Is a Boxer the Right Breed for You?

When you're ready to buy a dog, you need to figure out if a Boxer is the breed for you. You owe it to yourself and to your future dog to be sure that the Boxer breed fits well into your lifestyle.

To help you determine if you and a Boxer would make a good match, here's a list of eight questions to ask yourself. Write down your answers — don't just answer them in your mind. It's easier to overlook the reality of your responses when they're not in front of you in black and white.

Answer these questions with complete honesty — anything less, and you'll end up being frustrated when you bring home the wrong dog:

1. Does the person who will actually care for your Boxer really want a dog?

2. Is everyone you live with as anxious as you are to have a Boxer in the home?

3. Does your lifestyle allow the time for the Boxer's care, training, and exercise?

4. Is your living environment suitable for a dog of this size (at least 50 to 60 pounds when he's full-grown)?

5. Do you have the endless patience required for your Boxer's training regimen?

6. Are you physically strong enough to handle a full-grown Boxer?

7. Is your own character and personality strong enough to establish the proper relationship between you and a Boxer?

8. Can you afford the cost of Boxer ownership (this means everything, including purchase, upkeep, veterinary care, and food)?

If you answered no or even with hesitancy to any of these questions, a Boxer is not for you. Boxers are wonderful dogs, but they require time, patience, some degree of physical strength, a strong personality (someone who isn't afraid to intelligently discipline), and financial resources. If you think you may be missing one of these important traits, look for another breed.

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