Should I get a boxer?

Question

I am a law student who lives in a two bedroom apartment by myself. I really want a dog to keep me company, and am really interested in Boxers. I have done alot of research on the breed and understand that they can adapt well to apartment life. My free time during the week will be limited (classes/studying) but I will be able to walk/play with the dog daily. Would a boxer do alright with my lifestyle, and how long before it will be house trained and able to stay home alone??

--Sorry to sound like an idiot but I want to make sure I'm making the right the decision.
Thanks Alot

Answer 1

From what you've said, no. If you are gone from your house alot of the time, who will take care of the dog? What happens in 3 years when you graduate and are a young up & coming lawyer working 10-12 hours days? Who will take care of the dog?

No dog should be left unattended for more than 3-4 hours regularly. If this will become a problem at ANY point in the next 10-15 years, you should not get a dog.

While doggie day care is an answer, they usually have a closing time. If late nights will become normal after graduation, then this is a forseeable problem.

I am thrilled that you are seriously questioning yourself before diving in, and I LOOOVE boxers, but I just don't know if it's right for you at this point.

A simple walk with the dog once a day will not be enough. It's bad to convince yourself that your a good home based on the 3 hours a night you will have for him - you need to more seriously consider what happens the other 21 hours a day.

Good luck to you and I hope that Law School goes fabulously!

Lukemong - keep your personal barbs and undereducated musings to yourself. Actually, I work with rescue groups and know that 'not enough time' is the main reason that boxers are relinquished. Perhaps you should take some time to learn before you pop off! And I never said a person can't work a full day - I said that dogs SHOULD NOT be left for more than 3-4 hours regularly. Big difference. I know plenty of working dog owners who take 1-2 hour lunches and come home to let their dogs out and play with them. But, a moron can only respond to the argument that he makes up. And a moron is one who believes that only his longing for a dog is what matters - not the welfare of his animals.

Answer 2

First you are doing the right thing by answering, second how much research have you done on boxers? Apartments aren't necessarily the best place for a big dog. Boxers adapt well with consistency.

I have a boxer and he is a sweetheart, but he wasn't always this good. Puppies are a lot of work, it's like having a child, they need to be let out every two hours, 30 minutes after play or eating. Crate training is the best method of training, since dogs do not like eating sleeping and pooping in the same area. But they will if you don't give them the time they need. My boxer was a tazmanian devil, and I never left him alone for more than an hour, he would escape from his crate, eat everything insight, shoes, furniture, food in bags, EVERY thing. He's now an angel but it took a lot of work and training to get him to this point. The couple who gave him to us bought him from a pet shop where he initially came from a puppy mill. NEVER buy a puppy from a petshop, find a reputable breeder who cares about the breed, who cares about where the dogs end up, who tests their dogs for hips, heart and other health problems. This is one o the reasons why our boxer came with so many problems.

In your case as long as you are ready to dedicate your life to this dog, then this is what I recommend. Adopt an adult boxer, there are many who need good homes. Only if you are serious about getting a dog. You do not have the time required to potty train, and train a puppy. It's not fair to the puppy not to have someone available to let it out at least every two hours. And why get a dog you can only spend an hour or two a day with???

Besides a dog like a boxer has a lot of energy and if they don't burn that energy they get bored, wich leads to destructive behaviors....

to answer your question, No I don't think a boxer is alright with your lifstyle at this point in your life. A cat yes, a small dog you can litter box train maybe....

Answer 3

You need to do a lot more research. Boxers are a very high energy breed that will definitely not adapt well to apartment life. It's also not an ideal breed for an inexperienced dog owner. The average boxer needs an owner who knows how to train and understands enough dog psychology to manage a breed that needs a strong leader. You don't sound like an idiot, but you should look into this breed in a lot more depth, then perhaps look at a few other breeds. Take your time, you'll find a breed well suited to your lifestyle which will be the right fit for you. You can always add a boxer when your circumstances change.

