So we had two litter mates for the last 15 years and had to put one down in the last few months. Schnauzer mutts. The remaining dog is quite lonely and paces the house howling all day when we are gone. We have been thinking of getting him a buddy to maybe calm some of his anxiety. The local shelter has a 7 year old male boxer that they are calling a senior dog. Any experience with boxers? Regardless of age are they a high energy dog that needs to exercise? Our little guy is not one that requires walks or ball chasing. He's too old at 15.
So, not question about a Ferrari BB512? I don't have any experience with Boxer dogs, other than seeing them at the local dog parks. They ones that show up there seem to be well-behaved and high energy (but it could be difficult to tell since a dog behaves at a dog park like a kid behaves at a playground). As 'noble' as it is getting a 'rescued' dog who may have 'issues' (that's a lot of quotes!). IMO it's often better to just strive to get a really nice, well adjusted dog and forego any attempts at hero sentiment of doing a noble good deed. Yes, the two can overlap and a good dog can come from a dog pound, but sometimes new owners get caught up in trying to reform lost-cause dogs that take so much energy and time, that they really don't enjoy the company and companionship of that dog. They martyr themselves instead of enjoying a good dog.
We have a mixed boxer female who is about 5 and she doesn't need ball time but loves to run and chase chipmunks and squirrels. We live out in the country so she can run and patrol our yard area and the neighbors but she would be very unhappy if'n she couldn't get a couple good runs in every day.
Sometimes a younger dog will help an older one to have more energy, get more out of their later years. When our last one was in her later years we got a puppy and the constant energy of the young one got her up and moving again - in self defense if nothing else. I would try to get a dog that's a little closer in size to the one you have......that's the only advice I have.
Never had boxers of my own, but had a roommate whose boyfriend had one that basically lived with us. He was a great dog, but was pretty energetic (he was young though) and needed several walks a day to get the energy out. He use to pull us around on our rollerblades on campus. I would suggest reading up on any possible health issues that are common in the breed. Obliviously I'm biased here, but I would suggest possibly going through a breed specific rescue if you are looking at adopting a dog. Typically the dog has spent time with a foster family that has been able to assess the dog and can provide a better idea of how the dog reacts in "real world" situations and not just the limited interactions with people and other dogs at the shelter.
I had a boxer for 11 years, was a great dog and I was told 11 years was a exceptionally long time for a boxer and that your lucky if you get 10yrs. Mine died from cancer which is common for them. One of the best dogs I have ever owned though.
Love boxers! I am not an expert, anything I have to say is just on my experience with them. I have a 7 year old male that I have had since he was a puppy and just adopted a 4 year old white female. Boxers in general are hi energy dogs and pretty much stay in a puppy phase until they are 5. My male is pretty laid back now, kind of wish he had a little more energy with the new adoption here, she is constantly trying to get him to play. Everyone brings up good points about adoptions, I was lucky and spent the day with the female, saw her interact with mine and how she acted around my grandchildren. I tried rescuing a boxer a few years ago and ended up bringing him back, couldn't leave him alone in the house and he was pretty insistent on chasing my cats. They do not have very long life expectancies and they do have health issues as mentioned, but all dogs do, some more than others . They are prone to cancer, I lost my first boxer to cancer 4 years ago and she was only 7. Maybe you could try fostering the dog and see how he reacts with your dog? A younger dog can put the strut back into a older dog's walk.
I grew up with them. They are the greatest dogs, provided you don't mind a wet knee every once in a while. Because they share the love via gallons of druel. I'm actually getting ready to get a pup of my own... but will soon be taking in my Sister's blind, old curmudgeon, of a boxer. Even though he can't see anymore he still gets excited (sometimes) when you come in the door. Best advice, for boxers, is know their line's history and health. But given that you're looking to adopt, be ready for a heartbreak. Both of my parent's boxers had to have some random lump removals. Almost always benign. Tucker was put down due to lung cancer just shy of 10 years old. Mason (their 2nd one) was given 6 months at 8.5 yrs old when they diagnosed a mast cell tumor on the "ankle" joint of one of his rear legs. They wanted to amputate the entire leg but my folks refused. It never grew. Never gave him any pain... he just had a little golf ball that you barely noticed on one leg. He managed for another 1.5 years before he suffered a heart attack in front of my pop one day after work. About a month or two after he turned 10.