“I have three pups, all picky eaters, and they devoured their meals! I’m so happy to have found a quick, easy and super healthy food.”
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Breed Group
Working Group -
Temperament
Bright, Friendly, Active, Intelligent -
Personality
- Height21.5-25 inches
- Weight50-90 lbs
- Lifespan10-12 years
- EnergyHigh
- GroomingMinimal
- SheddingModerate
Boxer
The Boxer was originally bred in Germany during the late 19th century. The Boxer’s ancestral roots trace back to the Assyrian Empire, as far back as 2,500 B.C. The modern Boxer is a direct descendant of two fighting breeds, the Bullenbiesser (now extinct) of the Mastiff family and the English Bulldog. During the medieval times, the Bullenbisser was Germany’s prized big game hunter, used to hunt bear, wild boar and deer. As the focus on hunting started to fade, Boxers took on other working roles such as guard dogs, service dogs and in police and military. Today, Boxers are still used in a variety of working roles, though they’re mainly kept as loving companion dogs.
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Boxer AppearanceÂ
The Boxer is a medium-sized dog with a strong muscular body and distinctive square head. Boxers are a deep-chested breed that can grow to be 21-25 inches tall. Male Boxers can weigh between 65-80 pounds while female Boxers typically weigh 15 pounds less than males.
Boxer TemperamentÂ
Boxer dogs are intelligent, high-energy and very affectionate. Their gentle and playful spirit have earned them a reputation as a great family dog. Boxers are incredibly loyal and prefer to be in the company of their owners. They also make great guard dogs and are always ready to protect their family when needed.
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Grooming Your Boxer
Boxers have a sleek, short-haired coat that comes in two standard colours, fawn or brindle. Boxers shed moderately throughout the year, which means they require minimal grooming. It’s recommended that you brush your Boxer weekly using a rubber curry brush or a brush with rubber ends. The rubber nubs will help stimulate and massage your Boxer’s skin and hair. Boxers also need regular nail trimming, ear cleaning and dental care.
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Training & Exercise for Your BoxerÂ
Boxers require proper training and early socialization in order to positively channel their energy and exuberant personalities. As a highly intelligent breed, Boxers are easily trainable, but can be stubborn. Boxers respond well to positive reinforcement and reward-based training.
Health Considerations for Boxers
The Boxer is a generally healthy breed with a lifespan of 10-12 years. To ensure your Boxer gets the most out of these years, it’s important to be aware of what signs of illnesses to look for so you can quickly address any health concern. Some of the common health issues Boxers are susceptible to include allergies, brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), heart disease, hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism.Â
AllergiesÂ
Boxers are prone to both environmental and food-related allergies. When it comes to diet, Boxers are especially sensitive to dog food containing wheat or corn. Your Boxer’s skin may show a reaction with symptoms such as obsessive licking, scratching and chewing of problematic areas. There are many treatment options available if your Boxer develops allergies such as a change in dog food or medication. Your veterinarian can help determine the best treatment options to ensure your Boxer continues to live a healthy and comfortable life.Â
Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus Syndrome (GDV or Bloat)
Bloat, also known as Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus Syndrome, is a life-threatening disorder most commonly seen in large, deep-chested breeds including the German Shepherd. This condition is caused when the dog’s stomach fills with air and twists. This cuts off the circulation of blood and can be deadly if not corrected. Some of the signs of bloat to be aware of in your Boxer include salivation, obvious pain, a distended abdomen and retching. Ways to prevent this condition from happening to your Boxer include encouraging slower eating, providing easy to digest dog food and refraining from exercise immediately after eating. If you suspect that your Boxer has bloat, immediate veterinary attention is required.Â
Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BAOS)
Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BAOS) is a combination of upper airway abnormalities that cause partial obstruction to a dog’s breathing. As a result of the Boxers’ wide, short skulls, square muzzle and underbite, they are more prone to this particular condition. Boxers that are affected may experience a range of symptoms such as loud breathing, difficulty handling exercise, heat intolerance and difficulty eating.
