Boxer Life Expectancy

[BoxerDevotee]

I often wonder why my first two boxers lived to the ripe old age of 13, and yet my last two both died of cancer in their eighth year. The long-lived ones were born in the sixties and seventies, when the breed was less popular; perhaps breeders were then more concerned about health than looks, so it could be down to genetics. My first two were fed fresh food (mainly red meat), and my last two, a good quality commercial kibble (turkey and rice), so could this difference in lifespan be attributable to diet?

This BBC Calculator, based on data from the UK Kennel Club and the US Veterinary Medical Database, underlines how short-lived our boxers are today, compared with most breeds, and certainly gives food for thought:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22479412

 

[x19er]

There has been much talk in recent years here in the UK about dog breeding and as you say dogs being bred for their looks rather than for good heath and temperament, sadly the boxer breed seems to have this problem. Over the summer we came into contact with many very well qualified & experienced specialist vets in one of the best veterinary centres in the UK who were treating our Charlie who all shook their heads sadly whilst mentioning that boxers were one of the breeds they deal with most often. We lost our first boy at 10, our first girl at 12 and wee Charlie at 5 although her illness was rare and not typical in boxers, Dino our old boy is now 10. Overall our boxers have done well avoiding many of the typical boxer conditions, but we feel that there are far too many health problems with boxers in general now and for that reason I suspect that Dino may well be our last boxer.

 

[Jan]

It also doesn't help that that most dogs immune systems are bombarded by way too many vaccinations.

 

[JurisGal]

It also doesn't help that that most dogs immune systems are bombarded by way too many vaccinations.

So agree. I asked my current vets to do a titer and one complied. Another diplomatically said there is hysteria about vaccinations/over vaccinations. I wish there were better info on titer tests, it is such a tough position. I don't want to expose the dogs to the diseases or unnecessary vaccines.
I actually left a vet office ( and filed a complaint with state board) when they mixed up my dog's lyme vaccination ( he ended up getting multiple shots but was supposed to get two --they mixed up our charts with another dog) - coincidence or not, the dog started vomiting a day or so after and was diagnosed with cancer weeks later. My SO had taken the dog to the vet ( when he got the extra shots) and to this day, I kick myself for not going. I would have asked why the shots again because I was already watching them ( I caught them giving my dog a kennel cough shot that they'd already given!)

 

[charliejava]

There has been much talk in recent years here in the UK about dog breeding and as you say dogs being bred for their looks rather than for good heath and temperament, sadly the boxer breed seems to have this problem. Over the summer we came into contact with many very well qualified & experienced specialist vets in one of the best veterinary centres in the UK who were treating our Charlie who all shook their heads sadly whilst mentioning that boxers were one of the breeds they deal with most often. We lost our first boy at 10, our first girl at 12 and wee Charlie at 5 although her illness was rare and not typical in boxers, Dino our old boy is now 10. Overall our boxers have done well avoiding many of the typical boxer conditions, but we feel that there are far too many health problems with boxers in general now and for that reason I suspect that Dino may well be our last boxer.

Hi - so sorry about your loses, we lost our dog at 14 and I am in fear of getting another one. We didn't buy our dog from a breeder - and was wondering what your experience has been.

 

[Jan]

Boxers are such wonderful dogs. They don't live nearly as long as I would like. But having them for only a short time is better than not having them at all.

There are things you can do to help them live a long life. Give them minimal vaccinations, preferably only one at a time. Do not repeat them annually. Neutered them at late as possible. Feed them the best food that you can afford. A raw natural diet is best!

I have tried to get another breed, but nothing is as good as a boxer.

I almost forgot. Make sure that you purchase your boxer from fully health tested parents.

 

[BoxerDevotee]

I agree with most of your points, although I have never tried a raw natural diet with any of my boxers. My own feeling, like yours, is that annual booster shots are in most cases unnecessary, and can weaken their immune system and contribute to early death.

 

[Murp.mm]

Ms. Ali is almost evelen and half years old and doing well apart from some deafness and some arthritis and a few lumps and bumps that have been removed.. She has been feed both homemade and commercial food. She was spayed at 6 months and we were told she was in heat at that time, however, I saw no signs of it. but was charged an extra $30.00. As far as vaccinations go I had her vaccinated for the first two years and none since. I also only used flea treatments for a few months in summer and she has had none since 2007 and has had no problem. I do not know if that is what has helped her to be mostly healthy but that is what I have done for all my dogs and they have lived a fairly long life.