Boxer dogs - how tough are they?

[Ducati996]

A vet told me small dogs in general live more years than big dogs. Also female dogs tend to live more than male dogs, and dogs that live outside live less than dogs that are kept in a home with us. It’s to do with Metabolic theory (I think look it up its way over my head)
:

This is very true for example a small toy dog like a maltese can live 20 years or more...
and comparison my big English mastiff (230 lbs estimated) probably has 8 or 9 years total.
Its something I keep in the back of my mind, and love him as much as I can while I have him (best guess he is 5 years old now)....the big dogs get the hip problems early, and that can take away from their quality of life and they could be put down early for it. Another weired thing that is usually fatal to the large breeds with huge chest cavities (like the mastiff, bernard, newf's, etc) is something called bloat ( i think its called that). What happens is they twist their insides (stomach) around by either having too much food or drink and over excerising. Their bowels twist around and it requires surgery to correct. I know two people it happened to and the dog had to be put down, if its not caught the second it happens its usually fatal. I never exercise him after he eats and limit his drinking to when he is not excerising or is finished exercising

All dogs need to have a good diet - and excersise in order to have a chance of a long life

 

[rumblesushi]

Stotty - I like staffs a lot. They are cool dogs. I once looked after a female staff/pit cross, damn nice dog. But I'd like to try a bigger dog this time, around a boxer's size or larger

I like the idea of having a cute little fluffy dog and a big brute of a dog

Ducati - what were the untrustworthy traits you noticed in a pit? It's something I'm curious about. I'd like to know more about them.

They obviously have a very bad reputation, and in England you can only own one if it's neutered and muzzled at all times and chipped etc. But from the owner's perspective they usually say they are very trustworthy and loyal to you, and to people, but their aggression is only towards other dogs.

 

[Guinness]

Fair enough, but don't jump to conclusions and be so quick to judge.

Quite simply, I rescued a cute little fluffy puppy dog, and he's a bit over excited with other dogs - not aggressive in the slightest. He simply needs a bit of training, he's probably never had any training at all, just been neglected on a chain in a garden.

And I never let it off the leash in public, only on deserted beaches and rivers.

I also think some of you don't understand what spain is like. The reason I am nervous about taking this dog for a walk is there any many stray and wild dogs here. Wild dogs in the fields etc, and nasty stray dogs just walking about. This dog doesn't sense danger, and would happilly bound up to a stray, snarling bull mastiff.

Yesterday I had to fend off a wild alsation that ran at us.

That's why I want a big tough dog for protection.

Like I said, don't be so quick to judge. I've been an animal lover all my life, I rescued an abandoned little dog, I'm treating it very well, doing my best to train it - you had no right to come here and call me irresponsible and say I should take this dog to a shelter. For a start, this dog wouldn't go to a better home than me, and there aren't even any shelters here.

Had you put it that way, I would not have made the same call. The two posts are written very differently.

I grew up with boxers and they are great dogs and very protective. Unfortunatly, we had to put the last one down at 9 yrs old due to a stroke and seizures.
Glad we got it straight.
Guinness