Expert: Jannie Balliett - 3/5/2009

Question
My family (myself, wife and 3 daughters) are looking about for a new puppy.  My preference is for a boxer with my motivation being the protection and loyalty aspects, aside from the fact that they are beautiful dogs.  My wife harbors memories of seeing unruly boxers, seemingly out of control with their owners.  She also thinks boxers are prone to "turn on their owners", having been given comments from friends to this effect.  Can you offer some insight, advice, etc. to allay her concerns?

Answer
Those beliefs are hogwash and untrue.

Any dog can be unruly if not socialized and trained.

Both of you sit down at your computer and go to Boxersworld.com and join for free.

Then go into the forums and read the posts that other Boxer owners post.

There are sections on personality and behavior, health issues, genetics and breeding, just for fun topics., etc.

There are pictures galore and the cutest Boxer puppies you've ever seen.

After spending a few evenings looking around and reading the posts, she will beg you to buy a Boxer puppy.

Boxers are family, they are not dogs. They are loving, obedient, loyal, intelligent, social, cuddlers, funny clowns: they are our "fur babies."

You can't go wrong with a Boxer. A Boxer loves children and knows a baby from a small child and an adult. You'll never find a Boxer that has hurt his family!

Chows and Pit Bull dogs turn-- NOT Boxers.