 Barked: Mon Aug 27, '12 12:03pm PST |
 | |  | | Bianca is a pit bull/boxer mix. She was about 6 months old when she was adopted.
It's hard to tell with mixes, you could get one that is very much like a boxer, one that is very much like a pit bull, or anything in between. With Bianca, it's pretty much like someone walked between the "pit bull" and "boxer" aisles in the supermarket and took exactly half of the traits off of either shelf.
Bianca had endless energy as a puppy, that has subsided somewhat now that she's a little older. She also has a malformed toe that prevents her from being active for as long as she'd like to be. But she still loves to take long walks and is not very easy to manage when she doesn't get enough exercise.
Bianca thinks everyone is her friend - people, other dogs, cats, toads, even big insects. It's great, in a way, because we don't have to worry about aggression issues with her; however, she is also very excited to meet someone new, and generally much more excited than the new "friend" she is about to meet. Bianca has to be leashed when meeting people with mobility issues, people who do not like dogs, and small children, because otherwise she is too overwhelming for them. After about 10 minutes, she can be unleashed and is fine.
Bianca has always been very strong; at 35 pounds she could pull me to the floor with zero effort. Now, at 60 lbs., she's even stronger. But at least now she has had enough training that she will do what you ask and it is not a problem with walks or playing too rough. She'll also stay in a crate without argument, even those flimsy mesh pop-up crates that my other dog opened and escaped in five seconds. I can walk Bianca and two other large dogs by myself on leash, and I am not a very large or strong person.
Training Bianca was an experience. She was not the quickest to learn anything, it took many repetitions, but once she got it, she got it and she never forgot it. Bianca is very good with basic obedience and knows a few tricks as well. She is very praise motivated (as opposed to food motivated) and is more focused on making the person happy than getting a treat. Of the three dogs in our family, Bianca is the most reliable off leash and also the most likely to listen to an unfamiliar handler. She also loves to play frisbee and tug games, but will release toys to the handler on command.
Bianca thrives on attention from people; she is particularly fond of children and will often do things for kids that she won't do for adults. Bianca is sort of a one-person dog, in that she absolutely worships my dad and her life revolves around him. But she does like everyone and will play with (and listen to) almost anyone. Bianca is a lap dog and a leaner, she prefers to be sitting as close to you as physically possible, even if your chair is not large enough to hold you both.
Bianca is also a bit of a diva, not sure if this is because my dad treats her like his third child or if that's just the way she is. Bianca wants what she wants, and she doesn't give up until she gets it. Google "singing boxer" videos and you'll get an idea of what we have to hear when Bianca wants something and you don't give it to her. Bianca also claims the front passenger seat on all car rides, even if there is already a human sitting there. If you give all three dogs a treat at the same time, Bianca will wait until the boys greedily gulp theirs, then she will slowly and daintily eat hers in front of them just to make them jealous.
Bianca can also be a sweet princess when she wants to be, she is gentle and polite with children, takes treats gently and eats daintily, she likes to sleep in, and she loves to cuddle in your lap. She's not barky and loves to be with people above all else. When she's not in diva mode, sometimes she'll even try to share her food with the other two dogs. However, grace and elegance in general is not her strong suit, she's more of a clutzy circus clown.
So there it is, Bianca in a nutshell. Sorry it's so long, but it takes a rather large nutshell to fit in Miss Moose and her giant personality.  |  |  | |  |
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I would anticipate this breed combo to be VERY active and in need of stimulation. Keep lots of toys, treats, and chew toys around.
He was a frisbee nut and would push his indestructable ball forever if I let him! He wasn't too keen about swimming, but would run, run, run and run some more! 
He was the happiest dog I ever had, he leaned more towards the pit side of his breed, but was about 60 pounds when he matured. Very athletic and loads of fun. I learned that he was bred out of a fighting group in West Florida so he became dog reactive around 15 months old. Yet any dog that he was socialized with as a pup he loved without end! You autie is lucky to have such a wonderful mix, the fact that she is active will be a big plus! Get the dog out and get him socialized with other dogs and as many people as possible and most of all - enjoy him! 
