Is this growth rate and energy level normal?

[Bonzie]

Yes again he is a fully checked and certified pure bred boxer. Not a mix. I am new to having a boxer but not new to having dogs. I am fully aware of imprint stages and also of the need for socialization. We keep very close tabs on him at the dog park as well as the other dogs he is playing with. So please I do know what I am doing with regards to taking him to the park.

 

[CoraBoxer]

I wasn't asking if he was checked out and certified but what that meant? Your vet looked at him and told you or did you have reason to test and if so what? Its hard to tell anything from a photo especially at such a young age. I wasn't implying you didn't know what you were doing but suggesting that socializing in a more controlled environment can prevent certain issues from arising. Anyways hopefully you get a reply you're looking for.

 

[Cami]

Forgive my ignorance but how does one certify a breed minus a DNA test or watching the parents "do the deed" and then of course making sure the female doesn't meet up with another male after the fact?
I have never in my life heard of a puppy being certified. I am not saying it isn't possible just that I have never heard of it and would like to know how it is done.

As far as the dog park is concerned....at 15 weeks of age has he even had all of his vaccinations? Aside from the long list of things that could go wrong there that would be my biggest concern.

 

[entelekia]

I just looked at your picture and though admittedly hard to tell I wouldn't discard the possibility that he is mixed with something else. The nose is the tell-tale sign. At the rate he is growing I would guess either mastiff or great dane. I know you said a "good breeder with excellent references" but I think as most everyone on here will agree, any breeder that lets a puppy leave the litter at 6 weeks of age is not a reputable breeder, AKC registered or not.

A lot of us on here bought puppies from what we thought were good breeders before we knew any better, only to learn later they were what are referred to as "backyard breeders".

Regardless, he is a cutie pie and I'm sure you'll love and enjoy him immensely.

 

[uglymugs]

I would be real concerened with having a 15 week old boxer that weighs that much.. My Male is 8 months he is 55 lbs and a tank, he can be lazy as he takes several 20 min naps during the day. When he gets up he and his sister play like they will never see each other again. Also i have two kids who chase them around and wear them out.. Id really like to see a picture of you big boy maybe a side and top shot to see how he looks.. Anyways as a kid i had a boxer that was 100lbs and healthy as can be, so its not impossible that this can happen. Note he was very active at his large size and didnt lay around much even in his elderly yrs he was 12 when he did... RIP BUSTER..

 

[uglymugs]

My first thoughts were that he was mixed with a Bull Mastiff, as my neighbor has a 18 week old that is around 52 lbs and is the same size as my Rowdy (54lbs) and he is a big boy. Id like to see that picture as well... Thx.

 

[uglymugs]

Ok saw the pic of you big boy and hate to tell you this (that is if you actually care) he is not a full blooded boxer... Boxers are very distinct in ther markings and facial structures. Im not Cesar Milan but i would have to say he has some Bull Mastiff, maybe even American bulldog. All of which are great dogs so i hope i was able to help, your pup looks awesome..

Also Bull Mastiffs are known for being lazy so that is another sigh that he is not a full blooded boxer.

 

[Jan]

I had a look at his picture. The nose looks long to me and it doesn't look like it has much of a stop. This is often just caused by poor breeding, but it can also be caused by him being mixed with something. The huge growth rate certainly suggests great dane or something along that line.

You could always get his DNA tested. It doesn't cost much and it will tell the tale. Either way he is a good looking dog and will make a great pet.

 

[srennie]

I looked at his pic and I don't see any bull mastiff. His nose is a little long though. That doesn't mean he is a mix, just that he doesn't come from high quality, show lines...and since I assume you aren't planning to show him, that doesn't matter. What does concern me is that he was removed from his mother and littermates at 6 weeks old. Unless he was the sole survivor of his litter and his mother also died, there is no reputable breeder alive who would condone placing a pup at 6 weeks old. It is actually illegal in many states to remove a pup before 8 weeks and many reputable breeders prefer to wait 10-12 weeks. There can be serious behavior ramification to removing pups so young so you will want to be on the look out for issues with bite inhibition as he gets bigger.

I feel like you are getting a little defensive and please know you are not being attacked. Many of us have bought pups we thought came from great parents and breeders only to have a myriad of different problems. I did all my research and got our last pup from a show breeder with all of the right credentials. I really wanted a pup from proven parents but everything looked so good that I took a pup whose dad was a first time dad. And, he had MANY health problems in his first year of life including his first malignat tumor at less than 1y/o. So, the info you are getting from people here is not to criticize but to educate not only you for the future, but for others who might be reading this thread.

 

[BaronsMomma]

Hi, I hope everything's good with your check up. One thing that I saw that caught my attention is that you're feeding him a large breed formula. If I recall, and others will correct me if I'm mistaken, Boxers are not considered a large breed. I don't know if that has much to do with his weight gain, but I do know that feeding them the wrong food and causing excessive growth will cause a slew of problems as they age.

I'm saying this because I started my guy on large breed and quickly switched over to regular puppy formula once I found out.