My boxer turned 1 this June 6th (his birthday is 06/06/06) and he's awesome. From what your reading has told you they are stubborn and mischievious... but eager to be trained (which is why they find their way into schutzhund frequently). He has never so much as nipped at my 2yo son, and has infinite patience with him. He can, however, clear a 6ft fence like a gazelle, so watch that.
One day I heard him going apeshit, and went outside to discover him keeping a HYOOGE cottonmouth at bay whilst my kiddo was playing nearby (good boy). The only other time I have heard him make that much noise was when my neighbors set their trashcan on fire, thereby setting my new fence on fire. I was able to stop the flames with my hose before it got too bad. (again, good boy).
My vet told me that consistency was key in their training, so whatever you do, stick to it.