Boxers are among the most popular dogs in America because they are very loyal and good with children. They are intelligent and playful dogs that love to stay busy. They are intolerant of hot weather and, therefore, should be taken care of to prevent them from getting overheated.
Boxers may appear harsh, but they are complete sweethearts who have warmed the hearts of several families. There are several factors one considers before choosing to adopt a dog. But most importantly, people always ask about the shedding tendencies. So, here is everything you need to know about Boxer’s shedding.
Do Boxers shed? The simple answer is, yes, Boxers shed. They are considered occasional shedders all year round but will shed more during the seasonal shedding. Do not be fooled into thinking that since Boxers are a short-haired breed, they do not shed. You can expect a fair amount of hair in your house when you adopt this canine breed. But don’t worry because there are ways to manage their shedding, so you don’t end up with a house full of dog fur.
Most people think that short or single-coated dogs don’t shed much. While that may be true sometimes, it’s not a correct blanket statement to make. Take an example of the Boxer. This short-haired single-coated breed will shed a fair amount of fur throughout most of the year.
Whenever you plan on buying or adopting a new canine, you have to research its shedding tendencies. Boxers are the perfect fit for most people, but they may affect allergy sufferers. Keep reading to learn more about Boxer’s shedding, like how much, why, and when they shed. You will also learn how to manage and reduce their shedding, so keep reading.
How Much Do Boxers Shed
Boxers are known to be moderate to high shedders. Many people assume that just because they are single-coated, they shed less. This is a myth because the length of a dog’s coat doesn’t determine its shedding levels. It only makes it less noticeable compared to long-haired dogs. You can also expect an increase in shedding during the seasonal shedding that mostly happens in spring and fall.
That being said, watch out for unhealthy shedding in your pup, and if you notice any, visit your vet immediately. Keep reading through to find out more about managing and reducing your dog’s shedding. You do not want to end up with a house full of dog hairs.
Why Do Boxers Shed
If you adopt a Boxer, you probably will notice some hairs in your house because molting is just usual among healthy dogs. Furthermore, Boxers are a low-maintenance canine breed, and managing their shedding is not difficult. Your Boxer will shed to get rid of old hairs and replace them with new ones, and this is mainly related to their hair growth cycle.
They will also shed to adjust to the changing seasons to maintain their body temperatures. You can never stop your Boxer from shedding. The only thing you can do is manage and reduce the amount of fur that falls in your house.
Shedding Seasons and Frequency
Maybe you are a new owner of this canine breed and may be wondering when do Boxers shed? Boxers are single-coated canine breeds but still experience the seasonal shedding. The amount of fur they shed will increase in spring and fall.
They will shed heavily to get rid of old hairs and replace them with new ones that keep them cool or warm in summer or winter. However, the shedding won’t be much like the double-coated breeds because they do not have a thick, heavy undercoat. You will have to learn to keep their shedding under control during this seasonal molting to avoid having a lot of fur in your home.
Unhealthy Shedding
Always remember unhealthy shedding in your Boxer is terrible news and should be resolved quickly. Even during the seasonal shedding, your Boxer should not be shedding in clumps. Some of the causes of excess shedding include a poor diet, irritated skin, allergies, hormonal imbalances (especially in pregnant females), and parasites.
So, if you notice your canine has bald patches, which is a sign of excessive shedding, you should contact your vet to help you assess what could be causing your canine to shed so much. Understanding your dog’s shedding tendencies and determining whether something is wrong is among the many responsibilities of being a pet parent.
What Type of Coat Do Boxers Have?
Boxers have short, shiny, and single-layered coats. Their coats contain natural oils which deflect water whenever they try to get wet. The Boxer’s short coat is good at resisting dirt, so they rarely need a bath. They don’t shed a large amount of fur because of their short hair, which is relatively unnoticeable. Their fur mostly comes in black and tan patterns. The black markings on their face are what makes them extraordinary.
How to Manage and Reduce Boxer’s Shedding
Every pet parent must accept that they can never stop their dogs from shedding. Shedding is quite normal for every canine with hairs. It helps your Boxer grow new hairs and get rid of old, loose hairs. After answering the question, do Boxers shed? We can now jump into ways in which you can reduce and manage the shedding. Managing and reducing your Boxer’s shedding comes down to proper diet and grooming.