Heart Disease
Subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS), is a congenital heart murmur found in Boxers. This condition occurs when abnormal tissue forms just below the aortic valve, creating an obstruction that causes the heart to work harder to pump blood. Boxers with SAS can appear asymptomatic; however, some symptoms to be aware of include lethargy, shortness of breath, exercise intolerance and fainting.Â
Hip Dysplasia
Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is one of the most common canine ailments. It’s a genetic condition that causes an abnormal formation of the hip socket, which can eventually lead to lameness and arthritis of the joints. This hereditary disease can be magnified by factors including excessive growth rate, age, types of exercise and improper weight and nutrition. While mild conditions can be managed with prescription medication and physical therapy, more severe cases could require surgery. To prevent or reduce the severity of hip dysplasia, it’s important to ensure your Boxer gets a proper diet and the right amount of exercise.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is an inherited condition that is caused by a deficiency of the thyroid hormone. Due to the thyroid's widespread effects on the body, symptoms of hypothyroidism can vary. Some of the common symptoms to be aware of in your Boxer include obesity, lethargy, depression, anemia and weakness of the joints. Your Boxer should have their thyroid levels tested annually as this condition can develop at any time. If your Boxer is diagnosed with hypothyroidism, treatment is fairly simple and effective. With the assistance of medication your Boxer can go on to live a full life.Â
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What Makes a Boxer Unique?Â
Boxers have long tongues
A Boxer named Brandy holds the Guinness World Record for the longest dog tongue in the world. Brandy’s tongue measured a record breaking 17-inches long. For comparison, the longest human tongue measures at 3.97 inches.
Police training in Germany
With a long history as a working breed, Boxers have been put to work in various roles such as service dogs, police dogs, and military companions. The Boxer was one of the first breeds selected in Germany for police training.
War Dogs
During World War I, Boxers were used to assist German Soldiers in battle. The Boxer was utilized as a messenger carrier, pack carrier, attack dog and guard dog. It wasn’t until World War II that the Boxer breed became popular around the world.
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Why NutriCanine Is Great For Boxers
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Best Dog Food for a Boxer Puppy (1-4 years)
The best dog food for your Boxer puppy will be high quality and nutritionally complete to ensure they grow into a healthy adult. Boxers will typically reach their full adult size between 12 and 18 months old. When choosing the best dog food for your Boxer, it can help to understand the special needs of this particular breed. For example, Boxers are prone to developing certain health conditions such as hip dysplasia and allergies. Choosing a dog food that contains well-sourced protein, nutrients, and a proper amount of fat will help in the development of healthy bones and joints. It’s also important to consider dog food that is free from any fillers and artificial ingredients, which can help reduce the risk of feeding allergies. The best dog food for your Boxer puppy will support healthy growth and consider the breed’s health concerns.
As your Boxer puppy is still in the process of development, another factor to consider is the consistency of their dog food. Your Boxer will have an easier time digesting soft dog food as opposed to hard dry kibble. NutriCanine’s nutrient-dense and easily digestible meals are developed by a dog food formulation specialist for an incredible flavour and texture that your Boxer puppy will love. Our dog food recipes offer complete and balanced nutrition for your pup, with human-edible animal proteins and our unique blend of highly digestible fruits and vegetables. All our dog food recipes are freshly prepared with no hormones, no antibiotics, and no artificial preservatives, colours or flavours.
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Best Dog Food for an Adult Boxer (5-7 years)
When selecting the best dog food for your adult Boxer, it’s important to ensure their nutritional needs are met without going overboard on the calories. As Boxers are prone to obesity, high-quality and well-balanced dog food is essential to maintain a healthy body weight. The ideal dog food for your Boxer will include lean protein such as poultry and fish, low-moderate fat content, wholesome ingredients and plenty of vitamins and nutrients. At NutriCanine, we will take the time to learn about your Boxer and create a customized meal plan for their unique nutritional needs. Our dog food recipes come pre-portioned and ready to serve for a mess-free mealtime! NutriCanine dog food recipes are freshly prepared with real, human-edible, locally sourced ingredients.
