You may be looking to add a boxer to your family because one or more of the following reasons: What are the Characteristics of a Boxer Puppy? Previous Post Product Review: Mobile Dog Water Dispensers. Instagram No images found. Love - Respect - Understanding. His short coat all but requires that he be a house dog in cool or cold climates, and his shortened muzzle makes hot humid weather uncomfortable for him.
Unfortunately, the Boxer is susceptible to several potential health problems, including hip dysplasia, bloat, aortic stenosis a heart ailment , digestive problems, hypothyroidism, and cancerous and benign tumors. Hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism affect many breeds of dogs and their presence can be determined by testing breeding stock before mating. Dysplastic dogs should not be bred; thyroid dogs should be bred carefully to non-thyroid dogs.
Thyroid disease can be controlled by medicine; dysplasia cannot be controlled and can be corrected or alleviated only by surgery.
Prospective Boxer buyers should ask breeders for proof the litter's sire and dam are free of dysplasia and for the thyroid status of both puppy parents. Bloat is a life-threatening disease of deep-chested dogs. The incidence may be lessened by feeding adult dogs twice a day; sticking to a premium dog food diet without table scraps -- especially spicy or rich table scraps; and by allowing a dog to digest his meal before indulging in strenuous exercise.
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However, bloat cannot be completely prevented, so vigilance is necessary to make sure that the dog gets to a clinic as soon as possible after the symptoms are noticed. Potential Boxer owners may be tempted to reconsider their preference upon learning of potential health problems, but should think again.
The incidence of these diseases is not high, and buying from an ethical breeder who provides health certificates, answers questions about her breeding stock, and offers a contract that backs up her dogs improves the chances of getting a healthy pet. The Boxer is an affectionate and trustworthy pet for an active family.
He is easy-care, intelligent, athletic, and faithful. What more could an owner ask? It is a perfect present for anyone considering a Boxer. You may print or download this material for non-commercial personal or school educational use. All other rights reserved.
If you, your organization or business would like to reprint our articles in a newsletter or distribute them free of charge as an educational handout please see our reprint policy. This is article 18 of 76 in the Breed profiles topic. The gentle Borzoi is strong, swift and supremely graceful.
Table of contents for "Breed profiles" only: This topic's table of contents. Site Topic and article lists: All Dog Owner's Guide articles, listed by topic. Hypothyroidism can be managed very well with a thyroid replacement pill daily. Medication must continue throughout the dog's life.
This refers to several diseases of the eye that are non-inflammatory and inherited. One or more layers of the cornea in both eyes are usually affected, although not necessarily symmetrically. In most breeds, corneal dystrophy appears as an opaque area in the center of the cornea or close to the periphery. This usually isn't painful unless corneal ulcers develop.
All dogs carry a little passenger called a demodex mite. The mother dog passes this mite to her pups in their first few days of life. The mite can't be passed to humans or other dogs; only the mother passes mites to her pups. Demodex mites live in hair follicles and usually don't cause any problems. If your Boxer has a weakened or compromised immune system, however, he can develop demodectic mange.
Demodectic mange, also called demodicosis, can be localized or generalized. In the localized form, patches of red, scaly skin with hair loss appears on the head, neck and forelegs. It's thought of as a puppy disease, and often clears up on its own. Even so, you should take your dog to the vet because it can turn into the generalized form of demodectic mange. Generalized demodectic mange covers the entire body and affects older puppies and young adult dogs.
The dog develops patchy skin, bald spots, and skin infections all over the body. The American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology recommends neutering or spaying all dogs that develop generalized demodectic mange because there is a genetic link. The American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology recommends neutering or spaying all dogs that develop generalized demodectic mange because there is a genetic link to its development. The third form of this disease, Demodectic Pododermititis, is confined to the paws and can cause deep infections. This is a life-threatening condition that can affect large, deep-chested dogs like Boxers, especially if they are fed one large meal a day, eat rapidly, drink large volumes of water after eating, and exercise vigorously after eating.
Some think that raised feeding dishes and type of food might be additional factors. It is more common among older dogs. GDV occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and then twists torsion.
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The dog is unable to belch or vomit to rid itself of the excess air in its stomach, and the normal return of blood to the heart is impeded. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog can die. Suspect bloat if your dog has a distended abdomen, is salivating excessively and retching without throwing up. He also may be restless, depressed, lethargic, and weak with a rapid heart rate. It's important to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible. There is some indication that a tendency toward GDV is inherited, so it's recommended that dogs that develop this condition should be neutered or spayed.
Boxers are prone to allergies, both environmental allergies and food-related allergies. If you notice that your Boxer has itchy, scaly skin, have him checked out by your vet. White Boxers are especially susceptible to deafness. About 20 percent of white Boxers are deaf, and white Boxers should not be bred because the genes that cause deafness in white Boxers can be inherited. Additionally, Boxers that carry the extreme white spotting gene can increase the incidence of deafness in the breed. Their short noses and short coats make them unsuited to living outdoors, although they'll enjoy having a fenced yard to play in.
