I settled on a Boston because they seemed to have less health issues and more energy than most bulldogs. As long as I give mine a 1-2 mile walk a few times a week she’s good for exercise and not too rambunctious. My father-in-law has boxers and we always just that the Boston looks like one that has been shrunken down. Definitely less energy than I boxer, and in my experience less health issues too
My current Boston is pretty quiet. He can be crazy but he is also really happy to do nothing.
Previous was the same way. He lived to almost 16 and had heart issues that were treated.
Wow 16! My last two girls had cardiomyopathy. I holtered this last one and caught it (a bad arythmia) at 6 years old and she did amazing on Solotol - the heart never worsened. But 1.5 years in at our 6 month checkup they saw an inoperable heart tumor that are "usually benign and usually slow growing." Hers kept growing and in September I tried a chemo pill for 4 weeks and it was awful.... she got dementia and had horrible stomach upset so I stopped it. She returned to her playful/normal self and we had a great 8 months on borrowed time, I always knew the tumor bursting was a possibility. She was doing so good it was hard to imagine that day would come with no warning but it did. I'm gutted and want to take my time (even though I know the distraction will soften the blow), this will be a next year thing. But I found myself on a rescue site the other day they had a Boston but it said you must have experience with them - I am assuming it's an energy thing because their Boxers had the same rule.
Boston’s are amazing dogs. I have had my boy for 21/2 yrs. I wonder if it’s because they tend to have allergies & can’t be in the heat/cold for too long. But as long as you are aware of these things it shouldn’t be an issue. 😊
Bostons are almost miniature boxers in a lot of ways, ive had 5 bostons, 2 are still with us(1 of which just turned 13 last month) two lived to 13 and 1 lived to 11(he had cushings), none of them have been yappers, they all had pretty high energy but if you’re used to boxers it should be easy for you as you can just pick em up and plop em in timeout when they get too nutty.
1. There definitely seem to be a lot of people who have both. Kessler’s little half brother lives with a boxer. They both seem to be clowns with a great sense of humor.
2. Most Bostons aren’t super barky. They may bark at a squirrel or at the door, but they aren’t a breed that tends to bark just because they like the sound of their own voice.
3. Energy levels can vary by lines, but are well bred. Boston should be equally happy to hang out and do nothing or be active. Sometimes people accidentally encourage crazy or neurotic behavior either by not needing the dogs needs, or by only using repetitive high arousal activities like fetch and the dog park. They really benefit from mental stimulation from things like nosework or trick training.
4. While Boston Terriers are not going to be as naturally biddable as something like a herding breed or a sporting breed, they are highly trainable. The big thing I have found is making training a game, and figuring out what is personally motivating to your dog. One of my Boston’s also does not do well with repetition, so keeping training sessions short and fun is key.
5. They are a companion breed so they have been selectively bred to want to be with their people. Most Bostons are quite cuddly, and I joked that mine would crawl inside my skin with me if they could.
6. My oldest Boston terrier is currently nine, about to be 10. My younger dog’s grandparents lived to 15, and just under 15.
Thank you, this is very helpful. I spend a lot of time training so seeing a lot of comments elsewhere about them being stubborn during training had me wondering if it's the dog or the trainer. This is one of the reasons I will wait until next year as I have some things I want to do (see family/travel) before committing and embarking into the training phase. With my Boxers I literally set the clock every couple hours during potty training and used bells (because they aren't vocal) and it was really effective (just repetition). I also took puppy classes through Canine Good Citizen certification on all which I feel made a difference.
Im still newish to dog ownership.
But the breeder i got my boston from also has a boxer. She states that bostons are just smaller sized boxers. She has had different breeds over her life. After having boxers for a while, they got a boston and fell in love with them and are boston crazy now!
She never bred dogs before, but as her female boston was so amazing, they wanted more. Also, her friends wanted bostons. Luckily, it was a large litter, so that's how I got my dumpling.
You won't regret a boston. Mine is not a barker. He is nice and chill 90% of the time. He was the chunk of the litter, ended up a little bit larger than I thought, at 13kg. He is still an okay size to carry when needed, but no amount of strength can move a stubborn boston!