Boxers Grooming
Boxers are a low-maintenance breed and easy to groom. Brushing your Boxer once a week to remove dead hair before they fall can help manage their shedding. All you need is a bristle brush that allows catching loose hair and spreads the natural oils evenly, thus promoting a healthier coat and reducing shedding.
You may need to brush your Boxer daily during seasonal shedding to keep up with the increased molting. As you brush your Boxer, look for any signs of excessive shedding like bald patches and irritated skin, and act immediately.
Boxers Diet
Every pet parent should know a dog’s health starts from the inside. Therefore, your Boxer will only have a healthy coat if you feed him an optimal diet. Consult your vet to help choose the best canine food for your Boxer. A portion of high-quality canine food will improve your Boxer’s coat and lead to stronger hair follicles, thus reducing shedding.
You should know no canine food will stop them from shedding. The good news is that an optimal diet will help manage and reduce the amount of fur your Boxer sheds. Remember, consistency is key. Be consistent with feeding your Boxer a high-quality diet, and you will enjoy a fur-free home.
Baths, Supplements…
Boxers are known to be self-cleaning dogs, just like the cats, so they rarely need a bath. Perhaps you should only bathe your Boxer once in a while to remove dirt and debris they might catch while outside.
Others prefer using a de-shedding shampoo during the seasonal shedding, which effectively eradicates dead fur, thus reducing the amount of fur they shed. As much as it is tempting to bathe your Boxer every now and then to remove all the excess fur, you shouldn’t do it. Overbathing causes the coat to dry by rinsing off all the natural oils, thus increasing shedding.
You should always consult your vet first before adding any supplements to your dog’s food. But honestly speaking, one teaspoon of either fish oil, flaxseed oil, or olive oil into your dog’s diet is safe and healthy. These oils are very high in Omega 3 fatty acids, perfect for a healthier coat, thus reducing shedding.
Are Boxers Hypoallergenic
Perhaps it is your first time hearing the word hypoallergenic, and you don’t know the meaning. So, hypoallergenic dog breeds produce less dander, drool less, and shed less, thus reducing their ability to trigger allergic reactions. Most people believe that the dog’s fur causes allergies. This is not true because the main culprit is a protein found in the animal’s urine, saliva, and dander.
Therefore, Boxers are not hypoallergenic because they shed quite a bit. And their hair is covered with dander. Boxers are also known to have dropped jowls that produce saliva, which is among the main culprit of pet allergies.
As I mentioned earlier, they are also self-cleaning dogs, and they groom themselves with saliva, which gets onto their fur and finally in the air when they shed. Saliva causes the worst dog allergies compared to dander and fur. All these reasons make Boxers a non-hypoallergenic canine breed.
However, all is not lost for mild allergy suffers who are still set on adopting a Boxer. Here are a few tips to follow to help you reduce the risk of any allergic reactions:
- Always wear a face mask when brushing your Boxer to avoid inhaling the dander released in the air that triggers allergic reactions
- When choosing your carpet, curtains, and furniture, opt for those you can easily clean with a vacuum cleaner. This is to ensure you have a clean and dander-free house. Do not buy carpets, curtains, or furniture that traps dog fur, as that might increase your allergies.
- Train your Boxer to pee in a restricted area to avoid any contact with their urine because it also contains proteins that can trigger your allergic reactions
- Saliva is a primary culprit of dog allergies. So, teach your Boxer not to lick you by making him aware that you do not like it when he licks you.
- Remember to wash your hands thoroughly after petting your Boxer. If you don’t wash your hands, you can accidentally spread the dander or touch your nose and eyes, which can be bad for your allergies.
- Invest in a HEPA air filter to help keep your room allergen-free by catching all the airborne allergens
- You can also visit your allergist or buy allergy medications over the counter to help manage your symptoms
- You can also adopt a Boxerdoodle, which is more allergy-friendly thanks to the Poodle’s hypoallergenic characteristics. Although, the above tips still apply to help reduce allergens in your environment