coat length change with the weather?

alidansma · #1 02-07-2005, 11:29 PM

Do boxers grow longer coats if they are kept in colder environment? I mean do they grow a "winter coat"? Not a long shaggy one, but longer than a sleek boxer? Or is a long coat inherited? I know a lady who's boxer has a coat about twice as long as mine and she says it is from the cold weather, but my dog is exposed to the same weather as hers is and the coat is super short...just wondering...thanks

haleyandmark · #2 02-07-2005, 11:58 PM

I think that some Boxers DO grow a 'winter coat'. I volunteer for a Rescue group and just this past month we rescued a dog that had been outside since January 17 - he had a longer coat that Asia and it was because he had been outside for so long, he had grown his 'winter coat'. It wasn't really noticable unless you ran your hands through it or whenever you got up close.

Maybe there is a chance that the woman you spoke with kept her dog outside and he had grown his winter coat?

I could be 120% wrong, I'm just speaking from my personal experience!

boxer · #3 02-08-2005, 05:09 AM

No, boxers don't grow winter coats. Coat length varies slightly from dog to dog, but that is a genetic thing. During cold periods, a boxer may shed less than normal so the coat could be a little thicker, but the difference season-to-season really is minimal.

Lisa_p · #4 02-08-2005, 05:34 AM

I can't give an expert opinion, but between my two boxers there is definitely a noticable difference in coat length and they are obviously subjected to the same weather. Sugar is more of a red fawn with a thick longer coat and Ray has a lighter fawn with a thinner short coat.

Lisa
Sugar & Ray

kassa · #5 02-08-2005, 01:23 PM

There are varieties in coat lengths in different dogs. Some of it's genetic -- alot of it is dietary. Most rescue people can spot a dog on Dog Chow or Science Diet from the coat (dry, pal, strawlike, washed out). It's amazing the difference a better food can make.

But even well bred dogs on good diets can have different kinds of coats. Some are super sleek, some much more "plush."

alidansma · #6 02-08-2005, 03:19 PM

So is "plush" considered bad? Since boxer's breed standard calls for a tight coat? I have pet some boxers with longer coats and they are so cuddly and soft, but my husband says boxers like that are poorly breed. does a longer coat lose points in the show ring?
Oh I just love learning new things