Description:Azula is gentle, loving, and great with kids and other dogs. She would make a great addition to a sweet home. Azula is heartworm positive and we are treating her with the slow kill method; literature will be given upon adoption. Please call our office for more informatin on HW+ dogs. Heartworm positive dogs lead a long, healthy life!
Foster Update 12/22/14:
Azula has been a fantastic so far - she completely ignores our cat even when Bella hisses at her. She also met our neighbor's cat and did well with him also. Anyone with cats in their household will not have an issue with this pup.
She is a bit timid when it comes to walking through doorways and into rooms. However, she is making progress with this as she gets used to our house. We have also been walking into rooms with her just so she gets used to it! We had visitors the other day and when the door bell rang, Azula barely even moved. Not so much a guard dog but she did great welcoming our guests into the house and letting them love on her. She was not scared of them at all. She has not made a peep since we have gotten her so we have no idea what her bark sounds like. We took her over to our friends house - they have a dog as well about the same age as Azula but with a little bit more energy. Azula was very patient with the other dog and let her jump all over her and never once got snippy. Eventually they just laid under the kitchen table together as we baked Christmas cookies. Azula did not beg for food at all. She only begs when she can smell her treats being opened and knows she is getting a snack. My husband is taking her to work with him for a few hours today so that she can meet some more people. He works at a church and they have visitors in and out of the office all day so we will see how that goes!
According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, the Boxer's ancestors were two German mastiff type dogs, the Bullenbeiszer and the Barenbeiszer. They were later crossed with the powerful ancestors of the Mastiff and Bulldog. Early on, these dogs were prized for hunting, bull baiting, and for pulling carts. A bit farther down the family tree, Boxer ancestors became cattle dogs, and were used to round up livestock. They were also popular circus and theater dogs because they learned tricks so easily. Breeding was rather indiscriminate until the first Boxer studbook was started in 1904, stabilizing the breed standard. In spite of its German origins, "Boxer" is an English name that suitably describes the dog's punchy fighting style. Though early Boxers may have been quite ferocious, the breed today is a very gentle, loving family companion. Some of the Boxer's talents are watchdogging, guarding, police work, military work, search & rescue, competitive obedience, schutzhund and performing tricks. The Boxer is happy, high-spirited, playful, curious and energetic. Highly intelligent, eager and quick to learn, but can be stubborn and sneaky. The Boxer is a good dog for competitive obedience. Constantly on the move, bonding very closely with the family. Loyal and affectionate, Boxers are known for the way they get along so well with children. A well brought-up and properly socialized Boxer will also get along with his own kind and other household pets. However one Boxer owner reported; their Boxer is best friends with their many barn cats and second dog, but will chase and eat their ducks and other farm birds. The female boxer will often get into fights with other female dogs, trying to display her dominance. If one owns a female boxer and another female dog, they will get along and even play most of the time, however they will most likely fight from time to time. It has been said that the name Boxer came from the way the Boxer likes to use is front paws for just about everything. If you have ever watched a Boxer go about his business you may have noticed the way he paws at his toys, food bowl and you for that matter, in a very playful cat-like way. Some Boxers have been known to paw at their food or water bowl if they are empty. Playfully barking, pawing and playing with the bowl, flipping it upside-down and putting their front paws on the top of the bowl, sliding it around the house barking and whining until someone fills it for them. It looks like a silly game, but the Boxer knows what he is trying to tell you, he's hungry! While participating the sport of schutzhund, Boxers are known to jump up and use their front paws as if they are boxing. They are very clownish and playful and have been known to grab and carry ANYTHING around including your knickknacks if he thinks he can get away with it. The Boxer's nature is to protect you, your family, and your home. Known visitors will be welcomed boisterously. They are always keen to work and play. Boxers need lots of human companionship. They can be rather boisterous and even in old age are still extremely athletic. Teach the Boxer not to be boisterous and especially not to jump up at people. Boxers LOVE to jump. This breed is noted for courage and makes great guard dogs. Boxers have a wide use in military and police work. Training should start young and be firm and consistent. This breed requires a dominant owner. An excellent watchdog, the Boxer will restrain an intruder in the same way a Bulldog does. They have a life expectancy of 11-14 years.