Boxer doesnt bark

Question
Hi Jannie:

This is Rahul from India and I was surfing the net for some answers when I came across this website which helps Boxer owners with advice and help. I am a first time dog owner and my boxer girl is 8 months old...I had bought her from a friend when she was two months old...I basically have two issues with my girl;

1. She rarely barks?? She will not bark back at other dogs in the park or even at street dogs..she will chase them if bothered but wont bark. She does bark at me if I put her in her cage and play with her ball or even when she is hungry.

2. How much food should a eight month old boxer should be given...right now I feed her thrice in a day..also her water intake is bare minimum...keeping in mind the Indian Summer.

We live in a flat BTW.

Pls advice...thanx for your time and efforts.

Regards,
RT

Answer
First, it upsets me about your remark on water. Dogs must have water 24/7.  Not a "bare minimum." If you cannot provide that, then you do not need to own a dog.I am against Boxers being in India because of the weather, as Boxers get hot easily and need temperature control environments and lots of water and a high quality dog food which I he\ave learned India does not offer on the market.

Speaking of feeding- she needs three to four healthy feedings per day and water 24/7.

As for her not barking-- this is a personality thing probably-- she does not need to be off leash and loose- but in a confined fenced area when outside, and she needs to be able to play and NOT chase dogs and be aggressive let alone bark at them.

Why would you want her to bark at dogs? This is not acceptable behavior. She is not a guard dog. She is not a fighting dog.

Play barking when playing is acceptable because she is having fun. Do not allow barking at people and dogs.

You need to educate yourself on Boxers.

Join the boxerforum.com (Google Boxer forum) and boxerworld.com and go into their forum and READ everything about the health and characteristics, needs, about Boxers.

Educate yourself to know the breed to better understand her and provide for her, otherwise-- you have no business owing a dog let alone, a Boxer.