Boxers love to play. To keep their muscles toned and satisfy their need for exercise , plan on playing with them or walking them at least twice a day for half an hour. Play fetch, take him for long walks, or get him involved in dog sports such as agility or flyball. Giving your Boxer plenty of daily exercise is the best way to ensure good behavior.
A tired Boxer is a good Boxer. Training is essential for the Boxer. He's so big and strong that he can accidentally hurt people by knocking them over if he doesn't learn to control his actions. The Boxer's temperament plays a role in his trainability. He's happy and excitable, bouncy, and a bit of a mischief-maker. Getting him to take training seriously requires starting early and using firm, fair training methods and positive motivation in the form of praise, play, and food rewards.
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Your Boxer will notice any time you let him get away with something, and he'll push to see what else he can get away with. Before you head to training class, settle him down a little with an energetic walk or play session. He'll focus better once he's got his ya-yas out. Patience is the key to housetraining your Boxer.
Some are housetrained by 4 months of age, but others aren't reliable until they're 7 months to a year old. Take your Boxer out to potty on a regular schedule and praise him wildly when he does his business outdoors. Crate training is recommended. How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level.
Dogs are individuals, just like people, and they don't all need the same amount of food.
Boxer Puppy Guide: How Can You Tell if a Boxer Puppy is Purebred?
It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. The quality of dog food you buy also makes a difference — the better the dog food, the further it will go toward nourishing your dog and the less of it you'll need to shake into your dog's bowl. Keep your Boxer trim by measuring his food and feeding him twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time. If you're unsure whether he's overweight , give him the eye test and the hands-on test.
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First, look down at him. You should be able to see a waist.
Dog Owner's Guide: The Boxer
Then place your hands on his back, thumbs along the spine, with the fingers spread downward. You should be able to feel but not see his ribs without having to press hard. If you can't, he needs less food and more exercise. For more on feeding your Boxer, see our guidelines for buying the right food , feeding your puppy , and feeding your adult dog.
Boxers have a sleek, short coat with tight skin over their athletic bodies. They come in two colors: Fawn ranges from light tan to mahogany. Brindle is a striking tiger-striped pattern of black stripes on a fawn background. White markings usually appear on the belly or feet and shouldn't cover more than one-third of the coat. When the white extends onto the neck or face, the color is called flashy fawn or flashy brindle.
Boxers without any white are referred to as plain Boxers. On the face, the Boxer has a black mask, sometimes with a white stripe, or blaze, running up the muzzle between the eyes. Boxers don't carry the gene for a solid black coat color, so you won't ever see a black Boxer. In the United Kingdom, fawn boxers are typically rich in color and are called "red.
That's because excessive white markings in Boxers make them more susceptible to health conditions such as skin cancer and deafness. Reputable breeders don't want to pass on those genes. In the past, breeders often euthanized white puppies at birth, but today most breeders place them in pet homes. While white Boxers can't be shown in conformation and shouldn't be bred, they can compete in obedience and agility, and of course, they still have the wonderful Boxer personality that makes them such great companions! The Boxer coat requires minimal grooming. Boxers are clean dogs and have been known to groom themselves like cats do.
Boxers can shed quite a bit, but weekly brushing with a bristle brush or hard rubber grooming mitt will help keep hair under control. You can enhance the natural sheen of your Boxer's coat by rubbing it down every now and then with a chamois cloth. If you decide to use a shedding blade, be careful when using it around your Boxer's legs so you don't injure him.
Other grooming needs include dental hygiene and nail care. Brush your Boxer's teeth several times a week to help remove tartar and bacteria. Daily is best if you want to prevent periodontal disease. Trim nails once or twice a month if your dog doesn't wear them down naturally. If you can hear them clicking on the floor, they're too long. Short, neatly trimmed nails keep the feet in good condition and prevent your legs from getting scratched when your Boxer enthusiastically jumps up to greet you.
Begin accustoming your Boxer to being brushed and examined when he's a puppy. Handle his paws frequently — dogs are touchy about their feet — and look inside his mouth and ears. Make grooming a positive experience filled with praise and rewards, and you'll lay the groundwork for easy veterinary exams and other handling when he's an adult. As you groom, check for sores, rashes, or signs of infection such as redness, tenderness, or inflammation on the skin, in the ears, nose, mouth, and eyes, and on the feet.
Ears should smell good, without too much wax or gunk inside, and eyes should be clear, with no redness or discharge. Your careful weekly exam will help you spot potential health problems early. Boxers love kids and are great playmates for active older children. They can be too rambunctious for toddlers, however, and can accidentally knock them down in play. Always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party.
Teach your child never to approach any dog while he's eating or sleeping or to try to take the dog's food away. No dog should ever be left unsupervised with a child. Boxers can get along well with other dogs and cats, especially if they're raised with them. Boxers are often purchased without any clear understanding of what goes into owning one. There are many Boxers in need of adoption and or fostering.
There are a number of rescues that we have not listed. If you don't see a rescue listed for your area, contact the national breed club or a local breed club and they can point you toward a Boxer rescue. Below are breed clubs, organizations, and associations where you can find additional information about the Boxer. American Boxer Club, Inc. Highlights Boxers are high-energy dogs and need a lot of exercise.
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