The dangers of white boxer dogs
Do you know what a boxer dog typically looks like? They are usually a stocky breed, medium-sized with a shiny, smooth and short haired coat that can be fawn colored or brindle without any markings. However, there are some that have been found with white bellies and markings on all their paws. White markings are known as flash because the coloration can appear on the dog’s neck and face. These dogs are known to be “flashy” dogs.
If you see a boxer whose coat is one third white then it is known as a white boxer dog. 20 to 25 percent of boxer dogs are born with white markings. However, this breed cannot be categorized as albino. If you want a boxer dog, there are things you should know before you decide on a white boxer dog.
Like the problems suffered by light colored humans, white boxer dogs can suffer from them as well. White boxer dogs are at a high threat for sunburns, skin cancers and other such disorders. Boxers have a piebald gene that does two things to these white boxer dogs. First, it is to responsible for the extra white pigmentation found in the dogs. Second, it is to blame for deafness defect that occurs in these dogs at birth. The auditory nerve cells are typically damaged and because of this, most white boxer dogs are deaf in one ear, if not both of them.
At one time, white boxer puppies were put to death. However, times have changed. Breeders now place these dogs in pet homes under certain requirements including neutering. Many Boxer clubs do not include these dogs in breeding programs and usually ineligible in shows. They are, however, able to join in other types of activities including dexterity and compliance. They are equal when competing against their fawn and brindle counterparts, no matter their genetic disposition.
White boxer dogs do not get out of dealing with diseases the fawn and brindle dogs deal with. They can still suffer from degenerative myelopathy, hypothyroidism, boxer cardiomyopathy, hip dysplasia and SAS. The more common inherited conditions are gastric dilatation, allergies and intestinal problems. White boxer dogs can also have an eyelid deformity called entropion. Surgery is used to fix this problem.
There have been some issues in which some breeds have been diagnosed with spondylosis deformans. This means the spine has been fused. For this reason alone, buy boxer dogs from a reputable breeder. These breeders will be conscientious of the dogs and have specified tests ran before selling any puppy. By screening these dogs, they can look for pups that will make excellent propagation stock.