Answer 4

Boxers Are Great Dogs...As Long as you have time enough to givee it some Daily Play time Like you said All Should Turn out Well...Housebreaking Times Vary..I use the Crate Method Which Some Think are Cruel But Its Not..You put the Pup in a Dog Crate Take it out to go Potty ..Eat and Play then Back in the Crate..Dogs dont like to Poop Where they Live.The Older The Puppy Gets The Longer She/He can Hold it .Once the Dog Catches on It Wont go in the house and you can leave the crate open..It will become the Dogs Safe Place And when you Travel You will have an Easy Crate Trained Dog! Boxers Are Smart ..It Should Learn Quick...But You have to be Patient!!! Good Luck

Answer 5

I am a huge fan of boxers they are great companions. It sounds like you have done your reasearch and know that they need the exercise and play time.

Great website: http://www.boxerworld.com/

We have a Boxer mix and she is fantastic, I could not ask for a sweeter dog, we do walk her almost everyday. She is very intutive and a faster learner she is in obdience school and loves it. We adopted her from animal control when she was about 12 weeks old. She is a big coach hog though :) but she knows the beds are off limits.

one of my good friends raised her Boxer from a pup in a 1 bedrrom apt and she is great dog and very well behaved. It all depends on the effort you put into it.

If you are worried about training a puppy, you might look into a boxer rescue there are several in the country and they have many purebreed boxers. Not sure where you live but here is an example of one near us. http://www.lonestarboxerrescue.com/rescue.shtml

Good Luck and I would say go for it you seem to have a good understanding of what a Boxer will need.

Answer 6

Boxers are known to have separation anxiety--more frequently than other breeds. If you get one, I would suggest you get an older dog. They are much less time consuming. Housebreaking is a full time job at first.
Envision yourself with an exam the next day. You have only a few hours to cram for it. The puppy has already chewed up your shoes, socks,lamp cords, and it now has diarreha. You are now spot cleaning the carpet. And taking the dog out. You put the dog in another room while you try to get at least 1 hour of studying done. The dog is now scratching the heck out of the door and whining as loud as it can.
You now have a migraine coming on. You go check on the puppy and somehow while it was whining non-stop it also had diarreaha all over the other room and chewed up the new comforter on your bed and destroyed your alarm clock.
Trust me, get an older dog until your lifestyle affords you the time to train (and deal with) a puppy.

Answer 7

Boxers are great dogs but are time consuming. It may be best if you try to find an adult that needs a good home. We have 2 boxers, our male who is 6 we adopted as an adult (3 years old), our female was only 2 months when we bought her. Our male was already done being a puppy and potty trained. When they are puppies they have never ending energy and need lots of attention. As they age they calm down and are great companions and protectors. Good Luck with your decision.

Answer 8

Hi, Couldnt pass this ? up!! Boxers are fantastic!!!! But they do get bored, and want attention!! They are soooo loyal and affectionate, very smart and faithful!! I did the same investigated them because I have two daughters and they were little..He loves and protects them..However, depending on how long you are gone during the day will determine how long training will be.. You could consider crate training him / her but , if you ever want to leave him run free during the day in the apartment, (which you should) then I dont recommend crate training, they have "puppy Pads" at pet co or pets smart, ect, that work great!! And if you leave a radio or even tele. on, and have lots of toys , he or she will be okay. You will NOT be disappointed!! Good Luck!!! I hope that helps!!

Answer 9

I live in a 4 bedroom apt 4 ppl, and my buddy lives with 2 ppl in a 3 bedroom apt.....they have a full bred boxer and it's the most well trained dog i've seen in my life, and i've lived with plenty. the dog's comfortable at both of our apartments. it wants to play but so does every dog, it loved attention but show it you're the boss in the first month of having it. make sure you buy it when it's very young so it realizes who you are.

Answer 10

I would have to say no. A boxer is like having a highly energetic and slightly stupid toddler in the house for the next 10 years. They are lovely dogs, but they are soooo boisterous and they never seem to grow up. I would suggest that your apartment will get trashed if you get a boxer.