Alex, I think Boxers are one of the most sharpest looking dogs that I have ever seen. They have such great personalities.
My vet has always said that the risk of something happening to the dogs increases if you spay too early. I didn't realize that by altering a dog too young that it would affect their muscle mass and bone developement but it does make sense.

 Quote: Alex Corral

I also say don't neuter your pup at 6 mos. Let him grow up and develop. One of my biggest regrets was spaying my girl at 6 mos. It was pre-Leerburg, and the vet kept advising it. Man, that was a stupid mistake, but never again.

Ditto here; I spayed at a very young age (pre-Leerburg also), and I can see the results. My spayed bitch is actually taller that her sire! (her mother was smaller than her sire); I feel that it was due to lack of female hormones, which help to regulate growth. She is taller and lankier than either of her parents...

Both of my Boxers were altered at young ages.

They both ended up quite fat and far too tall for Boxers.

I loved 'em, but they were not the right shape or size for good Boxers at all.

Alyssa, I read up on Schutzhund yesterday and from what I understand (PLEASE) correct me if I am wrong here, but if I read this right for a dog to suceed in Schutzhund it has to be genetically put there. My Rotts have no Scutzhund in their breeding.Angus and Ugo come from German Imported show stock.I know Ed has mentioned that in his article and I also found an article written by a Schutshund handler that said essentially the samething.
There was something mentioned about using a stick in the article I read but its not used until the Sch.III stage/class,IF I read that right. So I guess Ugo,Angus and I will have to settle for our CGC titles and possibly IF I get good enough at training an AKC obediance title.

Now that I think about it that does make sense to wait due to growth hormones and all that. Some hormones are secreted from their kidneys just like ours are but not enough.It would be like altering a human child at an early age I guess even though I've never heard of a child having reproductive surgery. I wonder just how much altering a pup at an early age would affect their skeletal developement,or if it could possibly be a reason for so many dogs developing hip dysplasia? Something to think about for sure !!

Yes, the dog ultimately must possess the correct drives and temperment to succeed in the sport.
However, a dog can have those drives and temperment even if the dog wasn't specifically bred for it.

All dogs can obtain a BH (similar to a Canine Good Citizen, but harder), since it is only an obedience and temperment test. As long is the dog isn't aggressive, gun shy or afraid of cars or bicycles, and can be obedience trained, he can pass.

The BH is a prerequisite to entering your dog into the SchH1.

Schutzhund is three-phase sport. We test the dog's ability to track, it's obedience and it's protection abilities.

The stick is used sparingly, as a test of the dog's committedness to bite. Once the dog is biting on the sleeve, the stick is displayed to the dog as the helper "drives" the dog (moves with the dog on the sleeve). The helper then strikes the dog across the shoulders with the stick a couple of times.

The stick is generally padded leather, and is used more as a distraction than to cause the dog an actual pain.

Dogs from all different pedigrees, and even mutts have competed sucessfully in Schutzhund.
Schutzhund training is fun for both the handler and the dog, it is a great way to bond and train.

My advice would be to find a club, and go visit a few times without your dog.
If you like what you see, bring him out and have him evaluated. They will play games with him to see if he has an interest in doing the work.

More than likely, he does.
Does he enjoy playing fetch?

 Quote: Lynne Barrows

 Quote: Alex Corral

I also say don't neuter your pup at 6 mos. Let him grow up and develop. One of my biggest regrets was spaying my girl at 6 mos. It was pre-Leerburg, and the vet kept advising it. Man, that was a stupid mistake, but never again.

Ditto here; I spayed at a very young age (pre-Leerburg also), and I can see the results. My spayed bitch is actually taller that her sire! (her mother was smaller than her sire); I feel that it was due to lack of female hormones, which help to regulate growth. She is taller and lankier than either of her parents...

Yup, my girl is a bit lanky too. She has an ok build, but far from the muscular build a Boxer should have; male or female.

Yup, Alyssa is right Pat. If SchH interests you, go visit a cpl clubs and see what they say. They may test your Rotties with a cpl games, and see what kind of drive they have. If they have prey (chase) drive, then you are off to a good start. Rotties are a popular breed in SchH, so you may have something there.

My dog is far from any working pedigree and she got her BH last fall. She also doesn't have too much prey drive, so I had to work really hard at what got her into working mode. I used food, praise, and prey whenver she was up to it. We are in a great club and training has always been fun. She really enjoys it, and if things keep going well, we should be trying for a SchH 1 soon (hopefully).

Also, I can't stress enough putting any kind of obedience titles and temperament tests on strong and feared dogs like Rotts, GSD, Pits, Bulldogs, etc. Good luck!

What is BH and cpl? What kind of temperment tests will they do?
Will they use a stick as part of the temperment test? I'm not comfortable with that even if it is padded leather,what if it traumatized them? I don't want to create a fear biter.
What titles has your Boxer learned and how long did it take?
When you get tired of answering my questions just tell me,I understand if you do.

BH= Begleithund, German for Companion Dog.
It is a temperment and obedience test.

Your dog will be expected to heel on and off leash, through a crowd, and on an open field, performing left/right/and about turns. The dog also must be able to sit and down "out of motion". In other words, you'll be heeling along, say *SIT* and then keep walking, leaving the dog to sit while you walk away. No turning back.

The dog also must come straight to you when called (quickly) and sit correctly in front of you. When told, it must go from the sit in front, back to the heeling postion at your side.

The dog must also perform the "long down", which consists of you placing the dog into a down on the side of the field.
You will then walk away and stand with your back to the dog.
There will be another dog going through the obedience routine while your dog is in the down.

When the judge tells you, you will return from to your dog, who should remain in the down until you stand next to him and tell him to sit. Then you put the lash back on him.

That's more or less it, for the OB phase.

The "traffic sureness" phase...
You will go out onto a street, with the dog on a leash. The judge will observe your dog's reaction to strange people, vehicles, a person riding by on a bicycle, etc.
Then you will tie the dog to a post or fence, and walk away.

A person will walk by your dog with a strange dog (not within biting distance) to see your dog's reaction towards the other dog.

There is also a short written test for you to complete, demonstrating your basic knowledge of dogs, Schutzhund and training.