Expert Tips for Raising Boxer Puppies

• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

Bouncy and energetic, Boxer puppies are adorable little clowns that will have you laughing at their antics—for quite literally years. These dogs have one of the longest puppy stages of any breed, often not mentally maturing until three or four years old. Sometimes longer!

As such, these forever pups require a hefty dose of patience and a good sense of humor. You’ll also be hard pressed to stay disgruntled at their large, wide-set, expressive eyes that give off an innocent look, no matter what mischief they’ve gotten themselves into. With the right foundational skills and care, Boxers will grow into playful, strong, intelligent, and loyal adults.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to raise and train a Boxer puppy.

Key Boxer Puppy Facts

• Litter size: While Boxer litters can vary significantly, the average litter size is typically six to eight puppies.
• Puppy weight: These large dogs are quite small as puppies, weighing a mere half-pound to a pound when born. At about eight weeks, when they’re preparing to leave their mother and find their forever homes, they’ll have grown to be anywhere between 8 and 20 pounds.
• Puppy temperament: These pups are lighthearted and playful, but they’re also very alert to their surroundings (emphasized by their wrinkled forehead and permanent “at attention” look).
• Energy levels: Boxer puppies have abundant energy and need plenty of exercise and mental enrichment to keep them out of trouble—these pups are particularly known for being destructive chewers.
• Maturity: While Boxer Puppies typically reach their adult size at around two years, they’ll likely maintain their puppy energy for another year or two. Known as “Peter Pan dogs,” this breed retains an exuberant, youthful spirit even after maturity.
• Unique traits: Some believe Boxers got their name for their tendency to use their front paws to jump, like a boxer in the ring. Though this behavior is playful, you’ll want to work on keeping “all four on the floor” during puppyhood so they don’t knock people over once they grow into their larger bodies.
• Bonding likelihood: Known for being Velcro pups, these dogs tend to form bonds with multiple family members, rather than picking a favorite. Their gentle nature also makes them great with kids.

Where To Find Boxer Puppies

Holding various roles throughout history, from livestock herders to guard dogs, Boxers are wildly adaptable, making them a high-demand breed.

This popularity can translate to long wait times among reputable breeders. Boxers are also prone to heart conditions, a few types of cancers, and several other genetic conditions, so significant health screenings are required. Ethical breeders should test parent dogs before breeding to reduce the risk of passing these traits on to their pups.

The AKC offers a marketplace where you can search for Boxer breeders in your area. You can also search for them via the American Boxer Club, which provides a wealth of information about these dogs, both as family pets and show dogs.

If adopting a rescue dog, there are quite a few breed-specific groups, such as MustLuvBoxers Rescue, West Coast Boxer Rescue, and Adopt a Boxer. Puppies may be harder to find going this route, as the Boxers being rehomed are likely older due to previous guardians underestimating the amount of exercise and boundless puppy energy this breed has.

Recommended health tests

There are a few hereditary issues that can come up with Boxers, so consider the following screening tests when adopting or purchasing a new Boxer puppy:

• Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC / “Boxer Cardiomyopathy”) – This test checks for a genetic heart condition where fatty tissue replaces heart muscle. Holter Monitor testing is a crucial diagnostic tool for screening Boxers for this disease.
• Aortic Stenosis (AS/SAS) – This test determines whether your puppy is at risk of a narrowing aortic heart valve.
• Hip Evaluation (OFA or PennHIP) – Your vet can determine via X-Ray if your Boxer has inherited a malformed hip.
• Thyroid Evaluation – Testing can determine whether or not your pup has hypothyroidism, a genetic autoimmune disease that affects a Boxer puppy’s growth.
• Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) – This testing checks for the progressive neurological disease that affects the spinal cord of Boxer puppies.

Boxer Puppy Physical Characteristics

As young puppies, Boxers are soft, clumsy little versions of their sleek, athletic adult self. Their large paws, however, give them away, indicating they’ll soon grow into a medium-large, muscular build—usually reaching full physical maturity at two years.

