Every dog needs to be taken care of, but some breeds need a lot more maintenance than others. Dogs with very long coats often need frequent brushing and bathing, but do Boxers need to be groomed?
All dogs need to be groomed in some way, although Boxers are very low maintenance when it comes to their grooming needs. These dogs have a short coat that won’t develop knots and tangles, and doesn’t hold too much doggy smell, so they don’t need to be bathed very often. Boxers do, however, need to be brushed regularly and have their teeth, nails and ears cared for.
Grooming may seem like a bit of a chore, but it is actually a great way to bond with your dog. This article will go into detail about the type of grooming that Boxers require, including why it’s important to stay on top of their health and hygiene, and other information that any Boxer owner should know about the daily routine of caring for one of these beautiful animals.
Do Boxers Need to Be Groomed Less Than Other Breeds?
If you are thinking of bringing a dog of any breed into your family, you should be aware that grooming will become a vital part of your routine. With that being said, some breeds require far less maintenance than others when it comes to their coats and cleanliness.
Breeds that need a lot more grooming tend to be those with long coats, particularly when they shed or lot or have a dense texture that picks up more dirt and grime. Boxers have a very short coat that is tight and close to their body, so it doesn’t build up dirt and stays relatively clean for a long time.
Due to the type of coat that Boxers have, they don’t need to be bathed too frequently and brushing them is very easy to do. You should, however, still brush your dog often to keep their coat healthy and clean, and there are other important grooming habits that you need to stay on top of too.
In What Ways Do Boxers Need to Be Groomed?
There are some key places that need more of your attention when it comes to grooming your Boxer. These are areas where poor maintenance or neglect can lead to serious discomfort, illness, or infection. Besides the happiness and well-being of your pet, which are of course most important, keeping your Boxer clean in these ways will also keep them looking and smelling clean and fresh.
Coat
Though Boxers don’t need to have regular baths, they will still need to have a good cleaning every now and then, and a wipe down if they get dirty in between. For a full bath, you need to use a mild dog shampoo to avoid irritating your Boxer’s skin and to make sure that you are maintaining the natural balance of oils in their coat.
Dogs are often allergic to human products so don’t make the mistake of using your own shampoo for your pooch. Overly dry skin, reactions to allergies, or neglect, can cause infections to develop on your Boxer’s skin, so it is important that they are getting a thorough cleaning with the right products when they need it.
Boxers are considered to be medium shedders, which means they are constantly dropping some hairs. To keep their coats clean, shiny, and clear, they will need to be brushed on a regular basis. Brushing stops dead hairs from accumulating and allows your dog’s skin to breathe, reducing the likelihood of skin infections developing.
Wrinkles
Boxers have a lot of folds and wrinkles on their faces, which is part of what makes them so adorable and expressive. Bacteria can develop in your dog’s wrinkles if they are left for too long, so they should be given a bit of extra care. You can use a small cotton bud or a damp cloth to wipe your Boxer’s wrinkles and clean out any dirt.
Ears
Another area where infections are likely to develop, for most breeds, is in their ears. Wax build-up or other issues like ingrowing hairs can lead to ear infections if they are not cleaned out, so it is important that you keep an eye on your Boxer’s ears.
Be careful about putting anything too close to the ear canal so that you don’t cause any damage to your dog’s hearing. If you do notice a build-up, wiping gently with a cotton pad should be all that is required. If you want to use an ear-cleansing solution for a particular problem that your Boxer has, you need to make sure that it is approved by a veterinarian.
Nails
All dog breeds need to have their nails trimmed, but you need to be careful with how you go about it. Many dogs find this process to be a bit unpleasant, but it is necessary to keep their paws safe and healthy. Long nails can split the skin, leading to dangerous infections, and also make your dog much more likely to cause harm to themselves in other ways.
There is a vein called the “Quick” which runs down the middle of each nail that can bleed and be very painful if it is cut, so you should trim with care. You can use clippers or scissors if you are cautious, but some owners prefer to file their dog’s nails or use a grinder.
If your Boxer is particularly averse to having their nails cut, most groomers will happily help you out for a relatively small fee.
Teeth
Tooth care is one of the most important aspects of regular dog grooming, and it is unfortunately often overlooked. You should brush your Boxer’s teeth every single day to reduce the build-up of plaque and reduce the risk of infections or gum disease.
You should always use toothpaste that is specially formulated for dogs, and there are a lot of different brushes to choose from. Your Boxer will also need to visit a professional for a deep clean to remove tartar.
Eyes
Boxers have big eyes that can be quite “weepy”, meaning they excrete discharge which can build up in the eye area. To avoid eye infections and keep their faces clean, you should give your dog’s eyes a gentle wipe on a regular basis.
A warm, damp cloth is usually enough to do the trick. You should never use any products around your dog’s eyes that have not been recommended by a vet.
How Often Do Boxers Need to Be Groomed?
A regular schedule is important to maintain good hygiene for your Boxer, and some things need to be done much more frequently than others.
- Teeth: Daily brushing and professional cleaning once a year.
- Eyes: Daily wiping and regular checks.
- Ears: Checked regularly and given a gentle clean about once a week.
- Coat: A thorough brush at least once a week, a bath with shampoo at least once a month, and a wipe down whenever they need it.
- Wrinkles: Cleaned thoroughly with every bath and checked often.
- Nails: Trimmed every 5 or 6 weeks.
Because Boxers are generally low-maintenance dogs when it comes to their coats, it can be easy to forget or overlook the vital grooming care that they need. You might want to put a calendar together, to keep track of what your dog needs and when.
Regular grooming is also a great way to bond with your dog and give them a bit of love. Everybody likes some pampering and taking a bit of time out of your day to brush your dog’s teeth and give them a nice brush down can be a real treat.
What Should You Look Out for When it Comes to Boxer Hygiene?
Grooming your Boxer will help to make sure that they are clean, but it is also important because it will reduce the risk of serious medical issues. While you are grooming, you want to look out for any signs that something might be wrong. If your dog is suffering from a medical problem like an infection, you might notice:
- Bad smells.
- Discharge.
- Irritation on the skin.
- Swelling.
- Red eyes.
- Dry nose.
If you are worried at any point about the health or hygiene of your dog, you should get in touch with your veterinarian. Problems like infections are often easy to treat, but they can pose a serious risk to your Boxer’s health if they are not properly addressed.
The Verdict: Do Boxers Need to Be Groomed?
So, do Boxers need to be groomed? The answer is yes, they definitely need to be groomed on a regular basis, just like any other dog. Boxers require pretty minimal grooming in comparison to many other breeds, but their hygiene is still very important for their health and overall wellbeing.
Boxers don’t need to be bathed too often and their coats are very easy to maintain with regular brushing, but there are other areas that should not be neglected. You should brush your Boxer’s teeth every day, keep their nails trimmed, and give some extra care to their eyes, ears, and wrinkles.
If you’re looking for a pet that doesn’t take much effort when it comes to grooming, Boxers are a great choice. All animals need to be properly cared for, and grooming is one of the responsibilities that you take on when you bring any animal into your family. Besides the vital health and hygiene benefits of grooming, Boxers are beautiful, loving animals that deserve a bit of pampering.