Kona Refuses Dog House

[backfist]

Greetings all~

Newbie here has a question on Boxers and cold. We live in Colorado and quickly found that Boxers tend to be like Palm Beach retirees: not too fond of the cold.

Since Kona (15-month old brindle/flash female) has been having intermittent boughts with diarrhea and occasional vomiting, we've had to begin keeping her outside in her dog run overnight. There's plenty of space (16x10), with a layer of hay on the ground. Plus a dog house.

But every morning when I leave for work, I notice that she's refused to sleep in her dog house. Instead, she's curled up and shivering in a corner. I worry about her not having enough sense to go into her house when it's 15 degrees outside.

Anyone experience this?

 

[synergy]

boxers should absolutely not be kept outside, especially where you live - their coats are short and provide no insulation. If Kona is having vomiting/diarrhea issues, you might need to switch to a different type of food. There are many people on here with much experience on the boxer breed - i am sure one of the moderators will be able to point you in the appropriate direction.

 

[courtney323]

backfist -

Please post your Introduction. This is required of all new members, and should have actually been your very first post (before participating in the other Forums)

www.boxerworld.com/rules

As the above poster mentioned, Boxers are absolutely not outside dogs. They need to be inside, where it is more temperate, and more importantly where their pack is. There are other breeds that are more suited to be an outside dog, if that is what you are looking for..

It's freezing in Colorado. It is really inhumane and CRUEL to keep her out there. Why in the world is she not inside? If I were your neighbor, I would actually call animal control (sorry to say).

 

[backfist]

We switched from Nutro to Flint River Ranch. She loves it. So far, now problems.

There is, however, some debate on Boxers sleeping outside here in Colorado. A family in the neighborhood also has boxers, and theirs sleep outside as well (that's where we got the idea about laying out a bed of hay). Moreover, the breeder from whom we got Kona is in South Dakota. They keep theirs outside in all but the most extreme cold.

But not taking any chances, we bought her a hooded doggie fleece sweater. She likes it.

 

[KonaKoffe]

Greetings all~

Newbie here has a question on Boxers and cold. We live in Colorado and quickly found that Boxers tend to be like Palm Beach retirees: not too fond of the cold.

Since Kona (15-month old brindle/flash female) has been having intermittent boughts with diarrhea and occasional vomiting, we've had to begin keeping her outside in her dog run overnight. There's plenty of space (16x10), with a layer of hay on the ground. Plus a dog house.

But every morning when I leave for work, I notice that she's refused to sleep in her dog house. Instead, she's curled up and shivering in a corner. I worry about her not having enough sense to go into her house when it's 15 degrees outside.


Anyone experience this?

You keep her outside?!!! In the Winter?!!! In Colorodo!!! She's the one without sense???
Boxers are not designed to be outdoor dogs and should never be kept outdoors. I suggest you keep her in the house and rather than avoid the situation take the dog to the vet and find out why she has diarrhea and is vomiting. Address the source of the problem!! Don't ignore it by putting her outside, alone in the cold. [You try staying outside in shorts and a tee shirt when it is 15 degrees out and see how cold you feel. ]

 

[Hberry23]

We switched from Nutro to Flint River Ranch. She loves it. So far, now problems.

There is, however, some debate on Boxers sleeping outside here in Colorado.

they don't like the cold or if it's to hot, I don't know any boxer owners that let there babies sleep out side :( please do some research on BOXER'S

 

[BentlysMom]

We have 4 big boys, and 3 dog igloos on our carpeted front porch, all 3 have foam pad and old comforts in them. Now during the summer these are put out in the yard under trees and no one touches them, but the boys love them during the cooler months. Where we live it doesn't get to cold, and when the occasional really cold night comes along, we have doggie slumber parties. Our boys always have the choice of sleeping in or out, they usually want to be out, especially the blue heeler, who thinks he has to run the fence line to keep watch over his property We are still making Bently sleep inside at night because he is still young, but let me tell you he doesn't like it one bit. Our 3 big boys have very thick coats and are built for the cold, but not a boxer, especially a white one, like ours. Their fur is so thin and they just don't seem to have the body fat that the others do. I would bring Kona in and if need be keep her isolated to one room during the night. Hay is ok for insulation, but not enough where you live. I even have a heat lamp for my chickens during the winter.
We feed our boys Nutro Natural and have never had a digestive problem on it.

 

[abbey_eisma]

I live in SD and by no means leave my babies outside for more than 5 min unless they are out running around. I wonder why you would buy a dog from somebody who leaves them outside, if you had done any research on the breed you would know that they are not outside dogs by any means!!

 

[dharmadoodle]

I notice that she's refused to sleep in her dog house. Instead, she's curled up and shivering in a corner.

That tells you all you need to know.

 

[KonaKoffe]

There is, however, some debate on Boxers sleeping outside here in Colorado. A family in the neighborhood also has boxers, and theirs sleep outside as well (that's where we got the idea about laying out a bed of hay). Moreover, the breeder from whom we got Kona is in South Dakota. They keep theirs outside in all but the most extreme cold.

Sorry to sound harsh but I am picturing that dog sitting out in the cold.
Those people are setting a bad example for you. That breeder also sounds like a backyard breeder breeding those dogs strictly for profit. If they loose one to poor living conditions or the cold - no biggy.

Look at the fur coat on your boxer. Honestly! Do you think that would keep you warm in cold weather?? Most boxers barely have any fur on their belly. The fact that she is shivering when you see her in the morning should tell you something about how cold she has been all night.