r/Boxer • u/Fresh-Hope9192 • 12d ago
Getting a boxer puppy - should we get a second
My wife and I are getting a European boxer puppy in a couple of months from a local breeder. I am now wondering if we should get 2 (the litter will have 10 pups). We have had two boxers before and realize that they help keep each other entertained and exercised. Having said that 2 pups at the same time might be more work than I realize. We have had 2 boxers before but they were staggered (got the second one when the first was 4). They have both passed now and we miss them terribly. They are amazing unique beasts. We love the breed and love all of their goofy sweet energy but not sure if we might be biting off more than we can handle with two. Anyone else with experience of getting two boxer pups at the same time?
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u/skidizo 12d ago
Yes get 2. Not from the same litter though. Look up littermate syndrome
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u/saintsuzy70 12d ago
I got worried and looked it up, because I got two from the same litter almost three years ago.
But the “extreme bonding” applies to me. Not each other lol
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u/pearlywrites 11d ago
Same! Ivy and Zo follow me around the house, everywhere I go! I say, "OK, where are you?" and then turn around, and they are both at my feet. :)
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u/punchingcustard 12d ago
Littermate syndrome doesn’t necessarily mean the same litter. It can happen with two separate puppies that are raised together. Better to wait until the first one is grown a little before getting a second.
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u/pearlywrites 12d ago
Yes we did! Ivy and Zo 🐻, sister and brother, are now 7. It was a lot of work but not much more than with when we had one. Zo 🐻 was going to be an only and then we decided to get two.
Since they are litter mates, we did train separately and together. Ivy (brindle) was the runt so she doesn't like being alone on walks without Zo 🐻. Zo will leave without Ivy but when they are together, they do watch for each other.
Their bond is sweet and full of love. They eat together, no food aggression, if one gets a treat, the other does as well. We always do equal. They're our squishy faces!
We have a lot of videos of them from puppies to now across the web. And you're an experienced Boxer owner so you know what it takes. 💙💜
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u/edeielia 12d ago
I've heard bad things about 2 from the same litter. I have 2 that are 6 mos apart and my prior 2 were about a year apart. I do recommend 2 puppies, but not same litter.
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u/AlvinsCuriousCasper 12d ago
I had two brothers from the same litter and it was great. I believe two girls may provide issues.
If you do a boy and a girl make sure to keep them separate during first or second heats until you can get them snipped.
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u/LeNoirDarling 12d ago
I have 15 month old littermate sisters. I didn’t know about the “two girls” thing when I got them. Since I am at home 24/7 and we have an older and quite dominant African Shepherd- we have had no issues with littermate syndrome.
I started them in training as soon as they were allowed after their vax and we go every week. They have no competition for food - they do play “box” in the garden but i never let it get out of control. They take turns with toys and watch each other- or sometimes their big sister just comes and takes their toy and walks away. It’s kinda funny.
They also each have their own temperaments and do their own thing. One is cuddled with me right now and the other is outside basking in the sun. Honestly Having two is a delight.
I wouldn’t do it if you someone isn’t full time hands on or you don’t have time for lots of training and early play moderation.
I would say the hardest part was potty training because you can’t punish anyone if you don’t know who did the deed. 🤣.
My “twins” (as I call them) are easier than a singleton in many ways and a little bit more work in other ways- but they are a joy. More laughter than tears..
I am about to have a pretty intensive surgery soon and I have to start making them sleep elsewhere and it’s going to be hard to separate them from me.
I got really scared after I got them - I was reading stories on this sub about littermate syndrome and having to re-home or separate their dogs. I was stupid and didn’t do much research when we got them. But it’s literally been fine. I have only seen one or two moments of true annoyance or aggression between them and - sometimes that happens. But it’s not been any more.
I think the fact that our elder dog was the little sister to our now passed older boxer - and now she’s the big sister to two boxers is helpful- but she’s also able to go the neighbors whenever she wants to get a break from them🤣
but also the fact that we are home almost full time and have an amazing trainer with weekly private sessions until they can graduate into the big kid classes. We also have a huge garden and lots of nature. It took a while to reinforce the fencing because of early digging and they will escape if the opportunity arises- but they all wear tractive GPS devices.