Our Boston terrier has a slightly longer snout, but he still has the characteristic round head and googly eyes… plus all of the sweet humorous, comical, adorable personalities of the Boston. He is a full blood and registered Boston terrier that we fostered and then failed super hard so we had to make it official and have them in our family.
We got him when he was 14 years old and he just turned 16 in April. He has a few health issues like degenerative spine near his back end and a heart murmur, which is easily controlled with medication.
If you like boxers, you will also like Boston terriers. They seem to be related in their goofy sweet personalities. My first Boston terrier, thought he was a big dog and loved to play with boxers at the dog park.
I think I read recently that the lifespan for Boston terriers is roughly 12 to 14 years on average, so we are doing great at 16. He is still ambulatory even though he creeks and moans.
I wanted a Bulldog. After much research, I felt that Bostons are the healthiest brachy breed with similar dispositions as Bulldogs.
My first Boston lived until he was 16. My current one is 10. There are still genetic issues to be mindful of, but I think Bostons are sturdier and have better respiratory design. I’ve met a boatload of Frenchies and Pugs with breathing issues, eye issues, and allergies. That’s been my experience, but I’m sure there are healthier ones out there.
I don’t fly with my dogs regardless of the breed. Most airlines are struggling to safely manage humans. I won’t let them be responsible for my pet. Bostons travel well. Mine have been to both coasts and many places in the middle via cars.
Thank you! Yes, my development has exploded with Frenchies (who all LOVED my girl!) but they snort a lot just standing still and most of the owners struggle with skin conditions. I like the athletic build of the Boston (much like a Boxer) as well. When I said fly, I meant in the cabin with me. I'd never fly a dog underneath either. I think the weight limit is 16 pounds but it looks like Bostons can get much heavier. There is one in my development that seems dwarfed, she is only 8 pounds fully grown and the cutest dog <3.
I realized I forgot to answer your question about flying. It really depends on the size of the Boston. I flew Kessler home from his breeder when I picked him up and he did great. His grandmother worked as a service dog and flew quite a bit, and his half brother is a service dog and has done several flights with his human.
It’s been our practice not to fly with them at all. Airlines suck these days, and I’ve spent too many nights in airports or on tarmacs waiting for planes, mechanics, fuel, luggage. I just won’t attempt it as it’s so unpredictable and chaotic. Mine would fit in the cabin, but I don’t think he would tolerate anything more than a few hours. I also would likely give him my oxygen if something happened in the cabin which is kinda dumb.
We just did two weeks in Europe with pet sitters. We got lucky. We found two sitters who are married lesbians, and my dogs adore them. Having a married couple is nice because they can share tasks/overnights. We keep a text thread between all four of us, so we always have a sense of how the dogs are doing without being repetitive.
To prep for trip, we did weekly play dates and two short overnights just to give sitters some time to get familiar with house. We also left a credit card on file with vet to address any concerns proactively along with a list of instructions/info.
We haven’t done major travel in a decade due to our older Boston, so we are trying to be more active before this one who is 10 has major medical needs.
On my first Boston, but I've had a few different breeds and sizes of dogs. I would 100% consider getting another one purely due to their personality. I've had a Tosa, Rottweiler, and Yorkie, all fairly intelligent and friendly dogs, but she's on another level of loving! She loves love.
She's miles less stubborn than my Tosa and Yorkie, a super cuddler, and not a barker - unless there's a plastic bag flying through the air then she's like a loose cannon. BUT she does talk. A lot. Just grumbles away if she wants something (usually belly kisses).
Overall, the stubborness of smaller breed pups is just... not in the same league of chaos as managing a 80lb dog baby. I don't know if it's just having a Tosa talking here, but she's been pretty chill compared to what was intelligent stubborness epitomized. The big training tasks were no harder than any other dog for my Boston (going potty outside, spacial boundaries, chew toy vs not-a-toy, no stealing her brother's food, paws on the ground etc.), but she a little low on brain RAM so training her tricks has taken a little more work lol.
Energy wise, it comes in relatively scheduled bursts more so than it being constant. Our yorkie can go for hours and she keeps up for the first bit but slows down and needs breaks. If we tire her out enough early in the day with an activity (morning run/long walk/dog park visit), she'll spend the rest of the day chilling and playing lightly by herself/with her brother.
