It is perfectly normal for a Boxer puppy to lose weight on its 2nd day of life. Carefully watch for any Boxer newborn that seems to be getting pushed out of the way by other pups and unable to drink from mom.
If this is happening, remove the other puppies after they feed and allow the hungry puppy to nurse alone, not bothered by their brothers and sisters. Day 3. Talk to your veterinarian regarding docking the tail , if you have decided to do so. This is often done on day 3.
This decision should be carefully thought about. In addition, the Boxer puppy's cord will be dry and just about ready to fall off. Dewclaws, if removed, are usually done so on this day by your dog's experienced veterinarian. Week 1. Puppies should be weighed each day. This can be done by preparing a small basket, lined with a soft and clean towel. The basket can be placed on the scale first, with the weight noted.
Then, the puppy should be placed inside the basket. Subtract the weight of the basket to have the exact weight of your Boxer puppy. There should be an increase each day.
If not, be sure to immediately contact your dog's veterinarian. Nails grow very quickly and should be trimmed as often as each day if needed. A clotting solution, such as Kwik Stop should be used in case the quick of the nail is cut by accident something to carefully avoid. As the pup matures, many owners find that a grinder tool works much better than a clipper. Some dogs need to learn to tolerate the noise, but once they do, grinding down nails can be fast and easy.
Week 2. The eyes of the Boxer puppy may begin to open. This is a slow process in which they will open bigger and for more time each day. Puppies will still be nesting near mom. You should take a bit more time to handle the puppies. This is done to slowly allow the mother to become used to you holding them and for the puppies to begin bonding with you. Week 3. The Boxer puppy's eyes should be completely open.
As a consequence, the soft palate at the back of the roof of the mouth is too long and may hang down into the airway. All of these differences can lead to a narrow and obstructed airway such that many of these dogs can barely breathe! Watch for exercise intolerance, loud breathing, coughing, bluish gums, or fainting. With his short nose, your pet is also more likely to develop other problems, such as flatulence from excessive air intake, pneumonia from aspirating food, and heat stroke.
In severe cases, surgical correction may be recommended to alleviate airway obstruction. Much of what you can do to keep your dog happy and healthy is common sense, just like it is for people.
Be sure to adhere to the schedule of examinations and vaccinations that we recommend for her. Another very important step in caring for your pet is signing up for pet health insurance.
There will certainly be medical tests and procedures she will need throughout her life and pet health insurance will help you cover those costs. Build her routine care into your schedule to help your Boxer live longer, stay healthier, and be happier during her lifetime. We cannot overemphasize the importance of a proper diet and exercise routine. Any abnormal symptom could be a sign of serious disease, or it could just be a minor or temporary problem. The important thing is to be able to tell when to seek veterinary help, and how urgently.
Many diseases cause dogs to have a characteristic combination of symptoms, which together can be a clear signal that your Boxer needs help. Give us a call for an appointment if you notice any of these types of signs:.
Seek medical care immediately if you notice any of these types of signs:. Visit our office to get the latest in top-quality veterinary care along with unparalleled service. Phone: Email: [email protected]. Skip to main content. Please text us at when you arrive so we can get you checked in. For more on this, click here. Open today from am - pm Monday: 8am - 7pm Tuesday: 8am - 6pm Wednesday: 8am - 6pm Thursday: 8am - 7pm Friday: 8 am - 6 pm Saturday: 8 am - 4 pm.
Contact Us. The Beautiful Boxer That Boxer face - what's not to love?! Chances are that you chose her because you like Boxers and you expected her to have certain traits that would fit your lifestyle: Affectionate, easygoing, and lovable Loves to play games, especially fetch Intelligent, friendly, and easily won over Large, strong, and athletic, with lots of stamina in cooler climates Good with kids and other pets An excellent guard dog, courageous and dependable You may also recognize these characteristics in your Boxer pooch: Can be rambunctious and rowdy, especially as a younger dog Exhibits signs of separation anxiety if left alone too much Can be gassy and drool a lot Can be independent and strong-willed Needs frequent attention from her family Suspicious of strangers She is a bright and energetic companion that forms close human bonds.
Your Boxer's Health We know that because you care so much about your dog , you want to take good care of her. Infections Boxers are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections — the same ones that all dogs can get — such as parvo, rabies, and distemper.
