This post contains affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure Statement page for more details.
Table of Contents
How to Groom A Boxer Dog
Boxer dogs are known for their playful and energetic personalities, as well as their striking looks.
With their short, shiny coats and powerful build, Boxers are an attractive breed that requires regular grooming to keep them healthy and looking their best.
If you’re a Boxer owner, it’s essential to know how to groom your pet properly to maintain their hygiene and appearance.
Here are the 5 Best Practices for grooming your Boxer Dog and the frequency for doing each of the steps.
How To Groom A Boxer Dog – 5 Best Practices
If you want to groom your Boxer dog at home here are the 5 best practices or steps to properly grooming your Boxer dog so they stay healthy and beautiful.
- Brushing
- Bathing
- Trimming Nails
- Cleaning Ears
- Brushing Teeth
Follow the guidance for each of these steps below and you will have a happy, healthy, and beautiful Boxer dog.
Boxer Dog Essential Grooming Items
The table below recommends grooming items you can use for grooming your Boxer Dog at Home.
| Grooming Product | Use | Product Link |
| Grooming Brush | Removes Loose Hair (fur), Dirt & Debris | BASS Wire Pet Groomers Brushes |
| Fine/Medium Comb | Removes dirt and loose hair close to the skin | Safari – 4.5 in Comb – Fine to Medium |
| Moisturizing Dog Shampoo | Cleans and Moisturizes the Skin, without drying the skin | #1 All Systems Super Cleaning & Conditioning Shampoo |
| Anti Itch Shampoo | Helps relieve itching | Hot Spot Anti Itch Medicated shampoo |
| Nail Clippers/Trimmers | Trims nails | Prevents plaque and tartar build-up on the teeth, helps promote healthy gums and breath |
| Ear Cleaner | Removes dirt, wax, and debris from the ears | Epiotic Advanced Care ear Cleaner |
| Toothpaste | Help prevent plaque and tartar build-up on teeth | C.E.T Enzymatic toothpaste – poultry flavor |
| Dental Treats | Help prevent plaue and tartar build-up on teeth | Purina DentaLife Daily Oral Care Mini Dog Treats |
How to Groom a Boxer Dog – Brushing
Brushing your Boxer’s coat is the first and most important step in grooming.
Boxers have short, smooth coats that require minimal upkeep, but regular brushing will help remove any loose fur, dirt, or debris that can accumulate on their skin.
You’ll need a soft-bristled brush or a rubber curry comb to brush your Boxer’s coat, starting from the head and working your way down to the tail.
Be sure to brush in the direction of hair growth and avoid pulling or tugging on the fur.
We like to brush their coat weekly to keep their coat clean and free of debris and dirt they pick up from playing in the yard.
In addition, when we see they are shedding, we like to brush their coats to remove all of the loose hairs that get deposited everywhere, especially your clothes when they rub against you.
How To Groom A Boxer Dog – Bathing
Boxers should be bathed every four to six weeks, or as needed, to keep their coat clean and fresh.
One of the main reasons you only want to give your Boxer dog a bath every four to six weeks is because they are short-haired dogs, they don’t need a bath every week and too many baths can dry out their skin and lead to itching and scratching issues.
Use a mild, dog-specific shampoo and warm water to wash your Boxer, avoiding getting water in their eyes and ears.
Professional Dog Groomer Diane at Strutt Your Mutt, stressed
“It’s important to make sure you gently clean the folds on their face and get under the legs and belly and gently massage the mild dog shampoo into the fur before doing a thorough rinsing of the coat to ensure you are removing all of the shampoos from the Boxer’s coat.”
Rinse thoroughly, and then use a towel to dry your dog off.
In the article “The Different Types of Veterinary Shampoo for Dogs“, by Kingsdale Animal Hospital, there are four main canine shampoos for grooming your dog.
- Antiseborreic
- Antimicrobial
- Antipruritic
- Moisturizing
The table below lists the 4 types of veterinary shampoos, their uses, and their typical cost.
| Type of Shampoo | Use | Cost |
| Antiseborreic | Used to treat seborrheic dermatitis which is a skin condition similar to eczema in humans. Seborrheic dermatitis causes dry, itchy scaly skin that needs treatment. Medicinal shampoo | Avg cost is $17.99 for 16 ounces |
| Antimicrobial | Bacterial, yeast, and fungi living on the dog’s skin are all capable of producing skin infections, that can be red, swollen, itchy, and have a bad odor. Antimicrobial shampoos kill or reduce the number of harmful bacteria on the skin to prevent skin infections from developing. Medicinal shampoo | Avg cost is $19.99 for 16 ounces |
| Antipruritic | Boxer dogs are prone to suffering from allergies and may develop a case of pruritus or itchy, inflamed skin. Antipruritic shampoos are used to help relieve itching so that your dog is not chewing or scratching at the affected site exacerbating the problem. Medicinal shampoo | Avg cost is $19 for 16 ounces |
| Moisturizing | As their name implies moisturizing shampoos contain ingredients that hydrate the skin to help keep the dog’s skin and coat, soft, shiny, and healthy | Avg cost is $11 for a sixteen ounces |
How to Groom a Boxer Dog – Bathing Procedure
- Wet the dog’s coat and skin using warm water
- Apply a mild canine shampoo and gently massage it into the coat and skin. It would be recommended to focus on one area at a time and repeat on other areas until the dog has been completely shampooed and cleaned. If your dog has skin allergies, we recommend using a fragrance-free shampoo to help prevent an allergic reaction to a fragrance.
