The Elegant Boxer. This beautifully balanced member of the dog show fraternity could easily be dismissed as a ‘no frills’ dog because of his good workability and short coat. The history of the Boxer as a unique breed begins late in the 19th century in the area of Munich, Germany. The Germans did not begin to breed dogs seriously and scientifically until that time, although various types of dogs had existed in Germany—as in England and the Continent He has a lot of elegance and style and ought never to be shoved out in the ring without the formal rituals of good grooming. The Boxer may be a power pack type of dog, but he can display lots of glamour given the chance.
Let’s go for the shine – firstly, when bathing attention must be given to finding the right shampoo for your Boxer as this breed that can be scurfy powdery dandruff problem. If this is the case, use the Plush Puppy Sensitive Skin Shampoo at a ratio of 1:3 or 1-part shampoo to 3 parts water till the scurf clears and then dilute further to a maximum of 1:10 for maintenance. For maximum, shine use the Plush Puppy All Purpose Shampoo with Henna as this is known as the “shine” shampoo. Use at a ratio of 1:5 for show grooming. Your standard also states the coat should be lying smooth and tight to the body. No fluffy coats for this dog.! So, don’t use a conditioner as this can tend to fluffiness in a coat texture though it will assist in softening the coat. A close laying coat refracts more light hence producing maximum shine and gloss.
It’s recommended you keep the focus of shine in mind and use Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil as a rinse after shampooing, 1 tablespoon to 1 gal/4 L water. Pour this all over and work well into the skin and leave in – do not wash out. This also helps keep any scurf at bay and leaves the coat smelling wonderful and with great healthy vigour and shine. It does not make the coat oily. If you have, as is permitted, white markings on your Boxer, then you can use either the Plush Puppy Deep Cleansing Shampoo for a white finish on those areas or Plush Puppy Herbal Whitening Shampoo for a brilliant white finish. Then follow with the Seabreeze Oil as above.
For any stained areas like elbows and hocks use Plush Puppy Wonder Blok, this product is one of our proudest achievements in helping to maintain a white stain free coat. It is not a bleach and contains no harmful chemicals but with the use of modern technology and high amounts of naturally sourced vegetable surfactants and glycerin This product is designed to remove gently unwanted warm/red tones to the coat. Best used on a damp/wet coat. Gently rub into the areas required allowing time (5-10 minutes) and rinse. For maximum effects repeat or allow a longer time for this amazing product to work. As with all products take care around eyes.
The boxers’ head is very important so use Plush Puppy Let’s Face It – an amazing product for faces using the very latest technology combined with natural holistic properties. Its tearless formula with anti-inflammatory benefits is hypoallergenic. Key ingredients are Blue Cypress extracts, panthenol and Pro Vit B. Apply a golf ball-sized amount directly to the face and eyes, massage in without causing any irritation. In addition, can be used on ears for the same benefits. This is an amazing product for the folds and wrinkles on the face.
Apply Plush Puppy Reviva Coat onto the dry coat during the week, approx. every second day. This is a leave-in moisturiser without being greasy. Just a golf ball-sized amount smeared all over the head and topline especially. Wonderful for all coats and colours.
A good deep treatment once a month is a mix of 2 teaspoons Plush Puppy Coat Rescue, 1/2teaspoon Seabreeze Oil, and 2teaspoons Plush Puppy Silk Protein Conditioner. Add enough warm water to make a sloppy slurry and smear it by hand, all over the dog. Leave for as long as possible and then rinse off.
Personally, I like to blow dry this coat using a force dryer and blast all the dead hair out and this rolls the coat and keeps it regenerating without the holes one associates with coat shedding. Whilst this is a short-coated breed using Plush Puppy FAST Blow Dry Spray that combines the latest active ingredients together to dramatically reduce drying time, adds moisture and conditions while protecting the coat. It contains a recently discovered ingredient from the Australian Native Flame Tree that makes dry or old coat feel and look perfect. It also protects the coat from damage from sun and heat. FAST is amazing on short coats for a brilliant shine. A light spray to a wet/damp coat, then brush through before drying.
Using thinning shears, neaten under his tail and neaten the point of tail by rounding off. Proceed to neaten also the 2 cowlicks where the 2 hair patterns meet at back of stifle. This dog does call for good musculature and to appear powerfully developed with all that power pack of dog showing under the skin. You don’t want to leave any fluffy bits standing out away from the body to detract from the clean line he must present.
Show day there are several things you can do. On any stains use Plush Puppy Cover Up Cream with a light dab onto a barely damp sponge and pat lightly onto any stained or less than white areas that ought to be white. Add a flurry of chalk to dry and then brush. For legs use Plush Puppy Chalkestral. Apply evenly to areas before chalking. Either put a small amount into your hands and rub together to “warm-up” and then rub into the area. Or swipe a small amount into a damp sponge and evenly rub/wipe into the area. A unique product that conditions the coat to minimise chalk dry out plus adheres chalk to coat. Water-soluble. Apply Plush Puppy Fairy Frost Regular chalk or white powder with Plush Puppy Ultimate Powder Application Brush immediately.
This stays on the coat well and will last the day till washed off. Spritz now with a spray of Plush Puppy Shine and Comb. This does not give a greasy finish but gives a great deal of lustre to the coat. Spray again just before ring time. I also like a spray of Plush Puppy Odour Muncher for a nice clean smelling dog. It literally deodorises and gives a pleasant fragrance to the dog negating most odours with ease. Keep on hand Plush Puppy Wonder Wash for those last-minute emergencies too as this will clean up the whites, pronto. Just spray foam with the fingers and towel off.
You can step it up a notch if you are ready for it, with a light dusting of Plush Puppy Pixie Dust. Gee, but I like this stuff. Applied judiciously to the cushion of a Plush Puppy Ultimate Pure Boar Bristle Brush and brushed through, allowing the powder to settle and the shimmer to stay behind on the surface, can look very glamorous and adds shine and shimmer for all to see that wonderfully balanced body of a dog all sleek and clean and shiny. Good handling, good presentation and a good dog – what else can beat that?