You can expect an easy grooming experience if you are a Boxer owner. They have wonderfully low maintenance coats and the sensitive skin only calls bathing every 2-3 months (unless they smell, of course). This page will provide you with basic information you might find helpful to groom your Boxer including tips on:
Grooming Boxers is actually a pretty easy task that can be done at home. The low maintenance coat requires little care so the main goals are to keep them from smelling and to reduce shed. The short coat does shed regularly so weekly brushing is very important; the best grooming brush for Boxers is a bristle brush or rubber mitt. Baths are only truly needed every few months, especially if your pet is indoors; outdoor Boxers that tend to get smelly can be bathed as frequently as every 3 weeks. Keep in mind, your pet may have sensitive skin so make sure to use a gentle dog shampoo.
Weekly brushing is recommended for this breed although you can do it more often if you'd like-- or less, if you want to clean up more shed hair. This routine also allows you to monitor your dogs skin for bumps, lumps, wounds, rashes, etc. The best brush for Boxers is a bristle brush or grooming mitt due to many having sensitive skin.
Boxers' short, flat coats don't get tangles per se, but that doesn't mean that a nice conditioning wash and regular brushing are not required. The larger concern is on reducing the shed hair cleanup for this breed so, in addition to weekly brushing, some owners may choose to try a Furminator on their Boxer. This step is probably not necessary and it's much better for their skin and coats to try to commit to regular brushing.
If you're a new Boxer owner you may wonder "How often should I bathe my Boxer?". This is actually pretty important since this breed is known to have sensitive skin. The main rule is not to bathe them too frequently-- once per month is ok, perhaps once every 3 weeks if they smell. Most Boxers need baths every few months. Use a dog shampoo that is gentle and moisturizing. Some Boxers will need hypoallergenic or all natural shampoo if you notice scratching and skin irritation.
A few helpful tips are as follows:
If you are a Boxer owner, rejoice! The breed has what is referred to as a "wash and wear" coat because is is short and flat. There's no need for Boxer haircuts, hairstyles or shaving; in fact, you'd be hard pressed to make their coat any less maintenance than it already is. If, for some reason, you insist on having a shaved Boxer, just be careful not to clip the ears which are medium size and often flop over to frame the face.
Your Boxer's nails will likely need trimming once per month. Generally, you can tell if your dog's nails are too long and if you hear them clicking on the floor or pavement then it's definitely time for a trim. Some owners choose a guillotine style cutter while others opt for a rotating file-- there are some that also prefer to file with a hefty emery board type file.
Many owners are fearful of cutting into the quick which can cause bleeding and pain for the pet, however, you can avoid this by going slowly and taking off a little at a time. A helpful tip: try giving you Boxer a treat after each paw (or even each nail) that you finish.
Unfortunately, fleas, ticks, and other critters can be an issue for dogs of this breed, especially if they spend a lot of time outdoors. Owners will need to examine their Boxers regularly for signs of pests; the insides of the ears are important, because if small black dots appear there it signifies the presence of ear mites and/or flea droppings.
The best flea treatment for Boxers (and prevention too): see a veterinarian. Here's more info on pest prevention and treatment:
PREVENTION:
TREATMENT:
Teeth- Most experts recommend daily brushing of your Boxer dogs teeth. Teeth problems such as excessive plaque is linked to more than just gum disease- many serious health issues (including heart disease) can be linked to the mouth. Brush daily (or at least weekly) with a finger brush or canine toothbrush with a drop of canine toothpaste to prevent your Boxer having bad breath.
Ears-You may check the ears every couple weeks but, in general, your Boxer will need monthly ear cleaning. Ear cleaning solution can be purchased from your vet or local pet store. A rag or cotton ball dipped in the solution works well but you can also use QTips to clean the outer area.
Eyes - Boxers have large eyes that need to be wiped with a damp washcloth as needed to prevent tear stains or gooey buildup.
Wrinkles - This is a site of bacterial and yeast buildup if not kept clean. Every month you can take a QTip with baby oil (or unscented oil) and run it in between the wrinkles to remove dirt.
See the complete guide on how to care for Boxers.
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