Health problems with white boxers?

[Buster's Dad]

You might have seen my post on the rainbow bridge earlier as my beloved boxer, Buster, passed. My mother has found me a cute white boxer puppy, 2 months old, to help in the healing process. I must make a decision soon as there is another party interested in the puppy.

My question to the forum is...what I went through with Buster's death was devastating. I can't bear to go through that again. I won't be breeding or showing the new white boxer, but do I need to be concerned about health problems? If there are, what are the common problems? How much truth is there to this and will a healthy white boxer live to the same age as a brindle or fawn.

Thank you.

 

[gmacleod]

You don't need to be concerned with health problems because of the puppy being white, no. Obviously, you should make sure that the breeder of your pup did undertake reasonable testing on his parents for genetically inherited diseases that are common to boxers (cardiomyopathy and aortic/subaortic stenosis being the main ones, but hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism as well) since those can be passed to any pup. Screening doesn't guarantee you'll get a healthy puppy, but it certainly increases the chances.

As for issues that relate purely to the fact that he's white... the main one is deafness. Up to around 18% of white puppies will be bilaterally deaf. Equally though, that means that at least 4 out of 5 won't be And deafness isn't a life threatening condition anyway (not even debilitating). In case it's a big issue to you though, IF a white pup is going to be deaf because of being white, he will have lost his hearing by about 6 weeks of age - certainly by the 8 week point when he's ready to be rehomed. So you can know.

The only other issue that whites have is a greater risk of sunburn, due to not being pigmented. That's not as trivial as it sounds - because just like with humans, sunburn can lead to melanoma, and melanoma can lead to cancers of other organs. Just like with humans though, it's an issue that can be avoided by the judicious use of sunscreen So really not a big thing (and flashy dogs are just as much as risk on their white areas anyway).

 

[ELubas]

Just wanted to say nothing heals a broken heart like a boxer puppy-I wish you well

 

[Buster's Dad]

Thank you very much. Great information, much appreciated and will use your advice.

 

[Biff]

Have you decided on the puppy yet?

I love the white boxers and hope to get a wee white sister for Biff later this year.

My only concern would be the hot sun in Thailand. I imagine you'd need to be very careful with the sunburn issue. (We don't really have that problem in rainy Scotland at the moment )

 

[PSUHeather]

I have more health issues with my fawn than my white boxer! The fawn is on allergy shots and has cost a fortune in vet bills. The white boxer has had a few cysts/growths removed, but those are common with the breed.

The only difference with the white is that she is more prone to sunburn!

 

[Buster's Dad]

Thank you all again. I have not made my decision yet, but if all else is healthy, sunburn will definately be something I will have to be careful with. It is a very hot, humid island with lot's of sun.