puppy coat & size

Question
Hello,
I have 2 questions. When does a boxer lose their puppy coat? We adopted a pup from a boxer rescue. She is a bit small. At 8 weeks she weighed approx. 6.3 pounds. What adult size do you expect her to be?
Thank you.

Answer
Boxers really don't have a "puppy coat" but softer hair than it might be as he grows. If your puppy has baby hair like, say a German Shepherd, then he/she might not be full-blooded Boxer.  Boxers are born with their intended hair, although, as in people, it sheds and has regrowth. So, I wouldn't expect different coat than she has now, just darker or lighter maybe, as she ages. Even sometimes, more course-textured.

Boxer pups are generally born at a pound and some odd ounces. That is the average.

They loose ounces during the first week, then rapidly add weight on and fattened up.

They maintain a weight at 6-8 weeks, then add weight and grow. Genetics determine the weight and size. What is a small puppy might grow to be a large Boxer at adult age. Or, what is a truly fat and taller (bigger than siblings) puppy, might stop his growth size at a certain age, and end up being a small framed, shorter adult- all depending on the genetics. Just because mom and dad were small, medium, or large framed, does not necessarily mean the pup will- he/she can inherit the grandparents sizing and characteristics.

6.3 pounds is small at 8 weeks- that is 2 months old.

Most pups will weigh 10 lbs or more. That is an average.

If she is small bones- dainty frame, she might not be very big and be considered the small framed Boxer. If she is average, she will be the average size, and if she is a large, big-boned girl, then she would be a larger Boxer. That is a taller than normal, and weighing 10-20 pounds above the average Boxer. Adult females can weigh anywhere from 50-80 pounds, Adult males can weigh anywhere from 65-90 pounds.

It all depends.

Plus, if she has thyroid problems, that can effect weight.

Does her hip bones protrude, or show more than the average pup? Her ribs?

She should have a nice layer of fat all around, and a little pot-belly of fatness, like the average puppy does.

If you are concerned, which I would be at that weight, I would take her to your vet for a wellness checkup and voice your concerns to your vet. Most vets want their patients to weigh in at a certain range. If she doesn't, then he/she will address that.

Put her on a natural or organic puppy food diet- pick a brand that does not have corn pr corn glutens in it, as Boxers are prone to allergies with corn and glutens.

You can Google natural and organic puppy (dog) foods on the web and get ideas and locations.

Also, you might want to add this to her diet:

Mix in blender:

1-12oz. can of evaporated milk (not condensed- and can be a generic off brand)
1 raw egg
1 cup whole, plain yogurt (no flavoring- just white plain, and generic brand is fine and cheaper)
1/2 teaspoon white syrup (Kayro syrup or a generic brand that is cheaper)

Blend, but do not froth.

Pour this into a sealed container to keep in the refrigerator- but add 6 ounces of water to the mix, reducing it down. You can add the water into the blender with the mixture because a blender won't hold all those ounces.

Pour a little on her puppy food and mix each time you feed her. Feed her 4-5 times a day since she is a puppy and already underweight.

You can also offer her a bowl of it 2-3 times a day separate from food. Don't leave it out because it can spoil fast and has raw egg in it which can get salmonella  quickly when left out.

This is my "orphan" puppy formula that has been proven. Three vets approved it, and I bottle feed 6 puppies on because mom didn't produce enough milk. They were the fattest and healthiest pups the vets had seen in sometime.

Also, worms can cause underweight and your vet should check for worms and deworm her. Also, think about heart worm prevention, too, and all her current shots.


Join for free- boxerworld.com and boxerforums.com-- they have a wealth of info for Boxer owners from Boxer owners!
Check out the forums....

Let me know what your vet says in a follow up.

Good luck.