- Gently wet the dog’s face and ears and gently clean the folds on the face and behind and around the ears with a soft cloth. Be careful not to press too hard and cause irritation that can lead to an infection.
- Rinse with warm water and ensure all of the shampoo has been removed so it doesn’t dry out the skin.
- Dry with a towel to remove most of the water from the coat. Additional options for drying include hair dryers, portable heaters, and hand-drying mitts.
- Use a fine medium comb to remove any loose or excess hair after bathing
Visit Chewy.com for a wide selection of Moisturizing Dog Shampoos and Medicated Shampoos & Conditioners.
How To Groom a Boxer Dog – Trimming Nails
Trimming your Boxer’s nails is an essential part of grooming that should not be overlooked.
Long nails can cause discomfort and even lead to joint problems, so it’s important to keep them short. Use a sharp, dog-specific nail clipper and cut the nail just below the quick, pinkish part of the nail that contains blood vessels and nerves.
If you’re not confident in trimming your Boxer’s nails, consider asking your veterinarian or a professional groomer for help.
How to Groom a Boxer Dog – Cleaning Ears
Boxers have floppy ears that can trap dirt, wax, and moisture, making them prone to infections. Regular ear cleaning can help prevent ear problems and keep your Boxer healthy.
You can use a soft cloth or cotton ball dampened with a gentle ear cleaner to wipe the inside of your Boxer’s ears, being careful not to insert anything into the ear canal.
We use make-up remover pads to clean ears because they have a good surface area and absorb the ear cleaner well. They do an excellent job cleaning our Boxer’s ears.
If you notice any redness, swelling, or discharge in your Boxer’s ears, consult with your veterinarian.
We use and recommend Epiotic Advanced Care Ear Cleaner from Pet Care Rx.
How to Groom a Boxer Dog – Ear Cleaning Procedure
- Apply the ear cleaner to a cotton ball, make-up remover pad, or soft cloth.
- Gently clean the outer folds of the ears to remove dirt, excess wax, and any other debris in the outer ear.
- Gently clean around the outside of the ear canal which runs at an angle. Be sure not to enter the ear canal because you may push dirt into the ear canal which could lead to an ear infection or compact wax against the eardrum.
- If you do not feel comfortable cleaning your Boxer’s ears, have a professional groomer or a veterinarian do this service for you.
How to Groom A Boxer Dog – Teeth Brushing
Dental hygiene is crucial for your Boxer’s overall health, and brushing their teeth regularly can prevent dental problems such as tooth decay and gum disease.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a dog-specific toothpaste to brush your Boxer’s teeth, focusing on the back teeth where plaque and tartar tend to build up.
Note: It is important not to use products with Xylitol because it is toxic to dogs. For additional information on xylitol’s effects on dogs read our article Boxer Dogs and Human Food – 7 Foods Boxers Should Avoid to Stay Healthy
If your Boxer resists tooth brushing, consider using dental chews or treats as an alternative.
We recommend brushing your Boxer’s teeth weekly to help remove plaque and prevent Tartar build-up. We use an Oral B Soft Bristled brush and C.E.T Enzymatic toothpaste – poultry flavor from Pet Care Rx.
We also give our Boxers Purina DentaLife Oral Care Mini Dog Treats to help prevent tartar build-up between brushing.
How to Groom A Boxer Dog – Teeth Brushing Procedure
- Wet the brush and add a small pea-sized drop of a dog-approved toothpaste to the toothbrush.
- Gently pull back the jowls on one side to expose the teeth and gums.
- Brush the teeth in a circular motion that gets along the gum line to help remove plaque and food particles from the entire tooth including the gum line.
- Repeat on the other side
- Finally, gently brush the front teeth and canines.
It is important not to brush too hard to cause bleeding on the gums. Brush at least weekly.
How to Groom A Boxer Dog – Conclusion
Grooming a Boxer dog is a simple yet essential process that requires regular attention.
Completing these 5 Grooming procedures on a regular basis will help ensure you have a happy, healthy, beautiful Boxer dog. The table below summarizes the frequency of each procedure.
| Grooming Procedure | Timing |
| Bathing | Every 4-6 weeks |
| Brushing Coat | Weekly |
| Nail Trimming | Every 3-4 weeks |
| Ear Cleaning | Weekly |
| Teeth Brushing | Weekly |
Enjoy your time bonding with your companion during grooming!
Discoverboxerdogs.com are Mary and Chris Kustanbauter. We reside in Red Lion, PA with our two Boxers, Duke and Katie, who are both rescue dogs. We have been working with Adopt A Boxer Rescue for the past 17 years and have adopted 5 Boxers from this fine organization. To learn more visit our Home, Boxer Dog Family, and Blogs Pages Visit us on social media on Facebook – Discoverboxerdogs.com, Instagram, and Pinterest.