Boxers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the US, with many people falling in love with these dogs. If you want to adopt a Boxer, one question you may have is “how long do Boxers live?“
On average, a Boxer has a life expectancy of 9 to 12 years. Keep in mind, that every Boxer’s lifespan should be determined on an individual basis. If the dog has a disease, it may pass sooner, but if the owner takes very good care of it, there is a possibility of adding an extra year or two to the dog’s life.
Are you interested to learn about how long Boxers are expected to live? On this page, we’re going to discuss the life expectancy of a Boxer dog. We’ll go over what could cause the dog to pass away sooner and tips on how to possibly increase how long these dogs live.
How Long Do Boxers Live?
The average lifespan of a Boxer is usually between 9 and 12 years. Since Boxers are a larger dog breed, they will have a shorter life expectancy. With dogs, larger breeds typically don’t live as long as smaller breeds.
A full-grown male Boxer is usually between 57 to 63 cm in height and weight from 59 to 70 lbs. Some males can grow up to 80 lbs. Female Boxers usually grow to be an average of 53 to 60 cm and weigh between 55 and 64 lbs. Any dog breed that weighs more than 50 lbs and is taller than 24 cm is considered a large dog.
However, when it comes to a Boxer’s lifespan, it’s important to treat each dog on an individual basis. Some owners have been surprised to see their Boxers surpass 12 years while still enjoying physical activity.
How to Keep Your Boxer Healthy
If you adopt a Boxer, it goes without saying that you want the dog to live a long and healthy life. This is crucial if you want to give your dog a chance to live longer than expected and avoid illness. While you can’t guarantee that your Boxer won’t get sick, there are things that dog owners can do to give their Boxer a better chance.
Healthy Diet
The diet you feed your Boxer plays a big role in its overall health. It’s very important that you feed your Boxer a good quality food that is formulated for its current life stage. An adult or senior Boxer shouldn’t be eating a formula made for puppies because it will cause them to gain too much weight.
When choosing good food for your Boxer dog, it’s important to make sure it features a lean protein and a healthy grain. While grain-fee dog food is a popular choice for many breeds, it’s not good for Boxers because it’s linked to dilated cardiomyopathy which these dogs are at a higher risk of. A dog food with brown rice, oats, barley, or millet is all safe for Boxers.
Once you find good food that your Boxer enjoys, it’s important to be consistent with its diet. Don’t switch out brands often because it takes a dog’s stomach time to adjust to the new food. It’s also important that you avoid feeding your Boxer table scraps.
Physical Activity
An exercise routine is very important for your Boxer to be able to live a long and happy life. Along with feeding the Boxer good food, exercise is necessary to prevent obesity. Boxers are at a higher risk of a number of different diseases than other dogs, and obesity can lead to a dog becoming ill.
In order to prevent obesity in your Boxer, you need to develop a daily exercise routine. A healthy Boxer will get at least 90 minutes of physical activity every day. Now, you don’t have to do the whole 90 minutes at once. Your Boxer will do best t if you are able to break this into sessions, such as two 45 minutes walk, or three 30 minute play sessions.
While exercise is important, you should also make sure you don’t overdo it and put a strain on the dog. If your Boxer is tired, allow it to take a break and get a drink of water.
Build a Routine
It can be assumed that all dog owners want their furry friends to live as long as possible. In order to get your Boxer to live a healthy lifestyle, it will need your help. A rule of thumb is that the dog’s owner plays a crucial role in how well its quality of life is.
Now, you can get your dog the right food and the right toys, but that doesn’t guarantee good health. If you want your Boxer to live a good life, it needs a routine. Part of this includes consistent feeding and walking schedules. It should also include daily playtime.
There are other things that Boxer owners should add to their routine to improve their dog’s lifestyle. For example, dental care is one thing that many dog owners don’t think of that impacts the dog’s health. Ideally, you should brush a Boxer’s teeth at least 3 times a week.
Regular Vet Appointments
Another key step to helping a Boxer live a longer life is to schedule regular vet appointments according to your dog’s needs. This way, the dog will be up-to-date on all necessary vaccinations and get a thorough examination. Your vet will be able to perform a check-up and look for conditions that Boxers are prone to.
It’s important to consider this before adopting a Boxer dog. These dogs do require a number of medical tests and examinations throughout their lives. Many pet owners will sign their Boxer up for pet health insurance to help with the cost of medical expenses for their dog.
What Diseases Affect a Boxer’s Lifespan?
Unfortunately, many dog owners lose their Boxers early due to illness. This is why it’s very important to get into the routine of regular vet visits. If certain conditions are caught early enough, they can be treated before they affect the dog’s overall health.
What medical conditions are Boxers at risk of? Let’s take a look.
Several Types of Cancer
Cancer is one of the biggest killers of Boxers because they are prone to several types. While cancer can be fatal, if it’s detected early enough, there are several types of cancer that can be surgically removed.
Dental Diseases
Boxers are prone to a number of different dental diseases, which is why regular dental care is very important. When tartar begins to buildup on the Boxer’s gums, it puts the dog at risk of infection. If the dog is suffering from dental disease, its gums may swell up and affect its ability to eat.
Bloat (Gastric Dilatation)
Since the Boxer breed has a deep and narrow chest, it is also at risk of bloat. This is a condition that causes the stomach to twist and fill with gas. Not only can this be painful for the dog, but it can also be fatal. Some signs of bloat in a Boxer include:
- Retching
- Heaving
- Restless behavior
- Potbelly
- Laying with its rear in the air
If your dog shows any symptoms of bloat, you should contact an emergency vet. In extreme cases, the stomach can fill up with gas in as little as 30 minutes.
Digestive Issues
Many Boxers can experience vomiting or diarrhea from digestive issues. These issues can become worse if the dog eats low-quality food with a lot of fillers, too many treats, or is fed human food frequently. Foods that are high in fat or sodium are also likely to trigger digestive issues in Boxers.
Risk of Parasites
Almost every dog owner has to worry about parasites, no matter what breed they own. Boxer owners need to make sure their furry friend takes its preventative medication to prevent the risk of parasites, such as:
- Fleas
- Ticks
- Hookworms
- Roundworms
- Whipworms
- Heartworms and more
Heart Disease
Sadly, Boxers are prone to dilatative cardiomyopathy, which is a heart disease that causes the heart to become very weak in it can no longer pump blood through the body at an effective rate. This is why vets will recommend an annual heart check with Boxer dogs.
Final Thoughts
How long do Boxers live? The average life expectancy for a Boxer is 9 to 12 years. Since Boxers are a large dog breed, they have a short life expectancy. However, some Boxer owners have been able to extend the life expectancy of their dogs. They were able to do this with a healthy and consistent diet, regular exercise, and dental health care.
Building a routine for your Boxer is very important for helping it achieve a longer and healthier life. You should also ensure that the Boxer has regular vet visits. A vet will be able to perform a full check-up and look for conditions known to affect the health of Boxer breeds.