Expert: Jannie Balliett - 8/22/2008

Question
I have grown up with dogs, and they all seem to be close to full grown by 7 months. My nearly 7 month old boxer puppy is 33 lbs and around 14 inches tall. Is this normal?  She seems on the small side...I think I just expected her to be around 40-45 lbs by now...

What do you think?

Answer
Adult female Boxers average between 50-65lbs depending on their bone structure. There are smaller Boxers, medium frame Boxers and the larger Boxer: taller, bigger boned, and weighing up to 100lbs/average 80-90lbs.

I would be worried with her only weighing 33 lbs. if she has ribs showing and no body "fat/meat" otherwise, keep a check on her as she grows and ages.

If you have a good vet, take her in and voice your concerns to him/her. The vet might want to do a blood test for thyroid. Any thyroid imbalance can deter weight even though the dog is eating well. Daily medicine (chewable tablets) can keep the thyroid in check and healthy.

I have 6 month old puppies (5- and in good homes now but I get all the latest on them)all weighing 30-40lbs.now.

If you are feeding her a certain amount a certain number of times per day- you might increase the quantity and add an extra feeding per day and see if she gains weight in a month.

I self-feed all mine. Food is in their bowls 24/7 and I don't have any problem with over weight Boxers. They eat at odd times and little amounts when they are hungry- just like we do actually.

Mine seem to eat a full-fledged dinner around 10-11pm for some reason, and it hasn't disagreed with their health at all.

You might consider the "self-feed" method.

I would imagine your girl is a smaller boned/frame Boxer-girl. So she probably won''t get above 50lbs. full grown. My 3 1/2 year old female maintains 50-55lbs consistently and looks quite good. Her "husband" weighs 80lbs and is taller, but most males are. They are "average" sized to "small" sized Boxers.

Your girl is still growing. But a vet check up might ease your mind and rule out thyroid for starts.