Guide to Breeding Boxer Dogs

Step one
The Kennel Club is the organisation that registers purebred canines and keeps records of pedigrees. Therefore, the first step to take when breeding boxer dogs is to get their Kennel Club paperwork ready and in order.

Step two
You have to make sure that your boxer is in its best health condition, most especially if you own a female one. You have to see to it that:

• You have her medically tested, especially her heart.
• Your boxer is dewormed.
• Your vaccination and immunisations are all up to date.

Step three
Look for a good and suitable breeding partner for your boxer. The Kennel Club has set standards for boxer breeds so that you can make a comparison of the potential mate for your boxer. When finding a boxer, you have to take note of the following:

• The coat is short, smooth, and shiny with a fawn or brindle colouring .
• The eyes should be dark brown.
• The eyes must be not too small and/or deep-set, and must also be looking forward.
• The ears should be of average or medium size and set wide and high on the head.
• The head and muzzle must be in correct proportions.

To find a male (stud) or female (bitch), search for local breeders, scan ads in newspapers and the internet, or ask your vet or local pet shops for recommendations.

Step four
This step is where you sign a breeding contract. There will be terms and agreements of breeding that you need to agree on upon signing. Make sure you sign a contract that outlines the included services and fees. Most of the time, breeding contracts contain information such as, where the breeding will be taking place and how many attempts will be allowed.

Step five
Let the dogs meet at least once or twice before the breeding, in order for them to recognise and get acquainted with each other. This is also the perfect time to observe the temperament and behaviour of each dog to decide on the most suitable location for the breeding to take place. Boxers are known to trust their family members; however, they may be wary of people they do not know.

Step six
This is where the waiting game starts: wait for the female (bitch) boxer to come into season or heat. This usually takes once in six months. Look out for the very first day you will see a bloody discharge. The bitch will stop menstruating around the seventh day, but she will be most likely ready to mate on the twelfth or thirteenth day. Watch out for signs of swelling in the female’s genitals. Usually, a female dog in heat will move her tail to one side, which is called flagging, and it is a sign that she is ready to mate. Make sure to keep this bitch away from other studs except for the one you have chosen to mate it with.

Step seven
Bring the stud and bitch together to mate. Let them interact and play. Do not be an interruption; you can sit and watch from a distance if the mating has taken place. Usually, when the bitch is ready, she will be flagging in order for the male to sniff or mount her. Once the stud has mounted the bitch, they will mate and will be tied together for about twenty minutes afterwards; on some occasions, it can exceed the mentioned amount of time.

Step eight
Within twenty-four hours, get the dogs to mate again. If possible, mate them for at least two or three times. This will give the bitch a better opportunity to have a large litter as well as make the entire breeding a success.