You will need to purchase for your puppy:

 
A bed – this can be a hard bed with a vetbed insert or blanket or a soft bed.  Just remember that it needs to be snugly as you puppy will have left its brothers and sisters and will feel lonely.  (You can if you want use a cardboard box with a blanket in at first as your puppy will grow and a big bed may feel too big at first.  He may also chew his bed so a disposable cardboard box may seem a better financial choice!)

 
Bowls – you will need 2, one for water and one for food.  It is up to you what type you choose, stainless steel are great because they can go in the dishwasher and are light to pick up – downside is they slide all over the floor! Unless they have rubber bottoms. China is great but it is heavy.  Have a look in a store and tell the assistant that it is for a boxer puppy and they should be able to help you choose.  Boxers need to be able to open their mouths quite wide to be able to eat so it needs to be quite a large bowl.  They also get a lot bigger so what is suitable as a puppy may not be the right size for an adult.

 
A Lead – your puppy will come with a little collar on.  This is only a puppy collar and will need to be checked as they grow and then replaced with a bigger one once they have outgrown it.  A lead is your personal choice; they come in all styles, materials, colours, have a look and just remember that it needs to be comfortable in your hand and strong.

 
A Harness – You may find a harness is better for your puppy at first and even as an adult.  They give you more control and are kinder on the dog’s neck and throat.  I use one made by Canac and are available from pet shops.

 
An identity disk – either from the kennel club,vet practice or from the pet tag link on our useful links page.  I would put your name your house number, postcode and your mobile number on one side and either your vet number or another emergency contact number on the back.

 
Toys – purchase a couple of puppy chew toys, rope, tennis balls, and rubber toys.  Have a box or tub for them and give the puppy some variety and changes every couple of days.

 
Food – Your puppy will come with some food but you will need to purchase food to have in store.  They are currently fed of Royal Canin Maxi Baby Dog, dry food.

 
Books - A copy of the Doglopedia by J M Evans and Kay White approx £10, is a great idea. – Amazon sells this as do other book retailers, or you can purchase it from the Dibrid website @ www.dibridboxers.co.uk in their shop.

 
Vet - Make sure that you are registered with a vet. 

If you live locally I would recommend the

Bridge Veterinary Surgery, 205 Fir Tree Road, Epsom, Surrey, KT17 3LB, near Drift Bridge in Epsom, telephone number 01737 351 482. 

Tell them what dog you are getting and make an appointment to have the puppy checked out on the day you take your puppy home or within 48 hours and an appointment for the second vaccination.

Puppy Crate – This is personal choice, I did not use one for Millie, but plenty of my friends did for their puppies.  It does provide a safe place to leave your puppy where they won’t chew things and confines the mess to their area.  It should not be used for very long period or it will seem like a prison.  Your puppy will want to be with you when you are about.  It must be big enough to provide an area for sleeping and an area to go to the toilet and have a water bowl.  Some dogs learn to love their crate and regard it as their home and place for peace and quiet.

I have used one for these puppies and the ones that we are keeping.

 
A good tip is also to go on your hands and knees at home and look around your rooms.  See what your puppy will see and if it is precious or dangerous – move it!