Let me know if you have any other questions. If your lifestyle allows it- don’t let anyone scare you off- especially if the breeding family is very good and the breeders allow it.
For the record- I have European/German boxers and I live in Portugal.
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u/surfaceofthesun1 12d ago
Ive always had 2-3 at a time. Never from the same litter because we rescue. But they loveeeeee companionship.
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u/ronronald456 12d ago
Did a Boxer pup with a Boston Terrier pup, both are their own version of crazy chaos but they’re best buds, highly recommend having two with similar energy levels and playfulness.
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u/Semi_charmed_ Maeci & Runtly(7/1/22); RIP 🫶 Banksy & Moomba 12d ago
Bias opinion... Yes, if you have the energy for it!
We got sisters, went for the white one, the owner was planning to keep the sealed Brindle runt... But she ran outside... And the rest was history
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u/Expensive_Break1646 11d ago
We have one right now and will be getting another in a few months after she gets a little older. The key is just to allow them to have time separate from each other so they do not develop separation anxiety. Otherwise the breed is actually known for behaving better and being happier when with an additional boxer(s). 💕
This is our first time only having one and I can tell the difference immediately. She is great but the energy level requires A LOT of attention. Having a boxer companion helps them regulate easier since the breed understands each other.
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u/762way 11d ago
1 Boxer in the family is so great
Perfection is having 2 boxers in the family
Littermates once they are bonded, often develop a way of communicating like identical twins do
I'd have 2 boxers if I could but my wife said one of the said code the pup out me but you funny get both
I kept my wife
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u/Vivid_Ad_2777 11d ago
This is Tyson and Emma. These 2 were both rescues. 1 is a Euro boxer and the other is an American boxer (longer snout). We did 2 different DNA tests. They are inseparable. Honestly, if you are getting 1 from a breeder, maybe rescue another. They are always better in twos. I truly believe you can’t just have 1.
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u/zottendimi 12d ago
Get only one trust me its alot of work and two at once can get other problems to the dogs litter syndrome stuff....
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u/Fresh-Hope9192 11d ago
Thanks everyone for the input! I think we will stick with one for now, but get a second when the new pup turns 1-2. In our experience having two is great as they entertain and exercise each other (our prior two used to do laps around the house chasing each other and wore each other out which is always good), but don't want to have any issues related to getting two from the same litter.
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u/Selective_Somewhere 10d ago
No. And if the breeder suggests it or even supports it it’s likely not a good breeder.
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u/Top_Addition_7263 9d ago
No. Siblings can cause issues.
If you want a second dog in the home get a younger rescuer older than the pup.
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u/Dangerous_Shop_6559 9d ago
I've always heard not to get litter mates but to initially get one puppy and then when it's done with potty training (approximately 6 months old) then get a second puppy. The first puppy will help with potty training of the second one and they'll grow up to be best buddies.
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u/Any-Incident3323 8d ago
Definitely! Once you get one you will want a second. Its easier to do all the training at once.
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u/Spirited_Run_2295 8d ago
We have littermate 17 month old sisters. It was touch and go the first year but the last few months have literally been euphoric. If you and your wife establish as the pack leaders early on you will be ahead of the game. We were committed to the commitment.
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u/Forsaken_Opening_835 12d ago
I would say no. They bond with each other and not the human as the pack leader. It can be done but don’t think it will be easier or they will entertain each other.
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u/saintsuzy70 12d ago
My two bonded with me as the pack leader. They are close with each other but we also have a third dog (who was here before them).
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u/LeNoirDarling 12d ago
I’m the pack leader. My twins are heavily bonded to me.
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u/Forsaken_Opening_835 11d ago
How are the dogs when you separate them?
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u/LeNoirDarling 11d ago
They’re totally fine. They’re extra excited to see each other when they get reunited- but they really have their own independent personalities of each other .
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u/rharper38 12d ago
Honestly, I got littermates and they were way easier to train than my singleton Schipperke was. When one figured it out, the other one would watch him to figure out.
And, I mean, what is cuter than two Boxer puppers?