When to switch food

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
 Our boxer puppy Boca has just turned 9 months and we have been feeding him Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy food.  We have read many conflicting things as to when a boxer is an adult ranging from 1 year to 18 months to 3 years!  Our question is when should we switch from the puppy food to adult food?
Thanks!

ANSWER: Now :)

The most recent studies are showing that dogs are ready to be switched at about 8 months.  So add one more age to your already conflicting list of information.  lol!  I have switched all of mine over at this age.

More importantly, a Boxer is not a large breed dog in terms of food.  You can use a regular adult formula...and get a much better food for your money.  ;)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much!  Do you have any suggestions on brand of food?

Answer
You're welcome :)

The only difference in puppy food and adult food are the amounts of protein/fats/carbs and they are negligible.  Dog food can be extremely confusing!  

I've always like Chicken Soup brand dog food, Nature's Recipe (no corn/wheat/beef...common Boxer allergens), California Natural and/or Solid Gold (the most expensive of the 4).  

Other good foods are Canidae, Wellness, Merrick and Nature's Variety.  

Eukenuba/Iams are full of fillers.

According to the website, here are the first few ingredients of Eukenuba:

Chicken (>24%), maize, wheat, sorghum, animal fat, rice, dried beet pulp  (maize is corn)

Here are the first ingredients in Chicken Soup:

Chicken, turkey, chicken meal, ocean fish meal, cracked pearled barley, whole grain brown rice, white rice, oatmeal, millet, potatoes

The first four ingredients, by weight, are proteins...this is what you want to look for.  The next ingredients are foods you can pronounce.  ;)  If you had those on a menu in front of you, which would you put in your mouth?

I've not priced Eukenuba in a while but I do know that it's expensive for what you're buying.  Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul is about $1 per pound...or about $35 for a 35 pound bag.

Good luck!!