Do Boxers Shed?
When it comes to choosing a dog, there are a lot of factors. One of the biggest for a lot of people is if the breed sheds a lot. Boxers seem like the perfect fit for a lot of people, but it comes to question if they shed a lot or not.
So, do Boxers shed? Boxers are a breed that sheds moderately throughout the year. They will need to be brushed once or twice a week. Every Boxer is different, but shedding usually increases in the spring/warm weather. Overshedding can be a sign of health issues.
Environmental factors and genetics all play a role in how much a Boxer sheds. There are ways to help prevent and handle shedding for those who suffer from allergies.
Shedding
Boxers are a breed that sheds constantly throughout the year, but the amount of fur that comes out isn’t much.
Fur will constantly be falling out with a Boxer, even if you cannot see it happen.
You won’t get the piles of hair everywhere like you would with a Golden Retriever or Husky but a lint roller will become your best friend when it comes to clean up.
According to Dogtime.com, on a scale of shedding, Boxers are a 4 out of 5. This is due to the fact that it is an all the time thing and not just a dog blowing coat twice a year.
Despite this rating, Dogtime says that they are easy to groom and take care of. So, brushing your Boxer is the best way to deal with the shedding that will come.
The exact amount that a Boxer sheds will vary from dog to dog. Even pups in the same litter will shed differentely from one another.
Generally, the shedding will require being brushed once or twice a week, just to get all the dead hairs loose so they fall off the dog.
It’s important to notice how much your dog sheds on a regular basis, so you can use it as a reference. Shedding more than usual can sometimes be a sign of a health issue.
Why Boxers Shed
Boxers have a single coat that is short and thin. A Boxer sheds hair regularly because the fur is constantly growing, and when the hair has reached the end of its cycle, it falls out.
This doesn’t mean your Boxer will be bald. A new hair has already started to grow to replace the one that fell out. It’s all pretty cool.
To break it down some more, there are 3 stages that a dogs fur will go through.
The anagen phase is the first one. This phase is when the new growth happens.
The catagen phase is when the fur reaches it’s full length and stops growing. After the catagen phase ends, then the fur goes into exogen, where it dies and falls out.
This is constantly happening to your Boxer, which is why shedding is going to happen year round. It’s also partly because there is only one coat, so the hairs that fall out do not get stuck in the top layer.
When Boxers Shed
We’ve already addressed that Boxers are going to shed year-round because of the single layer of short fur.
However, you may find that your Boxer is shedding more in the springtime, as everything starts to warm up. This is pretty normal.
Dogs that have a double-coat, like Huskies, blow coat this time of year and shed a couple of garbage bags full of fur in order to be able to better regulate their body temperature with the new warm weather.
Some Boxers are inclined to lose a little bit of extra fur when it starts to warm up to. However, this isn’t the case for a lot of Boxers, since a lot are indoor dogs and don’t do particularly well in the heat or in the cold.
It’s important to notice how much your dog sheds on a regular basis, so you can use it as a reference. Shedding more than usual can sometimes be a sign of a health issue.
If you live somewhere where the weather shifts quite a bit between seasons, you are more likely to experience the shedding during the spring.
Every Boxer will be different so try to keep an eye out on how much your dog sheds.
Things That Influence How Much Shedding Occurs
Genetics and surrounding will play a role in how much your Boxer sheds throughout the year.
Breeders try to generally try to breed dogs that shed less on average to get dogs that are better for those with allergies and those who don’t like messes everywhere.
If you get a rescue dog or purchase a dog without knowing the full history, there are some things outside of the gene pool that will affect the amount of shedding.
Here are some of the biggest things that influence the amount of fur that is shed by a Boxer:
- The age – Puppies 1- 2 shed a little bit more than adults
- Genes – textures of a coat, parentage
- Season – warm weather may increase shedding
- Supplements – allergies or response to supplements may increase fur lose
- Place where you live – warmer areas will promote more shedding year round. Places that change season will see a big change from winter to spring
- Sunlight exposure
- Diet – unhealthy coats are caused by the incorrect amount of nutrients and will, therefore, shed more
- Pregnancy in females
Abnormal Shedding
More shedding than usual can mean that there is something not so good is going on with your Boxer. This is why it’s recommended that you notice how much he or she sheds on a regular basis.
Sometimes the fur that falls out does not have new fur to replace it, and that is a sign that there is something wrong.
Balding and itching are signs that the dog’s body gives when something is wrong.
Here are a few of the things that could be the underlying issue of your Boxer’s excessive shedding:
- Pregnancy in females – be aware of this if your Boxer is not spayed
- Reaction to medication – if you switched or started medication, this is something to note
- Infection – fungal or bacterial
- A parasite – fleas, mites, or lice. Your Boxer will be itchy if this is the case.
- Immune disease
- Sunburn
- Cancer
- Liver, kidney, thyroid, or adrenal disease
- Food allergies – Be watchful when you switch dog food. This is probably one of the most common causes.
