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Smell

Why a Boxer Dog May Smell

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There can be several reasons why a Boxer dog has a bad odor coming from him.
 
While it may sound too obvious, the top reason is the need for a bath. Most owners know that too many baths can dry out the coat and the skin, so they try to space baths about 3 weeks apart as recommended with proper grooming methods. 

However with busy schedules and life simply moving too fast, 3 weeks can easily turn into 4 and 4 can fly by into 5. This coupled with a dog that has intolerance for bath time can lead to a situation where the Boxer puppy or dog is simply not receiving a full body scrubbing as much as needed.

Oils in the coat are accumulating, dirt and debris is being trapped under the fur, ear wax is building up, pollen and dust are collecting all over the body. Tiny bits of feces are stuck to the hairs surrounding the anus. Okay, you have the picture: No matter how busy you are or how much your Boxer dislikes water, baths really do need to be scheduled every 3 weeks.
If you have a puppy, be thankful that you have the opportunity to show your Boxer just what baths are all about and allow a gradual introduction to water in a way that won't instill fear. 

Be sure to have all needed supplies right on hand: Quality canine shampoo that keeps the skin and coat in good condition, coat conditioner, scrub brush, wash cloth, cotton balls for ears, and a good sized towel. 

Be sure to test the water temperature with the inside of your wrist. If your Boxer resists baths, keep the water level as low as possible. 

While you may have the urge to finish up as soon as possible, never skimp on the rinsing as this is very important for both skin and coat. 
Use a nozzle to rinse down to the skin and if you think you've rinsed all suds out, go over it one more time. Soap residue can block healthy air flow and build up, causing problems and odors.

Allowing the coat to dry well is important as well. Once your Boxer has done the full body shake as per canine instinct, pat the coat with an absorbent towel. Take care to use a small dry cloth to wipe dry the wrinkles and crevices on the face.

If the weather allows it, bring your Boxer out into the warm sunshine to allow for faster drying. A coat that remains damp for too long will begin to smell and even issues such as skin yeast infections can develop.
Another top reason is a wet coat from outside exposure. Even if an owner gives their Boxer regular baths, in between those bath times, body oils, natural secretions and some dirt accumulate.
 
Add some rain water to that, water that seeps down through the coat…and the result can be a musky, "old coat" smell that can stink up the house.

There's no reason to keep your Boxer puppy or dog inside if it's raining, but it will help to give the coat a good spray of leave-in conditioner and then rub the coat well with a large, absorbent towel. 

If your Boxer is soaked, you'll want to take a few minutes to wipe out the ear leathers. And of course, if there's any mud on your dog, it's time for a bath -even if it's not in the schedule.
Additionally, smells and odor can be emanating from the anal glands. If they become compacted and then burst open, the smell can be quite overwhelming. An issue such as this should be checked by the vet, since skin tears can become infected. 

If you suspect that the anal glands need expressing and you generally don't do this yourself, definitely make an appointment with the vet or a dog groomer.

Another element to look at is the condition and health of a Boxer dog's skin. Yeast infections or any type of skin infection can cause a nasty smell. Yeast dermatitis can develop on a Boxer dog of any age and at any time, however it will develop more easily if the dog is exposed to hot, humid weather.

Medical conditions and diseases that can cause skin yeast infections with bad odors are hypothyroidism, Cushing's Disease and allergies. Prolonged use of antibiotics and steroid based medication can cause this as well.

Oder, along with any signs of a rash, redness, swelling, cuts, abrasions, sores, bumps, etc. should be brought to the attention of the veterinarian. 
 See Also: Ear infections for all details related to ear issues and infections that can affect Boxer puppies and dogs. 
Best shampoo for Boxer dogs - Top recommended products for the coat, including shampoos that can help keep your Boxer smelling good. 
Finally, bad breath - if bad enough - can cause a terrible smell to permeate around the whole dog. Daily dental brushings combined with healthy chew snacks and yearly dental checkups (for scrapings) are a must. However, if a Boxer has a bad breath issue, those brushings will not fix an established dental issue.

A cracked or abscessed tooth may be the cause and this most certainly needs to be treated professionally. Left untreated, infection can spread into the bloodstream and there most certainly will be the eventual loss of the tooth which can cause problems with ability to chew properly.

With minor breath issues, offering some healthy snacks to combat smelly bad breath is easy and effective. An example of a healthy treat that works well to clean plague and freshen breath, with healthy toffee extract and one that works via spearmint, parsley and fennel are:
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Why Boxer dog lean - Does your dog tend to lean on you, literally? Why some Boxers do this and what it means.
Why Boxer dogs drool so much - Is it the structure of the lips... is it due to excitement... or something else. When this is normal and times to be concerned. 
Boxer dog has cracked nose - The nose leather can easily become dried out and either peel or start cracking. How to help prevent this and at-home treatment. 
Helping a Boxer dog live a long life - Take a quiz to see how you rank in regard to a 14-point care and action plan, and learn the steps you can take to ensure that your Boxer lives as long as possible. 
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