Boxer Pregnancy: Gestation Period, Weekly Milestones, and Care Guide

If your female boxer is looking a little swollen around the abdomen area — and you know she’s mated recently — you may be expecting a litter of boxer puppies soon!

Boxer pregnancies are similar to the gestation and pregnancies of other dog breeds, but it’s important to understand the nuances of the boxer breed when caring for your pregnant boxer. Because purebred boxers remain prone to heart murmurs, skin conditions, and digestive problems, owners should take special care in managing health and monitoring weekly gestation milestones.

Keep reading to discover all you need to know about boxer pregnancies: their gestation periods, weekly milestones to watch for, and a pre- and post-birth care guide.

Pregnancy Symptoms

Dogs usually end up pregnant one of two ways: they were bred or had an accidental tie. In either case, the gestation of puppies begins immediately after conception and only lasts about 63 days. 

For bred dogs, owners will be on the lookout for a successful sign of pregnancy. THey’ll look for swollen nipples or a rounder belly. Most often, owners will confirm this hopeful pregnancy by a visit to the vet and an ultrasound.

When it comes to accidental mating, owners may not immediately realize their boxer is pregnant. However, a few symptoms will indicate the change, including: 

• Enlarged, swollen, or more sensitive nipples.
• Behavioral changes.
• Morning sickness. 
• A stomach “bump” — especially if your female boxer is usually fit.
• Differences in appetite.
• Vaginal discharge.

If you believe your boxer may be pregnant, visit the vet to confirm and discover in what week of her pregnancy she is.

Gestation Period: How Long Are Boxers Pregnant?

Boxers are pregnant for an average of 63 days, but this range can vary anywhere between 58 and 65 days of gestation. 

Boxers as a Breed

Did you know that boxers have a long and interesting history? Experts consider the boxer breed to be one of the oldest in the world. Along with the bulldog and the mastiff, records of boxers reach back all the way to ancient Assyrians who used the dogs in war.

In the sixteenth century, the breed saw another flourish of popularity and use throughout Eastern and Western Europe. With a relatively late arrival to the U.S., boxers became popular after World War I and began gaining traction in households by the mid-1930s. Today, the boxer remains an American favorite.

Breeders and the American Kennel Club consider the boxer to have a medium build. They’re great with families and incredibly affectionate to their owners. While they tend to drool more than other dogs and give slobbery kisses, they make up for it with an energetic attitude. As part of the working group of breeds, boxers thrive in environments where they can consistently have active playtime. 

Boxers also present an interesting juxtaposition of attitude. While accepting of strangers more than other breeds, boxers remain vigilant watchdogs and protectors for their families. Across the board, experts rate boxers as one of the best breeds for families with young children based on their patience, gentleness, loyalty, and protectiveness.

Pregnancy Care for Boxers

Pregnancy care for boxers begins at conception and won’t end until several weeks postpartum. The most important parts of pregnancy care for a boxer include:

• Nutrition.
• Vet care.
• Routines.

Like other breeds, boxers don’t need to switch food when they become pregnant. Instead, it’s important to keep your female boxer on the same food she always eats. She’ll get hungrier around Week Three, which is fine. As long as you keep an eye on her weight and your veterinarian feels she’s maintaining her health, the food works.

Speaking of the vet, you’ll want to have routine check-ups to ensure the puppies are growing at the correct rate and that your female boxer stays healthy throughout the pregnancy. Your vet will also provide additional vitamins, minerals, shots, tests, or care your female boxer may need amid their relatively-short gestation period.

Lastly, focus on creating routines for your boxer to make labor, delivery, and postpartum easier on her. While boxers don’t need to live by a schedule, it will help her comfort level if she knows what to expect on a day-to-day basis. For example, hyperactive female boxers who expect to go on a mile-long run every day should begin cutting back on exercise as her puppies grow. Settling into the new whelping box for a nap or a warm, quiet place to rest away from other people and animals is another good routine to start.

Average Litter Size for Boxers

Unlike smaller dogs, female boxers have the proclivity to deliver larger litters. While the average litter size for boxers ranges between five and seven puppies, some boxers have recorded litters of as many as 14 pups!

