Grooming Boxers for a Show

The boxer is a dog included in the working group of canines and has a short, shiny coat, which may be fawn or brindle with or without white markings. Boxers require little grooming compared to other canine breeds, but if you intend to present your dog in a dog show, you will have to prepare it before and on the day of the show to give it the elegant and stylish appearance specific to the breed.

  1. Brushing and Clipping

    • Perform the clipping two to four days before the show. Before clipping, brush your dog to remove loose hair using a firm, bristle brush. Go with the direction of the hair grain. Shave your dog using clippers. Start with the face and go slowly against the direction of the hair grain. Remove the whiskers. Shave the ears starting with the tip and continue shaving inside the ears. Remove the hair from the body starting with the back, under the belly, the anal and reproductive system area and finishing with the legs and the tail. Be sure not to leave any hairs that are longer than the rest. If your dog has a cowlick that looks unappealing, use thinning shears to adjust the area.

    Ear and Nail Care

    • Clean the ears with ear cleaning solution. Dip a cotton ball in this solution and clean the ear. Perform the ear cleaning on the day before the show and every week. Clip your dog's nails on the day before the show. Be careful to avoid cutting into the quick, because this can cause severe bleeding. Identify the quick, which is a pinkish area visible on the surface of the nail. Should you cause bleeding, use styptic powder to stop it.

    Bathing and Styling

    • Bathe your dog with shampoo and brush its coat using circular movements with a rubber brush. Do this on the day of the show or the night before. Rinse the shampoo and apply conditioner. Leave the conditioner on for 10 to 15 minutes or as indicated on the product you use. Rinse thoroughly so the coat won't be sticky. Dry your boxer in a towel. Alternatively, use a blow-dryer.

    Tips for Show Boxers

    • Don't use any foreign substances such as chalk, cornstarch or dyes to make your dog's white areas look whiter or to correct any coat imperfections. Doing so could get you disqualified.
      The American Kennel Club standard for boxers involves a docked tail. Undocked dogs are typically penalized. Ear cropping is optional for boxers.
      Start conformation training and grooming as early as possible in the puppy's life so the dog learns the essentials for shows and also gets used to being groomed.