One afternoon my neighbor’s black Labrador dog was out roaming the country side on his 5 acre property and within an hour he heard the most frightening yelping and crying noises coming from his dog. As he ran outside, he saw his poor pet come limping to the backyard with blood running all down his head as well as his paw.

With no dog care kit around the house he didn’t know what to do so he called for help. The animal hospital was closed and so without immediate assistance he had to wait hours upon hours for his dog to get help, and without any available dog care in the meanwhile.

Had he at least had a dog care first aid kit he could have helped clean the wounds up a bit. Because it was so late in getting help, his dog developed a major infection.

Moral of the story? Have a dog first aid kit available in case of emergencies.

P.S. You can learn about how to handle boxer dog emergencies on our main site

Many health-oriented veterinarians are huge advocates for this diet, which can completely replace commercially prepared dog food.  One of the first proponents of the BARF diet was Dr. Ian Billinghurst who still recommends it today.  He believes that it is the ultimate way to get our pets in to optimum health. Many people believe that the BARF diet simulates what your dog would eat in his natural environment.

Many people today feel that there are a lot of health advantages to feeding a raw food diet to both humans and dogs.  Most owners who have dogs with problems such as allergies, skin problems, weight problems, and anal gland problems have found that the bones and raw food diet has helped to significantly remedy these issues.

Some of the advantages to feeding a biologically appropriate raw food diet include:

• avoiding the preservatives found in most commercially prepared kibble diets
• tastes better to your dog than regular dog food
• in general, muscle mass and body condition improve on a raw food diet

You might also find that your boxer dogs produce fewer stools, eat more slowly, and have fewer health problems.  Many advocates of the raw food diet also claim that it is less expensive than commercially manufactured dog food.  One of the biggest disadvantages to this diet is that it takes longer to prepare.

If you decide that you would like to try the BARF diet with your dog, you must first do the research.  There are many websites and books available to guide you through the process.  Talk to your veterinarian, though many veterinarians are unfamiliar with the BARF diet.  Find people in your area that feed the raw food diet to their animals.  Make sure it is right for you and your dog before you try it.

The next step is to transition your dog from his commercial dog food to his new bones and raw food diet.  You may want to do this gradually as often times, dogs develop digestive problems when switching to new diets.  Some advocates of the BARF diet recommend switching your dog to the new diet cold turkey, however.

When feeding a raw food diet, you will generally want to feed your dog twice per day.  The first meal of the day will usually consist of raw meat and bones like turkey or chicken legs, thighs, wings, or necks, pork riblets, lamb chops, and the like.  The second meal will consist of a mush made with raw meat, fresh vegetables, and Offal (the organs parts of the meat you are feeding).

Usually you will want to supplement this with cottage cheese, eggs with the shells, yogurt, fruit, fish, and recreational bones (which are the harder to chew kinds of bones).  This can vary, so do your homework.  You will want to avoid grains.  Advocates of the biologically appropriate raw food diet agree that dogs do not have the proper digestive systems to deal with whole grains and that most food allergies are grain related.

Most advocates of the raw food diet do not recommend supplements.  If you aren’t sure what to do,  speak with your veterinarian.

If you’d like some recipes for preparing delicious meals for your dogs, check out our 180 Gourmet Dog Recipes cookbook.

When considering the birth rates among animals, it’s not hard to understand why animal shelters are always filled with animals waiting to be adopted. But it IS difficult to see all the animals in their pens and not want to take them all home. Such feelings are understandable and commendable; however, just be sure that prior to adoption you consider all of the ramifications.

Shockingly, it has been calculated that over a seven year period, one female cat and her offspring will produce approximately 420,000 kittens. Likewise, one female dog and her offspring will produce 67,000 puppies during a six year period. Since there are more animals looking for homes than there are people who want to adopt them, some 6.5 million animals are euthanized each year.

Given the statistics cited above, adopting an animal can be a kind and loving thing to do, as long as you weigh the pros and cons carefully.

Many of the boxer dogs you’ll find awaiting adoption in shelters have had very rough beginnings. Some were abused, some abandoned and some were “turned in” because the owners didn’t have time for them.

Many were left alone for long periods and some were never properly potty trained. In short, when adopting a boxer dog from a shelter or rescue organization, you must be prepared to work with them. They may come to you cowed or with feelings of fear and may be overly sensitive to your tone of voice or to any commands you might give them. You will need to be patient and by all means, loving. When they finally realize that they can trust you, they will reward you with more affection and loyalty than you can imagine.

