With small dogs there is no doubt, they have to live inside. What about larger dogs like Boxers? Some people prefer leaving a dog outside in his own doggy house.
They assume that their own house will be cleaner, less smelly and they also think that energetic dogs such are Boxers like to be outside. What is the truth?
Even though Boxers are lively and active dogs that require regular daily exercise outdoors, they shouldn’t be kept outside. While their short snouts cannot cool the air effectively during the summer, their short coats cannot keep them warm during the winter. Also, Boxers are family-oriented dogs, very attached to their owners, if left them alone outside, they become unhappy, aggressive, and destructive.
Table of Contents
Why Boxer Dogs Should Not Live Outside?
There are numerous reasons why you should never keep your Boxer dog outside and here are few most important
Physical reasons
All boxers have short snouts. As they were working dogs, they were initially bred to be able to grab the animal and to hold it like that until their owners arrived. The short noses allowed them to breathe all the while.
Boxers, like other short-nosed breeds, have more flesh in their mouth and throat so they don’t pan efficiently comparing other breeds. Since they cannot cool the air properly, they can overheat easily. That’s a huge issue if they live outside in hot weather.
Boxers do well on 72-74 F ( 21-22 C) but higher temperatures can hurt them if kept outside. This doesn’t mean that they cannot go out during hot, sunny days but they will able to handle a maximum of 30 min walk. They have to be prepared even for such a short walk. They have to be hydrated properly, you should take them out early in the morning and in the late afternoon when the sun goes down.
Don’t forget that your dog can get sunburns, the same as humans. Especially if you have a Boxer with lighter hair, do put some sun cream on his ears, nose, and coat.
Boxers are prone to different types of cancer. One of them is a skin cancer that can easily get if they suffer from sunburns.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, Boxers same as dogs in general with medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or hormonal imbalances experience difficulties regulating body temperature properly.
So if you have sick Boxer, never ever keep him outside.
On the other hand, they cannot tolerate low temperatures well either. They are single-coated dogs so they miss the undercoat that could keep them warm. The coat they have is rather short so these dogs need extra help to keep warm.
Boxers can survive a certain period of time on temperatures low as 32 F or a little bit more but they should never be kept outside for longer than a day during cold weather. Bottom line Boxers cannot live outside!
Physiological reasons
Psychological reasons refer to a fact that Boxers are domesticated dogs, they are not wild animals so therefore they rely on humans. But food and water are not the only things they need from us.
Boxers are family-oriented dogs, they have to be involved in family life. They need constant and close contact with their humans.
Boxers are loyal and loving companions, they don’t handle well the situation when left alone. They need to be in close contact with humans otherwise they can become very depressed, bored, aloof.
Due to a lack of human contact and socialization, Boxers can become disobedient and unresponsive. They learn from you how to behave with humans and what kind of behavior is acceptable.
Due to boredom, fear, and lack of connection with people they can bark excessively which can bring you problems with the neighbors.
Other reasons
Other reasons for not keeping Boxers outside are related to safety ( they can be stolen or they can try to escape), health( different dangers are lurking, ticks, mosquitoes, harsh weather conditions, etc)
Many owners that tried to keep their Boxers outside reported that they tried to escape at least once. Not to speak about evil people who can steal your pet while you are sleeping inside.
Besides the harsh weather conditions, there are many other dangers that can hurt your pet. Ticks and mosquitoes can transmit different kinds of diseases, infections, parasites.
Can Several Boxers Live Outside Together?
Some people might think that Boxer will be happier outside if he lives in the company of another Boxer or two.
This is might be the truth but only partial. The fact you have two or more Boxers living together outside wouldn’t solve the issue with other problems like harsh weather conditions or ticks, mosquitoes…
The greatest problem would remain unsolved and that’s you! Pets -family companions crave human attention and care.
They like to have buddies from the animal world but it is enough to make them happy. No matter how many dogs you keep outside, they all cannot wait to see you!
If I Keep My Boxer Outside During The Day, Does He Need A Shelter?
If you need to keep your Boxer outside during the day you need to provide some kind of shelter for him.
Make sure your dog can stay in a dry and warm place in case of rain or snow. The doggy house or other type of shelter should have nice and cozy bedding that should be maintained clean on regular basis.
Don’t forget that your Boxer should have access to water and food during the day. If the temperatures are low, the good idea is to purchase one of those pet-safe heated water bowls that will prevent the water from freezing.
You need to protect your Boxer from a cold-weather even for a short walk. If the temperatures are very low, get him a sweater or some water-proofed jacket.
Remember that Boxers have a big chest so buy dog clothes that are designed for Boxers.
Paw booties are also a good idea to protect his sensitive paw pads from cold, ice, and industrial salt ( that is used for melting the ice)
In case of hot weather, your dog needs to have some shady, cool place for a shelter.
Water is a must, as Boxers can dehydrate very easily. Also if the temperatures are extremely high, find another solution instead of leaving your dog outside as he can suffer from a heat stroke, which can be fatal.
Bear in mind that your dog should have a well-fitted collar with a tag that contains up-to-date contact information. In case your dog escapes while outside, the microchip will help you find him.
Conclusion
Boxers are not outdoor door dogs. They don’t handle hot nor cold temperatures well. They are social dogs that like to be with their humans and lack of attention makes them unhappy and sometimes aggressive canines.
Although Boxer is not so friendly to strangers, someone could steal him or your dog could try to escape. Overall if you plan to keep the dog outside, the Boxer is not the right dog breed for you.
