Description:
Apple is a lovely young Boxer mix, only about one year old. This dear dog was found by a sheriff when he raided a house. Chained in the back yard she was skin & bones, a 30 pound starved Boxer with a 50 pound chain around her neck, chained to a tree He was horrified and could not bear to think of her taken off to a kill shelter. Instead, he scooped up this darling and brought her to Judy. And, oh my, aren't we glad that he did. Apple is doing so well, slowly gaining weight. She is very sweet, a true indication of the trusting, forgiving heart that God gave dogs.

Foster Update:
Apple is doing so well in my home! She's so quiet and sweet. She hasn't barked or had any accidents since I've brought her home, even though she wasn't yet housebroken. But every time I take her out, she goes to the bathroom right away and seems just as happy to come right back inside. I'm trying to show her that it's okay to be outside and roam around more, but she's still getting comfortable so she's a little bit of a homebody. She's extremely playful but she's not over-
hyper and settles down very quickly when I tell her playtime is over. She seems to know that when I get on my laptop or take out one of my school books that it's quiet time and she's very good about it. If I'm up and about she loves to follow me around and watch everything I'm doing. Since I'm trying to teach her good habits, I don't let her get up on the couch and after trying a few times, she hasn't tried again since. She uses her mouth and play-bites when she plays, but I
tell her no every time so she learns she can't bite, even if it's playful and doesn't hurt. I got her a bone to chew on which she LOVES and it keeps her occupied for quite awhile while I study. She sleeps GREAT and doesn't snore at all - very quiet, though I think she may have doggie dreams every now and then since I notice her kicking her feet. She's very good about going in the crate and doesn't bark when I leave, or when I return home. I think her biggest obstacle will be leash manners - she pulls and tries to dominate, but I know she'll get better with practice since she seems very eager to listen, learn, and please.

Foster Update: 4/11
Everything with Apple is going so well. She's learned how to sit, shake, and lay down. Her leash manners are far better, she no longer pulls unless she sees someone, and then she's so eager to say hello. She met a neighbor dog the other day and didn't bark at all. They sniffed each other out, touched noses, and the other dog barked at her - I think scaring Apple a little bit (she's afraid of loud noises) but my neighbor's dog was male so that's probably why he got excited! She's learned what she can and can not put in her mouth - for instance, her toys are hers to chew, but the pillows on the couch are not! She loves to lay outside in the sunshine and when we play inside, she's learned not to use her mouth to play. She's a very loving and loyal dog.

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, eag