Need advice about boxers hiking

[euchre03]

I have been trying to decide on a dog breed that is right for me and have narrowed the search to German Shepards or Boxers. I didn't run right out and get a dog on a whim I have been done alot of research to get to my current decision. All the traits of the boxer have me leaning that direction. So to finally get to the question do boxers do well in backpacking? I normally go hiking at least once a month on loop routes spending a couple nights in the woods. Do boxers have a very difficult time with over heating in the summer if we were hiking? I appreciate any advice or storys along this line, I just want to make sure this is a good breed for me. Thanks again.

[XenaWPG]

I read up on boxers too and was surprised to read much about their lower than average tolerance for heat. This was especially surprising to me because they are short-haired dogs. I had a short-haired dog of another breed before getting Xena our boxer pup and that dog loved to sleep underneath covers and snuggled often for body heat. This boxer can only tolerate so much in the way of heat from blankets, people, and long periods of energetic play and she becomes over-heated and will move to a cooler place away from heat sources. She has only had a couple of panting attacks during rough and long fetching play but it was enough to let us know what is meant by low heat tolerance in boxers.

Today was sunny. She played hard and then got herself a drink and napped on the floor under the running ceiling fan. And it really didn't get much above 50 degrees outside here today so if there were no way for your boxer to cool off and keep cool then hiking could get uncomfortable. I am going to be taking Xena on some local loops but no over nighters this summer. I will let you know how she does. I also saw a cooling dog collar at the store yesterday so that might be worth a try as well.

[gmacleod]

All bracycephalic (short nosed) breeds have difficulty with temperature regulation, so a boxer would not be an ideal choice if you hike in hot temperatures. In cooler climates, or if exertion is restricted to the cooler times of the day (eg. below 65-70 degrees or so), then boxers make ideal hiking compainions - they're built for endurance and can keep up a walk or slow jog for long periods providing they get plenty of water and don't overheat.

[XenaWPG]

Thanks. Our first dog was a long-nosed hound dog (dachound) and that certainly helps me understand why Xena our boxer doesn't tolerate heat or like to be under blankets the way our dachound used to. I see. There is a lot more to body temperature control than whether or not a dog has short or long hair.

[courtney323]

euchre03 -

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