Age	Approx. height	Approx. weight	Tips
8 weeks	6-10 inches	8-20 pounds	Your Boxer puppy is growing rapidly, but they’ll still be quite fragile. Avoid jumping and rough play, as their bones and joints are still very soft.
12 weeks	9-13 inches	16-28 pounds	Your pup will likely be going through their teething stage. Give them plenty of durable chew toys to redirect their chewing to appropriate outlets.
6 months	16-19 inches	38-48 pounds	Your pup is entering their adolescent stage, growing fast while testing limits. Use gates and playpens to prevent your pup from jumping off furniture, as their joints and bones are still vulnerable.
12-18 months	21-25 inches	55-70 pounds	As a young adult, your Boxer puppy is at peak energy level. Gradually increase exercise, but avoid excessive running or jumping, especially on hard surfaces, until 18 months, when growth plates typically close.
2 years	21-25 inches	55-80 pounds	Your pup will likely be fully grown at two years, though they’ll still be acting like a puppy for much longer. Continue positive reinforcement training to promote good habits.

Raising a Well-Adjusted Boxer Puppy

Like other high-energy, intelligent breeds, Boxer puppies require ample attention and mental stimulation to prevent them from creating their own forms of entertainment and getting themselves into trouble. Establishing a strong puppy training foundation and maintaining a routine of enriching activities will help you raise a well-rounded Boxer pup.

Breed-specific training needs

A Boxer’s zealousness for life and superb athleticism can lead to a few behavioral issues, including:

• Jumping – A penchant for using their paws means these pups have a habit of jumping on people when excited. Early training during puppyhood will teach them proper manners for greetings and play.
• Detructive chewing – Management and redirection are key when training Boxer puppies to chew on appropriate items (and not your couch).
• Separation anxiety – Because these pups love being around their humans so much, they’re prone to developing separation anxiety. Teaching your puppy how to be alone can help build their confidence as they get older.
• Leash pulling – Muscular and agile, these powerful dogs are prone to pulling, so training Boxer puppies how to walk nicely on a leash is a must!

Socialization

These are sweet-natured dogs who enjoy people and children, but early socialization will help them develop good guest manners and prevent jumping. You’ll also want to spend some time building positive associations with other dogs at a young age. While generally people-friendly, Boxers, particularly intact males, can exhibit strong assertiveness towards other dogs of the same sex.

Crate training

Because Boxers are prone to separation anxiety, training puppies to be comfortable in a crate can help provide them with a safe space to be alone when their guardians are away. You’ll want to first build up positive associations with the crate, however, so they don’t associate it with you leaving them.

Lifestyle, exercise, and activities

Boxers need ample mental and physical exercise to keep them engaged and prevent the development of unwanted or destructive habits. Beware of overdoing the physical exertion, however, since growth plates are still developing. Make sure to take breaks—and puppies need lots of naps too.

Grooming Routine for Boxer Puppies

Boxers, with their short coats, don’t require a lot of grooming, and that goes for puppies, too. That said, they’ll need their nails trimmed and the occasional baths or wipe-downs. These pups also have facial wrinkles, especially around the muzzle, forehead, and eyes. Ensure you’re cleaning around these adorable folds to prevent irritation, infection, and odors from forming.

Training Boxer puppies to become accustomed to having their paws touched, being wiped down with a towel, or taking occasional baths can help them become comfortable with grooming as adults.

Health Considerations

Boxers are prone to several health issues, including brachycephalic problems due to their flat faces. They’re also at risk of Gastric Dilation-Volvulus (bloating) and Histiocytic Ulcerative Colitis. This breed also often has orthopedic issues, so it’s best to avoid endurance running until their growth plates have closed.

Essential Boxer Puppy Checklist

Ready to bring your new Boxer puppy home? Here’s a breed-specific checklist for your new pup:

• Harness – Opt for walking your Boxer pup on a harness as it better distributes pressure for large dogs, especially those prone to pulling. Consider choosing one with a front D-ring to help curb pulling from the start.
• Slow feeders – Puzzle toys and slow feeder bowls can help slow your chowhound down during mealtimes. Eating slowly is especially important for Boxers, who are more susceptible to bloat. Bonus: these feeders will give their brains a workout, too!
• Durable chew toys – Sturdy chew toys, such as the KONG Extreme, Goughnuts, and Jolly Ball, can help provide your Boxer puppy with an appropriate outlet for chewing.
• Orthopedic bed – Orthopedic beds are excellent for Boxers, as they support joint health.
• Cooling gear – Boxers are brachycephalic, so heat is not their friend. Gear like cooling beds and mats, vests, pools, and frozen toys can help your pup beat the heat.