- Skin Disorder
A change in shedding patterns could just be a sign that you need to switch dog foods. Other times, it means that there is something wrong with the medication or supplements you are giving your pup.
Going to the vet if you are worried is never a bad idea. It can help catch a problem early, and most frequently put your mind at ease.
Boxers sometimes have skin disorders that just mean you need to do a little bit more when grooming your pal.
Tips for Handling Shedding
Having a dog that constantly sheds can sometimes be tricky, especially if someone in the family has allergies, or is really clean. Since the hair is short on a Boxer, it can seem almost impossible to clean it all up.
There is not really a way to get your Boxer to stop shedding altogether, and there’s not really a mix breed that will produce a pup that won’t shed either.
The closest thing is a Boxerdoodle – or a Boxer + Poodle, and there is still no guarantee that shedding will stop being constant.
There may be some hybrids or breeds produce by breeders that don’t shed quite as much, but they are expensive and will still shed year-round.
So, the best thing to do is figure out to manage the shedding. Luckily, this is something that people have gotten down pretty well so they can enjoy there Boxer companions.
There are some pretty easy “do’s” and a couple of really important “do not’s” to know.
What to Do
The best thing that you can do to help your Boxer buddy with shedding is to brush him or her weekly. Sometimes twice a week is best. Really, it depends if your Boxer is more of a moderate shedder or a light shedder.
Get a really good brush tool and spend time brushing every part (except the tummy) so all the loose hair is gathered before your pup starts running around.
If you don’t brush often enough, these hairs might compact on the skin of your Boxer and create a little barrier or trap. Moisture gets trapped and air circulation no longer can happen.
Infection and gross bacteria growth can happen if you don’t. So just brush everything to keep your dog healthy and clean.
Also, clean the brush as you go and after your done because it keeps things hygienic.
You can gently run a vacuum hose over your Boxer to make sure you caught all the hair you brushed out. Or you could run a chamois cloth after brushing to make your buddy’s coat shiny.
Vacuum right after brushing to get all the fur picked up. If you wait too long, the short little hairs will become attached, literally, to the carpet.
Lint rollers work well for couches so make sure you have a couple handy. This will be really great for the car as well.
Bathe your Boxer about once a month. This will help you get out any fur that is really stuck in there, as well as any dirt that is stuck. A healthy coat is a sign of a healthy dog, so make sure you are taking car of those things.
You can wash your dog outside the house as well. This works better for adult Boxers. Make sure the weather is nice outside, at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Boxers don’t do well in the cold, especially when they have wet fur.
You can try brushing outdoors as well. This keeps the mess outside and out of your house, for the most part. Brush with the breeze so all the loose hairs fly away.
What Not to Do
Do not bathe your dog too often. Boxers, as well as other dogs, can get itchy if they take baths too much. This is because shampoo takes away a lot of the natural oils.
When you are bathing your Boxer, once a month or so, make sure you get all the shampoo out. Also, don’t cheap out. Use high-quality shampoo, and switch if you see your dog having issues.
Do not shave your Boxer to reduce shedding. He or she will have no protection from the sun or wind. Even if your Boxer is an indoor dog, playing outside or going on a walk will be uncomfortable and risky.
Shaving your dog will not stop him or her from shedding when the fur grows back.
The growing back part will be itchy. It’s just not a good idea. Besides, Boxers have beautiful coats. If you want a dog that does not shed, then it is best to not get a Boxer at all.
Shedding is a small cost when it comes to taking care of a beautiful and loving companion.
Do not get frustrated at your dog for shedding. It is not his or her fault. It’s something that happens and as a responsible owner, it is your job to make sure your Boxer is happy and healthy.
Vacuum, brush and bathe your buddy. That is really all the fur grooming needs a Boxer needs.
Truly, going in-depth makes it seem like taking care of a Boxer is a lot of work, but as I said earlier, Boxers are one of the easiest breeds to groom, and they are not heavy shedders.
Must-Haves for Boxer Shedding
You have your options when it comes to picking out your tools for your little shedding Boxer pup. Here are the essentials that you are going to need to keep your Boxer healthy and your house clean.
Make sure you have a good vacuum as well as the other things on this list!
Lint Roller
Dog Shampoo
- Veterinary Formula Medicated Shampoo
- Pro Pet Natural Oatmeal Shampoo and Conditioner
- Buddy Wash Lavender & Mint Dog Shampoo and Conditioner
Shed Tool
Fur Supplement
*remember to watch for extra shedding and itchiness when starting supplements as your dog could have allergies.
Chamois Cloth
Related Questions
How do you stop a Boxer from shedding? There is nothing that can be done to stop a Boxer from shedding completely, but brushing once or twice a week, with a well-balanced diet is the best way to reduce excess hair. Vacuum and use lint brushes to pick up hair.
How often should you bathe a Boxer? Boxers should be bathed every 4 – 6 weeks. Other baths can be taken as needed but be cautious. Over-washing a Boxer can lead to irritated and dry skin, and loss of fur. Use a high-quality dog shampoo and rinse it out well.