Things About Boxers You Should Know Before Buying One

My husband and I recently lost our boxer-Branegan on March 3,2009, up until that day we thought the only serious problems that boxers could have were tumors and hip dysplasia. But on March 3rd we learned of another serious problem, one we were totally clueless to. It seems that as a boxers gets older the tendons and muscles that hold their stomach in place start to stretch and soon with all the jumping and running their stomachs literally do a 360 degree roll,which cuts off any air being belched or any food being passed via bowel movements.

Immediately the boxers ribs start to distend and they are in alot of pain, the only way to solve this issue is surgery, but the cost of this surgery is enormous. One Vet I talked to at the Animal Emergency Clinic told me the cost of surgery is 3000.00 dollars. I was shocked at the cost, but i think the worst part is just accepting that your pet has had a good life and to put him thru that kind of surgery at 12 years old is just cruel.

At that time, I also learned that young boxers that haven't been neutered or spayed yet can have a new procedure done while while in surgery. They take the tendon and tie the stomach up towards the spine so that the stomach and tendons and muscles never stretch out,therefore never letting the stomach roll. It seems this would be alot easier on them than having to go thru this surgery later in life.

Boxers are a breed of their own, they are fun, loving, playful and sometimes very talkative. I remember when we first got Branegan, he was 6 weeks old, he ran around our living room with so much energy. He would do the bunny hop with you by putting his legs around your waist and then hopped when you hopped. He also loved to give hugs. His favorite thing in the whole world was cookies and that he got alot of. From the time he was a year old he could say mom, I want some and grandma,because grandma always teased him about being a monkey face and she would share her potato soup with him.

The night he passed, he kept saying mom all the way to the Animal Emergency Clinic, and my heart was breaking. He was the best friend, companion and son I had ever had. Yes, we thought of our dogs as children, the love they share with you is just like that of a child.

Would we get another boxer again?yes, the love they share is worth every minute you get to have with them.