As some of you know i have tirelessy researching dog breeds for a long time. And although i was leaning towards the very large breeds, i have finally whittled them all down to the Boxer or GSD.

I am so happy to finally have made my decision albeit out of two breeds!

I hadn't mentioned the Boxer much, but i have still researched them. My friends mum and dad have 2 and they are the nuttiest (in a good way!) soppiest dogs!

I would really appreciate any advice from anyone who owns them, has owned them, or is close to dogs of these breeds.

As i have always said i will be exhausting all ways of rescuing, but as ever it is proving nigh on impossible as i don't fit any criteria.

I will not be getting the dog until my rescue ESS is 100% settled and trained to a standard that will allow another dog. It could be a couple of years yet. But i want to learn and understand everything about these breeds in the meantime.

Thanks in advance!

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well we have millie who is a boxer she is 2 we got her from a rescue a month ago before that we had roxy a white boxer and yes they are nutty lol but in a good way as you say! they are so full of energy and are the gentalist dog i have ever met a great family dog if you have children we wouldnt go with any other breed but thats because we have only had boxers i dont no about GSD's so can not help you there but if you have any questions feel free to pm me

lyndsey xx

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R.I.P Roxy taken so young sadly missed but never forgotten run free xx

You'll want to ask Mollys Mum or Belleboris on here. They have boxers and may or may not provide an extremely biased view

Peace
Akai-Chan

What do you want to know?

Well I have been involved with GSD's since I was 6 so I would say I have had my experience

GSD's are a rather loyal but sensitive breed, they do need firm but fare training in the correct way rather than a negative approach. They can also be very protective and territorial, but when or what is excepted they usually except it as well. They usually love being with their people and they also love working and trying to please you.

Also show or working lines can also play a big part in the overall temperament of the dog. I would say shows bred GSD's are more softer and working lines are feistier, usually with nerves of steel if they are from a good source.

They are prone to hip dysplasia and bloat, but you never know really even if you go to a very experienced, brilliant top of the range breeder.

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A dog is born pure & ruined by ignorance!

Thanks for that!! I do have a young daughter who is 3, and i guess that is part of the reason i didn't go for the giant breeds, simply because a giant breed could floor her and do damage..........she knows because she has been floored by a Great Dane!! Lol!!

And yes i do know Boxers and GSD's can do the same but a giant breed in my house with an ESS and a young child (she will be over 5 by the time we get one) would be pushing the bounderies LOL!!!

xxx

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Ok gsd very smart need a lot of stimulation and really a job to do especially as you really don't want to get a showline unless you find a breeder that breeds the english type. They also need a lot of exercise but as they can basically do anything you ask of them its easy to find something to do with them. They love children and their family but need a lot of socialisation to be tolerant of strangers and other dogs. They also bark a lot so that needs to be trained out of them.

Boxer extremely smart, active and friendly. They really love their people. However they are one of the highest energy breeds out there so need a lot of exercise. Although you have an ess so you're used to this.

Both make excellent pets but the boxers are definately easy to live with and have softer temperments for the most part.

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Clean slate time I guess
Owned by Buster cairn terrier mix and Leo Netherland Dwarf mix rabbit

I don't need to know about the pro's and con's so to speak! I just wnat to know what it is like living with one or both of these breeds!!

I just want to know what its like living with one!! Experiences! I understand the pro's and con's etc

And i would definately be getting a GSD from working lines if i have to buy. I would want a straight back and low hip scores etc etc

What do you find the best foods for them? How much excercise for your own dog? (I know they need a lot once they are mature, and i also know not to excercise them too much as pups due to bone formation etc) I have an ESS so am well used to pretty much endless physical and mental stimulation LOL!!

Is your calm in the house? Did you find it easy to train/mostly easy?

Really i want personal experiences!!

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Well mollys mum has 3 boxers and I thionk belle has 2 (and a litter of pups!)

Wish I could help but all I have is a nutty crossbreed pup. would loooove a GSD in the future though

Peace
Akai-Chan

I can answer some of this for my friends gsd maybe from working line he has the straight back etc but hes a rescue. He's on RAW which they've found works best but before that Royal Canin which was also pretty good.
He gets 2 and a half hour walks a day combined with agility and obedience training. The training is more important than the walking for this breed they're so smart they need a lot of mental exercise.

He's basically a couch potato in the house and convinced he's a lapdog just a 70lbs one. Very easy to train with clicker training but you have to realise these dogs have to be very well trained just because of their size. Adores her 6 year old and 4 year old the 6 year old handles him in Junior handling classes sometimes.

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Clean slate time I guess
Owned by Buster cairn terrier mix and Leo Netherland Dwarf mix rabbit

Thanks

They would be getting at least 2 and half hours physical excercise outside of the house and garden once bone structure is mature enough. My ESS has that mininmum. He is a working ESS. If it is raining he gets that if its not raining he can get much more!

Mental stimulation would not be an issue again my ESS needs it too, but i do understand that GSD's especially needs abit more. I track with my ESS in the garden and in the park, i give him mental games from the company of animals etc

I would always be training........once obedience is good, although that will continue constantly, i also train tricks to keep the training interesting and fun.

If i buy a pup of either breed i will be looking for breeders who do feed raw. My ESS refuses it point blank even after many times of trying!!

I just want to make sure that either breed will be 110% happy and fulfilled in my home.

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