Puppies - Michigan Boxer Club

The purchase of a Boxer puppy involves many considerations and is not a decision to be taken lightheartedly. The AKC guide and several books on dog breeds provide descriptions of the Boxer’s breed characteristics, such as size, temperament, personality, and behavior. Assuming that you have decided that the Boxer is the breed you want to own (or to own you), the next question prospective purchasers ask is, "How do I find a reputable breeder?" The Michigan Boxer Club does not recommend specific breeders, but can provide contact information for members of the Club who are breeders and who may have puppies available from time to time. If you are interested in an older dog, occasionally a breeder will have adults available; also please consider a Rescue Boxer.

The future health of a puppy that will grow to be a companion and family member should be foremost in a purchaser’s mind. The purchaser should educate himself/herself on the health of the breed and on the health of the dogs in the puppy’s pedigree. The Boxer is subject to the normal canine health concerns that affect all dogs. In addition, purchasers of puppies should be aware that a puppy that exhibits perfect health, as certified by a vet, might develop health problems later in life. To complicate this issue, the genetic forces behind these problems are not well understood. Also, these problems may or may not be evident in a much older sire, grandsire, dam, or grandam of the puppy. Sometimes, a clue to potential problems may be evident in offspring from previous litters from either of these parents. The best recourse is to become an educated puppy purchaser. Therefore, the following questions are offered to the puppy purchaser as a guide to develop as complete a picture as possible of the health of this puppy, its parents, and of any dogs produced by these parents.

Has the puppy been inspected by a vet and is it current with all shots? Has the puppy had at least 2 vet checks by 6 weeks of age?
Has the vet cautioned against any potential health problems at any of the check-ups such as heart murmur, bone structure, teeth, etc.
How old is the sire and dam of this puppy? Has either dog experienced any health or other problems?
How many litters has the dam produced? What do you know about the health or conditions of puppies from these previous litters?
How old are the oldest puppies produced by the sire or dam? Have these dogs experienced any health or other problems?
How long have you been breeding Boxers? How many litters have you raised and how many litters do you raise each year?
How old are the grandsires and granddams of this puppy? What do you know about the health of these dogs?
What do you know about the health of other dogs within the pedigree of this puppy?

On to the list of available puppies and adults.

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