Should I breed my boxer (read inside)?

Question

He's the biggest boxer I've had in a long time, weighing 105 pounds. He's almost as tall as I am standing up! I need to know whether or not I should breed him. He's 2 years old, and is registered. If I should, I need to know the best way to find a mate for him.

To cagney: He's not like "Oh my god! A giant!" big. He's like 4'10 if he stood up on his feet.

Everyone tells me we should mate him, because he's a very good example of the breed. He's not the usual male boxer that's a bit smaller. He's very outgoing and bold.

Answer 1

Basically, you should not breed him. If he personally is not a champion of some sort, then he should not be bred. This isn't elitest, it's a guideline to ensure that good genes are being passed along and to prevent overpopulation.

According to the breed standard, a "medium" size is ideal. Since he is so large, this is a deviation. This deviation could easily be passed on to future generations and most responsible breeders would not breed him.

Being registered is not a reason to breed your dog. There are millions of "registered" dogs, but that does not mean they should be bred. http://www.chihuahua-rescue.com/postit/spayneuter.htm

Where did you get the dog? Was it from a responsible breeder who shows dogs? If it was a pet store or a backyard breeder with no involvement in the boxer world, chances are not too high that your dog is breeding quality. He may be great pet quality, most boxers are, but there is a difference.

Who are the "everyones" telling you to breed the dog? Are they preofessional show people who work with boxers? If not, then ignore their opinions. Start attending dog shows with him (you don't have to compete, just attend). Talk to other boxer people and ask their opinions. If they like him, start competing him.

Personally, everytime I go out with my dog I'm told how beautiful and wonderful she is, but she is spayed. I know that she's a little too big for her breed standard and that her ears aren't symmetrical and that she is prone to some orthopaedic problems. I smile and thank the people who love her and tell them how they can rescue one.

Anyway, once you've started talking to others about him fitting the standard, it would be time to do the appropriate testing. OFA, cancer screenings, thyriod tests, and heart tests are recommended on boxers. A brucellosis test is also necessary.

Once you are in the showing world, you'll start to meet people who will want to use your dog to stud and people who can help you be a responsible breeder. These are the people who you want to help you, not BYBs like "troxie" on Yahoo! Answers. A responsible breeder has professionals helping them, not strangers, children, and BYBs on the Internet. Be very careful about who you trust.

Join your national breed club and your local breed club and get active within your breed.

I'm linking to a bunch of resources for you. Some are boxer specific and some are general information. If you don't have the time to read them, then your dog should not be bred. Information and knowledge make a good breeder - and a good breeder never stops learning.

Boxer specific resources:

http://www.harvelboxers.com/ShouldI.html

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/7244/checklist.html

http://iupucbio2.iupui.edu/bml/guidetgarton.html - awesome Q&A

http://iupucbio2.iupui.edu/bml/checkstgarton.html

http://www.americanboxerclub.org/health-screening.html

http://www.geocities.com/boxerinformation/Breeding.html

Other resources:

http://dogplay.com/Breeding/index.html

http://www.akc.org/breeders/resp_breeding/index.cfm

http://www.grca.org/acquiring.htm#breeding (different breed, but FABULOUS information)

http://www.chihuahua-rescue.com/postit/spayneuterfacts.htm

Good luck to you. : )

Answer 2

If your dog is a purebred go to the next step, if not. Fix your dog.

If your dog IS a purebred, where did you get him. A responsible breeder, yes, then move to the next step. If not, fix your dog.

Check your dogs pedigree, if it goes back 3-5 generations move to the next step, if not, fix your dog.


If the pedigree goes back that far, check for champions of working line, show line etc. If there are none, fix your dog, if there are. Go to the next step.


Does the dog have a stable temperament. If not, fix your dog. If he does, go to the next step.


Does your dog fit breed standards, if not, fix your dog. If so, go to the next step.

If your dog fits breed standards make sure he does not have any genetic disabilities and has OFA certification. If no, fix your dog.

If yes, check into breeding your dog. Do a full check on the *****, you are working to IMPROVE the breed, do not breed out of greed.

It is not "anti-breeding", do not become a BYB (backyard breeder) if you do decide to breed your dog, do background checks on everyone of your prospective buyers.

And do not listen to just everyone about breeding, just because your dog looks good, and isn't fixed doesn't mean that his offspring will have a genetic problem that you did not know about.

Answer 3

Doesn't matter if he has not had the health clearances for the breed prioe to breeding. That is the LEAST that should be done prior to breeding.

http://www.offa.org/stats.html

I am sure "everyone" has no real idea what a goo example of the breed really looks like!!!!!! Be at least sure you are not breeding dogs with HEALTH PROBLEMS!!!!!!!!! You breed a dog with hip dysplasia, and it can come back to haunt you!!!! So be prepared to spend some $$$ getting his hips and elbows x-rayed!

Answer 4

Having papers doesn't mean quality nor does it mean your dog should be bred neither does being big.

A dog being considered for breeding needs to meet the breed standard. They also need to have and pass health testing (not just simple vet exams but OFA/PennHip, CERF/PRA, Thyroid, etc), they need to have stable temeraments, they need to have an impeccible pedigree, they need to be either shown and pointed/championed or evaluated by at least 3 unbiased breed knowledgable people/judges. Just because "people" say he is wonderful & you should breed doesn't mean you should unless these peopel are very experienced in the breed they don't have a clue.

Answer 5

read the breed standard, if he is too big for that standard then don't. you should have him shown and awards won in order to say he's a good representative of the breed. you need to have him screened for known boxer genetic problems and OFA graded excellent or good in hips and elbows. if none of this is possible you should have him neutered, it's best for his long term health and safety.


i'm sure he's not a giant, but if he's not breed standard or a good representation of the breed then you should not breed him.

Answer 6

umm no. Boxers shouldn't even come close to being 105lbs and unless you are really short...shouldn't be as tall as you standing up.

Plus you obviously don't know what you are doing....i mean....boxer...105 lbs???? He's either really fat or really a dane (some vets get the two confused.....because they are idiots)

Answer 7

Unless you are an experienced, responsible breeder: NO YOU SHOULD NOT BREED YOUR DOG.

This goes for all of you. And me.

Answer 8

i dont think you should breed him because if you dont want to keep the puppy you would want to sell him. why would you sell a dog if there are so many at animal shelters.

Answer 9

boxers sell good no matter what size. i have always had boxers and i like the bigger ones myself. i would breed him.

Answer 10

Al thses peeps on here are anti-breeding, if your sure you can get the pups good homes then do it!!