When is it Time to Bring my Boxer to the Vet?

leaningonfenceIt’s a question that no boxer owner wants to ask, but that all boxer owners should be able to answer. Dogs do strange, and sometimes worrying things on a daily basis. It’s up to the human half of the relationship to decide when vomiting is the result of the boxer tendency to hoover up garbage, and when something is seriously wrong. Read on, and we’ll run through some scenarios that should have you reaching for the phone. It’s important to remember one thing while you go through this list: when in doubt, call for help. A trip to the vet can be inconvenient, and expensive, but it definitely beats the possibility of letting a serious problem go unchecked.

Changes in Demeanor:

It’s one of the most intangible signs of trouble, but one of the most important. Dogs can’t talk, try as they might, so you’ll have to look to subtler cues. Boxers are gregarious, high-energy critters (to put it mildly) – so keep an eye out for fatigue or anti-social behavior. You know your dog best, and if she’s just not acting like she normally does, it may be time for a checkup. Boxers are notoriously prone to cancer, Cushing’s Disease, and several cardiovascular diseases. They’re serious problems, but often won’t present any obvious physical signs until it’s too late. Watching for behavioral or personality changes can help catch them in their earlier, more manageable stages.

Bloat deserves a quick mention in this section. While it may sound a little goofy, the condition is anything but. This gastric problem can be life-threatening if not addressed promptly, and signs are often murky at best. Bloat generally occurs in large dogs (boxers are unfortunately prone to it), and happens after a dog is allowed to exercise too close to mealtime. If you notice major signs of distress after a meal (check the link for specific symptoms), get on the line immediately.

Changes in Appetite

Boxers in good health go after food with all the restraint of a locust horde. Most owners are probably used to watching their pet dive jowl-first into a bowl of kibble, and just as used to sweeping up the aftermath. With this in mind, pay extra attention to a boxer that’s gone off his feed. Disinterest in food should be addressed immediately. Less intuitively, too much interest in food might also be a red flag. Extreme hunger or thirst isn’t as easy to pick up on, but if noticed, don’t hesitate to ask for help.

Changes in Stool

Well, we had to go here eventually. No one enjoys checking through their dog’s leavings – that said, don’t close your eyes while cleaning up, though we won’t fault you for holding your nose. Any difficulty defecating should have you on your guard. It’s not unusual for dogs (especially garbage-happy boxers) to experience an occasional bout of diarrhea, but if the problem persists, it may be a symptom of a larger issue. Constipation should also be watched out for. Finally, if you notice blood in your dog’s stools, it’s time to get help quickly.

Other Signs

Those top three categories cover some of the general areas to keep an eye on when caring for a boxer, but what about more definite symptoms? For that, the AVMA has a helpful shortlist of thirteen symptoms that should spark a call immediately. Check here for the full article.

  • Appetite/weight gain or loss: a major signal of problems
  • lumps or swelling
  • changes in elimination
  • diarrhea or constipation
  • abnormal discharge
  • persistent coughing
  • sneezing
  • chewing at one spot on the body

The Boxer: Get Ready to Laugh and Play!

atos-in-corridorAt first sight, the boxer appears to be a very serious and threatening dog, but upon closer look you will soon see that this isn’t all true. The regal stance and muscular build will quickly give way to a humorous and devoted dog, possibly with an under bite and a little bit of slobber. Boxers are quite possibly the goofiest dogs around. With an energetic and playful demeanor and a plethora of animated expressions, they will be sure to make you laugh and keep you entertained.

at poolBoxers are devoted and affectionate dogs who have a way of trying to get as close as possible to the ones they love. It is not uncommon to see a 60 pound boxer crouched awkwardly on his owner’s lap, pathetically hoping to pull off the lap dog look. They will subject themselves to looking completely silly as they curl up in the smallest and most uncomfortable of spaces so they can get just a little bit closer. On the other hand, boxers can be a proud and stubborn breed, so get ready to see your boxer sulk and pout, sometimes for several days, if he does not get his way. He will ignore you, he will avert his deep, soulful eyes, and he will stay curled up in a ball in the corner until you apologize sincerely. Boxers are very expressive dogs who seem to understand their human friends on a profound level. With such a lovable personality and human-like traits, the boxer will truly be your best friend.

Boxers respect strong leadership in their owner, and once this is established they will proudly obey. But give a boxer an inch, and he will take a mile… and he’ll most likely come back with a goofy (and guilty) expression on his face. With such an athletic build and so much hyper energy, boxers need consistent exercise and entertainment or they will surely get into mischief. They are naturally curious, and can also be very headstrong and determined. This breed was originally used for hunting, so they will most likely chase chickens or any kind of game, cats, and, well, any other moving thing that they catch out of the corner of their eyes. Because of these characteristics it is a good idea to learn how to care for your boxer.

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Boxers make wonderful family dogs. They do a great job at protecting their family in a way that is not too overbearing or intimidating. They seem to have a good sense about people and can immediately tell whether a person is a friend or foe. With their hyper and rambunctious behavior, they will easily knock over small children, but they won’t mean to. Boxers adore children. They seem to have a keen understanding of children because they are like children themselves whether they are 2 years old or 7 years old. This puppy-like playfulness does not usually go away until a boxer is middle aged, and even then they still will resemble a puppy (or a small child) more than a grown dog. Unfortunately, boxers are prone to certain health problems but a good breeder will have their dogs tested where it is possible. The average life span of a boxer is 10 – 12 years.

A medium to large breed with short hair, boxers are easy to groom and attractive to look at. Historically it has been the norm to dock their tails and crop their ears, but in many countries that practice is now outlawed and even in those countries where it is allowable more are choosing to leave the ears and tails alone.  By leaving the ears and tails natural you will save the money and pain of an operation and after care but lose more cups off the coffee table (their natural tail is like a whip! 🙂 ). An endearing trait that you will appreciate about the boxer – with or without  the docked tail – is the dance he does when he greets you as you come in the door. It will start at his nub of a tail, which will get wagging so frantically that his whole rear end will wiggle with excitement. Then, this wiggle will spread throughout his entire body until he can barely contain himself. He will continue his wiggle dance in circles around you. He’ll do his best not to jump up on you. He will probably let out a few whines of excitement. And, finally, once he settles down you will see in his deep eyes a questioning look, as if to say “How was your day today?” And then “Do you want to play?”

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Welcome!

Welcome to WenAll Boxers

From wikipedia : “Boxers are a bright, energetic and playful breed and tend to be very good with children. They are patient and spirited with children, but also protective, making them a popular choice for families. They are active, strong dogs and require adequate exercise to prevent boredom-associated behaviors such as chewing, digging, or licking. Boxers have earned a slight reputation of being “headstrong,” which can be related to inappropriate obedience training. Owing to their intelligence and working breed characteristics, training based on corrections often has limited usefulness. Boxers, like other animals, typically respond better to positive reinforcement techniques such as clicker training, an approach based on operant conditioning and behaviorism, which offers the dog an opportunity to think independently and to problem-solve. Many who have worked with Boxers maintain that a skilled trainer who uses reward-based methods will find Boxers have far above-average intelligence and working ability.

The Boxer by nature is not an aggressive or vicious breed. It is an instinctive guardian and can become very attached to its family. Like all dogs, it requires proper socialization. Boxers are generally patient with smaller dogs and puppies, but difficulties with larger adult dogs, especially those of the same sex, may occur. Boxers are generally more comfortable with companionship, in either human or canine form.”