puppies

[jserio]

my wife and i are thinking bout getting a puppy. a boxer pup. $150 for the pup. it's male. will have first shots and tail docked when/if we get it. we'll have to get the ears done and get him fixed. opinions?

[scottpA_GS]

Options

You looking to Mod him r what  

I don't get what you mean by options..

[jserio]

not options. opinions. 

[bettingpython]

Good luck finding a Vet to do ears anymore. Veterinary schools no longer teach the practice either. If you find a vet to do the ears look for dog owners who have had their ears done there before you commit it's very hard to do and most vets butcher them. The best analogy of what it's like to try sewing ears is that it's like sewing wet tissue paper.

The ear docikng of dogs is a practice that was driven by dog fighting, by cutting the ears down to just the cartilige it reduces a sensitive area that another dog could bite into.

Tail docking really is uneccessary as well unless you have a dog breed that doesn't lift its tail when they crap like australian shepards

We would like to get a doberman and that is the only breed I would consider getting the ears done on as it accents their long angular head.

Tails are Ok to have done but I'ts really uneccessary in most cases.

[jserio]

if we do get the pup, we will probably use the same vet for ears as my wife's parents did. they have a boxer as well. her ears turned out nicely. of course it cost a pretty penny. i like dobermans as well BP. but my inlaws have a friend who have told us that their doberman has gotten in between the kids when fighting. it tends to favor one child over the other. i'd hate to have my dog attack one kid because the kids were fighting.

[scottpA_GS]

Options

You looking to Mod him r what  

I don't get what you mean by options..

I need to stop drinking 

[jserio]

nothin wrong with drinkin.  i got me a Heine keg i'm workin on

[Domindart]

My bro just got a german shephard pup.  Great dog so far. 

[yamahonkawazuki]

now why do you want teh ears/tail done?

[bubba zanetti]

To be cruel to the dog.

Tail docking & ear cutting are unnecessary & just bloody cruel. 

[Affschnozel]

Boxers are very smart dogs ,they love children , dobermans  IMO tend to be a little neurotic and aggressive, hey they are of the pinscher family   

Nothing wrong with docking & ear cutting IMO , it's been done for ages ,it benefits certain breeds for their intended duties and if done in early age and

by a trained professional it's no different than circumcision . 

[bubba zanetti]

I should have added, if it's done for looks then it's cruel, but if it's done as a necessity then it's ok, but AFAIK docking of boxers is for looks only.

BTW the docking of tails and ears for vanity reasons in Australia is banned AFAIK.

[Kasumi]

To be cruel to the dog.

Tail docking & ear cutting are unnecessary & just bloody cruel. 

My opinion exactly - it should only be done if is necessary for that breed, like mentioned before some dogs not lifting their tails.

I don't agree with doing it for looks at all - same with jack russels - every dog owner has the tail docked because thats how the breed looks - but its only because its always been done, they actually don't have short tails at all just everyone docks them and me sir don't agree with that.

I'm getting a rescue greyhound in the next month or so when i get my life sorted

[bettingpython]

The reason I have no problem with a tail being done for looks is that it's painless done under anesthetic, heals quickly and is very simple to do plus it is not cruel the dog loses nothing by having it's tail docked other than it's tail, besides the not lifting it's tail issue it also reduces the chance of some great lummox stepping on their dogs tail or slamming it in a door.

I have had pitbulls in the past and my wife and I just rescued a puppie new years eve. I wont bother having her tail done but I did have to give up one of the sweetest pit's ever because his tail wasn't done. The only and I mean only thing he would snap about was if his tail was pulled. My son was at the age where wagging doggie tails were of great intrest when he began walking in his walker so the dog had to go unfortunately.

[GeeP]

Before you have the dog's ears cut on, go at your own with a blunt pair of scissors.

Post back and tell us how you think the dog will like it.

For that matter, why not find a dog at a local rescue shelter?  You won't enjoy the company of a vanity breed any more or less than a mutt from the pound.  However, I can assure you that the mutt from the pound will enjoy your company far more if you treat him/her properly.

[frankieG]

Boxers are great dogs I have had a few.  Please do not do their ears.  There is no reason to do so

[jserio]

maybe i should re-phrase myself. i wasn't wanting opinions on the docking of the tail or the ears.  but, you all added them and i welcome those opinions. i see this as a subject we all don't see eye to eye on. no big deal. i was asking for opinions about our choice in dog breed. i've got young kids so i want a dog that will tolerate my children. my kids are not hateful to animals but you know how kids can be.  i'd like the dog to have some protection ability though as well. 

[bubba zanetti]

Dunno how'd they go with children, spend some time training the dog and the children and they'd be ok I guess.

I can only tell you that beagles are great with children.

[jserio]

beagles may be great with children but i find them utterly annoying. i had a neighbor once that had prolly 15 beagle pups. fuckers barked all the time. anytime a leaf fell from the tree etc, they'd bark for hours. 

[nastynate6695]

maybe i should re-phrase myself. i wasn't wanting opinions on the docking of the tail or the ears.  but, you all added them and i welcome those opinions. i see this as a subject we all don't see eye to eye on. no big deal. i was asking for opinions about our choice in dog breed. i've got young kids so i want a dog that will tolerate my children. my kids are not hateful to animals but you know how kids can be.  i'd like the dog to have some protection ability though as well. 

May i recomend a Great pyrenees 

They are great dogs..Known as the Gentle Giants.  They get to be about 135 lbs and we originally bred for protecting the herds.  these dogs are highly intelegent (almost to the point where they get themselves into trouble).  The one downfall is that they are pure white with a little yellowing as they get older. so keeping them clean is a little hard.  Plus they shed alot.  I rescued mine from the pound and have enjoyed ever since.  Except when hes managed to get into the trash, pantry, and the one time he ripped a water pipe out of the wall.