We lost Duke to bone cancer this year. It seemed like everyone kept telling me how prone boxers are to cancer when all this happened. It didn't matter who I was talking to--the vet, my sister, my mom--they all said the same thing. My sister actually tried to talk me out of getting another boxer because she saw how hard I took losing Duke to cancer. She kept telling me "Vanessa, you may want to research other breeds. I'm afraid if you get another boxer you will have to deal with it having cancer too." Of course, I didn't listen to her. Once you own a boxer, there is NO other breed that even compares. I have done tons of searches on canine cancer...especially on bone cancer since that is what Duke had, but I've never found anything that confirms what I've been told. Do any of you know have any input on boxers and cancer? Are they more likely to get cancer than labs or other breeds?
How common is cancer in the boxer breed?
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pyermoli
Super Boxer
I have heard the same thing, but I am not sure if they are more prone to it than other breeds. I have heard that it occurs in a lot of different breeds as well. Almost everyone I know that has owned a boxer lost it to cancer, though. If you find anything that confirms it I would like to read about it.
buddy'smom
Boxer Pal
When I was at the Nationals this year, I attended a seminar on Lymphoma and other cancers re the boxer breed. The vet who spoke said statistically 1 out of 8 boxers will develop some form of cancer and the evidence shows it is not genetic. I have to say his stats alarmed me, but would it cause me to not ever have another boxer? No 
We lost our first to cancer and yes it was devestating for us, but we now own 2 boxers and you can bet there will be more in my lifetime.
Jean
We lost our first to cancer and yes it was devestating for us, but we now own 2 boxers and you can bet there will be more in my lifetime.Jean
Jazz&Thumper
Boxer Pal
our's also had cancer
Our first boxer died from a brain tumor. It was heart wrenching when he finally went. It wasn't until he died that the vet told me what he really thought he had. Barkley also had terrible allergies that we could not get under control even with allergy shots. So what do we do, go and get 2 boxer puppies. My vet made me so mad when I took them there for there 1st checkup that I now have a new vet that loves boxers. When we got our babies they were 8 weeks old and only weighed 6 lbs. I couldn't leave them where they were. He told me that's what I got for getting another boxer, one had a heart mumer and one had a hernia. They both are fine now. They are so beautiful, idiots but beautiful. All I ever heard from my old vet was what awful dogs they were for health reasons. There just is no other breed.
Our first boxer died from a brain tumor. It was heart wrenching when he finally went. It wasn't until he died that the vet told me what he really thought he had. Barkley also had terrible allergies that we could not get under control even with allergy shots. So what do we do, go and get 2 boxer puppies. My vet made me so mad when I took them there for there 1st checkup that I now have a new vet that loves boxers. When we got our babies they were 8 weeks old and only weighed 6 lbs. I couldn't leave them where they were. He told me that's what I got for getting another boxer, one had a heart mumer and one had a hernia. They both are fine now. They are so beautiful, idiots but beautiful. All I ever heard from my old vet was what awful dogs they were for health reasons. There just is no other breed.
1CRAZYBXRLVR
Super Boxer
The problem with statistics like "1 out of every 8 boxer . . ." is that you don't hear how many other breeds have the same problems. What I'm getting at is that a lot of dogs get cancer. Part of the problem can be attributed to the foods that they are fed. Just like people, dogs can become unhealthy and get various diseases because they are eating the wrong foods, or processed foods, etc. Dogs in the wild never ate kibble and were a lot healthier because of it. You might want to check out the Barf Forum for a healthier alternative for your boxer. Since I've had mine on this diet, they look much healthier and everything I've read about it so far points to less veterinarian visits. Just something to think about. It isn't for everyone.
stephaniejew
Boxer Pal
prone to cancer
Hello, my boxer was just recently treated for a mast cell tumor. While talking with the vet, he made a very startling remark, he said that boxers are 40-50 times more likely to develop cancer relative to other breeds. I have also read many articles concerning cancer in boxers. It does seem to be a well known fact that boxers are more prone to cancer, but I did not find anything to back up that kind of statement. ( Not that I do not put 100% faith in our vet, he is the greatest!)
Hello, my boxer was just recently treated for a mast cell tumor. While talking with the vet, he made a very startling remark, he said that boxers are 40-50 times more likely to develop cancer relative to other breeds. I have also read many articles concerning cancer in boxers. It does seem to be a well known fact that boxers are more prone to cancer, but I did not find anything to back up that kind of statement. ( Not that I do not put 100% faith in our vet, he is the greatest!)
Shakira's Ma
Banned
Cancer in Boxers
I also have heard this said and I tend to believe it. I have known a lot of boxers and their owners and all of them at one time or another developed cancer of some form. My vet also says that boxers are known to develop cancer. We had a boxer mix that we lost to cancer at age 7 years and we got a pure bred boxer several months later. We were told, advised and warned to not get another boxer mix or boxer because we were just setting ourselves up for another heart wrenching experience at an early age. My theory is no matter what kind of dog you have more then likely you are going to outlive it, boxers and boxer breeds changes your life so much that having any other kind of dog just won't do. I love my boxers and will always own one.
