yes, I know you already have a boxer. He'll adapt to any dog, big or small, especially if you get it as a pup. And that's not entirely true. Large dogs are able to release their glands with normal bowel movements. Small dogs, and I can't remember exactly why, have issues with this and need their glands squeezed at a much higher rate. What about a boarder collie? They're the most intelligent breed of dogs, and they're neither big nor small. They do require firm training and exercise, but with a boxer you're already use to a high energy dog that needs exercise.
I used to hate little dogs until.....my girlfriend moved in. She has the most adorable little dog I have ever seen....an AKC full bred toy Yorkie. He is about a foot long and weighs 5 pounds. This dog is incredibly smart and is a little love bug. He is mostly crate/house/potty pad trained, but his turds are like little tootsie rolls, so they are easy to clean up if he drops one elsewhere. We dress him up in a little doggie Texans jersey on game day. The little guy is non-stop entertainment. Yeah, I sound like a wuss, but I can't help it! :grin:
The little dog constantly bugged Bo because they are not familiar with each other and the little one probably wanted to play, expend energy. Dogs are very good at playing despite size differences if they are socialized together well. What kind of dog does your husband want when he says small? You also have to be aware that certain breeds are very independent and are not going to be interested in being a buddy to a boxer lol.
Oh god no, I DISLIKE chihuahuas. As for anal glands, a raw fed diet helps with that. Not sure if that helps small dogs who are on raw fed diet. Yes, thought about a border collie but they require grooming so no on that. A Boston Terrier. I want another boxer and he wants a Boston Terrier.
I'm sure we never give them enough exercise no matter how much running, walking and biking we give them. Luckily as they're both older dogs (7 and 9 years old) they're not as hyper and energetic as they used to be and neither are their owners. But with the cooler days and nights they've been able to get more outdoor time in.
i was waiting for you to end the post with, "then I would put on my girlfriend's dress so he and I could bond."
10-25 pound dog. I think the Boxer and the Boston Terrier would get along fine personally. I personally have never had two dogs of the same breed at the same time.
I have one of those. Many people know about her here, but white Boxers, hell ALL Boxers are awesome dogs! Di, although I do have a small girl (1 1/2 years old, 48 lbs) I also have two miniature Schnauzers. My boy Champagne colored Schnauzer is my Boxers best friend, I mean they CANNOT not be together or they both cry. Here they are in my office on a late work night. And the Mother hen. She does not like the Boxer at all and puts her in her place constantly. As far as vet costs, they do seem about the same. Medicine is the also the same cost as is the food for the smaller dogs. I forget which brand my wife buys, but since we have to buy for two it's still a $50 bag as is the Boxers. Also, my Schnauzer and Boxer play really rough sometimes but never bite, except it's the Boxer who whines. Neither have been hurt, but they have had plenty of battle scars. I also cannot walk both at the same time WITHOUT issue, as they're both spazzes, lulz. We take all three dogs right down the street to the doggie bowl off of Allen Parkway right outside of downtown. All sizes of dogs there, lots of hills, trails, etc. 45 minutes and they beg to go home. Also, when we used to venture to other dog parks my Schnauzers always wanted in the big dog park, not the little one. They HATED the smalls. Anyways, sorry to FB up your thread. Have you checked out Lonestar Boxer Rescue to see if they had any small breeds? This is where I chose mine. I saw that her mother was around 45 lbs. so it was perfect since my wife didn't want an 80 lb. dog running around the wood floors and up and down the stairs. She is PERFECT in every way too, except when she goes all Boxer and jabs me in the eyes while playing. Good luck on your quest and your pup will most likely love the companionship. My Boxer has no issues at all with adjusting to other dogs, she's just a happy pup all of the time...although she runs from baby strollers, air conditioners that turn on while on walks, and the big black trash containers. Weirdo.
when my gf moved in she brought her Chihuahua w/her...my Dogue de Bordeaux & the Chihuahua get along famously. - I've come home and found the entire house covered in toilet paper (the Chihuahua) - most recently the front door was practically broken off it's hinges (the glass/plastic center panel was shattered)...evidently the little dog's antagonising bark at the mailman led the big dog to pound the front door 'til it collapsed. No mail delivered for a week until i contacted the post office to ask WTF. The best part was when i walked in & started asking in a lound, authoritarian voice "WHAT IS THIS? WHO DID THIS?" the big dog was sheepishly looking at the Chihuahua in an attempt to assign blame. How could i get upset over such adorableness? Beau 194lbs Tooney 7lbs
This is what I'm talking about! Small dogs bonding with a larger dog is so awesome. It's also awesome when a smaller dog acts like the alpha. LOL You'll be surprised at just how aware of their size dogs become. If they have a good relationship with the smaller dog you will see things that amaze you. They will often go out of their way not to hurt the little dog, the little dog may bark to get the food or toy from them and the larger dog relents. It really develops like a big brother setup.
Awwww, my heart melted at the picture of them snuggling. No worries. Bring on pictures! That is what I am looking for Bo. A loving companionship between two dogs. I don't want to worry about them hating each other, regardless if its a boxer or a boston.
Your boxer is young enough that I don't think that should be a worry. How is he at the dog park? Socialize well with other dogs? I had trouble with a second dog when my first was about 8 years old and non socialized before the second came along. My first was very VERY unhappy to have a new pup in the house and sulked around. It wasn't until we moved to a new house that he got over it and became a companion, though he still never wanted to play with the new pup. They became roomates more than family lol.
Lol! Bo runs away to hide in the tub in the bathroom if I find something shredded up and give him an angry stare at him. Amazing that dogs know that they did something bad. He literally hates it when I am upset/angry even if it's not directed at him.
Oh, he is definitely great with other dogs. He doesn't play with them that often like he used to whenever we go to the dog park. He'd just say what's up to the other dogs then play fetch with me. The only time that he will get in a scuffle if a dog keeps bugging him. A dog once tried to hump him and he snapped and walked away. It would be interesting if I tried to get him in the small dog area. Not sure if other people would like that. People ALWAYS pick up their small dogs on while we are on our walks.
Age is the main thing to be concerned with. If the older dog is the large one and has never been around small dogs then you might have a problem. I have 3 dobies all over 75 lbs and one 5lb yorkie who all live inside. The yorkie is the oldest so all the dobies grew up with him and are great with him.
