Expert: Jannie Balliett - 5/17/2009

Question
We are thinking about getting a new boxer puppy.  We currently have a 6yr. old male boxer in the house.  Wondering if we should get a male or female?  Which would be better for our male boxer.  He is neutered.

Answer
It is a 50%-50% split.

I have had great success in placing a female puppy in a house with an older female. The puppy takes the older one as a surrogate mother-- and usually, the older female adopts the pup as her own.

I have placed male pups with older females and older males.

A male puppy will look to the older male as a surrogate father.

Either way, the older Boxer will probably take the pup under his or her wing and raise it as their own.

Later, when the pup gets older, the alpha challenge will begin. The older pup will challenge the older Boxer for an alpha position, if that pup is so inclined. Some pups will grow to be okay, and more docile, not challenging.

As I said, either way is fine.

As long as your male is neutered, and you choose a female pup, all is okay as far as attempted breeding- although the male will always instinctively recognize a female in heat, so get her spayed too, if choosing a girl puppy.

Congratulations on either choice-- you will be happy!

P.S. Let me know which you finally decided on :)