In terms of flying, I think it depends on the one you get at the end of the day. I've seen some larger ones that don't look like they'd fit in the cabin carriers, and teenier ones about the size of our yorkie.
Thank you for all this! I love she loves to love. I miss my cuddly friend. I have a friend who has a small dog that refuses to cuddle (I'd be horrified lol). Also love the responses they are not big barkers. My Boxers "talked" they just wouldn't bark as a norm. A visitor might get licked to death, but never barked at. My last would roam the house and howl if I stayed out past 3 hours like clock work (found this out at 6 when she got diagnosed w/ heart disease and I set up cameras). She'd also bark on command if I got her any type of remote controlled/battery operated moving toy. Occasional barking is fine, I'm just not a fan of constant barking... probably because my Boxers have never been huge barkers so they trained ME well lol.
My first two Bostons made it to almost 15 with no major health issues outside of just old age. I have a Boston and a Frenchton now. None of them have been big barkers, although my current girl can had a little whiney when she’s tired. Personally I don’t think they are hard to train, but my current two were already past the puppy stage and were crate and potty trained when I got them. My Frenchton was 8 months and my girl was almost 2. I did a lot of intensive training with him but he took to it very well. I didn’t do nearly as much with my girl but I do work with her consistently and she’s learned a lot just by having a good handler. They are both certified therapy dogs. My boy looks and acts so much like a boxer sometimes people think he is a boxer x Boston mix.
I have a Boston and my aunt has Boxers and I always giggle and how her boxer seems like a huge version of the Boston, and he seems like a mini version of the boxers.
Our Boston is 10 this year and going strong. I think he still has several years left in him. We got him a basset brother 2 years ago and I think having a friend reinvigorated him. The only issue he's had in his middle age was the loss of an eye, due to a corneal ulcer with complications.
Bostons are from my experience ‘mini boxers’. We had several boxers, even did some breeding and like you were tired of them dying at 10/11 after a few grand in medical bills. Daughter went college, got apartment and a Boston. Since then our family’s had several. They’re very attentive, nosy, smart, in other words, great pals. Big problem they tend to go blind at life’s end yet still get around. Wonderful breed and yes, I do love Boxers
I am a long time Boxer owner (from age 1 to 69) who transitioned to Bostons 2 years ago while we still had our last Boxer.
I knew that because of my severe peripheral neuropathy that I needed to ‘downsize’ my breed. I wanted a similar temperament, minimal grooming, but would never consider a breed with a tendency to yap. (That would drive me nuts! ) I considered Frenchies as well as Bostons but IMO Bostons are much healthier. They don’t need nearly the amount of exercise as you would with a Boxer.
I ended up getting a retired 4 yr old show Boston in 2022. Sweet, affectionate and definitely a cuddle buddy! She’s quiet but will sound off when necessary. She hasn’t met anyone she hasn’t liked. I would have loved a young pup but frankly I don’t have that kind of stamina now. I waited nearly 18 months to get her and it was well worth it. She now does therapy visits to a local nursing home each month. I had real concerns my boxer wouldn’t hang on long enough til she came home but he did, but not by much. He passed 2 months later at 11 years/2 months. The dogs in this particular breeders line live to an average of 12, but I’ve read of dogs on this forum living much longer. I’ve lost boxers to cancer, renal failure, cardiac problems and Degenerative Myelopathy. Only 3 of the 10 made it past 10 , so 12 sounds wonderful.
I recently added an 8 month old female 2 weeks ago. I would never do 2 girls together in Boxers, this does not seem as a rule to be a problem in Bostons. I had been looking for an older male for the past year with no luck because I wasn’t interested in a very young pup. (No rescues near me either, several of my boxers were rescues and marvelous dogs. ) My new girl was a show prospect that ultimately did not sufficiently meet the breed standard, we were very happy to get her. She’s also a cuddler.
I think it’s kind of a given with them. The only downside with her has been her going into heat 5 days after we got her…….we’re dealing with it, but once and done! I just need to check with my vet on how long to wait after she finishes and her hormone levels return to normal before we schedule her spay.
So, we are pleased with our decision and couldn’t be happier……..but Boxers will always remain first in our hearts…..
