Our new baby is Bonzie. He is a 15 week old fawn. I knew he would grow fast but this seems crazy! He gained 8 pounds just in the last week! He is currently at 42 pounds. He sleeps all of the time, really like 20 hours a day. We need to wake him to go outside and for walks most of the time. He is very healthy and has a good appetite. He is our fist boxer. I have always heard they are high energy dogs. Has anyone had a puppy grow this fast? Also has anyone seen a puppy's energy increase after a growth spurt? We would really like to take him to play at the dog park but right now the half mile walk there wears him out.
Is this growth rate and energy level normal?
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sandy's mom
Boxer Insane
sounds normal to me...
They will have growth spurts then slow down, then have another.
If he is eating and playing normally, I would not worry too much.
My Bella runs constantly, she doesn't walk, so much energy She will play for a while, take a 10 minute nap and be ready to go again.
Boxers do have a lot of energy and need a lot of exercise and attention.
They also stay puppies for a long time. I think Napoleon was about 3 when he finally started slowing down.
They will have growth spurts then slow down, then have another.
If he is eating and playing normally, I would not worry too much.
My Bella runs constantly, she doesn't walk, so much energy She will play for a while, take a 10 minute nap and be ready to go again.
Boxers do have a lot of energy and need a lot of exercise and attention.
They also stay puppies for a long time. I think Napoleon was about 3 when he finally started slowing down.
Cami
Boxer Insane
At his age a gain of about 2 pounds/week would be closer to normal and in fact a smidgen on the high side. My vet told us the average for a Boxer would be closer to 1.5lbs a week in those first few months (Raine was coming it at 2lbs a week and I was worried she was growing too fast).
A 15 week old puppy should NOT be sleeping for 20 hours a day. That for sure doesn't seem right. Taking multiple naps a day to recharge would be normal but to only be awake for 4 hours in a 24 hour period would be concerning TO ME (but my girl doesn't know what sleeping means).
What and how much are you feeding him? What is the vet telling you?
Is he possibly mixed with another, larger breed dog? Could he also be older than you were told? How much did he weigh when you brought him home?
A 15 week old puppy should NOT be sleeping for 20 hours a day. That for sure doesn't seem right. Taking multiple naps a day to recharge would be normal but to only be awake for 4 hours in a 24 hour period would be concerning TO ME (but my girl doesn't know what sleeping means).
What and how much are you feeding him? What is the vet telling you?
Is he possibly mixed with another, larger breed dog? Could he also be older than you were told? How much did he weigh when you brought him home?
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Gatorblu
Boxer Insane
IMO that is one big pup! But every pup grows at a different rate. Also when the grow through a spurt it does take alot of energy and may sleep more. As for the walks or any forced exercise the general rule of thumb starting out is 5 mins for each month of age. So at the age of 15 weeks (3.5 months) you should be walking between 15 and 20 mins. Instead of doing distance do time. Walk for 8-10 minutes away from home and then turn around and walk back home. Try to keep him focused on walking but let him sit and rest when he needs to.
He is a pure bred. We bought him from a breeder with excellent references. Both parents were on-site. They were both pretty big but not as big as I am afraid this guy will get. He was fully checked out by a vet and certified before we got him. I even called the vet myself to check the paperwork. We brought him home at six weeks and he was tiny. About 6 pounds. He just started to grow at an incredible rate. He is due to go to the vet this week so we will see what they have to say.
He will only eat Purina One large breed puppy formula. We have tried better foods and he wont touch them. When he is awake he is very happy and playful. He is never lethargic. He is just either awake or asleep. Mostly asleep.
I am afraid of how much he will weight at our vet visit this week. He has grown alot since his last weigh in at the groomers last weekend. Tomorrow he will be exactly four months old. I am thinking maybe pushing 50 pounds. I will post his official weigh in after his vet visit.
I have only gotten one picture of him to load onto this site. It is on the profile page. Anyone who doubts he is pure bred needs only to look at that boxer face.
He will only eat Purina One large breed puppy formula. We have tried better foods and he wont touch them. When he is awake he is very happy and playful. He is never lethargic. He is just either awake or asleep. Mostly asleep.
I am afraid of how much he will weight at our vet visit this week. He has grown alot since his last weigh in at the groomers last weekend. Tomorrow he will be exactly four months old. I am thinking maybe pushing 50 pounds. I will post his official weigh in after his vet visit.
I have only gotten one picture of him to load onto this site. It is on the profile page. Anyone who doubts he is pure bred needs only to look at that boxer face.
elgerdes
Completely Boxer Crazy
That is a big pup!
I just wanted to chime in that bringing a young pup to the dog park can be VERY overwhelming for them. I wish we had waited to take Zoe (we brought her around the same age). We never has issues, or anything that would indicate she was scarred for life. But it's nice to wait until they have gone through puppy classes and know basic commands.
Good luck!
I just wanted to chime in that bringing a young pup to the dog park can be VERY overwhelming for them. I wish we had waited to take Zoe (we brought her around the same age). We never has issues, or anything that would indicate she was scarred for life. But it's nice to wait until they have gone through puppy classes and know basic commands.
Good luck!
Thanks for your concern about the dog park. No need for it. He loves the other dogs! The more the better. We did have concern before his first visit and walked him around the outside first. He has no signs of fear or nervousness there. He is very smart and knows all of the basic commands. He knows sit, stay, come, shake, high five, bed, kennel, leash up, and leave it. I have run out of tricks to teach him. I have never had a dog as smart as this.
CoraBoxer
Super Boxer
No really elgerdes makes a good point. The problem isn't with your dog and his comfort level with dogs, or how he behaves around them. Its an uncontrolled environment and things happen. You can't possibly expect every dog there to be good, and to get along with every other dog. And it really does only take an incident or two at a young age. He's 15 weeks, you'll be going through enough fear/imprint stages don't worry about that.
About his size. I'd be concerned, or at the least curious as to ??? is going on. They grow and fill out till what 2-3yrs? and at 1/4 of a year he's at 42lbs? wow (if he really isn't mixed). Hopefully he doesn't have issues with his bones/joints etc.
Fully checked out and certified?
About his size. I'd be concerned, or at the least curious as to ??? is going on. They grow and fill out till what 2-3yrs? and at 1/4 of a year he's at 42lbs? wow (if he really isn't mixed). Hopefully he doesn't have issues with his bones/joints etc.
Fully checked out and certified?
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