Heavy Breathing

[Dozing03]

We just adopted our first boxer today, he is 3 years old. I joined this site and thread a little bit ago to gain some knowledge on them before we picked him up.
He has been home for about 3 hours now and has been breathing very heavily since, even while sleeping. It is not hot here. Is this normal behavior? I worry..

 

[kactus]

hi and welcome!!!
Bailey came to us at just under 6 months and on his first day with us he panted all day and drunk GALLONS of water. I was concerned at the time but looking back now, i know that he was just excited/stressed/nervous etc. He soon settled down. When you say 'heavy breathing do you mean open mouth breathing or actual panting? as long as hes got cold fresy water he should be kool as long as it calms down as he does. Not trying to scare you, but it can be a sign of SAS (which bailey does have although totally symptomless) so if it continues id have him checked right away. Just try to keep everything calm in the house, low noise, low activity etc. start as you mean to go on!!!!
good luck. ill never forget the feeling of bringing bailey home that first day and lookingat him thing 'what have i done!!!' and now i wouldnt change it for the world.
hope this settles your mind a bit!

 

[pyermoli]

Jasmine was a bit younger and she did the same thing. I don't know why they do it, I wonder if it's excitement, of everything that's going on. They probably panic a bit too since they are in a completely different situation. He should be ok, but as the previous post said, lots and lots of water. I give mine ice cubes too so they also think it's a treat and it's harmless. Good for you on adopting him, and giving him a loving home. Good luck!!! Hope everything works out.

 

[Dozing03]

Thanks!

It's good to hear it may because of all that is going on. I was wondering if he was just really excited, but I just got worried after a little bit. It has gone down a little bit, and I will wait while things calm down to get too much more worried. Thank you so much!

 

[Ritzy57]

Hi Dozing, and welcome!
As a "newbe" here myself, I can tell you that you can ask many questions here, and get experienced answers. The people who post here are knowledgable, polite, and friendly. You and your Boxer have found a home!
Anytime a Boxer, or ANY dog, is brought into a strange environment, it causes stress. Expect it to last for a few weeks, until he gets the idea that HOME is where YOU are!
LOts of cuddles, and attention, these next weeks, and your new fur baby will be just fine. Boxers LOOK so rough and strong, but actually they are "marshmallows" and need to be babied.