Expert: Jannie Balliett - 12/13/2010

Question
Hi, just a quick follow up to inform you of our pregnant boxer. She had her puppy 9 days late as she had them on day 72..... she only tied the once so there is no doubt as to when she got pregnant.... She also only had ONE puppy and he is reversed brindle colour. She had 5 in her first litter and only one puppy this time so we were a little shocked. Everything went well with the labour and birth. He weighed 12ozs, which is the lightest puppy she has ever had from her 2 litters.... Is it unusual for boxers to have one puppy?

Answer
Yes, it is quite unusual for any dog to have one puppy, but especially a Boxer. I haven't ever heard of just one.

Nine days late-- 72 days is quite odd. Usually after the 65th day-- you need to see your vet for a possible c-section. I would have been afraid to have waited that long if you are absolutely positive of the breeding date and none after that date.

Is there a possibility she bred later, thus being a normal 58-65 (average 63) day gestation?

Well, be thankful you have one puppy even if he is small, which is odd because he had no litter mates to compete with in the uterus.

Very odd indeed.