So, you’ve looked at the benefits and drawbacks and decided to go with a Boxer Puppy ? Now you’re probably asking yourself “Where’s the best place to get one ?” Well in my opinion the only place to get a boxer pup would be from a reputable Boxer Breeder. Why only through a reputable breeder? All dogs have a history of carrying certain genetic defects or disease common to their breed and Boxers are no exception to the rule. Some of the more common problems inherent in the boxer breed are Cardiomyopathy, Aortic Stenosis, Bloat, Cancer, Canine Hip Dysplasia and Histiocytic ulcerative Colitis (inflammation of the colon). Any reputable breeder who truly has a passion for the breed will look at the history of the Boxers that he’s breeding. He will choose to breed only dogs from good bloodlines that have a healthy pedigree, free from these common problems, therefore greatly increasing the chances of producing a healthy dog.

Stay away from pet stores!Some people are tempted to buy a puppy from a pet store. I caution you to stay away from these places as they purchase their dogs from puppy mills. These breeders have absolutely no interest in the boxer breed. They could care less about there bloodline or their health for that matter and are only in the business to make a lot of money. That little boxer puppy in the pet store window may pull at your heart strings, but the chances of these dogs being diagnosed in the future with one of the above mentioned defects or diseases is greatly increased when they are breed by one of these low life breeders. You’ll pay considerably less up front for one of these puppies and you may get lucky and get a problem free boxer, but if your dog develops a problem it could cost you thousands of dollars down the road in veterinary bills. In other words, “You get what you pay for.”

Which puppy should I pick?When you meet with the breeder there are a few things you should look for in helping you choose a puppy. The majority of boxers sold in the U.S. are purchased with the intention of being family dogs. There are certain characteristics in a puppy that you need to look for to increase your chances of bringing home a boxer pup that will exhibit good behavior, have a great temperament, and be a great companion for you and your family. When you meet with the puppies for the first time look for one that is happy to see you and is not afraid to come to you. Avoid any pups that shy away from you or keep their distance. You’re next step will be to observe the outgoing puppies and how they behave around their siblings. A puppy that is overly aggressive to its siblings will probably be a bit more difficult to train so you would want to rule these pups out also. So at this point what you’re basically looking for is a puppy that’s not too shy and not overly aggressive. This should narrow things down considerably. Now with the remaining group you want to hold them one by one in your hands. Look for the puppies that like being held by you and appear to be very calm in your hands. These puppies would most likely be your best choice. If after following these steps you’re still having a problem choosing, you could ask the breeder for their opinion. After all, the breeder has already spent 10 to 12 weeks with the puppies and could be very helpful in helping you make your final decision. When you think you have your winner just take a few minutes to examine the puppy. You want a pup that has a nice shiny coat as well as clear eyes (no discharge or cloudiness) and is free from fleas or ticks.

Boxer color choicesBoxer dogs basically come in 3 different types of coats; Fawn, which is tan to dark brown with white markings on the legs, face, chest and underside and they may have black markings on the face that looks similar to a mask. Brindle, which is similar to fawn with the addition of a black coat over the base tan or brown that, gives the boxer the appearance of being striped. White, or may be white with some small patches of fawn or brindle (called checked).

Docked Tails & Cropped EarsMost breeders in the U.S. have their puppies tails docked when they are born and therefore it would be very hard to find a boxer with a tail. The reason the tail is docked is to prevent injury of the tail when they mature. Most veterinarians will tell you that docking is painless when performed within a few days of the puppy’s birth. Another common procedure performed on boxers is cropping of the ears. I personally prefer the un-cropped look and most breeders will give you the option of having this done. The only advantage I can see from having this done is if you’re entering your boxer in show competitions or if you just want your boxer to look more intimidating.

Male or Female ?No offense to my female readers, but most of the experts believe that the male boxer makes for the more affectionate in the breed. This makes a lot of sense when you think of all the hormonal changes a female dog can go through. Another thing to keep in mind is if you are introducing your boxer into a home with another dog. Your dogs are more likely to get along if they are of the opposite sex. If you are planning on having your dog neutered than it really doesn’t matter which one you choose. Just go with what you prefer. My boxer, Tori was a neutered female and lived in our home with another female and she was just as sweet as could be.

Originally posted on www.bestboxerdog.com