Would any show people on this board feel comfortable telling me about their exact feeding plans. I know there are posts about ' What kind of food do you feed your boxers'. But I would like to know from people who show their Boxers, if they feed something special, when they are getting ready to start on a show circuit. I guess my real question is, if you measure out exact amounts of food to keep your show dog in shape or if anyone lets their dogs free feed. I think I may be letting my show dogs get too fat. My husband thinks I'm letting my show dogs get too fat! I read in Stephanie Abrahams book that her show dogs get two cups of food, twice a day, and no more. Does anyone else do that? And is it really any indicator if a show dog has a roll of skin above the tail, when the tail is held up, does that mean that they are fat? Just something I have heard. Thanks
Feeding plans for show dogs
- Thread starter nmsis
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SoleilBxrs
Banned
I definately would not free-fed. (creates picky dogs, and if you have more than one, you can't regulate their food intake) We even started feeding our show girl in her crate because big brother was "stealin" too much food from her dish. (this way i know exactly who is eating what) We feed about a 1.5 cups in the morning and at night, depending on what type of kibble we are feeding, and what add-ins they are getting. I think it also depends on the dog (its age, older dogs don't seem to metabolize as quickly.. just like humans 
), and how much exercise it gets. We feed the same whether she's showing or not. We're still fairly new to the show world, so another knowledgeable source would probably help too! :D hope that was a little helpful
-Kat
), and how much exercise it gets. We feed the same whether she's showing or not. We're still fairly new to the show world, so another knowledgeable source would probably help too! :D hope that was a little helpful-Kat
Kerry Jane
Super Boxer
I do not free-feed either. My girl gets 1 1/4 cup of food twice a day. Anything not eaten is picked up. She also gets additional training treats/snacks. I found that 2 cups a day was just too much for her and she got a little dumpy.
I think that the amount of food given is dependant on the dog and the food that you are feeding. I would play around with this until you think that your dog is the right weight and then stick with this amount every day.
I think that the amount of food given is dependant on the dog and the food that you are feeding. I would play around with this until you think that your dog is the right weight and then stick with this amount every day.
Alisha Mobley
Boxer Insane
nmsis said:
The only Boxers I've seen with the wrinkle of skin above the tail have been over weight...but all dogs are different, some may just have a wrinkle.
I try to go by how many ribs I can see to determine if mine are too heavy/skinny/about right. The rule of thumb is you want to be able to see the last 2-3 ribs...more than that and they're too thin, less than that and they can stand to lose some weight. PawPrintBoxers
Banned
This is exactly what I do with my Boxers, though nothing is ever left. LOL---they all get fed side by side. It is like a race every meal to see who finishes firstKerry Jane said:
I feed a combination of kibble and home cooking. I keep their weights constant. Other than perhaps needing to lose a pound here or there, I can put any of my Boxers in the ring at a moment's notice.
And I would never free feed. One of my earlier Boxers I co-owned was a mess because of that. He would come to my house for shows and pick at his food. His momma free fed it. It was a horror trying to keep weight on him for shows.
Every dog is different and I feed a young dog far more than I feed and older dog. At Penny's highest point she was getting almost 8 cups a day. And burning it all off
Oh Boy--I'm feeding way too much food then. They are probably free eating about 6 cups a day. Thankyou everyone! I have an 18 month old male and an 8 month old female. Would both of them get about the same? The 18 month old male is just coming off of having TPLO surgery, so he's not getting any excercise right now. The 8 month old female, flies around the yard and the house. The 18 month old male does have quite a roll above his tail, when his tail is up. My husband was right on this one, AAAHHHH! My husband keeps telling me--" He's fat -He's fat, look at his roll. And I'm like Nah---He's not fat. But I think now he might be.
Alisha Mobley
Boxer Insane
At this time, the 8 month old will most likely be getting the most food. Not so sure once the 18 month old is up and going again. And, the amount each dog will get will need to be adjusted as they age/grow.
For example, here are the amounts my guys are getting at this time (we feed raw so amounts are in lbs)...
My 2 yr old female is now getting about 1 lb of food per serv (twice daily). She's kinda at a stand still in growth for now so about 2 lbs daily keeps her at a decent weight. Over the last 21 months I've had her she's been on more than 2 lbs of food per day as well as less than. It all depends on where she's at in growth (each time she hit a growth spurt, her food amount had to be increased until the spurt leveled off) and time of year (more active in spring and fall).
