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Dog devotion by breed

2K views 13 replies 7 participants last post by  ackwyo15 
#1 ·
So my colleague gave me an old book by Konrad Lorenz (Man and beast or something like that). It's a pretty interesting book, but he's kind of patronizing about many dog breeds, including boxers.

He claims that many dogs (boxers included) would be as happy with one owner as with another (assuming it was treated well by both) and never really bond to their people in the way that a dog like a chow will: they just like everyone.

That's sad, if it's true. So, I'm wondering what people on here think of that claim. I do notice that Uhtred loves everyone. He'll follow random people around the dog park, and he followed my mother in law everywhere (though she did constantly give him treats). I'd like to think, though, that he'd miss us if we weren't around.

Thoughts?
 
#2 ·
I think Boxers are loveable but I do believe Rocco likes (and respects) me best. He likes everyone in the family for different reasons. He is smart that way!

Anybody can write a book. And your book is written by someone with his own opinions. Is it scientifically based? You see what I am getting at?

I think I am going to write a book about cookies. Hee hee!
 
#3 ·
This guy has pretty impressive credentials. He's a zoologist, won a Nobel Prize...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konrad_Lorenz

Though I will say that I don't always feel like he offers a lot of evidence for his assertions.

Uhtred definitely wants to be where I am, even if he likes everyone for different reasons like you say. When we were traveling he'd wait up for us if we were out instead of sleeping with our family, and at home he wants to go to bed when I go to bed; he gets especially clingy when anything changes.

I think Konrad Lorenz concedes all that, though. I think he just thinks that whereas some dogs would miss you and know you even if you came back after being away for years, a boxer would just move on to someone else and forget you. And that's what I hope isn't true.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Are you going away? Being deployed? (I hope not.)

I think even people are capable of that.

I know that when I came back from a time away from Rocco (albeit it was only a couple of weeks) he went crazy and would not leave me alone.

Boxers are such a sensitive breed I can't imagine they would "forget."

I did read a bit about Lorenz and his writing and research was from some time ago. Boxers have changed since his writing so perhaps his observations would be different about the Boxers of today.
 
#7 ·
When I first adopted Tucker I noticed that he wanted to go to big trucks. Not all of them, they had to have a certain look and sound (cummins diesel) I think.

I have had him 6 years now and nothing has changed. There is no doubt in my mind that his former owner was a truck driver and after 6 years Tucker is still looking for him.

I saw the results of a study a while back that decided dogs memory only lasts for about 30 seconds. I hope we didn't pay much for that study!
 
#9 ·
I believe that all dogs bond with their people. Some more than others obviously.

We had a GSD, Elvis, that only loved us, his people. He tried to take a chunk out of a few service guys that came to the house to fix stuff over the years. Although he guarded us, and I loved him, I never felt the same kind of connection that I feel with Duke. Duke is definitely my heart dog!
 
#11 ·
I think each dog is different. Zeus loves everyone in the household but is very scared of strangers. He only respects and listen to me, though. He refuses to listen to my boyfriend or roommate. I do think we have a stronger bond.

I really feel like Zeus loves me but he loved me quick and attached me very quickly after I adopted him. Maybe a dogs heart is big! and loves and respects those who love and respect them. There's no doubt that a dog is loyal.

I think the bottom line is certain dogs are a one person dog, and others a family dog. They are all different.
 
#12 ·
My boys love everyone in our house and most people that come in here, but they do hold back at some people, and just hate others, like our friend Joey , mason cant stand him and not sure why.
BUT when it comes to pure true love and devotion Mason is mine, he won't let me out of his sight, and follows me everywhere, he just started to get comfortable with me going into the kitchen, as I type he is on my lap... he will actually go into depression mode when I am not home and wont eat or play.... he is ok when we go away but not till the 2nd day and even then he isn't himself.
Mackie is my baby too but will give love to everyone else too, esp my youngest son ( 16) and he loves his daddy... but when he needs something its me he wants...

I absolutely love these boys!
 
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