Boxers & the large breed myth...

[MyMay]

One thing that I seem to see over and over again is people classifying boxers as “large breed” dogs, especially when it comes to food. I soon learned after finding this site that boxer are not a large breed dog. But its no wonder people are so confused. I just got my recent subscription to a dog magazine and there on the inside cover is the sweetest boxer puppy, and what are they advertising?.... Large breed puppy food. :eek:
I just don’t get it. Why do company’s that should be very knowledgeable about their product make incorrect classifications? I looked at the manufactures website and they classify large breed as any dog over 50 lbs. :rolleyes:
Any thoughts??

 

[Ciscobxr]

I know what you mean! I was at Wal-mart a few weeks ago to get a new cat collar and they had the dog ones there also. They also had boxers listed under the large breed.

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

Many food companies, toy companies, etc., classify dogs as large breed because of their weight. Most say that anything over 50 lbs. is considered "large." The AKC states clearly that boxers are a medium sized breed.

Chalk it up to ignorance and the fact that food companies will say ANYTHING to get your to buy their most expensive brands, large breed foods of course, costing more than "regular" dog food; thus higher profits.

As a breed they are medium sized dogs. However, there are boxers who are up to 80 or 90 lbs and would be considered, individually, as a large dog. That doesn't distinguish the entire breed as large, however.

 

[luvmydog]

I had the same problem with my vet nonetheless. When I first got Apollo I was feeding him Purina Puppy chow, and my Vet told me to make sure it was large breed. It wasn't until I met the kennel tech there(who is a big boxer lover) that I was told otherwise. He told me that even though they grow to be over 50 lbs. they are not a large breed and not to feed him that anymore. But it doesn't really matter anymore being that they are on CS now.

Annie

 

[kathyw]

Large Breed Puppy Food

Just a thought - when I first got Bailey at 11 weeks, he would scarf up his breakfast and then about 1 hour after eating he would vomit it back up - every morning - in whole undigested chunks! (sorry so graphic) I was really worried that he may have had some gastroentestinal problems so after the third day of this activity, I took him to my vet who is a boxer lover. He told me to gradually switch him to the large puppy kibble so that he would have to stop and actually chew his food rather than swallow it whole. He said that fur babies somtimes eat so fast and don't chew so that the food hits their stomachs like a ton of bricks and actually gives them a belly ache. Well, after switching kibbles, Bailey quit barfing his breakfast and is a much happier baby now.

 

[kactus]

hey kathy.. just had to say im called kathryn and my fur baby is called bailey!!! snap!

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

Just a thought - when I first got Bailey at 11 weeks, he would scarf up his breakfast and then about 1 hour after eating he would vomit it back up - every morning - in whole undigested chunks! (sorry so graphic) I was really worried that he may have had some gastroentestinal problems so after the third day of this activity, I took him to my vet who is a boxer lover. He told me to gradually switch him to the large puppy kibble so that he would have to stop and actually chew his food rather than swallow it whole. He said that fur babies somtimes eat so fast and don't chew so that the food hits their stomachs like a ton of bricks and actually gives them a belly ache. Well, after switching kibbles, Bailey quit barfing his breakfast and is a much happier baby now.

I think you misinterpreted the original post. We're not talking about kibble size, we are talking breed size standards. Toy, miniature, standard, medium, large. Danes are Large Breed Dogs, as well as Rotties, etc. Boxers are often "mislabeled" as a Large Breed dog when in fact, they are not, they are a Medium size breed.

Kibble size has nothing to do with the breed size.

 

[TugsMommy]

To me they are big, but that is because I am owned by a cocker spaniel, who is only 22 lbs full grown. But compared to a rottie, they are not big at all. My friend has a great dane, that drawfs Tuggy big time!

So I guess they are medium dogs...

 

[newmommytwin]

Oh wow.. I reckon Renee' and I were fooled by the foods and toys too! I believe we have ran across a few books that have stated they were large breed as well. Maybe this is the reason Barlow isn't eating much and seems more than uninterested in his food. We are feeding him Purina One Large Breed Puppy Food. So would it be wrong to just swap asap to regular Purina One? So my boy needs regular/medium breed food no matter his weight, correct? Now I feel like a moron..

You learn something new everyday. If it weren't for books and this site we would know very little. All I knew about a Boxer, when we got Barlow was they were gorgeous and they had the kindest nature of any dog on the planet. Thanks guys!

Black Angel

 

[Sirus'Mommy]

I've never really payed much attention to the "standards"...I've always looked at Sirus as an individual when it comes to food, toys, etc...
Sirus is over 50lbs...and by most dog food "standards" would be considered a Large Breed "individual". I don't feed him a Large Breed formula, nor would I. This whole topic has made me very glad that they make an All-Stages formula food.