The Ultimate Guide: Boxers
Boxers are medium-sized dogs with short hair and a smooth, tight-fitting coat. Boxers come in the colors fawn or brindle with white markings on its coat. There are some all-white Boxers; however, Boxers of this color are known to have various health conditions. Boxers have docked tails and cropped ears. They are often used in military and police work.
The Boxer is a strong breed and has a square muzzle, strong jaw, and a powerful bite. They are known for having lots of energy and for being very attached and protective of their humans—and the Boxer breed makes good guard dogs as well as police dogs.
Boxers can often be wary of strangers at first, but if they know you well, they tend to be very loving and will often try to lie as close to you as possible making them good family dogs. They are patient and gentle with children. They need a lot of physical exercise and mental stimulation. Boxers are known to be trustworthy and intelligent.
Nutrition
It is best to not leave food for your Boxer out all day but rather to carefully measure its food. Typically, a boxer should receive 2–3 cups of dry food twice a day. This can vary depending on your particular Boxer’s size and personality. Obviously, a more active Boxer would require more food than a lazy one.
The Boxer dog breed should be fed high-quality food that is protein-rich and contains essential vitamins and minerals like taurine, calcium, and L-carnitine.
Grooming
Boxers require minimal grooming, they are known to groom themselves similar to the way that cats do. However, boxers can shed a lot so it is best to brush them at least once a week. To brush them you should use a bristle brush. It is also important to brush your dog’s teeth often. You should also be clipping your dog’s nails on a monthly basis. As a general rule of thumb, if you can hear your dog’s nails clicking on the floor, then they are too long!
While grooming your dog, make sure to check for any signs of illness including rashes or infections. If you do find anything amiss be sure to contact your vet! It is best to start grooming dogs when they are puppies. That way they can be used to being handled by you and behaving well.
Exercise For Boxer Dogs
Because of their size and strength, the Boxer dog breed requires a lot of exercise. They need a lot of walks and runs, so if you are not willing to exercise your dog at least twice daily for half an hour, then this probably isn’t the dog for you!
If Boxers do not receive the exercise that they need they can become aggressive and start to behave badly. They are on their best behavior when they are properly stimulated.
Boxers love to jump around and twist their bodies excitedly. They are high energy and love to play. A good way to exercise your Boxer is to play fetch, take it for long walks, or participate in a sport such as agility training or tossing a frisbee.
Health Concerns Boxers Dogs Are Prone To
Boxers can weigh anywhere from 60–70 pounds and they stand at around 21–25 inches tall.
Boxers are prone to various health issues such as:
- Cancer
- Aortic stenosis
- Boxer cardiomyopathy
- Hip dysplasia which weakens the hind legs
- Corneal dystrophy
- Allergies
- Heart murmur
All-white Boxers are prone to deafness as well as sunburns. If you have an all-white Boxer make sure to apply sunscreen to its coat before going outside. It is also a good idea to have its hearing checked regularly.
Great Dog For Emotional Support?
As a fairly large and very strong dog, a Boxer is not always the ideal traveling companion. They can also be aggressive towards strangers. However, if traveling is not an issue for you, and you are willing to put in the proper time to care for your Boxer, then they can become very loving canine companions. You can easily make your Boxer a legally recognized support dog online!
Training
Boxers have one of the largest puppy hoods in dog breeds, not reaching maturity until three years of age. Because of their size, it is important to start training your boxer early, otherwise, they could end up hurting somebody or knocking someone over. Around three weeks of age is the ideal time to start training your Boxer puppy. Training should be consistent and use praise and positive reward methods. Make sure you are firm and strict in your training methods so your Boxer knows that you are in charge.
Your Boxer should get a lot of socialization while training (and a lot of socialization in general!) otherwise it could be prone to aggressive behavior. It is also a good idea to exercise your dog before you begin a training session so it can get some of its playfulness out of its system before learning.
Bottom Line
Boxers are playful and energetic dogs! Although strong and wary of strangers, at first, they make very loving companions. If you are willing to start training your Boxer early and give it the exercise that it needs,then your boxer can become a life-long companion. Its cleanliness, as well as its gentleness with children, makes it an excellent family pet.
