Having short, tight coats, Boxers are relatively low maintenance in the grooming department. However, to keep on top of any shed hair and to make sure a dog's coat is kept in good condition, they need to be brushed at least once a week. It's also worth bearing in mind that like all other breeds, Boxers tend to shed more hair during the Spring and then again in the Autumn when more frequent grooming may be necessary.
It's also a good idea to check a Boxer's ears on a weekly basis to make sure there is no build up of wax which could harbour a yeast infection. A lot of Boxers have quite a bit of white in their coats which means extra care needs to be taken during the hotter summer months to reduce the risk of a dog suffering from sunburn which is all too commonly a problem with Boxers that boast more white in their coats.
It's also a very good idea to keep an eye on the condition of a Boxer's teeth and to teach a puppy that having them regularly cleaned in a good experience right from the word go.
Boxers need to be given lots of daily exercise and ideally, this should be at least 2 hours a day. A good brisk hour's walk in the morning and then again in the afternoon which should include lots of interactive games that would keep a Boxer mentally stimulated.
If you have a secure garden, it's also a good idea to let a Boxer spend lots of time out in it whenever possible so they get to expend all that pent up energy these dogs tend to have.
Boxers need to be fed a good quality, balanced diet to suit the different stages of their lives. It's worth noting that they have quite sensitive stomachs which in short means that feeding a Boxer food that has a lot of wheat and other fillers in it would not suit them and could end up causing them quite serious digestive upsets.
If you get a Boxer puppy from a breeder, they would have provided a feeding schedule and it is very important that you keep to it. You would also need to feed a new puppy the same type of food as they are used to eating to avoid any tummy upsets. However, you can gradually change their food over a period of a few weeks, keeping a close eye on things when you do. If you notice any loose stools, it's best to put them back on their original diet and to discuss things with the vet before attempting to change their food again.
As previously mentioned, Boxers are known to have quite sensitive digestive systems as such it's important they be fed a good quality diet that does not contain wheat or other fillers. If a Boxer proves to be intolerant of the food they are fed, they are at greater risk of developing colitis.
It's also very important not to feed a Boxer just before they are due to go out for a walk or any strenuous exercise and the same can be said of when they just get back from a brisk walk. The reason being that Boxers are prone to Bloat and feeding them when they are still too hot could trigger gastric torsion.
