Boxer Care

The Boxer: enthusiastic, athletic, clownish, and loyal. It's these qualities and more that make Boxers one of the most beloved of all dog breeds. And with its popularity comes questions about how to raise and care for a Boxer puppy. Not to worry, though--this page is a definitive source for Boxer tips and care! Here you'll find plenty of useful info about how to take care of a Boxer dog: sections on raising a Boxer puppy, a food guide, info on exercise needs, and much more. If a Boxer needs a home, with this guide you'll make the perfect owner.

Like all breeds, Boxer dog exercise is vital to its health and well-being. And as an athletic, muscular breed, daily physical activity--and lots of it--is ultra-important. These dogs will need endurance exercises such as walking or outdoor fetch, along with more strenuous activities like weight-pulling or tug-of-war that keep their muscles toned. (Suffice it to say that simply letting a Boxer play in the yard for a few minutes will not count as exercise!) Though these amounts may vary depending on the dog's age, gender, and activity level, a mature Boxer will need up to two hours of exercise daily; you can begin exercising a Boxer puppy at three months of age by taking it on short (10- to 15-minute) walks, and increase the walks' frequency and duration as the puppy grows.

It's helpful to think of these muscular Boxer dogs as canine equivalents of professional athletes, in that they need activities that increase both their endurance and their strength. In addition to the typical activities like walking or jogging, it's important to give your Boxer dog muscle-building exercise as well. One popular choice among Boxer owners is weight-pulling: you can purchase a dog harness from a pet store, attach the harness to a rope, then have your Boxer pull heavy objects like a spare tire or a log. Another muscle-building activity, one that can be done indoors (and one a Boxer is very good at!) is tug-of-war. You can use a rope or an old towel--and you can pull as hard as you want, but your Boxer will still probably win!

Of course, there are a few precautions that should be taken when exercising a Boxer. Puppies shouldn't participate in activities that include lots of jumping and running, as doing so can injure puppies' still-growing bones and joints. Hot weather, too, should be avoided if possible. Boxers are brachycephalic, meaning they have short noses that don't cool the air they breathe very well; exercising a Boxer in extreme heat will cause the dog to overheat or even suffer heat stroke. It's also important to wait at least thirty minutes after your Boxer eats to begin exercising the dog; intense physical activity immediately after a meal can give a Boxer serious digestive problems.

Precautions aside, it's incredibly important to exercise a Boxer daily. Not only is the breed highly prone to obesity, but an under-exercised Boxer will be a hyperactive whirlwind. These dogs will dig, chew, turn destructive if left alone, and generally become uncontrollable balls of energy if bored or restless. So daily physical activity is important to both the dog's sanity and your own.

A few exercise ideas:

• Walking: Two 30- to 45-minute walks per day is a good target
• Tug-of-War: Can be done indoors or out
• Dog Park: Boxers love to play with other dogs; supervision needed, as Boxers tend to "play rough"
• Weight Pulling: Use a harness and a rope attached to weighty objects
• Fetch/Frisbee: Great endurance exercise if done outdoors
• Canine Sports: Boxers excel in agility, flyball, and other competitions

When indoors, it's a good idea to give your Boxer access to one or more balls or chew toys that will allow the dog to release pent-up energy. It's also recommended that you have a consistent daily exercise schedule for your Boxer, such as walks after breakfast and dinner combined with a play period or muscle-building activity in the afternoon.

Maintenance for this breed in terms of shedding and drooling is moderate to high. Boxers shed regularly throughout the year, and more heavily during the spring and fall shedding seasons; they also drool fairly often.

Boxers have short-haired, sleek coats that lose a little hair on a constant basis--but if an owner is wondering why their Boxer is shedding a lot, it's probably because of shedding season. These dogs lose their coats when the weather changes, particularly in the spring when they "blow" their winter coats. If you're wondering how to stop Boxers from shedding completely, the unfortunate answer is: you won't--but you can brush and bathe them regularly to decrease the amount of shed hairs. Even so, Boxer owners need to prepare to have at least some dog hairs on their clothes and furniture.

Boxers will often drool in anticipation of food, and when they get excited (when a friend or loved one knocks on the door, for example, a Boxer might greet them with slobbery kisses). A couple of ways to control this drooling: put your Boxer in another room or outside while you prepare its food, then let it in to eat. And obedience training, starting when the Boxer is a puppy if possible, will help the dog remain calm (and hopefully slobber-free) in excitable situations.

Boxers' diets play a key role in maintaining their health, athleticism, and longevity. And as muscular, energetic dogs, Boxers need dog food that's packed with nutrients including animal proteins, vitamins and minerals--and they'll eat a lot of it. Though opinions differ on the best dog food for Boxers, a popular and sensible choice is premium dry food; some manufacturers even offer breed-specific brands formulated just for these dogs. (Royal Canin Boxer Adult and Puppy food is one such example.) Another smart option is adding some freshly cooked meat like chicken, hamburger, or turkey to one or both daily meals; this fulfills your Boxer's protein requirements--and the dog will love you for it!

Though amounts may vary depending on a dog's age and activity level, the typical adult Boxer will need about three cups of high-quality food per day, divided into two meals. Depending on age, Boxer puppy food portions are a bit less: approximately two cups, divided into three meals. See this Boxer puppy food chart for more info:

As you can imagine, these dogs absolutely love food--and unfortunately, fat Boxer dogs are an all-too-common sight. Obesity in this breed is a problem, and will lead to breathing and digestive issues and a shortened lifespan. One major cause of obesity in Boxers is "free-feeding," whereby food is left in the dog's bowl all day allowing it to eat anytime. Experts highly recommend putting your Boxer's food dish down only at mealtime, and picking it up again (regardless of whether any food is still in it) 15-20 minutes after the dog begins eating. Experts also strongly discourage feeding a Boxer human food from the table; this not only is incredibly unhealthy, they say, but will teach the dog to be a lifetime beggar.

If you're worried that your Boxer has gotten overweight, give the dog the simple Ribs Test: run a hand along its side, and if you can't feel any ribs, it's time for a Boxer dog diet! Decrease the dog's daily food intake by one-fourth, and add an extra walk or play period to its daily exercise routine.

Thought owners, breeders, and enthusiasts constantly debate the subject of what's the best dog food for Boxers, the most popular choice is premium dry food. Many owners also add a bit of fresh cooked meat to meals to fulfill Boxers' high protein requirements.

Despite their athleticism, as social and affectionate dogs Boxers prefer to live indoors with their human families. These dogs can be allowed to play and romp in a well-secured yard, but they'll be miserable if left there all the time. And if provided with some daily exercise, a Boxer in an apartment is okay. Temperature-wise, though, these dogs aren't very adaptable. They're brachycephalic (meaning they have short noses that don't cool the air they breathe very well), so Boxers can easily overheat in hot weather; cold temperatures are also difficult because their short coats make them get cold rather quickly.