Breed Specific: The Crazy-Fun Boxer

Pikes Peak Vet wants you to know about your Boxer’s lifestyle and other needs!

Loyal, affectionate, intelligent, a great work ethic and good looks make Boxers the whole doggy package. Bright and alert, sometimes silly, but always courageous, Boxers’ dark brown eyes and wrinkled forehead make them look curious. Coats can be fawn or brindle with white markings. Upbeat and playful, yet patient and protective, makes them good with children and good watchdogs. Boxers do best when socialized with a variety of people and situations early on.

Males              Height: 23-25 inches                Weight: 65-80 pounds

Females          Height: 21.5-23.5 inches          Weight: 50-65 pounds

Feeding/Treats/Weight: Discuss an appropriate diet with your veterinarian. Some Boxers are prone to weight gain, so watch their calorie consumption. Treats make great training aids, but too many can cause obesity. Human food should be given sparingly. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

Grooming: Boxers have a short, shiny coat that requires very little grooming. A good once-over with a rubber curry-brush or a hound glove once or twice a week should keep them looking their best. They need infrequent baths. Their nails should be trimmed at least once a month if not naturally worn down on a hard surface. Brush teeth daily to prevent tartar build-up and periodontal disease.

Exercise: Boxers love to play and need daily exercise on a leash or in a fenced yard. Never let a Boxer run loose as its heritage as a wild game dog means he/she may run off. Boxers are muscly dogs that love to jump around and on, so early and constant reminders of “down” are necessary. Best for agile strong adults, Boxers can easily overwhelm a frail adult or a small child.

Training: Start socializing them early with obedience classes to channel their energy in a positive way. They are intelligent problem-solvers and can get bored with repetition. Boxers have minds of their own and excel in a wide range of canine sports including obedience, agility and herding. They generally make brilliant service, assistance and therapy dogs working in drug detection and search-and-rescue. They are not always tolerant of other dogs of the same sex, but will enjoy playing with those of the opposite sex.

Thank you to the AKC’s Boxer webpage, https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/boxer/, for much of this information.

Over the Boxer’s 10-12 expected years, you and your vet will create a health plan to evaluate and catch any conditions that may arise

HEALTH CONCERNS

• Hip and Elbow issues
• Hypothyroidism
• Blood/Heart issues
• Digestive sensitivities
• Degenerative myelopathy
• Dental Disease
• Intolerant of extremes of temperature in either direction

PPVC’S HEALTH PLAN FOR YOUR BOXER

Pikes Peak Vet has the goal of healthy longevity for your pet.

Wellness Exams and Vaccinations

• Every 6-12 months, as advised by your veterinarian,until age 6, including a full physical exam and routine bloodwork
• Pets age faster than us and tend to hide symptoms. At age 6, we recommend routine exams and bloodwork every 6 months to catch anything unexpected before it gets too firm a hold.

Other Exams and Screenings

• DM and HEMA screening from UC Davis
• ARVC DNA test from NC State
• In-house thyroid screening
• Regular dental cleanings

Reach out for more information by phone or text, 719-475-1747, or through our Pikes Peak Vet app!