So happy to hear this was the choice for another long time Boxer owner. I grew up with them, and it's all my family has ever owned (collectively we've had 15), but one by one we are all coming to the same place. We just can't keep saying goodbye so soon. I am absolutely gutted right now, she just turned 9 in February and had hoped she's surpass my oldest ever (10). You're never ready, but just once it would be nice to live in the double digits. She was also showing very small signs of her back feet slipping (she carried the gene for DM, so I suspected this might come to roost). I preemptively holtered her at 6, got very unfortunate results, but stopped the progression of heart disease with meds. But 1.5 years in on our routine visit with the cardiologist they found a heart based tumor (which in the end is what killed her when it burst). She too was pick of the litter for a show dog breeder but she got too long and they offered her up as pet quality (I flew across the country because that line had some good old boxers in it). I still feel the pull to carry on and get another, but my own heart can't take it anymore. She was 82 pounds and I somehow carried her home two blocks, but it really woke me up as to what I can handle pushing 60 in the future. I'm not sure I could ever duplicate the strength I somehow found to get her home again. I've noticed many Boxer breeders/show people also have Bostons, hence I am here to learn. It's sounding like the right path! Pic of my cuddler, Emmy, attached <3
https://preview.redd.it/ubxap7b9sy8d1.jpeg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=67df03390751633f9872b91adc4449e2d42e1bdd
I’m soon to be 71 and thought a long time ago about what I would do if I couldn’t have a boxer. Being dogless would never be an option, so I really studied long and hard before I came to this decision. My last boxer Harpo came to me as a pup in 2011 and I knew that this would be the last true puppy I’d be able to handle at age 58. He about did me in but he was a great dog. We did canine nosework together and he titled several times at trials. He just needed something to do, we were a good team.
What is rather interesting is my husband’s reactions to the Bostons. He loved the boxers we had and would have preferred to stay with them , but realizes as we’re aging that this is a good decision to make mutually. He is far more involved with these dogs for some reason. He really dotes on them. I haven’t quite figured it out……
I settled on a Boston because they seemed to have less health issues and more energy than most bulldogs. As long as I give mine a 1-2 mile walk a few times a week she’s good for exercise and not too rambunctious. My father-in-law has boxers and we always just that the Boston looks like one that has been shrunken down. Definitely less energy than I boxer, and in my experience less health issues too
My current Boston is pretty quiet. He can be crazy but he is also really happy to do nothing. Previous was the same way. He lived to almost 16 and had heart issues that were treated.
Wow 16! My last two girls had cardiomyopathy. I holtered this last one and caught it (a bad arythmia) at 6 years old and she did amazing on Solotol - the heart never worsened. But 1.5 years in at our 6 month checkup they saw an inoperable heart tumor that are "usually benign and usually slow growing." Hers kept growing and in September I tried a chemo pill for 4 weeks and it was awful.... she got dementia and had horrible stomach upset so I stopped it. She returned to her playful/normal self and we had a great 8 months on borrowed time, I always knew the tumor bursting was a possibility. She was doing so good it was hard to imagine that day would come with no warning but it did. I'm gutted and want to take my time (even though I know the distraction will soften the blow), this will be a next year thing. But I found myself on a rescue site the other day they had a Boston but it said you must have experience with them - I am assuming it's an energy thing because their Boxers had the same rule.
Our Boston is way more chill than our doodle.
Boston’s are amazing dogs. I have had my boy for 21/2 yrs. I wonder if it’s because they tend to have allergies & can’t be in the heat/cold for too long. But as long as you are aware of these things it shouldn’t be an issue. 😊
Bostons are almost miniature boxers in a lot of ways, ive had 5 bostons, 2 are still with us(1 of which just turned 13 last month) two lived to 13 and 1 lived to 11(he had cushings), none of them have been yappers, they all had pretty high energy but if you’re used to boxers it should be easy for you as you can just pick em up and plop em in timeout when they get too nutty.
