Recently while considering a new pet, I thought of the Boxer that I adored as a child. Yet one thing came to mind: I am responsible for cleaning the house now! I realized I had to do some research because a layer of short hair stuck to everything in my house did not sound ideal.
So do Boxers shed a lot? Yes Boxers shed, but not a lot (comparatively speaking) because they are considered a light-to-moderate shedding dog breed. Shedding is normal for Boxers, but the amount of shedding is affected by seasons, diet, genetics, and gender.
I’m sure you can imagine my disappointment when I found out that Boxers shed, but I also learned that many factors affect the frequency and amount your boxer or any dog will shed. However, as with introducing anything new to your life, it just takes practice and patience to manage the changes.
Are Boxers Heavy Shedders?
Boxers are a low-to-moderate shedding dog breed.
Boxers do not shed as much as a Golden Retriever or Husky.
However, they shed more than a hypoallergenic dog with hair.
Why and How Often do Boxers Shed?
Boxers shed because they have an undercoat. However, the frequency and amount of Boxer shedding will depend on where you live.
You might notice your Boxer beginning to shed around the one-year mark. That is normal and happens because the puppy coat is being shed and replaced by your Boxers new adult coat.
Once the puppy hits the two-year mark, this shedding tapers out and seasonal shedding will commence.
Do Boxers shed all year? Yes, but they don’t shed heavily all year round. As with human hair, a dog’s fur falls out frequently. Unlike humans, Boxer’s shed more or less, depending on the season.
I know when I first began reading about seasonal shedding, I thought it was a response to the changes in the temperature of the weather.
Imagine my surprise to find out that your dog is actually responding to the amount of daylight!
Now whether or not your dog experiences seasonal shedding will depend on where you live.
If your daylight exposure does not change year-round, then, congratulations:
Your dog will shed less.
On the contrary, if you live in a place where you receive less than eight hours of light in the winter and more than 12 in the summer, watch out:
Your pup is going to be a shedding champ!
How Does Your Boxer’s Lifestyle Affect His Shedding?
In addition to seasons, the following all play a part in how much your Boxer sheds:
- Diet
- Genetics
- Gender
1. Diet
Let’s begin with diet.
If your Boxer is receiving the correct nutrients, her skin and coat will remain largely unaffected and shed at a normal rate.
But if your dog is not receiving the appropriate amount (or types) of nutrients, his skin and coat can be negatively affected. One side-effect of unhealthy skin and coat is increased shedding.
If you’re concerned that your Boxers shedding is due to diet, you can try an Omega fatty acid supplement to assist.
2. Genetics
Next, we discuss genetics.
German, UK, and American lines of Boxer will all have different textures and thickness of coats. This can even happen within the same litter!
If your puppy is born with a thicker coat, he will be more prone to shedding more often.
3. Gender
Lastly, Boxer shedding amount can vary by sex.
Male dogs and spayed female Boxers will shed at a regular pace year-round.
Unspayed females will have a heavier shed nearing the end of their heat cycle and after giving birth due to the change in hormones.
How to Groom Your Boxer (to Minimize Shedding)
So what can you do to help manage Boxer fur?
Grooming, of course!
Although the above-mentioned information on the diet is very important, grooming is essential to controlling the shed factory you love so much.
Because hair sheds from your dog regularly, it is important to set aside a specific time to groom each week.
If possible, grooming outside is ideal so you are not taking those wonderful hairs and spreading them around your house.
When brushing, ensure that you are brushing all the way down to the skin to remove all hairs that have shed since the last grooming.
This allows for the removal of the hair that is still under the healthy coat to be removed and the skin to breathe.
If this hair is not removed, it can cause a build-up of dirt and debris that can affect the Boxer’s skin negatively.
As you brush, ensure you are removing the hair from the grooming tool and make sure no section goes untouched!
This includes all your dogs’ favorite places: feet, belly, neck, tail, and hind quarters.
Puppy Baths are the Best
The best way to ensure you have great grooming habits for your Boxer is to start young. I’ll say it again:
For best results, begin grooming your Boxer as a puppy. (you won’t wash away the puppy smell, we promise!)
If you begin regular bathing habits when your pet is young, you will encounter much less resistance as they age.
My Shih-Tzu has been going to the groomer since he was three months old and he is the perfect specimen when he is being groomed. He even picks his paws up for you!
Though a Boxer doesn’t have the grooming requirements of a Shih-Tzu, he will still require a regular bath and brushing to keep his coat and skin healthy.
A bath every three to four weeks is sufficient as too many baths too often can cause dry skin which will, in turn, lead to more shedding issues.
This rule is of course the average. This does not apply to special situations where the vet recommends bathing more frequently.
On the other hand, not enough bathing can lead to dirt/debris buildup, which also affects the health of the skin and coat.
By beginning your dog’s bathing routine young, you may have fewer issues with them protesting bathing and grooming.
I know I should have researched this topic sooner because we didn’t start soon enough with our Pit and now he thinks the brush is a toy!
Other Benefits of Regular Grooming
Despite being essential for skin/coat health and minimizing the dog hair in your home, grooming has other benefits as well.
Since Boxers are a breed that needs to be properly stimulated throughout the day, grooming is one more way for you to spend some quality time with your four-legged pal.
Boxers are also a breed prone to separation anxiety.
Some dogs have anxiety after 10 minutes and others can last a few hours.
Wherever your pup is on the anxiety spectrum, grooming is another way to show your pup that you love her and will be there for her.
The best rule of thumb is to know your Boxers shedding habits.
If your boxer has shed at a certain rate since he/she was a pup and that rate changes, start investigating why there is a possible change:
Could it be the season?
Could it be a change in diet?
Could it be the end of her heat cycle?
Once you have identified the cause, then you have the information to find a solution!
Related Questions
Our #1 recommendation is to groom, groom, and groom some more! And #2? Invest in a great vacuum cleaner specifically one that also filters the air. This allows some of the hair to be removed before it can settle into the carpet. Removing the fur from your furniture regularly is also a huge help. Rubber gloves rubbed on the furniture in one direction has proven to be a great way to remove that unwanted hair.
Yes, Boxers drool, but they are considered a light to moderate drooler (compared to other dog breeds). Not every Boxer will drool, however, because the shape of the jaw and lips can vary between individuals, causing some dogs to drool more than others. Excessive drooling can be indicative of an underlying health issue, so it is never safe to assume that your Boxer’s drooling is strictly because it’s a Boxer.