When female boxers deliver their first litter, many owners report having more than seven pups. In fact, the majority claim their female had upwards of 10! Based on real-life experience in boxer owner forums, there’s a good chance your boxer’s first litter will include more than five pups.

Unfortunately, fading puppy syndrome affects boxers and other medium- to large-sized breeds. While the exact cause of death may vary, fading puppy syndrome describes the high neonatal mortality rate in puppies. Because of their immature immune system, dogs three weeks and younger may struggle to survive environmental and physical factors that other pups can weather with ease. This may affect dogs in a larger litter more because they’ll need to compete with their siblings to gain nutrients from the mother.

When rearing a litter of boxer puppies, keep an eye on each pup to ensure they get the nutrients they need — and call in the vet when one looks like they’ve taken a turn for the worse.

Boxer Pregnancy by Week

Discover a week-by-week breakdown of boxer pregnancy.

What to Expect in Week One

As soon as your boxer has bred, the process of conception begins. In the first week, you may not see many changes to your female boxer occur. Most often, female boxers show signs of pregnancy around the second trimester mark, or weeks three and four. 

During the first week of pregnancy, provide water in every room of the house and consistent exercise. If your dog isn’t acting differently yet, there’s no reason for you to either. Just make sure you do your research and begin getting food, vitamins, and places in your home ready for their pregnancy.

What to Expect in Week Two

In your female boxer’s body during week two, implantation and early embryonic development occur. The puppies are little more than tiny embryos, but your female boxer may begin to act differently. 

During week two, more physical changes like swollen nipples or vaginal discharge may occur. In addition, this and the next week mark times for your pup to have morning sickness. Not every pregnant boxer will suffer from morning sickness, but it’s smart to prepare for the eventuality just in case.

The most important thing to do this week is maintain your dog’s weight. She’s about to split her nutrients between herself and five to eight puppies in her womb — so feel free to afford just a little more food if she’s hungry. However, vets recommend for dogs not to gain more than 10% of their body weight before week six. Otherwise, it may lead to an unhealthy pregnancy.  

What to Expect in Week Three

While the puppies in your female boxer undergo organ development and growth in their protected nutrient-rich sacs, your dog will continue to act similar to normal. She’ll probably have a greater appetite than last week, so you can feed her a bit more — keeping in mind the 10% rule. 

If you weren’t expecting a pregnancy but your female boxer has had some hormonal and physical shifts, plus an increased appetite, this may be the week you consider taking her to the vet to see what’s going on.

What to Expect in Week Four

By day 25, or a few days into week four, you should take your female boxer to the vet for her first pregnancy checkup. The fetal development up to this point has created the litter, and the vet will give your dog an ultrasound to tell you the size of the litter to expect. In addition, the vet can inform you of any issues, abnormalities, or considerations for the next few weeks of pregnancy you need to have.

This is also the first week of the second trimester.

What to Expect in Week Five

This week, the boxer puppies will experience rapid growth. While still tiny, they’ll continue their organ development. Much of their bodies will become functional. Mama boxer’s appetite may change this week: either she wants more food or none at all. Let her dictate her eating habits but keep an eye on her weight and consult your vet for any concerns you have.

What to Expect in Week Six

Now, the puppies have claws, tissue, and can move around. If your female boxer lays still enough, you’ll probably see their little bodies wriggle!

Take your boxer to the vet again this week. They’ll check her nutrients, ensure she’s at a healthy weight, and give advice or suggestions for the labor process.

What to Expect in Week Seven

Now in the third trimester, you and your female boxer should prepare for labor together. For her, that means exhibiting whelping and nesting behavior. For you, that means having the knowledge, blankets, and help on hand to guide her through a smooth labor and delivery process. 

What to Expect in Week Eight

Between weeks eight and nine, your boxer will prepare to give birth. Begin taking your dog’s temperature rectally every day. When it reaches 98 degrees Fahrenheit (rather than the usual 100 degrees or so), you can expect labor to begin anywhere from eight to 24 hours from then. 

How To Prepare for Labor and Delivery

The most important part of preparing for labor and delivery is setting up a comfortable place for your female boxer to nest. 

