Breeding boxer dogs can be quite a challenge for a first timer. Here is a step-by-step guide specifically for boxer dog breeding.
How to Breed 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 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
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.
Additional Information About Breeding Boxer Dogs
- The average litter count for boxers is six to eight puppies per litter.
- Just like any other dog breeds, gestation can last for around nine weeks or sixty-three days. Learn more about dog pregnancy here.
- The boxer bitch may not be entirely fertile during the first couple of years; hence, the puppy count may be below the average litter count.
- Similar things happen when the bitch gets older due to her decreasing level of progesterone.
Did you find this article informative? Let us know in the comment section below!
Are you raring to bring a new dog home? Take a look at these dogs for adoption or dogs for sale!