I owned a boxer for about 12 years. She was a great dog, and loved having fun. Very dumb, but very faithful. She was protective of her family, wary of outsiders, but friendly with visiting friends and family. She made the rounds from door to door a few times every night, on patrol. Boxers are very attuned to a person’s feelings. I’ve never owned a dog that was so keyed in to how I was feeling. When I was happy, she was happy. When I was sad, she was comforting. When I was upset or angry, she became very defensive. Weird.
Boxers can be more susceptible to tumors than other dogs. My dog became overcome by tumors and arthritis, and I cried like a blubbering baby when I took her to the vet to put her down.
My friends had a boxer that lived to be almost 15. During a low period after I lost my husband I went to visit them. The dog would not leave my side the whole time I was there. She would lay her head on my lap, sigh and just watch me. A little lick every so often.She even wanted sleep in the same room I did.
I cried when they had to put her down.