I can't believe I'm actually doing this...

My sister and her husband decided to compromise on a Boxer. Naturally, I'm elated ( :crazy. Of course, they don't have a ton of money to spend. None of the reasonably priced (reasonable for a pet, not a working dog) breeders are anything but hillbillies as far as I can see, and none of the dogs are tested for anything pertinent to Boxers...which is just about everything.

If there's anyone out there who knows of a HEALTHY male Boxer pup that possibly is lacking in the drive for sport or for other reasons is available inexpensively to a GREAT home, please PM me. The money saved on the initial purchase will go toward quality care and feeding; the dog will be in excellent hands; she just doesn't have thousands to plunk down right before Christmas. Thanks so much.

Yes, I've tried convincing her to try another breed on her limited budget. I also tried giving her just about every dog I own to prevent her from ending up w/some cheap BYB dog who is going to die from a coronary by age 3. It didn't work.

What about a boxer rescue? Doesn't eliminate the potential health issues, but she'd save some money and be doing a good deed at the same time...

I would also scan Craigslist; lots of people give up great (young) dogs practically for free because they're moving or just tired of it. I was posting one of my fosters and saw an ad for two of them, 3 and 5 year old males, both gorgeous reverse brindles. They had papers but since I wasn't looking I didn't enquire as to bloodlines.

What about... Lots to see on petfinder

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=12140831

or

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=12477447

also

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=12336684

Thanks for the links, Tracy.

I don't know that a rescue will let her have one though; she doesn't have a fence, God forbid! Most rescues around here have never heard of a thing called a leash, and won't allow any large breeds into homes w/unfenced yards. I of course looked at nearby rescues but they all had fence requirements that I saw. I admit, I didn't look that hard.

She would prefer a puppy. She is petrified that a dog is going to kill her cats, and for some reason thinks that raising a puppy around them is going to be better than just getting an adult good w/cats. I told her that once hormones kick in, all bets are off, but this is something in her mind that she's more comfortable with. I pointed out that all my puppies are raised in the house, with the cats, then when they get to cat-eating age, they get separated. Just b/c a pup is good w/cats doesn't mean that same pup will be good w/them when he's all grown up, but she won't listen and wants a puppy. Whatever. She also hates brindle, or her husband does. I don't remember which, and I really don't care. I did my part to help, lol. ;-)

So.... they want a puppy, but not for too much money, and they want a purebred, large breed, but don't have a fence?

Sigh... a cheap puppy... that will hopefully be a lifetime (12-15 year commitment). Why people don't do more research and care in choosing their family companion I simply do not know. Raising a dog properly is a lot of work and frankly the people who do not work at choosing a dog I worry about them putting in the work on raising and keeping a dog. Not saying everyoe is like this, though - many impulse, pet shop dogs are spoiled lifetime pets.

I have adopted out dogs to people who live in apartments but it takes a special kind of discipline to give a Boxer (or any dog) the exercise it needs all on leash. Of course it can be done, I just hope this family will do it, otherwise these are the dogs you see on Petfinder and Craigslist every day ("no time for dog", "too much energy", etc)

They should still apply to a rescue. Rescues DO get puppies and some of them DO allow dogs to go to homes without a fence. Worst they can say is no. And Petfinder dogs are often still in shelters, not even in rescues, and shelters have much less stringent requirements.

Myself I would prefer to get an adult dog known good with cats than raise a puppy with my poor hapless cat and hope for the best. That's just me though What would happen to the dog if it grows up to be a cat-chaser? I hope they consider that before they get their dog.

 Quote: Tracy R Touzjian

also

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=12336684

ohh, i like him!!!
he's a very nice looking dog.

I got Tucker from a rescue, and they didn't even enquire about a fence (might've just been an oversight on their part.) (I do understand why they want one, but sometimes that won't be a make or break part of the rescue process.
sometimes speaking to someone directly about what is required is better. You never know, they may let overlook the fence part is everything else is good.

 Quote: angela burrell

Sigh... a cheap puppy... that will hopefully be a lifetime (12-15 year commitment). Why people don't do more research and care in choosing their family companion I simply do not know. Raising a dog properly is a lot of work and frankly the people who do not work at choosing a dog I worry about them putting in the work on raising and keeping a dog.

Angela, we're talking about my SISTER here...(who just happened to work at a shelter for three years !). Like I'd help find someone a dog who just wanted a "cheap puppy!" Maybe you skipped my first post accidentally? Trust me, she has a pretty good idea of what raising a dog is all about...she has had one dog of her own, but who do you think helps me out when I leave town? I have 6 dogs, 2 cats, 2 horses, 2 birds, and scattered fish. She's well-aware of the workload.

I am against Boxers altogether, which is where my pessimism is coming from. I think they're a genetic nightmare, except for the very top tier, which is why I asked the board for help finding a HEALTHY puppy.

I personally think it's a fairly intelligent decision to look for a pup out of good working bloodlines (for health and temperament reasons) that just didn't have enough drive for the work if you're just looking for a family pet. We all know that not every pup in a "working" litter will end up being able to do the work. If it all works out, you have a healthy animal with no loose screws (hopefully-all puppies are a crapshoot) who will make a fine pet, but a lousy PPD or Schh dog.

 Quote: angela burrell

I have adopted out dogs to people who live in apartments but it takes a special kind of discipline to give a Boxer (or any dog) the exercise it needs all on leash. Of course it can be done, I just hope this family will do it, otherwise these are the dogs you see on Petfinder and Craigslist every day ("no time for dog", "too much energy", etc)

They have a HOUSE. They OWN it. They're moving, to another HOUSE...in another state so they are not going to fence their yard for the last 2 mos they live in that house. Nor would I.

 Quote: angela burrell

What would happen to the dog if it grows up to be a cat-chaser? I hope they consider that before they get their dog.

Hmmm, I would bet they would...keep the dog away from the cats! Sorry to be sarcastic, but I was pretty specific about the things that were a concern, and why I said an adult would be better. Although, sometimes rescues seem fine at first, but then they get comfortable and end up being as bad a cat-chaser as you've ever seen, IME. If they planned to just get rid of the dog if any problems arose, she could've bought any of the countless $400-500 puppies in the paper. The cats are only a concern because a dog is going to be a permanent fixture in the house.

But they don't want an adult. They want a puppy. They want what they want and there's no changing their minds. A lot of people think I'm evil for spending thousands on the dogs I WANT instead of adopting a rescue. To each their own; it doesn't mean someone will be a bad owner in the long run. Please give me some credit; would I ask the board for help finding a puppy for some random idiot? She's my sister, and she's a special kind of idiot.

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.... would I ask the board for help finding a puppy for some random idiot? She's my sister, and she's a special kind of idiot.

OK. Sprayed coffee on my computer .....