Deaf White Boxers

[boxerlady40]

Hello! I have three Boxers, two of which are white, one of my white's is deaf. I have placed Boxers and worked with Boxer rescue for 7 years, and so far the odds are: for every 4th Boxer that's not deaf there is one that's deaf.

But on that note, I've found a web-site before on deafness in dogs (sorry, can't remember the URL) and it showed pictures of deaf dogs. There were literally HUNDREDS of pictures. I probably only looked at 50 or so myself. I was looking for pictures of Boxer's because I love all the ways White Boxer's look (with a spot here or a spot there), anyway...I only found 1 picture of a Boxer. The rest were all Dalmations or Australian Shepherds.

I know that there are a lot of deaf white Boxer's out there, but I still believe that the odds are great enough for non-deafness that they shouldn't be culled when born, as I'm sure every one of you will agree too.

Love to all,

Boxerlady - Adena, Cammie, Riley, Jax and rescues Charley & Mollie

 

[Eric J]

cull Pronunciation Key (kl)
tr.v. culled, cull·ing, culls
To pick out from others; select.
To gather; collect.
To remove rejected members or parts from (a herd, for example).

n.
Something picked out from others, especially something rejected because of inferior quality.

*************
Culling dogs basically is to pick them out and make sure they are not bred. Culling does not mean killing that is a misnomer that was covered by either Cubby or Tulsa Dan a little bit ago.

Being that breeders are trying to improve the breed, seperating whites from breeding doesn't bother me one bit. Then again I am getting my dog fixed when the time comes. So this works for me easily.

Keep in mind I am NOT anti-white boxer, a boxer is a boxer in my book. I love them all. I just can agree with the reason to cull them.

 

[None-removed]

Thanks, Eric, for clarifying the word - that's probably one of the biggest misnomers to trigger anger regarding boxers. Yes, some breeders do and have killed white boxers at birth, but CULLING white boxers only means to seperate them from breeding stock, usually by way of homing with a spay/neuter contract in place. Culling, since white boxers do not meet breed standard, from breeding programs is the proper thing for a reputable breeder to do, whether we like it or not - at least until breed standard changes.

As for the deafness issue, by your findings aproximately 20% of white boxers that you have encountered have been deaf - that is almost absolutely in line with the accepted figure of 18%.

This subject has been rehashed over and over again, and tends to be volatile - if it becomes heated, this thread will be closed.



BTW, Eric - excellent explanation.

Last minute thought...Boxer World is very, very white boxer friendly, as are the breeders on the board, so we all agree for the most part.

 

[Sube Ru's mom]

I also think that it needs to be stated that breeders actually killing white boxers is becoming more and more a faded memory. If that was true then there would not be as many white boxers in rescues as there are.

Eric- thank you for explaning the term cull.

I also agree with you, seperating the whites from the other "breedable" stock is smart and the only way to help prevent an "accidental" breeding.

 

[Emma'sMamma]

Hi everyone,
I have a white, deaf boxer. Wouldn't trade her for anything! She is very smart and is catching on the sign language very fast! Which is great for us, because we were a little worried about training her at first. I'm really glad that we have her and she is a wonderful addition to our family

 

[boxerlady40]

I agree with you all whole-heartedly. appicon
I was under the wrong impression about culling. :eek: I thought it was just putting the dogs down.

I always spay/neuter too so this is not an issue for me, but I don't want to see it happen. And I too agree that it seems to be less and less of an issue as time goes by, hopefully just as cropping is.

Thank you!

Adena

 

[vaboxer]

Emma's Mamma ~ I just looked at your gallery and Emma is so beautiful!

I am sooo partial to the whites...I have only seen two in my lifetime. The whites and the elders are my favorite :D

I just learned something new today...I always though culling meant killing too...guess I've been away from the boards a little too long!

 

[EMWAZ]

white boxers

Well I'm glad to know that culling does not mean killing too and now that I've had my rescue boxer for almost a year I can't imagine not knowing him and loving him. He's white, he's deaf and he's beatiful, he's got a big heart and he's my shadow too, he follows me everywhere.

They still have so much to offer and give they definitely deserve every chance..

 

[Eric J]

Originally posted by Emma'sMamma
Hi everyone,
I have a white, deaf boxer. Wouldn't trade her for anything! She is very smart and is catching on the sign language very fast! Which is great for us, because we were a little worried about training her at first. I'm really glad that we have her and she is a wonderful addition to our family

Your sentence is a bit off, I thought it would read you have an ADORABLE white, deaf boxer

I sent you an e-mail Sally, looking forward to your reply.

 

[Emma'sMamma]

You're RIGHT!!!

It should have said ADORABLE, white, deaf boxer!! haha...silly Eric!!