Obesity Obesity can be a significant health problem in Boxers. Parasites All kinds of worms and bugs can invade your Boxer's body, inside and out. Spay or Neuter One of the best things you can do for your Boxer is to have her spayed neutered for males. Genetic Predispositions for Boxers Heart Disease Boxers are prone to multiple types of heart disease , which can occur both early and later in life. Boxers are especially prone to a life-threatening heart condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, in which the heart becomes so large, thin, and weak that it can no longer effectively pump blood to the body.
As this problem advances, your pet may act weak or tired, faint or collapse, breathe in a labored way, or cough. If indicated, treatment includes medication and dietary supplementation. Bloat Gastric dilatation volvulus, also known as GDV or bloat, usually occurs in dogs with deep, narrow chests. Hyperadrenocorticism Cushing's Cushing's Disease is a malfunction of the adrenal glands that causes them to produce too much steroid hormone. Bone and Joint Problems A number of different musculoskeletal problems have been reported in Boxers.
The cranial cruciate ligament is one of four tough bands of tissue that hold each knee together. A torn cranial cruciate ligament is a common injury in active dogs, including your Boxer.
Usually, surgical correction can stabilize the knee and help prevent crippling arthritis. Physical therapy and multimodal pain management are necessary for the best outcomes. Keeping him at the right weight, feeding a high-quality diet, and avoiding too much twisting of the knees like when playing Frisbee are key in avoiding these painful injuries.
Owning a boxer means you want a dog that can keep up with your lifestyle and be a true canine friend. They wouldn't be well-suited to an individual or family that couldn't provide these basic activities and socialization aspects.
Classified as working or guard animals, boxers must keep busy to be their happiest selves. It's not unusual for boxers to need at least 30 minutes—or more—of exercise and dedicated play each day. Because of their dutiful personalities and intelligence, they've been trained to work in K9 units with police, as messengers during WWII, cattle wranglers, and guides for people with visual impairments.
So with this type of energy and attention to detail, it's no wonder they thrive with people who are active in the great outdoors and enjoy running , hiking , camping , enjoying family outings in the park, working on farms, and exploring other environments that provide healthy engagement. American boxer dogs have lean, muscular bodies designed for movement and short, easy-care coats, so they're ready to go when you are.
A mature boxer can also be a trusty and loyal companion for an apartment dweller or senior citizen who enjoys daily walks and has a fenced-in yard or accessible park area that allows for plenty of fetch time. Clean your boxer's teeth every day if possible to prevent tartar buildup.
Fortunately, a specific doggie toothbrush and toothpaste makes this an easy task. Ask your veterinarian for tips. Sparkling teeth and healthy gums also help reduce drooling. Boxers don't drool as much as other breeds, but slobber can happen regularly depending on the size and shape of your dog's nose and jaw. Beyond that, this pooch is pretty low-maintenance. Keep his coat sleek and shiny by brushing him a couple of times a week with a hound glove or rubber curry-brush.
They don't shed a lot , but regular brushing helps control any fur that does fly. Because boxers are generally clean, they only need a bath about once a month, and that's a good time to trim their nails and clean their ears , too.
Some boxer dogs have deeper facial folds than others, so you might need to wipe these clean with a damp washcloth, especially after a vigorous romp outside nosing through dirt. Because boxers have short coats, they often need sweaters or jackets to protect them in cold weather. They're also more sensitive to hot temperatures. They don't sweat , and their snub noses and fleshy mouths can't provide adequate cooling from panting like other dogs.
So if it's warm out, time walks in the early morning or late evening when the sun isn't at its hottest. If you notice your boxer is a bit overheated , apply chilled water to his ears, belly, and genitals, where blood vessels are closer to the skin.
Because they're so playful, they might also enjoy a quick cool down by frolicking in a small wading pool placed in a shady backyard spot. Your puppy can see color, but we can safely conclude that he cannot see the same spectrum as we do. If you want to buy some toys in colors your puppy will be able to distinguish, go for blue or yellow.
Puppies might not see the same range of color as we do, but they certainly see better in the dark. Puppies have more rods in their eyes, which means that they see much better in dim light than we do. When it comes to detail, though, we still have the upper hand. This is because dogs are natural hunters. Their eyes have developed to detect movement, not fine details. Puppies are born deaf, and this is the last of their senses to fully develop. Once their hearing kicks in, they hear about four times better than most people, including hearing a wider range of frequencies.
Jerry Klein, AKC chief veterinary officer.
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