Cross Breeds

How protective can boxer dogs -eventualy- be?

We got a boxer puppy hoping it would protect our family if one of us was home alone. Our puppy seems to love everyone. If he's going to hurt you, he's going to lick you to death. We hope that eventually he will get a little more protective. Sometimes, late at night a commercial on tv will have a doorbell ring and he'll jump up and run to the door. But he seems excited, not "ready to pounce" if you will. Is there any hope of him eventually being protective?

Public Comments

1. If he's less than two years old, remember he's still a child. Puppies are protected in the pack, not the protectors of the pack.
2. Buy a can of mace or an alarm system if you want "protection".
3. if thats the only thing you wanted the dog for then you shouldn't have a dog period. any dog can be protective of its home and then there are others who simply don't care who walks through the door and will lick them to death, something like my sister's german shepherd. she would never hurt a fly. a large dog barking at a door can often be enough to scare off intruders, so she doesn't need to necessarily be growling and snarling and ready to 'pounce' at every little sound of someone around the door.
4. yes there is. dogs are very protective depending on th situation n if they see or feel that their owner in at risk of been harmed
5. I would say with age your dog will get a little more "protective". Just be careful what you wish for, because he can get this way with people you know well too.
6. Dogs are smart and more sensitive to emotions than humans are. If someone who is a threat enters your house, trust me, your dog will know. You don't want him to be "ready to pounce" at every person who walks through your door, so you should be glad he's so friendly. If the time comes that you are in danger, your dog will recognize the danger and fight to protect you.
7. Hopefully you never will see your dog be aggressive with your family or guests you have come over. And I do not suggest teaching him to be. That is a recipe for disaster. If a dog is made to think being aggressive is good, there is a good chance of him eventually biting someone and being removed from your home and put to sleep. If you want to keep your dog with you for his whole life, do NOT encourage aggressive behaviors in your puppy. Introduce him to dogs and people to ensure a well socialized dog. With that being said, *most* dogs can tell if their home or family members are being "attacked" and are likely at that point to switch into a protective mode. This is a natural instinct and one that you hopefully should never see in your daily interactions. Dogs can read body language and if you are uncomfortable or frightened of a person (say breaking into your house) he will be likely to sense that and protect you to his fullest ability. Good luck with your new baby and I hope you have a long and happy life together!
8. Your dog may seem like a wimp. But trust me if he smells any danger towards your family he will not be so nice. Ever notice how a dog Knows someone is coming way before they get there. The have amazing hearing and smelling ability. The can sense danger from a mile away. I doubt you need to worry.
9. Depends on how you train the dog.
10. My boxer is only scary if you are peaking in the window and you see his big maw barking back at you. He hears everything and he barks his head off, but he is harmless. Personally, I think that is one reason why boxers are great. They look big and tough, they sound scary, but I never have to worry about him actually hurting anyone. I figure if someone started to break into my house and he heard my boxer barking and charging at him, he would turn and run before he had time to realize that the big dog is very happy to see him. He is more likely to just head on to some house without a big dog. All that being said, my mom felt much safer with the dog there on nights when no one else was home.