Raising dogs, in particular providing care for the boxer, is nothing new for humans across the world. Historians postulate dogs were domesticated sometime between twelve thousand and 25,000 years ago—and that canines evolved from wolves. Since those days, humans have selectively bred more than 400 breeds, ranging in size from 4-pound teacup poodles all the way up to Irish wolfhounds, who have earned the title of the tallest dog. But the most preferred pooches are the non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds. The boxer is also a favorite choice among dog owners. Some owners are oblivious, however, of many of the most important boxer care tips.
Typical health care cost of your boxer
The annual budget for caring for your boxer—including everything from nutrition, to vet bills, toys and license—can vary between four hundred twenty and $780. This doesn’t even consider capital expenses for spay/neuter operations, a collar and a leash, a dog carrier and a dog crate. Tip: Be sure you have obtained all the necessary supplies before you bring your boxer home.
Basic boxer Care
Feeding your boxer
- boxer puppies between 8 and twelve weeks old need 4 bowls of food a day.
- Feed boxer pups 3 to 6 months old 3 meals in a day.
- Feed pups six months old to 1 year old two bowls of food every 24 hours.
- When your boxer makes his 1st birthday, 1 meal in a day is adequate.
- Sometimes boxers, however, prefer two smaller meals. It’s your responsibility to adapt to your boxer’s eating habits.
Excellent-quality dry food provides balanced nutrition for adult boxers and may be mixed with broth, water, or canned food. Your boxer may also dig cottage cheese, fruits and vegetables, and cooked eggs, but these should not result in more than ten pct of his or her daily food. boxer pups should probably be fed a high-quality, name brand puppy food. Try to limit “table food”, though, since it can result in mineral and vitamin imbalances, bone and teeth problems, and may lead to extremely finicky food choices and obesity. Give fresh, clean water always, and be certain to clean water and food dishes very frequently.
boxer Care Tips: Your boxer needs physical activity daily
boxers need daily physical activity so they can stay healthy, stimulate their minds, and stay healthy. Daily activity also really helps boxers avoid boredom, which would often lead to naughty behavior. Physical activity would satisfy many of your boxer’s desires to retrieve, dig, chew, chase and herd. Activity needs can depend on your boxer’s age and his level of health—but just a walk down the street every day and 10 minutes in the backyard probably isn’t enough. If your boxer is a six to eighteen month adolescent, her requirements will probably be greater.
boxer Grooming
You can help reduce shedding and keep your boxer clean with frequent brushing. Check for fleas and ticks every day during warm weather. Most boxers don’t need a bath more than a few times a year. Prior to the bath, cut out or comb any mats from the boxer’s hair. Carefully rinse all soap from the coat, or the dirt will stick to the soap residue.
boxer Handling
Pups, as opposed to adults, are clearly easier to manage. While carrying the boxer pup, place one hand under the dog’s chest, either with your forearm or your other hand supporting her back legs and rump. Don’t ever try to grab or lift your puppy by his or her forelegs, tail or nape. If you need to lift a larger, full-grown boxer, lift from underneath, supporting his chest with one arm and rear end with the other arm.
How to House the boxer
Your boxer needs a cozy quiet spot to be able to rest away from all drafts and away from the floor or ground. You may wish to buy a dog bed, or try making one out of a wood box. Put a clean sheet, blanket, or pillow inside the bed for cushioning. Wash the boxer’s bedding often. If your boxer will be spending a lot of time outdoors, make certain she has shade and plenty of cool water in hot weather, and a covered, dry, warm area during the winter.
boxer Licensing
Be sure to follow the city’s licensing regulations. Make certain you connect the license to your boxer’s collar. The license, along with an identification tattoo, can easily help secure your boxer’s return should she go missing.
Info on boxer Behavior
boxer Training
Well-mannered, companion boxers can truly be a pleasure to raise. But when left untrained, your boxer will most likely be nothing but trouble. Training your boxer on the fundamentals—”Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, and “Leave it”—will strengthen the relationship with both your dog as well as your company. If you own a pup, begin training her on the right responses as soon as possible! Food can be used as a lure and recognition. Puppies can commence obedience courses when they are sufficiently immunized. Contact the local SPCA or humane society for information about obedience class recommendations. It is wise to keep your boxer leashed in public, even while a puppy. Just be certain your doggie will come to you every time you say. A disobedient or aggressive boxer should not play with children.
