Expert: Jannie Balliett - 11/4/2009

Question
Are there any genetic problems with getting brindle boxers to gain weight?  How do I get weight on a dog?  

Answer
A Boxer is a Boxer, whether Brindle, or reverse Brindle, Fawn, or White (a genetic gene that both parents have to carry in order to produce a White).

They are the same breed.

Weight has no preference for the color of the breed.

How old is your Boxer? That makes all the difference in evaluating if he or she needs to gain weight or not.

Does his or her ribs show or protrude? His or her hip bones? Is there a nice layer of fat covering his or her bone frame?

A good organic or all natural, high protein dog food- with NO corn, NO glutens, and NO additives is the best diet.

You can add whole, plain yogurt (no flavorings) to his or her dog food twice a day. You can also add supplements to his or her diet, with vitamins and minerals and fatty acids in the supplement.

If you think your Boxer is underweight for his or her age, consult your vet to establish the proper weight for the age.

If there is a concern, your vet can assist you with supplements and diet. The vet should check (and you can ask for it) for thyroid disorders which is extremely common with Boxers regardless of their color.

A simple blood test will tell the vet whether there is a thyroid disorder, and pills once or twice a day is the treatment. If e or she has a thyroid imbalance, ask your vet for the Pala-Tech tabs- as they are tasty to your dog and very cheap. I buy mine Online at a pet pharmacy for $16 for 180 count per bottle (0.3 mg)...

Thyroid disorders is metabolic and can cause underweight or over weight (depending i=on if its hypothyroid or hyperthyroid) and excess shedding and tiredness/laziness behavior as well as prevent normal heat cycles (2 per year) and ability to get pregnant and/or carry pups to whelping.