Adopting a Boxer
For dog lovers who are keen to do a good turn for animals and society, or for those who think that going through the ever constant rigors of rearing a puppy are just a little too much to contemplate, then adopting a boxer as an adult dog would be the ideal solution.
If you decide to adopt a dog from a Boxer rescue shelter then you can be assured that the staff will try to match your requirements with the right dog.
However, the not-for-profit and municipal dog pounds will not have the resources to provide you with any matching and temperament screening services.
If rescuing your dog from one of these services it is advisable to take along a Boxer owner with you to advise and assist you in your choice of dog.
It is true, that with an adult Boxer you definitely miss out on the “cute and cuddly” stages. However you also miss out on the house-training, teething and chewing and many more of the routine and more tedious duties involved with raising a puppy.
None-the-less, there are also some challenges involved in adopting a Boxer as an adult dog, but most adopters would agree that the benefits far outweigh any challenges and as far as they are concerned would not want to choose a puppy at any cost.
When adopting a Boxer that’s fully grown, you do know exactly what you’re getting. Many health problems that may go undetected in young puppies like skin problems, allergies and epilepsy should already be evident in an adult dog..
You also know exactly how it looks so there is no guessing about how it will turn out and how big it will grow. In addition you will be able to get a good idea of the dog’s temperament, and see if it’s inclined to be a relaxed and calm type or an active on-the-go dog.
Another advantage of adopting a Boxer as an adult is that it has grown past the teething stage and that dreadful unstoppable desire for chewing everything in sight has passed. This does not mean that your Boxer won’t chew your furniture and belongings if it is not given chew toys, plenty of activity and proper supervision. However there will certainly be fewer problems than with a teething puppy.
Finally the last, but definitely not least advantage is that your adult dog will be house-trained. There will be a few cases where the dog may not have been trained but will learn very quickly with the use of a crate and careful supervision.
Adult Boxers are eager learners. They have the maturity and are able to concentrate for longer periods than puppies. Even an adult dog that may be considered quite a challenge will be turned into an obedient, socially acceptable citizen with some positive reinforcement and plenty of treats. adopting a boxer as an adult dog can be a really rewarding experience.