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Best Dog Food for a Senior Boxer
Once Boxers reach seniority their energy levels begin to slow down considerably. It’s important to feed your Boxer dog food that contains high-quality ingredients and is low in calories and fat. Due to the fact that Boxers have a higher risk of obesity it’s crucial that their diet is tailored to their age and health needs. NutriCanine’s raw dog food recipes are specially formulated to accommodate your senior dog’s nutritional needs; however, our gently cooked line might be easier for an older dog to transition to if they’re not accustomed to fresh dog food. Our fresh dog food comes in a variety of delicious recipes that your Boxer will absolutely love, including high-quality proteins like chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, and chicken and salmon.
There are numerous health benefits when feeding your Boxer a diet of real, fresh dog food. With complete and balanced nutrition from NutriCanine, you’ll start to see health benefits in your senior Boxer, including improved digestion, fresher breath, more stable energy levels, reduction of allergies and intolerances, brighter eyes, fresher breath, cleaner and whiter teeth, a stronger immune system, a thicker and glossier coat, less flatulence, and firmer stools, to name a few. Our dog food recipes offer complete and balanced nutrition for your Boxer, with human-edible animal proteins and our unique blend of highly digestible fruits and vegetables. All our dog food recipes are freshly prepared with no hormones, no antibiotics, and no artificial preservatives, colours or flavours.
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Best Dog Food for an Overweight Boxer
If your Boxer is experiencing weight issues it’s important to take the necessary steps to get them back to an ideal weight. Proper exercise is important and dog food that’s low in calories. There are numerous health benefits when feeding your Boxer a diet of real, fresh dog food. With complete and balanced nutrition from NutriCanine, you’ll start to see health benefits in your Boxer, including improved digestion, fresher breath, more stable energy levels, reduction of allergies and intolerances, brighter eyes, fresher breath, cleaner and whiter teeth, a stronger immune system, a thicker and glossier coat, less flatulence, and firmer stools, to name a few. NutriCanine dog food recipes also come pre-portioned, making it easy to track and control your Boxer’s calorie intake.
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Best Dog Food for a Boxers with a Sensitive Stomach
Boxers are known to have sensitive stomachs and the most common reasons are allergies and gas problems. When selecting the right dog food for your Boxer it’s important to consider three factors: the quality, source of the nutrients and the proteins used. To help alleviate your Boxer’s stomach sensitivity it’s important not to compromise on the quality of these three factors in your search for the right dog food.
Food allergies arise when your Boxer’s body reacts or rejects a particular dog food causing them to have problems with digestion. Food intolerance and dog food allergies are not the same thing. Food intolerance can cause symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, while dog food allergies can result in symptoms like skin problems, itching and lack of appetite. To try and solve the problem your Boxer is experiencing, we recommend consulting your veterinarian as soon as possible. If you’re also trying to change your pup’s dog food we suggest you do so gradually in order to find a suitable diet for your Boxer.
Brachycephalic breeds like the Boxer have an increased amount of flatulence. This is the buildup of gas in the digestive system that can cause abdominal discomfort. NutriCanine’s gently cooked dog food recipes are a great option for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Our gently cooked beef dog food recipe contains antioxidant-rich berries and highly digestible rice, making it the perfect meal for dogs who have immune responses to gluten. All our dog food recipes are freshly prepared with no hormones, no antibiotics, and no artificial preservatives, colours or flavours.
Top 10 Facts About Boxers
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NutriCanine Meals
Raw
NutriCanine raw recipes contain a unique blend of highly digestible fruits and vegetables. Our raw recipes offer complete and balanced nutrition, ideal for all dogs of all ages and sizes. The transition to raw tends to be easier for younger dogs and high energy dogs.
Try NutriCanine raw recipesGently Cooked
NutriCanine gently cooked recipes are great for all dogs including picky eaters, sensitive stomachs, or senior dogs with brittle teeth. Our recipes are safe enough for humans to eat but specially designed to meet your dog's nutritional needs.
Try NutriCanine gently cooked recipes