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Boxers are prone to develop cancers, progressive retinal atrophy, torsion (bloat), epilepsy, bleeding disorders, intestinal problems, breathing difficulties from sinus infections heart murmurs and ailments of the joints, such as arthritis and hip dysplasia, although most good breeders test their breeding stock before breeding and the incidence is slowly decreasing.
Problems of the thyroid gland, while rare, often go unnoticed. This does not directly harm the boxer, but early attention to the condition can prolong the life of the dog.
White BoxersWhite boxers allegedly have a tendency to develop deafness at a rate much higher than other boxers. Some studies indicate 30-40% of all white boxers are deaf in one or both ears, but the unbiased nature of these studies is challenged.
There have been active breeder interventions trying to diminish the popularity of white boxers, and because the breed standard stipulates that two-thirds of the body be either fawn or brindle in color, many white boxers are euthanised at birth by commercial breeders, although this practice was more common in the past than it is today. Because white boxers are not albinos but simply have a white coat, they have no added risk of skin cancer compared to other boxers. |
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