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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  (1 part shampoo to 3 parts water) until the scurf clears.  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. The Boxer standard also states the coat should be lying smooth and tight to the body. No fluffy coats for this dog. So do not use a conditioner as this can tend to add 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. This will not soften but retains the correct coat texture. Seabreeze Oil is excellent for maintaining the healthy vigour to the skin and coat and is all plant sourced from Evening Primrose and Calendula Oils. It is non greasy and totally water soluble making it easy to apply and remove each time without build-up. Dilute 1 tablespoon in 4 Litres (1 Gal) of  water and work well through the coat with a large sponge. Leave in and don’t rinse off. It gives incredible sheen and finish to the hair. This also helps keep any scurf at bay and leaves the coat smelling delightful. We cannot stress enough the wonderful attributes of this product.

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.

Herbal Whitening Shampoo is primarily derived from organic sources with Ginseng extracts, protein, and violet tone combined in a concentrated and rich formula. It works brilliantly in reducing yellowing or warm tones in white coats or white area of the coat without bleaching or lightening.

All coat colours are made of the full spectrum of the colours of the rainbow and first tones to fade are always the blues and purples leaving a reddish, orange overtone to the coat. This is a quick and effective way to give depth back to your blacks and reds without damaging the coat or using any artificial coat colourings. This shampoo will intensify these colours and give a sparkling clear sheen. It negates unwanted warm tones from sun fading or reddening in the coat and adds back the lost cool tones to the coat.

Plush Puppy Deep Cleansing Shampoo is specifically designed to remove product build-up and to reduce unwanted stains in dogs coats. Its rich formulation using organic sources with added Green Tea and Seaweed extracts to provide the deepest coat clean available. Not only will it spruce up dull whites, this product can be used on any colour coat for a thorough cleansing and clarifying when required.

For any stained areas like elbows and hocks use Plush Puppy Wonder Blok. It helps to maintain a white stain free coat. It is not a bleach and contains no harmful chemicals but 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 or 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.  This is a hypoallergenic sulfate free low foaming shampoo designed just for faces. It’s no tear formula features the highest quality Blue Cypress Extracts, Panthenol with Pro Vitamin B and SugaNate. These special ingredients clean, soothe, add moisture, aid healing and have anti-inflammatory benefits. A small golf ball sized amounts directly to the face and eye area allows you to thoroughly clean without causing irritation. It can also be used in and around the ears with the same benefits. Its low foaming design allows ease of rinsing, yet complete cleaning.

Apply Plush Puppy Reviva Coat onto the dry coat during the week, approximately 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, 1/2 teaspoon Seabreeze Oil, and 2 teaspoons 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. While this is a short-coated breed, using Plush Puppy FAST Blow Dry Spray dramatically reduces drying time, adds moisture and conditions while protecting the coat. It contains Australian Native Flame Tree extracts that hydrate a dry or old coat making it 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 or 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 or wipe into the area. A unique product that conditions the coat to minimise chalk dry out plus adheres chalk to coat. Totally water soluble.

Apply Plush Puppy Fairy Frost Regular with a Plush Puppy Ultimate Powder Application Brush immediately. This ultra-fine and bright white powder that is more effective and innovative than the usual methods of white chalking and adding powder to coats. Fairy Frost will create the brightest white tone that clings all day. Plus, it covers all coats without creating harshness. Fine and easy to use, our formulation means a little goes a long way. Fairy Frost Regular is naturally sourced and contains no chalk or talc. Use this product instead of chalk or mix with your usual white powder. This product is best for glamorous, perfect whites as it never gets clumpy, even when wet. 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, I like this stuff. Applied judiciously to the cushion of a Plush Puppy Ultimate Pure Boar Bristle Brush and brush through.  Allow the powder to settle and the shimmer to stay behind on the surface.  This 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 great breed – what else can beat that?

Plush Puppy Australia

Sheila McAvoy is our Plush Puppy Canadian Distributor  pictured below with her Multi-Award Winning Boxer Doc.
Canada Boxer Doc