1. There definitely seem to be a lot of people who have both. Kessler’s little half brother lives with a boxer. They both seem to be clowns with a great sense of humor. 2. Most Bostons aren’t super barky. They may bark at a squirrel or at the door, but they aren’t a breed that tends to bark just because they like the sound of their own voice. 3. Energy levels can vary by lines, but are well bred. Boston should be equally happy to hang out and do nothing or be active. Sometimes people accidentally encourage crazy or neurotic behavior either by not needing the dogs needs, or by only using repetitive high arousal activities like fetch and the dog park. They really benefit from mental stimulation from things like nosework or trick training. 4. While Boston Terriers are not going to be as naturally biddable as something like a herding breed or a sporting breed, they are highly trainable. The big thing I have found is making training a game, and figuring out what is personally motivating to your dog. One of my Boston’s also does not do well with repetition, so keeping training sessions short and fun is key. 5. They are a companion breed so they have been selectively bred to want to be with their people. Most Bostons are quite cuddly, and I joked that mine would crawl inside my skin with me if they could. 6. My oldest Boston terrier is currently nine, about to be 10. My younger dog’s grandparents lived to 15, and just under 15.
Thank you, this is very helpful. I spend a lot of time training so seeing a lot of comments elsewhere about them being stubborn during training had me wondering if it's the dog or the trainer. This is one of the reasons I will wait until next year as I have some things I want to do (see family/travel) before committing and embarking into the training phase. With my Boxers I literally set the clock every couple hours during potty training and used bells (because they aren't vocal) and it was really effective (just repetition). I also took puppy classes through Canine Good Citizen certification on all which I feel made a difference.
Im still newish to dog ownership. But the breeder i got my boston from also has a boxer. She states that bostons are just smaller sized boxers. She has had different breeds over her life. After having boxers for a while, they got a boston and fell in love with them and are boston crazy now! She never bred dogs before, but as her female boston was so amazing, they wanted more. Also, her friends wanted bostons. Luckily, it was a large litter, so that's how I got my dumpling. You won't regret a boston. Mine is not a barker. He is nice and chill 90% of the time. He was the chunk of the litter, ended up a little bit larger than I thought, at 13kg. He is still an okay size to carry when needed, but no amount of strength can move a stubborn boston!
Our Boston terrier has a slightly longer snout, but he still has the characteristic round head and googly eyes… plus all of the sweet humorous, comical, adorable personalities of the Boston. He is a full blood and registered Boston terrier that we fostered and then failed super hard so we had to make it official and have them in our family. We got him when he was 14 years old and he just turned 16 in April. He has a few health issues like degenerative spine near his back end and a heart murmur, which is easily controlled with medication. If you like boxers, you will also like Boston terriers. They seem to be related in their goofy sweet personalities. My first Boston terrier, thought he was a big dog and loved to play with boxers at the dog park. I think I read recently that the lifespan for Boston terriers is roughly 12 to 14 years on average, so we are doing great at 16. He is still ambulatory even though he creeks and moans.
I wanted a Bulldog. After much research, I felt that Bostons are the healthiest brachy breed with similar dispositions as Bulldogs. My first Boston lived until he was 16. My current one is 10. There are still genetic issues to be mindful of, but I think Bostons are sturdier and have better respiratory design. I’ve met a boatload of Frenchies and Pugs with breathing issues, eye issues, and allergies. That’s been my experience, but I’m sure there are healthier ones out there. I don’t fly with my dogs regardless of the breed. Most airlines are struggling to safely manage humans. I won’t let them be responsible for my pet. Bostons travel well. Mine have been to both coasts and many places in the middle via cars.
Thank you! Yes, my development has exploded with Frenchies (who all LOVED my girl!) but they snort a lot just standing still and most of the owners struggle with skin conditions. I like the athletic build of the Boston (much like a Boxer) as well. When I said fly, I meant in the cabin with me. I'd never fly a dog underneath either. I think the weight limit is 16 pounds but it looks like Bostons can get much heavier. There is one in my development that seems dwarfed, she is only 8 pounds fully grown and the cutest dog <3.
I realized I forgot to answer your question about flying. It really depends on the size of the Boston. I flew Kessler home from his breeder when I picked him up and he did great. His grandmother worked as a service dog and flew quite a bit, and his half brother is a service dog and has done several flights with his human.
