Chester is now nearly 8 months old. He is getting bigger, but its fair to say I don’t think he is going to be a big dog, petite is probably the best description.

Compared to his “friend” Milo, another boxer pup from just up the road, who is a month younger and is larger than Chester. Chester is though pretty solid and seems quite broad in the chest. He does not look small round the house but when with other boxers, and there are a few round here, he is smaller.

We are quite glad of this as it helps make him less clumsy and less able to do things he maybe shouldn’t.

He has been going to puppy obedience classes recently with Sharon, and I am pleased to report he received a gold medal for best pup in his particular class group. He behaves reasonably well at the classes, which is really good for a boxer , as they can get pretty excited. Chester is easily distracted when around other dogs and kids or anything he thinks will show him attention. The brain switches off and the ears close up and he’s off.

Its proving to be a bit of a problem with letting him off the lead as he won’t come back on command, preferring to run off in the direction of someone else or another dog. He just wants to play all the time and sometimes its not safe to do so. Yesterday he managed to get off his lead, the ring on his collar snapped and he was off up the road like a banshee, narrowly getting missed by three cars!

 I think he saw some kids on bikes and wanted their attention though when he got there he sat down but as I approached he would not let me get close before darting off. Generally speaking its better to get him to come to you rather than the other way round as I think he thinks you are chasing him and want to play when you go for him.

I caught him eventually but there were a few heart stopping moments before I did. He did something similar with Sharon last week but the postman caught him out on the road- he and Milo run off from the park playing with another dog.

So there is quite a way to go with the obedience lessons still!

That said he is very good natured, quite quiet really, he rarely barks and is very gentle on the whole. He does not nip or bite, and he likes his home comforts. He seems to be able to always find the comfiest spot. He has grabbed one of the bean bags already- thats his bed now, and likes to get on the bed in the spare room if we forget to close the door, or jump in beside our son in the morning and squash him.

Anyway enough said, here’s some images just taken of Chester aged eight months. He was having a bit of a frisky turn when I took these so getting him to stay still was a challenge these are the best of about 60!

We can’t beleive how well he is settling in, not up at night at all- just a few wee “accidents” and loves the attention of everyone. Its been a constant trail of kids and neighbours to see him since he arrived on Tuesday. Heres a couple of pics from his first few days.

Today he had some of his injections, and between this and running around daft in the garden wih my sone and his friends he is totally shattered tonight!