Expert: Jannie Balliett - 9/2/2009

Question
Hi, I have a year and a half year old Boxer, Hershey. I was wondering if she was at all under weight. Shes approximately 50 lb (used scale...my weight holding her - my weight = 50 lb) and shes very muscular, but seems kind of small. She comes up to about my knee, and I'm 5'6". She eats whenever she wants and I try to buy her dog food with the highest protein percentage...right now its at 22. I don't know what else to do to get her to grow. Its almost like shes behind 6 months (she just now went into her first heat). The doctor said shes healthy and all but I'm still worried. Her parents were tall, up to my hip, and weighed easily 80-100 lb and she was the biggest in her litter....What do you think is wrong? Can I do anything to help her grow? Thanks in advance

Answer
50 lbs. is not under weight.

My 5 year old female, fluctuates weight between 50-60 pounds. She is short compared to her mate, and considered a smaller Boxer.

Boxers are like people. They are short, medium height, and larger heights, with weights ranging from 50  lbs. to 100 lbs. The average sized adult female will generally weigh 60 lbs. and an adult male 80lbs; and their bone structure (frame) is accordingly.

This is averages.

Since your girl is a smaller Boxer, probably smaller frame and bone structure, the 50 lbs. is norm.

High protein dog food is perfect for energy, but is not caloric. You don't want to up calories and cause health issues, so her diet is fine.

I do however, recommend a good, all natural dog food; this being no corn and no corn glutens, and no additives. Research Online, and check labeling on bags. Select one that is reasonable cost for you and healthy for her.

Her size is genetic. Just because she was the biggest in the litter, doesn't mean she will grow to be the biggest. I have seen runts grow to be the largest. So her genetics might have come from a grandparent and not from the parent's size.

Her parents can be large, and they can produce all medium or all smaller sized offspring, or a combination of any: large, medium and small.

I like the fact that you self-feed; allowing her to eat whenever she wants. Boxers are "grazers" and eat little bits often, and never on a schedule. I always recommend self-feeding for Boxers.

I don't think there is anything unusual about her, and as long as your vet said she is healthy- don't worry. You have a smaller framed, smaller sized girl like I do :)