Your boxer’s Health
boxers should see the veterinarian for a complete diagnosis, vaccinations and heartworm screening each year, and promptly when she is injured or sick.
boxer Dental Health
While many of us might object to our boxer’s foul breath, we must pay attention to what it might be telling us. Foul-smelling breath usually indicates that your boxer needs a dental screening. Dental plaque , which is caused by germs results in a terrible odor that can only be cured with the help of a professional. Once you have given your boxer a cleaning from a professional, his gums and teeth can be kept healthy by feeding a special diet focused on dental health, eliminating table food, and regular brushing. The veterinarian can show you additional information for eradicating dental disease as well as bad breath. You can use a baking soda and water paste or a dog toothpaste once or twice per week to brush your boxer’s teeth. Use a child’s soft toothbrush, a gauze pad or a piece of nylon pantyhose stretched over your finger. Some boxers get periodontal disease, a pocket of infection between the gums and teeth. This dreadful disease will sometimes result in loss of teeth as well as propagate infections to her body. Veterinarians may clean his teeth at a regular checkup.
boxers with Bad Breath
While oral disease in isolation is not that big of a deal if caught early, halitosis may be indicative of fairly serious, persistent problems. A fruity, sweet smell can sometimes be indicative of diabetes, while intestinal or liver diseases may cause foul breath. Kidney disease is a possible cause if your boxer’s breath smells like ammonia or urine. Any time you determine your boxer has foul breath and other indications of ill health, like diminished appetite, vomiting or nausea, loss of weight, depression, excessive urinating or drinking, set up a visit to his doctor.
Fleas and Ticks in boxers
In the warm seasons, it’s important for you to perform daily, regular inspections of your boxer for ticks and fleas. Remove fleas with a flea comb. There are numerous new methods of tick reduction. Speak with your boxer’s doctor about these and other options.
boxers With Heartworm Issues
Your boxer is at risk of contracting heartworms if he is exposed to lots of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes transport this parasite from dog to dog. Many boxers die annualy because of heartworm infestations. It is extremely important to make sure your boxer submits to a blood test for this parasite each year during the spring. It is recommended that you give your boxer a monthly tablet in the warm, wet time of the year to help you protect him from heartworms. Should you travel in warmer climates with your boxer in winter, she ought to be on the preventive medicine during the trip. There are some locations, usually the areas with more moderate temperatures, where veterinarians advise worm tablets be taken continuously.
Medications and Poisons
If you’re thinking about giving your boxer pills that was not prescribed for her by his doctor, forget it. Are you aware that 1 regular-strength ibuprofen pill causes ulcers in some dogs Make sure your boxer is never exposed to rat poison and other rodenticides. Make sure to immediately call your dog’s vet when you suspect your boxer has ingested poison. You could also immediately call the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for 24 hour help.
boxers: Neutering and Spaying
Female boxers should be spayed—which is the removal of the uterus and ovaries—and males neutered—removal of the testicles—by six months old. You usually will greatly reduce your female’s breast cancer risk by spaying before adulthood. Spaying also eradicates the risk of a sick uterus, a very serious condition in older females that can only be treated with surgery. Testicular cancer, prostate diseases, certain types of aggressions and some hernias are all preventable by neutering male boxers.
boxer Vaccinating
- Your boxer puppy should be vaccinated with a combination innoculation (called the “five-in-one”) at two, three and four months of age, and again once every year. This shot immunizes your boxer puppy from parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and distemper. The boxer must be innoculated for at least the first four months of her life.
- If you have the rare boxer who has not been vaccinated and is older than 4 or 5 months, he must have a set of two immunizations two or three weeks apart, followed by a yearly vaccination.
- boxer puppy vaccination and socialization should go hand in hand. Many veterinarians recommend that new owners bring their boxer pups to socialization classes, as early as eight to nine weeks old. They should have received their first vaccinations by this age.
Laws are so varied around the country, the best thing is to call your neighborhood veterinarian about rabies innoculation info. For instance, NYC laws declare that pets older than 3 months must be vaccinated for rabies. After the initial vaccination, he must have another innoculation the following year, and then every 3 years after that. There are several vaccines that are effective for your boxer. Ask your boxer’s vet for his recommendation. Also, if your boxer gets ill because he is not innoculated, do not give the innoculation until the dog has made a full recovery.
Intestinal Parasites in boxers
boxers are often exposed to worms and possible infestation—even in urban areas. Microscopic eggs made by hookworms are transmitted through an infested dog’s stool. Most puppies, from all environments, even those with healthy mothers, carry roundworms or hookworms. The secret to effective treatment is early detection. This will maximize the possibility that the medicine is highly effective against the parasite your dog has. A dewormer that eliminates roundworms, for example, cannot kill tapeworms. Your veterinarian can best define the culprit—and assign the effective medicine.
Miscellaneous boxer Care Tips
boxer Supply Checklist
- Excellent-quality dog food and treats specifically designed for boxers and similarly-sized dogs
- Food bowl
- Water dish
- Toys, toys and more toys, including safe chew toys
- Comb and brush for grooming, including flea comb
- Collar with identification tag and license
- Leash
- Dog carrier (for pups)
- Training crate
- Dog box or bed with sheet or towel
- Dog toothbrush
Warnings to be Heeded
Never, ever feed your boxer the following:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Chocolate, coffee, or tea
- Raisins or grapes
- Spoiled or moldy food
- Onions, garlic and chives
- Bones of chicken, turkey, or any other animal (choking hazard)
- Salt or salty foods
- Tomato leaves, stems & unripe fruit
- Yeast dough
The “Bottom” Line
Unless you are at home, or in a fenced-in, secured spot, keep your boxer on a leash at all times. If your boxer does number two on your neighbor’s lawn, his sidewalk or any other public location, please take care of it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about boxers
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