[annabelles mom]

I don't think I'd want a boxerdoodle, I've know about 20 boxers in my lifetime and only 2 that I found to be friendly, loveable dogs, the rest were very standoffish or aggressive in nature - could be the way they were raised/the owners, but changed my mind on boxers being friendly family dogs JMO
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Mary & Annabelle
Zippity Doodle, Zippyity ay, My O My what a WonderDoodle Day !

http://www.picturetrail.com/luvlabs

[TheLabNme]

The boxers I have had contact with have all been very affable dogs, though bear in mind they weren't social like Labs who think everyone is their best friend. My parents raised Labs but the people next door had multiple Boxers (I grew up in the country so by next door I mean 20 acres away) and theirs were very loving dogs. Their oldest male used to take the farm cat's kittens and sneak them one by one to his doghouse to watch over them. This of course irritated the mama cat who would return from hunting the fields to find her hiding place empty. Eventually she just got resigned to it and started living in his doghouse.
It's not so much that a Boxer is not a good family dog, they absolutely adore their families, it's just that Boxers are generally more hesitant about throwing their affection around to just anybody. A well bred and socialized boxer is actually one of the more affectionate breeds once his respect is won. And to his family his loyalty is beyond reproach. Strangers on the other hand will be viewed with initial suspicion and this makes them a good guard dog. But once a person proves they are no danger to his family he will show overwhelming enthusiasm in his greeting.

Chad

[River Rat]

What a great story, Chad!

I've never really known a boxer, but the ones I've seen seem to be gentle and friendly, although a bit reserved. Personally I don't care for the look of a boxer, being a Great Dane owner from way back and preferring a more pronounced muzzle!

Leslie

[TheLabNme]

I hear ya Leslie, I had a Dane as well and they can be really addicting so long as your ok with drool on the ceiling and a foot of space on the couch to call your own

[River Rat]

[KingstonTodd]

A great dane is next on our list for a dog. We just need a bigger house, only 1100 sq ft isnt enough. I think a dane would love a big reck room to lounge in. Once i graduate and get a real job, maybe.

[River Rat]

Todd, Great Danes aren't active dogs; in fact they're perfect for apartment dwellers. They will run if taken to a beach or a field, but don't seem to need it the way some other breeds do. From everything I'm hearing, labradoodles are much more active and energetic, and require a lot more attention. Works for us since we're both retired. Our Dane was fine alone in the house during the day while we worked, and didn't have to be run when we got home. A sedate trip outside to relieve herself before dinner was fine with her.

Something to think about....

Leslie

[MaxandMe]

If I didn't have real bad allergies and my son with asthma we'd have another bull mastiff again.

but since i have 3 muskateers: max, peanut and beau

i'll just watch the rest of you accumlate more loving canines into your family

Labnme: GREAT description of boxers!!!
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Annmarie, Max,& Peanut
Forum BLOG ARTICLE LINK http://blog.labradoodle-dogs.net/

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." Anatole France

[annabelles mom]

Our neighbors have 2 Danes - Pepper is grey with black splotches and just gorgeous, Durango is a Dane mix ( we think with a horse lol) he is huge even by Dane standards, he's all black and the biggest baby you've ever met. They are both gorgeous - Durango loves to lean on people and Pepper jumps like a kangaroo so she can see over the 6 ft fence when we walk out in our yard
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Mary & Annabelle
Zippity Doodle, Zippyity ay, My O My what a WonderDoodle Day !

http://www.picturetrail.com/luvlabs

[TheLabNme]

Leslie is absolutely correct, Danes oddly enough make good apartment dogs, at the park my own would give a good gallop around the area once then lay down and watch the smaller dogs play. They are a breed that enjoys taking it easy and their favorite spot is usually the couch. I used to love watching my Dane back up to the couch and plop his butt down while still standing on his front legs. They do have a tendency to lean unexpectadly and let me tell you, 80-90 pounds of dog suddenly leaning into you can definately change your stance.
The sad thing about Danes unfortunately is their short lifespans, these gentle giants are very old at the age of 8 or 9. Still, their sweet dispositions and often clownish antics make them worth the heartbreak. I fully plan for another at some point in the future.
Interesting that your Danes were dry mouthed Leslie, my own would trail slobber and water after taking a drink, though otherwise he wasn't too bad.

Chad

[River Rat]

None of our Danes, and we had five of them, ever slobbered. Dunno why that was; a friend who raises Rhodesian Ridgebacks used to complain about Danes drooling but ours were always just fine. We only kept two for their entire lifespans: the first we got from a shelter and she turned out to have grand mal epilepsy, which must have been why her previous owner gave her up. We couldn't keep her because she went wild with them and did a lot of damage, although it was heartbreaking to give her up. Then we had a lovely black and white not-quite-harlequin who lived until the age of 8, and our next was a brindle who was quite alpha and bit our granddaughter, so we gave her to a Dane rescue group. I've often wondered what became of her and if she was successful in her new home. After that we got a rescue dog who stayed with us a short time, became very territorial, and tried to attack two different guests. Back he went. Finally we got Maia, who was hand-raised and the sweetest dog you'd ever want to know. Our grandkids could crawl all over her and she just loved it.

And now we have a Labradoodle who's sweet and comic and loving. What different personalities they have!

Leslie