is helpful. They're made of passionate people who love their breed.
posted by hindmost at 5:59 PM on March 25, 2010
posted by hindmost at 5:59 PM on March 25, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Brittanie at 10:38 AM on March 25, 2010 [1 favorite]