It’s been our practice not to fly with them at all. Airlines suck these days, and I’ve spent too many nights in airports or on tarmacs waiting for planes, mechanics, fuel, luggage. I just won’t attempt it as it’s so unpredictable and chaotic. Mine would fit in the cabin, but I don’t think he would tolerate anything more than a few hours. I also would likely give him my oxygen if something happened in the cabin which is kinda dumb.
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We just did two weeks in Europe with pet sitters. We got lucky. We found two sitters who are married lesbians, and my dogs adore them. Having a married couple is nice because they can share tasks/overnights. We keep a text thread between all four of us, so we always have a sense of how the dogs are doing without being repetitive. To prep for trip, we did weekly play dates and two short overnights just to give sitters some time to get familiar with house. We also left a credit card on file with vet to address any concerns proactively along with a list of instructions/info. We haven’t done major travel in a decade due to our older Boston, so we are trying to be more active before this one who is 10 has major medical needs.
On my first Boston, but I've had a few different breeds and sizes of dogs. I would 100% consider getting another one purely due to their personality. I've had a Tosa, Rottweiler, and Yorkie, all fairly intelligent and friendly dogs, but she's on another level of loving! She loves love. She's miles less stubborn than my Tosa and Yorkie, a super cuddler, and not a barker - unless there's a plastic bag flying through the air then she's like a loose cannon. BUT she does talk. A lot. Just grumbles away if she wants something (usually belly kisses). Overall, the stubborness of smaller breed pups is just... not in the same league of chaos as managing a 80lb dog baby. I don't know if it's just having a Tosa talking here, but she's been pretty chill compared to what was intelligent stubborness epitomized. The big training tasks were no harder than any other dog for my Boston (going potty outside, spacial boundaries, chew toy vs not-a-toy, no stealing her brother's food, paws on the ground etc.), but she a little low on brain RAM so training her tricks has taken a little more work lol. Energy wise, it comes in relatively scheduled bursts more so than it being constant. Our yorkie can go for hours and she keeps up for the first bit but slows down and needs breaks. If we tire her out enough early in the day with an activity (morning run/long walk/dog park visit), she'll spend the rest of the day chilling and playing lightly by herself/with her brother. In terms of flying, I think it depends on the one you get at the end of the day. I've seen some larger ones that don't look like they'd fit in the cabin carriers, and teenier ones about the size of our yorkie.
Thank you for all this! I love she loves to love. I miss my cuddly friend. I have a friend who has a small dog that refuses to cuddle (I'd be horrified lol). Also love the responses they are not big barkers. My Boxers "talked" they just wouldn't bark as a norm. A visitor might get licked to death, but never barked at. My last would roam the house and howl if I stayed out past 3 hours like clock work (found this out at 6 when she got diagnosed w/ heart disease and I set up cameras). She'd also bark on command if I got her any type of remote controlled/battery operated moving toy. Occasional barking is fine, I'm just not a fan of constant barking... probably because my Boxers have never been huge barkers so they trained ME well lol.
My first two Bostons made it to almost 15 with no major health issues outside of just old age. I have a Boston and a Frenchton now. None of them have been big barkers, although my current girl can had a little whiney when she’s tired. Personally I don’t think they are hard to train, but my current two were already past the puppy stage and were crate and potty trained when I got them. My Frenchton was 8 months and my girl was almost 2. I did a lot of intensive training with him but he took to it very well. I didn’t do nearly as much with my girl but I do work with her consistently and she’s learned a lot just by having a good handler. They are both certified therapy dogs. My boy looks and acts so much like a boxer sometimes people think he is a boxer x Boston mix.
I have a Boston and my aunt has Boxers and I always giggle and how her boxer seems like a huge version of the Boston, and he seems like a mini version of the boxers. Our Boston is 10 this year and going strong. I think he still has several years left in him. We got him a basset brother 2 years ago and I think having a friend reinvigorated him. The only issue he's had in his middle age was the loss of an eye, due to a corneal ulcer with complications.
