The first steps to finding your new boxer puppies

There is no such thing as a stupid question, especially when you are looking to spend a great deal of money on boxer puppies. These very popular dogs are not always easy to find since so many families want their own. And since many are looking to raise boxer puppies with the family, the art of purchasing one is often arduous. There are sometimes waiting lists, there are breeders who make promises they can&rsquo-t keep because they are not ethical breeders. The good, reputable breeders are often difficult to find and wait on as they are the ones who tend to have the longest waiting lists and the highest prices. Boxer puppies are very, very popular and finding one for your family is going to require exercise in patience and understanding. For that reason, we recommend that you know what to expect when looking for a boxer puppy for your family, and we want to provide you with some information that will help you make an informed decision when choosing the right breeder to provide you with a lovable puppy for your family to grow with.

Ask yourself if Your Family is Ready

There is nothing good to come from deciding this morning you want a puppy and then bringing one home tomorrow. Puppies and dogs are lifelong commitments that should be thought about and well planned in advance. If you&rsquo-ve never considered a dog before this moment, give yourself some time to think it over. We are in no way trying to deter you from obtaining a puppy for your family, merely advising you to make sure that this is truly what you want. If you&rsquo-ve not taken the time to consider all that goes along with raising a puppy, please do so now and make sure everyone in your family is on board. Ask yourself if you have the financial means, if you have the time and patience to train a puppy, clean up after it and teach it proper obedience. Do you have the time to socialize the puppy so it becomes familiar with strangers and with other animals? This is an energetic and active breed that likes exercise- do you have the time to take this dog on long walks and to the park, or take it into the backyard to play? Additionally, are you home often enough to provide a dog with a quality life? We aren&rsquo-t saying you need to be a stay-at-home kind of family, but you definitely need to be a family that comes home in the evenings and is around on the weekends rather than frequent travelers looking into kennels and boarding houses for weeks every month.

Find a Reputable Breeder

The next part of finding a puppy comes in the form of finding the right breeder. Googling &ldquo-Boxer Puppies for sale&rdquo- is probably not the best idea as you might find a number of so-called breeders just in it for the money, breeding dogs that aren&rsquo-t well-cared for, well-kept or even given the proper veterinary assistance required. Your best bet is to check with local vets for referrals or check with the American Kennel Club, which can refer you to an extensive list of breeders across the country from which you can choose.

Don&rsquo-t take the AKC&rsquo-s word that a breeder is reputable, however. They&rsquo-re a good starting point, but even they recommend that you take the next steps to ensure that the breeder you select is one worthy of your time. This breeder will be one that has a good home with dogs that seem well cared for. This will be a breeder that is happy to answer your questions, show you around the facilities and provide you with veterinary paperwork from your dog&rsquo-s visits. This is a breeder that will have information available to show you regarding the parents of your dog, their previous litters and even references you can use to find out how others who&rsquo-ve purchased dogs from this breeder feel about the animal they brought home. And, as always, go with your gut. If your gut tells you that this is not the place for you to obtain a dog, don&rsquo-t get a dog there. You might not realize it up front, but your gut is typically right and you can&rsquo-t go wrong not trusting it.

Expect to be Screened

A good indication of a reputable breeder is one who will screen you just as much as you screen them. Good breeders want their boxer puppies going to good homes. They&rsquo-ll ask you questions about your home and your yard, your life, your travel habits, your kids, your family and your past dog ownership. They&rsquo-ll ask you which vet you plan to use, which groomer you might choose, how you will train the dog, and they will require you sign contracts stating that you will not return the dog, give up the dog and even that you will take the dog to the vet for proper care on a regular basis. Breeders serious about their boxer puppies will not play games with you. They want their dogs to go to good homes because they are not in this for the money. A breeder who might not be reputable is one likely in the game for the money involved in selling dogs- this type of breeder isn&rsquo-t going to care in the least where you live and what you plan on doing with the dog once it&rsquo-s out of their hands.

Prepare Your Home

Before you bring home your new puppy make sure you have everything you need to care for it. This will include a crate, bowls and dishes, a leash, a collar, toys, food, and treats. You&rsquo-ll want this all on hand so that your dog can begin to acclimate to your home right away. You will also want to be sure that you begin socializing and training your dog from day one. Dogs are intelligent, and your new boxer will begin understanding your commands and your expectations if you make them clear from the start.