My 2 1/2 yr old male is now on 1 1/2 lbs of food per serv. A couple months ago he was also on 1 lb servings but seems to be starting to fill out (grow). Although for about 9-10 months he was fine on 1 lb servings, that no longer is enough. Once he's fully mature (or this growth period slacks off), I'll probably need to decrease his food amount again...if he starts to gain weight on his current amount (again, I judge by how much rib I can see), I'll know to slack off his food intake.
My 6 yr old is on about 3/4 lb per serv. He's fully mature and much less active so does not need as much as the others.
Basically you have to experiment until you find the right amount for each dog.
For example, here are the amounts my guys are getting at this time (we feed raw so amounts are in lbs)...
My 2 yr old female is now getting about 1 lb of food per serv (twice daily). She's kinda at a stand still in growth for now so about 2 lbs daily keeps her at a decent weight. Over the last 21 months I've had her she's been on more than 2 lbs of food per day as well as less than. It all depends on where she's at in growth (each time she hit a growth spurt, her food amount had to be increased until the spurt leveled off) and time of year (more active in spring and fall).
My 2 1/2 yr old male is now on 1 1/2 lbs of food per serv. A couple months ago he was also on 1 lb servings but seems to be starting to fill out (grow). Although for about 9-10 months he was fine on 1 lb servings, that no longer is enough. Once he's fully mature (or this growth period slacks off), I'll probably need to decrease his food amount again...if he starts to gain weight on his current amount (again, I judge by how much rib I can see), I'll know to slack off his food intake.
My 6 yr old is on about 3/4 lb per serv. He's fully mature and much less active so does not need as much as the others.
Basically you have to experiment until you find the right amount for each dog.
Well Thank You everyone! I am definately done with the free feeding. I am going to start measuring out their food today and hopefully they will be in better shape by March. When shows start up in Kansas. I appreciate the amounts given in pounds also from Alisha Mobley, I have been thinking about trying to add some raw foods to their meals also.
What food are you feeding? Because some foods you'd need 3-4 cups a day to sustain an active adult -- others (the better ones) only half that amount. I'd take a good look at the recommended portions on the bags and drop by a quarter or so for the overweight dogs.
The dog recuperating from surgery needs to be on a bare minimum diet. You can add green beans or other veggies to his dish to make him feel like he's still getting a lot, but he can't be eating a full active dog diet while not exercising or he'll definitely get fat. As will a bitch in season who's normally out running and is now restricted to leash walking -- if she's not getting the exercise, you need to cut back on her food. If she's been bred, obviously you look at her nutrition differently, but you still don't want her putting on unnecessary weight.
Usually when you see a wrinkle above the tail the dog is fat. Also, if you look at the dog from behind when it's sitting, count the rolls of fat -- if there's more than a little bit of softened skin, the dog needs to lose weight or at minimum tone up
The dog recuperating from surgery needs to be on a bare minimum diet. You can add green beans or other veggies to his dish to make him feel like he's still getting a lot, but he can't be eating a full active dog diet while not exercising or he'll definitely get fat. As will a bitch in season who's normally out running and is now restricted to leash walking -- if she's not getting the exercise, you need to cut back on her food. If she's been bred, obviously you look at her nutrition differently, but you still don't want her putting on unnecessary weight.
Usually when you see a wrinkle above the tail the dog is fat. Also, if you look at the dog from behind when it's sitting, count the rolls of fat -- if there's more than a little bit of softened skin, the dog needs to lose weight or at minimum tone up
SoleilBxrs
Banned
related question
Hi yal,
this is fairly related.. so i will ask it here. My boy Cassius who is almost 2.5yrs old now has lost about 8 (much needed) pounds gained from a lazy summer, and from being a sneaky big brother. So my question is now.. whats the best way to tone him up? He gets lots of running around the big yard w/ his sister, and walks everyday. (and sometimes he will go playball or go hiking w/ his best friend, a choc.lab) He's got a little wrinkle, which is much better than before, but i'd like to get him back into top shape. I was thinking possibly biking w/ him? what do u guys think? anything else you guys do? (i want him to be as toned/muscular as the boys out in the ring...:D)
TIA,
-Kat
Hi yal,
this is fairly related..
so i will ask it here. My boy Cassius who is almost 2.5yrs old now has lost about 8 (much needed) pounds gained from a lazy summer, and from being a sneaky big brother. So my question is now.. whats the best way to tone him up? He gets lots of running around the big yard w/ his sister, and walks everyday. (and sometimes he will go playball or go hiking w/ his best friend, a choc.lab) He's got a little wrinkle, which is much better than before, but i'd like to get him back into top shape. I was thinking possibly biking w/ him? what do u guys think? anything else you guys do? (i want him to be as toned/muscular as the boys out in the ring...:D) TIA,
-Kat
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