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Boxers/Boxer Heat Cycles

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Expert: - 9/4/2009


Question
My 6 year old Boxer was bred once at 5 years of age and produced a healthy litter of 7. It's now been 15 months and counting since her last heat. All of the literature I've read indicate heats can vary greatly depending upon the bitch. She's perfectly normal and healthy in every aspect, but at what point should I get concerned? I've only owned her 2 years and the previous owner can't tell me much about her past heat cycles. Also, what's a good age to retire? She's a very young, spry 6 year old and has only had one litter. I was hoping to have 1-2 more litters from her and retire her at about 8 given her health and energy maintains. Thanks

Answer
Hi Sara,
Once a boxer bitch comes into heat the cycles usually are at least once or twice a year. I would be concerned after 12 months.It does vary greatly depending on the bitch but I'd have the vet check her out.The older she gets the less frequent the cycles may come and this is natural.Lets say if she usually cycled twice a year now she cycles only once a year, since you don't know her history its best to get the vet to check her out. Its better to be safe than sorry. I personally never breed a bitch past the age of 5, she will only have two litters max in her lifetime and those will be spaced at least a year apart and a heat cycle skipped in between. At six years old boxers are middle aged as the life span in boxers isn't what it use to be. It is a personal choice and with the advice of your vet you should be able to make an informed decision. Good luck and thank you for your questions.

Angela Donald
Canine Behavior Consultant
http://www.hitowerboxers.com

Boxers

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Angela Donald

Expertise

I'll be happy to answer questions about boxer dog allergies,behavior,behavior modification,breeding,care,coat color genetics,diet,ear cropping,exercise,genetics,grooming,health,history,pedigrees,showing and training.

Experience

I am a dedicated dog enthusiast and guardian of boxers for 40 years, a boxer conformation show exhibitor and breeder as well as a canine behavior consultant with a special interest in the boxer breed. I currently share my life with six boxer dogs.See our family of Boxer Dogs

Organizations
American Boxer Charitable Foundation

Publications
I currently contribute regularly to Dog-Canine Blog.I am the founder and publisher of The Boxer Behavioral Journal,a scientific journal with detailed behavioral case study information,which someday I hope will add valuable knowledge to the breeding,care and health of the breed.I am also a freelance writer with my latest article: Distinctive Behaviors of Boxer Dogs found at http://www.hitowerboxers.com/boxerdogbehavior.htm and distributed on the world wide web.

Education/Credentials
I have a MBA from AU.I have gotten real life experiences from my 40 years of the family owning boxers and other canine breeds, through my boxer rescue rehabilitation efforts, obedience training of the breed, more than 20 years of study on dog-canine behavior, genetics, health research,from my work as a canine behavioral consultant,exhibitor and breeder. My quest for canine knowledge is a never ending journey.

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