Lynne, having owned 10 boxers over my lifetime, I have to assure you they truly aren't maneaters...lol Your story, however, left me in stitches! Of all the breeds I've owned, I think my favorite big luvable dog is the boxer. We still have an old girl now. They just want to be loved...usually by everybody! Unless you threaten their "kids"....they will guard a child with their life.When I was about 20 I was staying at my grans for a while. The lady next door had a huge brindle Boxer. One day I found him roaming down the road so I stopped my car and he promptly jumped in. I had him in the back seat but he jumped right up front. He rode like he was familier with this process. So I drove him home, took him to the door to report I had her missing dog only to see her dog come to the door. OMG I had been riding around with a huge man eater I didn’t know in my front seat! He was a real lover and I would have gladly kept him however I did find his owner after a house to house search.
When Mr. 18 first came to us 3 years ago battered and afraid, our old boxer girl, who always always slept in our room, dragged her entire bed down the hallway and set up shop outside that child's bedroom door. She's never left off guarding him. You have to get past her to get to his door.
On the other hand, when she was a puppy, I puppy sat her litter sister for my friend who had adopted her. With two in the house and me away for work during the day, I came home to find my entire den tore to shreads. They had pillows split open, stuffing all over, drapes down, and both were sound asleep in the carnage when I came home. When they are puppies, they are difficult to train and control. Once they are about 2, you have great dogs! lol (If your house can survive it!)