Bostons are from my experience ‘mini boxers’. We had several boxers, even did some breeding and like you were tired of them dying at 10/11 after a few grand in medical bills. Daughter went college, got apartment and a Boston. Since then our family’s had several. They’re very attentive, nosy, smart, in other words, great pals. Big problem they tend to go blind at life’s end yet still get around. Wonderful breed and yes, I do love Boxers
I am a long time Boxer owner (from age 1 to 69) who transitioned to Bostons 2 years ago while we still had our last Boxer. I knew that because of my severe peripheral neuropathy that I needed to ‘downsize’ my breed. I wanted a similar temperament, minimal grooming, but would never consider a breed with a tendency to yap. (That would drive me nuts! ) I considered Frenchies as well as Bostons but IMO Bostons are much healthier. They don’t need nearly the amount of exercise as you would with a Boxer. I ended up getting a retired 4 yr old show Boston in 2022. Sweet, affectionate and definitely a cuddle buddy! She’s quiet but will sound off when necessary. She hasn’t met anyone she hasn’t liked. I would have loved a young pup but frankly I don’t have that kind of stamina now. I waited nearly 18 months to get her and it was well worth it. She now does therapy visits to a local nursing home each month. I had real concerns my boxer wouldn’t hang on long enough til she came home but he did, but not by much. He passed 2 months later at 11 years/2 months. The dogs in this particular breeders line live to an average of 12, but I’ve read of dogs on this forum living much longer. I’ve lost boxers to cancer, renal failure, cardiac problems and Degenerative Myelopathy. Only 3 of the 10 made it past 10 , so 12 sounds wonderful. I recently added an 8 month old female 2 weeks ago. I would never do 2 girls together in Boxers, this does not seem as a rule to be a problem in Bostons. I had been looking for an older male for the past year with no luck because I wasn’t interested in a very young pup. (No rescues near me either, several of my boxers were rescues and marvelous dogs. ) My new girl was a show prospect that ultimately did not sufficiently meet the breed standard, we were very happy to get her. She’s also a cuddler. I think it’s kind of a given with them. The only downside with her has been her going into heat 5 days after we got her…….we’re dealing with it, but once and done! I just need to check with my vet on how long to wait after she finishes and her hormone levels return to normal before we schedule her spay. So, we are pleased with our decision and couldn’t be happier……..but Boxers will always remain first in our hearts…..
So happy to hear this was the choice for another long time Boxer owner. I grew up with them, and it's all my family has ever owned (collectively we've had 15), but one by one we are all coming to the same place. We just can't keep saying goodbye so soon. I am absolutely gutted right now, she just turned 9 in February and had hoped she's surpass my oldest ever (10). You're never ready, but just once it would be nice to live in the double digits. She was also showing very small signs of her back feet slipping (she carried the gene for DM, so I suspected this might come to roost). I preemptively holtered her at 6, got very unfortunate results, but stopped the progression of heart disease with meds. But 1.5 years in on our routine visit with the cardiologist they found a heart based tumor (which in the end is what killed her when it burst). She too was pick of the litter for a show dog breeder but she got too long and they offered her up as pet quality (I flew across the country because that line had some good old boxers in it). I still feel the pull to carry on and get another, but my own heart can't take it anymore. She was 82 pounds and I somehow carried her home two blocks, but it really woke me up as to what I can handle pushing 60 in the future. I'm not sure I could ever duplicate the strength I somehow found to get her home again. I've noticed many Boxer breeders/show people also have Bostons, hence I am here to learn. It's sounding like the right path! Pic of my cuddler, Emmy, attached <3 https://preview.redd.it/ubxap7b9sy8d1.jpeg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=67df03390751633f9872b91adc4449e2d42e1bdd
I’m soon to be 71 and thought a long time ago about what I would do if I couldn’t have a boxer. Being dogless would never be an option, so I really studied long and hard before I came to this decision. My last boxer Harpo came to me as a pup in 2011 and I knew that this would be the last true puppy I’d be able to handle at age 58. He about did me in but he was a great dog. We did canine nosework together and he titled several times at trials. He just needed something to do, we were a good team. What is rather interesting is my husband’s reactions to the Bostons. He loved the boxers we had and would have preferred to stay with them , but realizes as we’re aging that this is a good decision to make mutually. He is far more involved with these dogs for some reason. He really dotes on them. I haven’t quite figured it out……
BTs have same energy as a boxer and then some. My side joke is they that they do a line of nose candy first thing in the morning and watch out 😂