Boxer Puppies for Sale in Colorado

A mile high, and what that means for a puppy

Denver sits exactly one mile above sea level, and Colorado Springs is higher still at about 6,000 feet. Mountain towns like Breckenridge and Leadville are above 9,000. A puppy born near the ocean is used to thicker air, and it can feel the difference. Most healthy dogs adjust well to Colorado, but a young Boxer should not be asked for hard exercise in its first week. Keep walks short, let your puppy rest often and keep water close. If your puppy seems unusually tired, pants hard at rest or stops eating, call a vet. If you plan to hike above 8,000 feet, ask your vet about it first, since a Boxer's short airways have less room to spare.

The trip from San Diego to Colorado

Denver is about 1,090 miles from San Diego by road, and Colorado Springs is about 1,000, which is two long days across Arizona or Nevada, Utah and the mountain passes. By air it is only about two hours, so a flight nanny can bring a puppy into Denver International the same day for $1,500. Ground transport is $300. For mountain towns, a flight into Denver and a short drive from the airport is usually gentler than a long day on winding roads. Pickup in San Diego is also welcome. See the full process on the Boxer puppy delivery and pickup page.

Strong sun, thin air, dry skin

At altitude there is less atmosphere to filter ultraviolet light, so the sun is stronger even on a cool day. White and flashy Boxers have pink skin under thin hair, and they can burn on the nose, ears and belly. Ask your vet about a dog safe sunscreen and keep midday sun short. Dry air also dries out skin, noses and paw pads. A little balm helps, and a bowl of fresh water in every room helps even more, since dogs breathe out more moisture in dry air.

Weather that changes in an hour

Colorado weather swings fast. A warm morning can turn into a hailstorm by afternoon along the Front Range, which is one of the hail prone parts of the country. A clear fall day can turn into a snow squall. Plan walks in the morning, carry a towel and bring the puppy inside at the first sound of thunder. Winters are cold and dry, with some days well below freezing. A Boxer's thin coat means a puppy needs a coat and booties in real cold, and shorter walks when the wind picks up. Ice melt on sidewalks can burn paws, so wipe feet after every outing.

Trails, wildlife and the outdoors

Colorado is a dog friendly state, and families often want to hike. Wait until a puppy is older and has finished its vaccines, keep it on a leash and bring water. Rattlesnakes live in the foothills and the plains below about 8,000 feet. Wood ticks climb on in spring, and they can carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever, so check your puppy after trail walks. Wildfire smoke can fill the air in late summer, and on those days a short nosed dog should stay indoors.

City life along the Front Range

Many Denver and Boulder families live in apartments or townhouses. Use daily short training sessions and puzzle feeders to burn off energy, and get a puppy used to bikes, scooters and crowds early. Our Boxer puppy socialization guide has a plan, and the Boxer dog size guide shows how large your puppy will grow.

Start your application

The Boxer puppy price page lists the costs and what comes with each puppy. When you are ready, send a puppy application and tell Lauren Loftis Moore your town and elevation. If you are also weighing northern states, see Boxer puppy delivery to Minnesota. If you are also looking farther northwest, the plan for Boxer puppy delivery to Washington covers the same flight in a different climate.