Edie MacKenzie

Edie MacKenzie is a published author, traveler, dog lover, and tortoise enthusiast. Passionate about what she does, her books provide peopel a firm grounding in the dog breed and their unique characteristics with a nice touch of humor.

The Boxer

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History and origin of The Boxer:

This breed can be traced to the old holding dogs of Mollossus or Mastiff types.  Perfected in Germany during the 19th century, the Boxer was developed by crossing Mastiff, Bulldog, and terrier bloodlines and was once used for fighting and bull baiting.  Similar to the Bulldog, his jaw is undershot, a trait common in bull-baiters.  Today’s Boxers do not have the fierce temperament of the earlier dogs.

Description:
The Boxer stands 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder and weighs 55 to 75 pounds. Strong and thickly muscled, he has a short muzzle, a docked tail, and cropped or uncropped ears.  The shedding coat is short, stiff, somewhat prickly to the touch, and of very low maintenance, requiring only an occasional brushing.  His color may be brindle with white or fawn with white.

About The Boxer

The Boxer is a brave, loyal, clownish dog who loves children and makes a good guard dog.  He is a friendly, headstrong, high-energy breed that is very affectionate but easily distracted.  A busy, curious breed, the Boxer needs firm, precise obedience training from an early age in order to contain his boundless energy, but the training should not be overbearing or rushed.  He can be suspicious of strangers and, in some cases, may be dog- or people-aggressive, especially the male.  Daily exercise is important.  This dog makes an excellent jogging partner and agility dog.  The Boxer is normally good with children, but care must be taken that this strong breed does not knock down and hurt a child.  Roughhousing, wrestling, and chasing should not be allowed.  He is a powerful, exuberant dog who tends to wag his whole body when pleased.  The Boxer has little cushioning on his body and needs a blanket or bed to lie on.  He has no body fat and therefore gets cold easily and does not do well in cold climates.  He is also prone to respiratory problems, is a horrendous snorer and sneezer, and can be flatulent.  This breed is susceptible to heart problems and bloat and normally lives only ten to twelve years.

Feeding:
Recommended feeding for the Boxer is 1 ½ – 2 ½ cans (13.3oz) of a branded meaty product with biscuit added in same amount or 5 cupfuls of a complete, dry food.

Ideal home:
A house with a fenced yard is important.  The owner of a Boxer should be an active, strong, competent leader who has the time and patience to work, socialize, and exercise this energetic, often stubborn breed.  Children are okay provided no roughhousing occurs.  Persons who are very easygoing or slow-moving should avoid this breed, as should those who are nervous, cautious, or overbearing.  The elderly and the disabled may have a hard time controlling the Boxer and may create a dominant dog that lacks confidence.

Dog Health – Carbohydrates, Vitamins, And Minerals In Your Dog’s Diet

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Carbohydrates And Dog Health

Carbohydrates are an important part of dog health.The main source of carbohydrates are acquired in plants.

There is also one source of carbohydrate that comes from meat called glycogen, but it is only found in small amounts in the liver and muscles.

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If your dog is not getting enough carbohydrates in his diet, the liver has to do extra work to make glucose from proteins.

On the other hand, when your dog is getting enough carbohydrates in his diet, his body will not have to use proteins to get its required amount of glucose, therefore, saving these precious proteins to be used to for other jobs that they are required to do.

Dog Health and Vitamins

Vitamins are not considered to be building blocks, and they are not necessarily required for the production of energy. However, they are important in your dog’s health in a number of ways described below.

1. Dogs need vitamin A for healthy skin and coat. Skin conditions and poor coats have been associated with lack of vitamin A and/or vitamin B.
2. Vitamin B is responsible for a healthy immune system.
3. Studies have concluded that vitamin C prevents dogs from getting hip dysplasia.
4. Dogs need vitamin D for healthy teeth and bones. Deficiency in this vitamin produces weak teeth and brittle bones.
5. Vitamin E is an excellent source of antioxidants. Deficiency in vitamin E can lead to heart problems and several types of cancers.
6. Vitamin K is used for blood clotting.

Minerals

Unlike other nutrients, minerals are used by the body in a more comprehensive way.  Below are examples of some of the ways minerals benefit your dog:

1. Minerals such as calcium and phosphorous are required for strong bones and cartilage.
2. Minerals are needed for the nervous system to function properly.
3. They help promote muscle metabolism.
4. They are used in the production of hormones.
5. Minerals transport oxygen in the blood.

It is important to know that too much or too little of a certain mineral can affect the functions of other minerals regarding dog health.

In addition, there are also cases where the action of one mineral depends upon the action of another mineral.

For example, the minerals iron and copper work hand-in-hand to produce hemoglobin. Iron is necessary to produce hemoglobin in red blood cells while copper is equally important for hemoglobin formation.

One will not be able to function properly without the help of the other, so be sure to include a combination of these minerals for consistent dog health.

Nutrition – The Roles Of Carbohydrates, Vitamins, And Minerals In Your Dog’s Diet

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Carbohydrates

The main source of carbohydrates are acquired in plants. There is also one source of carbohydrate that comes from meat called glycogen, but it is only found in small amounts in the liver and muscles. If your dog is not getting enough carbohydrates in his diet, the liver has to do extra work to make glucose from proteins. On the other hand, when your dog is getting enough carbohydrates in his diet, his body will not have to use proteins to get its required amount of glucose, therefore, saving these precious proteins to be used to for other jobs that they are required to do.

Vitamins

Vitamins are not considered to be building blocks, and they are not necessarily required for the production of energy. However, they are important in your dog’s health in a number of ways described below.

1. Dogs need vitamin A for healthy skin and coat. Skin conditions and poor coats have been associated with lack of vitamin A and/or vitamin B.
2. Vitamin B is responsible for a healthy immune system.
3. Studies have concluded that vitamin C prevents dogs from getting hip dysplasia.
4. Dogs need vitamin D for healthy teeth and bones. Deficiency in this vitamin produces weak teeth and brittle bones.
5. Vitamin E is an excellent source of antioxidants. Deficiency in vitamin E can lead to heart problems and several types of cancers.
6. Vitamin K is used for blood clotting.

Minerals

Unlike other nutrients, minerals are used by the body in a more comprehensive way. Below are examples of some of the ways minerals benefit your dog:

1. Minerals such as calcium and phosphorous are required for strong bones and cartilage.
2. Minerals are needed for the nervous system to function properly.
3. They help promote muscle metabolism.
4. They are used in the production of hormones.
5. Minerals transport oxygen in the blood.

It is important to know that too much or too little of a certain mineral can affect the functions of other minerals in your dog’s body. In addition, there are also cases where the action of one mineral depends upon the action of another mineral. For example, the minerals iron and copper work hand-in-hand to produce hemoglobin. Iron is necessary to produce hemoglobin in red blood cells while copper is equally important for hemoglobin formation. One will not be able to function properly without the help of the other.

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