So you are considering being owned by a Boxer!

Here we offer you advice on selecting you new companion and answer some of the common questions our new Boxer puppy owners have asked us.

- Don’t be afraid to ask questions, a good breeder will be happy to answer them.
- Do not purchase from someone that wants to meet you on the roadside or in a carpark.

This denies you a chance to see where the puppy came from and the conditions it was raised in. It also denies you a chance to see the mother with the puppies.

A good breeder will have spent a lot of his time with their puppies. Watch for interaction between the breeder and the puppies and how they respond.

- Never pay a deposit for a puppy until you have seen it.

Most reputable breeders will let you see the puppies when they have had their first vaccination at around 6 weeks. This is the time to pay a deposit if you are happy.

Most good breeders have waiting lists of potential new owners but do NOT charge to join their lists giving you the option to seek a puppy elsewhere should their bitch not produce.

From our own point of view we like people to come and meet us and our dogs and interact with the puppies in our home. It is a good opportunity for new owners to them to satisfy themselves that we are experienced breeders and will have a happy, well reared, healthy puppy for them to collect in a few weeks time.

- Be aware of breeders that don’t health test their dogs because they claim to only be breeding pets. All breeding stock should be tested and only sound dogs and bitches should be bred from.

Here are some common question that we are asked and our answers. We as reputable breeders are happy to be asked questions about the health and welfare of our dogs.

Can we see the sire and dam of the litter?

Yes for the dam. And with any breeder where you are purchasing a young puppy you should always be able to see the mother with the puppies.

Yes to the sire if he is our own dog. Sometimes we will have used a dog from another kennel so he may not be available but we can make arrangements for you to view him at his own place.

Have your dogs been heart scored?

Yes. All our dogs are heart tested and we only breed from dogs that have tested.

At what age can I collect my new puppy?

We do not let puppies leave our home until they are at least 8 weeks old.

Will my new puppy be vaccinated and micro chipped?

Yes. All our puppies receive their first vaccination at 6 weeks old and are micro-chipped at the same time.

Will my puppy be wormed?

Yes. We worm our puppies every two weeks and this should be continued until they are 12 weeks old. We recommend they are then wormed every month until 6 months and then twice yearly after that.

Will my new puppy be registered?

Yes. We register all our puppies with the Irish Kennel Club. This process takes between 4-6 weeks and occasionally the paper work may not be back from the Irish Kennel Club when you collect your puppy in which case we forward the pappers as soon as possible.

What food should I use for my new puppy?

When you collect a puppy from us we provide you with a diet sheet and a 2.5 Kg bag of food that the puppy is used to. See also our puppy feeding guide for extra information.

We hope this helps you to make the right choice when buying a boxer puppy!

Should you have further questions please do not hesiate to contact us. We are always happy to talk Boxers!

Alternatively you can contact the Irish Kennel Club who can provide you with details of the breed club secretaries who will be able to help you with either a list of good breeders or some sound advice.

We hope you will have a long and happy life with your new family member.