Whelping boxes or dens offer a safe place for puppies to grow up in their first few weeks of life — and an oasis for mom in which to get comfortable. Early in her pregnancy, start creating the whelping box and encourage her to get comfortable with it. Keep other pets out of the box, add blankets, entice her with treats, and spend time around it so she knows it’s her space. Overall, the whelping space should feel calm, quiet, warm, and inviting to mama boxer. 

When creating a whelping box, consider accessories like heating and cooling devices or wifi cameras so you can control and monitor the area even if you’re not home.

Getting ready for a litter of puppies also means setting up vet appointments for the babies — and a postpartum check-up for mom. If you’re breeding and decide to give the puppies away after eight weeks, set up vaccine and microchipping appointments with the vet so adopters have a healthy, happy puppy.

Make sure you have puppy food, treats, blankets, and know what to expect for the actual delivery process. 

Best Practices for Boxer Delivery

Most of the care for your boxer during delivery will focus on keeping her comfortable. This includes a few best practices:

Cut your nails. You may need to help the puppies get out of the dam or break out of their thin sacs. Remove rings, cut your nails, and file them to be smooth to avoid nicking any new skin or sensitive areas.

Make sure she’s cool. Boxers have a tendency to overheat and do not regulate themselves well, so ensure her whelping box is situated somewhere with great air flow. It shouldn’t be humid, sticky, or overly hot.

Don’t crowd her. On average, dogs don’t need help in the actual delivery part of the process. Ensure she feels comfortable — and fix what’s making her uncomfortable if she isn’t — but avoid breathing down her neck or making her feel on edge while she’s in labor. Your boxer may cry during labor; this is normal. While heartbreaking, only intervene if you’re sure there’s something emergently wrong.

Don’t force your dog into anything. Labor and delivery is all about mama boxer doing what she needs to have a safe delivery for her pups. Don’t force-feed her right before the birth or right after. Avoid pulling or tugging her away from the pups. Bring what she needs to the whelping box and leave her to her litter for the first few hours or days (with supervision).

When in Doubt, Call for Help

Have an assistant (or two). Even if you’ve helped other boxers give birth, going into a boxer delivery alone is overwhelming. Keep at least one other person on hand to help stimulate blood flow in the puppies or care for mama boxer.

Call a vet in case of emergency. If you see green discharge coming from your dog, if a puppy gets stuck in the birthing canal, if your female boxer can’t breathe, or if you feel you’re in over your head — call the vet. Your vet, your dog, and the puppies will thank you for it in the long run!

How To Care for Your Boxer Afterward

After the puppies’ birth, life for mama boxer and you will begin to return to normal. 

While she may not want to eat right after giving birth, your female boxer will probably show interest in food two or three days after giving labor. Allow her to eat what she wants; she’ll probably have a larger appetite as the puppies begin to suckle.

Boxers usually look forward to exercise — at least 40 minutes of it a day — but mama boxer hurts after her intense labor. The extent of her activity should be far less than a strenuous walk; instead, cap her activity level to going outside to potty, some slow, quick walks, and a bit of play with her puppies a few weeks after delivery.

Respect your boxer’s space after delivery as well. Try your best to keep any of your other pets (especially male dogs) away from the whelping box or the puppies. It’s even a good idea for you to avoid taking the puppies away from the litter to snuggle them. Unless you need to check their health or perform some sort of medical procedure on them, the puppies’ place is with their mom for their first few days and weeks of life.

Congratulations on Your Litter of Boxer Puppies!

Congratulations on your new litter of adorable, curious boxer puppies. These dogs exude playfulness and loyalty to their owners and their litter. This new brood of pups will keep you and mama boxer on your toes, but they’ll also shower you with love and provide the best puppy snuggles.

If you’ve done your job right, the pups are well on their way to a long and happy life — whether with you or new families ready to love them. And, mama boxer finally gets a well-deserved rest from growing, birthing, and disciplining her newest litter.

Up next, learn more about the boxer breed or discover how other dog gestational periods compare to the boxer’s pregnancy.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Juan Hernandez Carmona