blind boxer

Question
I own five dogs, different breeds. all spayed or neutered, utd etc.
Have never had a boxer nor a blind dog, but am considering adopting and 18 mo old blind dog. Is this a foolish thing to do?  'We are both seniors and, of course, dog lovers.

Answer
Hi Kate,

I can't tell you if it's foolish without knowing you and your family but I can tell you that I own a blind dog and it's not really a big deal.  There are some things to consider, though.

1.  Rearranging furniture is a 'no'.  Once the dog gets used to the layout, you'll be surprised at how well they navigate.

2.  Daily walks may not take place depending on the dog's comfort level so you'll need to come up with some more creative ways to burn the dog's energy (and Boxers, especially 18 month old Boxers, are extremely energetic).  My girl will not walk on a lead any longer.  She is not sure of herself.

3.  Scented oils should be purchased.  This is a trick for the blind dog.  Because they have such a good sense of smell, if you put a bit of oil on the doorway, nose high, the dog will find it easier to 'know' where it is in the house.  A different scent for each doorway, by the way.

Beyond the vision impairment, you're considering a Boxer.  :)  Boxers are, as I said, extremely energetic.  If they aren't active they become bored.  As you may know, a bored dog is a behaviorally challenged dog.  The activity level in your household should be fairly high.  If you and your partner are couch potatoes, a Boxer is not the correct breed for you.  It's not to say you need to spend 8 hours a day jogging but you should lead a fairly active lifestyle that the dog can fit into.  

An 18 month old Boxer is just reaching adolescence, please note that I did not say maturity!  Boxers do not mentally mature until about 3 years of age.  So essentially you will be adopting a fully grown puppy.  This is why many people either love 'em or hate 'em.  

I'm not trying to deter you, just trying to paint a realistic picture for you.  :)  Obviously I love the breed!  I currently own 3 (one blind, one deaf and one halfway normal, lol) and have owned more and fostered more.  They're very loyal, love to cuddle and are generally very friendly dogs.

If you have any more questions, I'd be happy to answer them.  :)