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Can a Boxer Dog Live Outside ?
Overview
When someone has a small breed dog, such as the Shih Tzu or Pomeranian it is automatically known that the dog cannot live outside. However, many people wonder if a dog as big and strong looking as the Boxer dog can live outside. Or, if the dog can be put outdoors for the day and perhaps taken in at night. So, can a Boxer dog live outside? If you want to have a healthy and well behaved dog, the answer is no. Let's discuss the reasons why.
Physical Reasons
Unless you live in an area with absolute perfect weather, outdoor living is not for the Boxer dog. Being exposed to the outside temperatures for an extended time is very unhealthy for this dog breed. The structure of the Boxer dog does not allow for optimum body cooling. Therefore, this breed is not able to handle hot weather for any longer than a 20 or 30 minute walk. Whether sun or shade, the Boxer will not be able to keep its internal body temperature regulated properly if left outside in hot weather.
The cold will be just as hard on the dog's body. The fur of a Boxer dog is short and this type of dog does not have an undercoat as some dog breeds do. This breed is not an Alaskan sled dog! Cold temperatures and harsh winds will be a tough opponent against a dog who does not naturally have the needed protection.
Behavioral Reasons
Dogs used to run in packs for thousands of years. In fact it is estimated that the dog has existed for about 150,000 years as wild dogs and 15,000 years as domesticated pets. 150,000 years of running in packs and only being pets for 1/10th of that time = domesticated pets who still have a very strong instinct to be part of a pack. Who is the Boxer dog's pack? It is you. And the rest of the dog's human family members.
What does a dog need to be well behaved? Some of the most important elements are:
Health Reasons
Spending some time outside is healthy and feels great. The sun feels nice as it shines down and the fresh breezes can feel wonderful.
However, leaving a dog outside all day can do so much damage to their bodies. What are very real and possible scenarios that could happen if you allow your Boxer dog to live outside (or be outside all day long)?
Mosquitoes - These pesky bugs can bring disease and worms to your Boxer dog
Ticks - The longer your dog is left outside, the larger the chance that a tick is going to find him
Sunburn - Not only do sunburns increase the risk of a dog developing canine skin cancer, sunburns can be brutal on a dog. The Boxer dog's face and tummy are most prone. Dogs who are exercised in the sun should have their nose and tummy protected with sunscreen. A dog who was left outside all day would be at risk for sunburn.
Heatstroke - the can be fatal to dogs
To Summarize
A dog, when well taken care of, is a part of the family. To enjoy the wonderful companionship of a dog and take advantage of all the joy that having a dog can bring to you...the dog must be treated as a real part of the family. Therefore, it is to no one's benefit to make your Boxer live outside.
Do you need advice? Click here to learn how to submit a question!
When someone has a small breed dog, such as the Shih Tzu or Pomeranian it is automatically known that the dog cannot live outside. However, many people wonder if a dog as big and strong looking as the Boxer dog can live outside. Or, if the dog can be put outdoors for the day and perhaps taken in at night. So, can a Boxer dog live outside? If you want to have a healthy and well behaved dog, the answer is no. Let's discuss the reasons why.
Physical Reasons
Unless you live in an area with absolute perfect weather, outdoor living is not for the Boxer dog. Being exposed to the outside temperatures for an extended time is very unhealthy for this dog breed. The structure of the Boxer dog does not allow for optimum body cooling. Therefore, this breed is not able to handle hot weather for any longer than a 20 or 30 minute walk. Whether sun or shade, the Boxer will not be able to keep its internal body temperature regulated properly if left outside in hot weather.
The cold will be just as hard on the dog's body. The fur of a Boxer dog is short and this type of dog does not have an undercoat as some dog breeds do. This breed is not an Alaskan sled dog! Cold temperatures and harsh winds will be a tough opponent against a dog who does not naturally have the needed protection.
Behavioral Reasons
Dogs used to run in packs for thousands of years. In fact it is estimated that the dog has existed for about 150,000 years as wild dogs and 15,000 years as domesticated pets. 150,000 years of running in packs and only being pets for 1/10th of that time = domesticated pets who still have a very strong instinct to be part of a pack. Who is the Boxer dog's pack? It is you. And the rest of the dog's human family members.
What does a dog need to be well behaved? Some of the most important elements are:
- A daily schedule that the dog can depend on. This included waking time, walks, play time, resting time with the family, grooming times, feeding times, sleep times, etc. Left outside, a dog would not have these important parts of a needed structured day.
- Interaction with family members. If someone wants a dog, they should want that dog to be part of the family. If so, the dog should be treated as such. If you would not leave your uncle, cousin, brother or daughter outside all day then you should not leave your Boxer dog there either. A dog needs to have the socialization and interaction with humans, each day, throughout the day, in order to understand what type of behavior is acceptable and what type of behavior is not acceptable.
Health Reasons
Spending some time outside is healthy and feels great. The sun feels nice as it shines down and the fresh breezes can feel wonderful.
However, leaving a dog outside all day can do so much damage to their bodies. What are very real and possible scenarios that could happen if you allow your Boxer dog to live outside (or be outside all day long)?
Mosquitoes - These pesky bugs can bring disease and worms to your Boxer dog
Ticks - The longer your dog is left outside, the larger the chance that a tick is going to find him
Sunburn - Not only do sunburns increase the risk of a dog developing canine skin cancer, sunburns can be brutal on a dog. The Boxer dog's face and tummy are most prone. Dogs who are exercised in the sun should have their nose and tummy protected with sunscreen. A dog who was left outside all day would be at risk for sunburn.
Heatstroke - the can be fatal to dogs
To Summarize
A dog, when well taken care of, is a part of the family. To enjoy the wonderful companionship of a dog and take advantage of all the joy that having a dog can bring to you...the dog must be treated as a real part of the family. Therefore, it is to no one's benefit to make your Boxer live outside.
Do you need advice? Click here to learn how to submit a question!
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Copyright
1996-2010 contact@AllBoxerInfo. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy
Copyright
1996-2010 contact@AllBoxerInfo. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy
