Grooming the Boxer Dog

From Shampoo for Boxers to Nail Trimming

The Boxer breed is a very easy breed to groom. They are what is considered in the show world a wash & wear breed. Boxers are very simple and very low maintenance when it comes to grooming.This article is directed toward the care of boxer dogs but may also be used as a basic guide for grooming any dog with a similar short coat. The following list of grooming supplies will help you groom your Boxer dog.

List of grooming supplies

Brushing

I always start my grooming routine with a once over with my grooming glove to remove some dead coat that way I don’t end up with a clog in the tub while bathing. The Boxer coat is short so their shedding isn’t as obvious, but they do shed. Removing dead hair with a grooming glove or or rubber brush will eliminate most dead hair and massage the skin. Doing so promotes the growth of new, healthy coat. Brushing the coat regularly can prevent having to bathe your Boxer as often by removing debris and dead coat.

Boxer Nail Care

Nails should be clipped and or dremeled before bathing. If you are not sure of the proper way to use clippers or a dremel make sure to have a professional show you. I dremel nails at least once per week. I prefer to keep them very short. This is why I mostly use my dremel tool because I can get closer without quicking. The quick is a blood vessel inside the nail. If you accidentally cut this vessel, the nail will begin to bleed. To stop the bleeding you can use a product such as styptic powder to stop the bleeding and prevent infection. If not maintained regularly the nails will continue to grow and eventually can cause pain from arthritis, and flattening or spreading of the foot. It is desirable for Boxers to have a compact arched foot. Furthermore, if you do not trim your boxer's nails regularly, the quick begins to extend further out in the nail. Then, it becomes nearly impossible to shorten the nails without quicking.

Boxer Brushing Boxer Nail Care Boxer Nail Care

Boxer Shampoo and Bathing

When bathing, I use a mild soap & detergent free shampoo called Kenic Oatmeal Shampoo or Kenic Oh Baby Puppy Shampoo. Please note that “Soap & Detergent free” is a MUST with the Boxer breed. Boxers are very sensitive when it comes to chemicals. Using anything but soap & detergent free shampoo can ruin a Boxer's coat by removing their essential oils. Their coat will appear dull and dry and stripped to the point of taking many many months to repair itself. Start lathering in the shampoo at the head and work back to the tail. Always wash with the direction of the hair growth, being very gentle. Pay special attention to the tight spaces such as the armpits and between toes and pads. Boxers don’t generally need to be bathed very often unless you happen to be allergic like myself. I do have to bathe my Boxers about every 2 weeks or I break out in hives. After lathering in the shampoo, rinse your boxer thoroughly with water. Check to make sure the coat is clean. If the rinse water doesn’t run clean (clear) you may need to wash again. Lather, rinse, and repeat as necessary. Once again, make sure you use a soap and detergent free shampoo to wash your Boxer.

Shaking

This is just a side note. Every dog wants to instinctively shake when they are wet. Teach your dog “wait” as a deterrent from shaking until you are done bathing. Then close the shower door or curtain and give the command “shake” so they can remove some of the water and you avoid getting a bath as well. Towel dry your Boxer, remembering that water collects in the pits as well as the paws.

Boxer Ear Care

After drying your Boxer, begin to clean the ears. Ear cleaning is very simple whether the ears are cropped or natural. If you buy an ear cleaning product, follow the directions on the label. The most important rule to remember is not to shove anything down in the ear canal. Do not try to clean what you can not see. I personally like Balance Naturally Clean Ear Treatment. For this particular solution, I apply a few drops into the ear canal and massage the base of the ear. Excess dirt can then be removed with a cotton ball or Q-tip. Ear cleaning should be done at least once a week or more often if they appear dirty. If you detect an offensive odor from the ear, contact your vet. An infection or more serious condition could be the culprit of the odor.

Boxer Teeth and Gum Care

Tooth and gum maintenance is necessary for your Boxer. If you give your dogs knucklebones or other raw bones, their teeth are probably in good shape. Our dogs regularly get raw lamb legs to chew on. Chewing helps to remove the plaque and tarter on your Boxer’s teeth. Plaque and tarter buildup can cause damage to your Boxer’s teeth and gums. If you need to use a toothbrush and toothpaste make sure you use products made for dogs. Human toothpaste can not be used because dogs don’t know how to rinse and spit and will instead swallow the toothpaste. Also make sure the toothpaste for your dog is fluoride free. In our opinion dogs should not have fluoride because it also should not be swallowed. It is important to be able to maintain your dog’s teeth at home. If they are cleaned (this is also called scaling or prophylaxis) at the vet’s office, they will more than likely be put under using anesthetic. Boxers do not generally respond well to certain anesthetics and their use can sometimes lead to death. Make sure your vet never uses the drug, Acepromazine on your boxer. It is often used as a preanesthetic but is very dangerous to all Boxer dogs.

Boxer Ear Care Boxer Teeth and Gum Care Boxer Teeth and Gum Care

Final Touches

A final brush over with a rubber grooming glove after coat has dried will help to reduce shedding even more. I generally groom with my glove at least once a week. Boxers do shed quite a bit so they are not a breed recommended for a home with pet allergies.

Helpful Boxer Tip

A little added plus but not needed is a product called “Musher’s Secret Paw Wax.” I use this on my Boxers’ pads and between toes for protection. As you should already know this breed is a very active breed, very energetic and on the go. To help prevent injuries and protect from the elements this is just a must in our house.

WARNING: Acepromazine Boxer Sensitivity

Acepromazine is a tranquilizing drug often used in vet offices before anesthesia. It is very dangerous for Boxer dogs. Its use can cause heart arrhythmia and hypotension, a lowering of the blood pressure. Reactions from this drug include bradycardia –a heart rate of 60 beats per minute or less, respiratory arrest, and collapse. Boxer owners should insist that their vets avoid this drug when treating their dogs. Print it out or write it down so you will remember.

Made in the USA

All Kenic Glo Marr Products we use at Bratcher’s Boxers & Pet Supply are produced right here in Kentucky so feel safe knowing you are getting the very best quality products for your pets or show dogs.