Adopting a bxer dog as a means of entertaining a small child is not recommended. A boxer dog is not a toy and should not be treated as one. Small children should be trained to understand “animal etiquette”.

In other words, animals are not to be hit, dragged, ridden or teased. Kids need to understand that being overly aggressive with a new dog, especially one recently adopted, could cause the dog to react by biting or running away.

If feeding and exercising the boxer dog is to be the responsibility of a child, an adult should follow up to be sure these things are getting done. It isn’t the boxer’s fault if a child fails to meet his or her obligations and the dog shouldn’t have to suffer for the child’s failure.

Many adopted boxer dogs will come to their new homes filled with fears based upon earlier mistreatment or the harsh rules of their previous owners. Some dogs will be reluctant to go from one room to another, will shy away when corrected and hide upon hearing a loud noise.

New owners must be patient with them and speak to them softly and affectionately. Boxer dogs are not stupid and they will gradually come to understand their new environment and show their appreciation for your loving care.

When contemplating adoption of a boxer dog from a shelter or rescue group, prospective new owners should be prepared to deal with the fact that their new adoptee may not be completely housebroken.

Previous owners may have been irresponsible in their approach to this training; furthermore, when the dog was placed in the shelter it continued to do its “business” right in its pen. Housebreaking is not a complex chore and should not deter someone from adopting a pet. Some owners will use a crate to assist in this training, while others will just take the dog out for a walk several times a day. Fenced yards and doggie doors are minimal expenses that pay extra dividends on cold or rainy days.

Adopted boxer dogs are subject to all of the behavioral problems commonly associated with dogs in general. These would include digging, jumping up on people, jumping fences, barking and nipping. There are proven solutions to all of these “offenses.”

If your dog is prone to digging, and always digs in one area, there are a number of effective repellent sprays that work well. If he digs under your fence, a little buried chicken wire works wonders in breaking that habit. Spray bottles filled with water should be kept at hand to break a dog from jumping up and to combat incessant barking. A quick spritz in the face immediately following, or during, the offensive behavior will usually bring about a quick behavior modification.

The bottom line is you should take time before making the decision to adopt your boxer dog from a shelter. Know what you’re getting yourself into, and be prepared to take whatever steps are necessary to make it work well for both you and the dog. Anything less is unfair to both of you.

Before you get a boxer dog, you will want to make sure to discuss with your family who will have the primary responsibility of taking care of and training the dog. You will want to find a good veterinarian close by, and you will want to consider the cost of keeping a boxer dog. (They’re not small dogs, and they eat a lot, for example!) You will also want to make sure to have supplies such as bowls, a bed, a crate, leash , collar, and toys prior to your new dog coming home.

Also before you get your new boxer dog, you may want to consider whether other breeds might be more compatible to your lifestyle. Large dogs are generally not for apartment dwellers or the elderly. Small dogs may not always be for people who want to be active with their dogs, although I think that really depends on the dog.

If you like boxer dogs’ looks, but you don’t want such a big dog, you might consider Boston terriers. They look a lot like a boxer, but they’re much smaller (around 15 to 25 pounds, on average, as opposed to 50 to 65 pounds). I currently own a Boston terrier, and they’re a great breed too. Read about my experiences here: www.boston-terrier-chronicles.com/blog

Temperament is another important thing to consider. You will also want to decide if you want a puppy or an older dog. Certain breeds have inherent health problems like eye problems or hip dysplasia, so you will want to take all of that into consideration before choosing a breed. Boxers are prone to cancer, sorry to say, so you’ll want to think about that, and expect a shorter life span.

If you decide to get a purebred boxer puppy, there are resources to help you find a reputable boxer dog breeder. Your local kennel club has access to area breeders that specialize in boxer dogs. If you are looking for an older boxer, this can also be a good resource as many breeders may have adult dogs available as well. Your veterinarian can be a great resource as well, as oftentimes they have assisted area breeders.

You may be interested in considering a mixed breed boxer. These dogs can be wonderful family companions, as much so as purebred dogs. The rescue organizations seem to have a lot of boxer mixes available.

Due to the large population of dogs, many people are interested in adopting a dog. Talk to your local humane society or boxer dog rescue organization for assistance with adoption.

The most important thing to do when choosing a boxer dog is to take your time and get to know different dogs. Talk to pet store personnel, groomers, breeders, and your veterinary staff for assistance. Make sure to consider all aspects of boxer dog care and you can ensure a happy time for your new dog and family.