Breed guide
Boxer Breeding Guide: Litter Size, Whelping, Puppy Weights and Health Testing
Updated September 6, 2026 · 6 min read · By the BreedBloom team
Boxers are a heart breed: arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and aortic stenosis drive their health testing, and both need a cardiologist rather than a general vet. They are also a high-cancer breed, which makes pedigree longevity research worthwhile.
Boxer at a glance
Typical litter size
5–8 puppies (average around 6)
Birth weight
14–18 oz (400–500 g)
Adult weight
50–80 lb (23–36 kg)
Gestation
About 63 days from ovulation (57–72 from breeding)
Whelping
Usually free-whelping, though the breed's brachycephalic head can slow deliveries and some lines are sectioned. Boxers are prone to uterine inertia in large litters.
Breeding and whelping notes
Holter monitoring (24-hour ECG) is the ARVC screen; the ARVC1 DNA test identifies one risk variant but does not replace the Holter.
White Boxers (about a quarter of puppies from flashy parents) have a high rate of deafness; BAER test them and place them as pets with disclosure.
Boxer puppies grow fast and lean; cover joint-friendly exercise in the go-home packet.
Sensitivity to acepromazine is documented in the breed; note it on every puppy's record for the family's vet.
Health testing before breeding
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Heart: Holter monitor for ARVC (Boxer cardiomyopathy) annually, echocardiogram for aortic/subaortic stenosis by a cardiologist
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DNA: ARVC1, DM
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Hips: OFA
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Elbows: OFA
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Thyroid panel
•
Eyes: CAER exam
Keep the paperwork attached
Test results are only useful when they travel with the dog. Keep certificate numbers and dates on each dog's record and include copies in every go-home packet.
Tracking a Boxer litter
Enter the ovulation or tie date and BreedBloom builds the Boxer litter timeline: ultrasound window, X-ray count reminder, temperature checks, the day 3–16 ENS/ESI schedule, deworming and vaccination tasks, and per-puppy weight curves you can compare against the whole litter. Families follow along in the BloomPetz portal, and the go-home packet is assembled from the same records.
About these figures
Figures on this page are typical ranges drawn from breed club and veterinary references; individual lines vary. Confirm health-testing requirements with your breed's parent club, and whelping plans with your reproductive veterinarian.
Frequently asked questions
How many puppies do Boxers have?
Typically 5–8, average around 6.
What is a Holter test for Boxers?
A 24-hour ambulatory ECG that counts abnormal heartbeats to screen for Boxer cardiomyopathy (ARVC). Breeders repeat it annually on breeding dogs.
Are white Boxers unhealthy?
White Boxers are not albino and are otherwise normal, but have a significantly higher rate of congenital deafness. Breeders BAER test them and place them with disclosure.
Run your program on BreedBloom
Dogs, litters, puppy weights, ENS/ESI tasks, waitlists, contracts and go-home packets in one connected record, with a family portal built in. Free for up to 3 dogs.
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