I also have heard this said and I tend to believe it. I have known a lot of boxers and their owners and all of them at one time or another developed cancer of some form. My vet also says that boxers are known to develop cancer. We had a boxer mix that we lost to cancer at age 7 years and we got a pure bred boxer several months later. We were told, advised and warned to not get another boxer mix or boxer because we were just setting ourselves up for another heart wrenching experience at an early age. My theory is no matter what kind of dog you have more then likely you are going to outlive it, boxers and boxer breeds changes your life so much that having any other kind of dog just won't do. I love my boxers and will always own one.
Cancer in Boxers
I have heard this too but not just cancer they are prone to various other illnesses too. After losing my German Shepherd in June last year and going through the heartache, I was really wary about taking on a boxer. After consulting my vet who I trust 100%, he said that every breed seems to have a tendency to certain problems not just boxers and to put it to the back of mine mind. German Shepherds are known to have problems with their back ends and hips. My Jazz lived for 13 yrs with a slight heart murmur and in the end it was kidney failure that we lost her to...no problem with her hips/back end.
Its something that you have to live with and I try not to think too much about it. Just enjoy the time that you have together, sure enough maybe the statistics are high but that doesn't mean to say that you dog will have that particular problem.
Helena
I have heard this too but not just cancer they are prone to various other illnesses too. After losing my German Shepherd in June last year and going through the heartache, I was really wary about taking on a boxer. After consulting my vet who I trust 100%, he said that every breed seems to have a tendency to certain problems not just boxers and to put it to the back of mine mind. German Shepherds are known to have problems with their back ends and hips. My Jazz lived for 13 yrs with a slight heart murmur and in the end it was kidney failure that we lost her to...no problem with her hips/back end.
Its something that you have to live with and I try not to think too much about it. Just enjoy the time that you have together, sure enough maybe the statistics are high but that doesn't mean to say that you dog will have that particular problem.
Helena
Thomas Liggin
Boxer Insane
Boxers have been nicknamed "cancer factories" by some. As distasteful or offensive it may sound, it does illustrate that Boxers are prone to cancer. And while other dogs may develop cancer, Boxers seem to develop them at a younger age.
We lost Rocky to cancer. As heartwrenching as it was, we did not hesitate to get another. The sorrow is but a reflection of the joy they have brought to our lives. Not to miss them would mean that they didn't mean much to us.
Regarding wild animals being healthier than domestic. How do we know that to be true? Wild means that there are no health records on any given species. In nature, the weak and sickly become food for predators, or are driven from the group. Those not fit for breeding are eliminated, not only by predators, but also by the hierarchy within their groups.
Disease does decimate wild animals. Rabies is the one that immediately comes to mind, but there are others such as distemper, and many of the other diseases that we innoculate against.
However, those that remain after an epidemic has claimed many, do so because they have a natural immunity, or strong immune systems that enable them to overcome the disease. This is a trait that can be passed on to their offspring.
How much of a role did "developing" the various breeds play in determining what their health issues would be? Can anyone answer that? Breeds were developed for specific purposes, or for a particular appearance to some arbitrary standard. They were bred to arrive at a specified physical appearance. It may have been size or shape, but those were the prime considerations in breeding them.
Little thought was given to health considerations.
In the wild, canine species may gorge themselves after a "kill", then go several days without eating. While some recommend fasting a dog periodically, I have heard no one suggest not feeding them for several days, then stuffing them with food.
In fact, many recommend feeding two or three meals daily rather than one. Do a search on feeding here, and some will feed their dog a small snack before their regular feeding to reduce vomiting or regurgitation.
As much as we know about cancer, there is much more that we don't know. There are known carcinogens, and there are suspected carcinogens. Some foods seem to inhibit the development of cancer, while others are suspected of causing, or "encouraging" cancer to develop in certain parts of the body.
Since Boxers have a relatively short life, it is our responsibility to make the most of the time we have with them. Enjoy them, and make their lives enjoyable. Doing that will help to improve their health and ours.
Tom
We lost Rocky to cancer. As heartwrenching as it was, we did not hesitate to get another. The sorrow is but a reflection of the joy they have brought to our lives. Not to miss them would mean that they didn't mean much to us.
Regarding wild animals being healthier than domestic. How do we know that to be true? Wild means that there are no health records on any given species. In nature, the weak and sickly become food for predators, or are driven from the group. Those not fit for breeding are eliminated, not only by predators, but also by the hierarchy within their groups.
Disease does decimate wild animals. Rabies is the one that immediately comes to mind, but there are others such as distemper, and many of the other diseases that we innoculate against.
However, those that remain after an epidemic has claimed many, do so because they have a natural immunity, or strong immune systems that enable them to overcome the disease. This is a trait that can be passed on to their offspring.
How much of a role did "developing" the various breeds play in determining what their health issues would be? Can anyone answer that? Breeds were developed for specific purposes, or for a particular appearance to some arbitrary standard. They were bred to arrive at a specified physical appearance. It may have been size or shape, but those were the prime considerations in breeding them.
Little thought was given to health considerations.
In the wild, canine species may gorge themselves after a "kill", then go several days without eating. While some recommend fasting a dog periodically, I have heard no one suggest not feeding them for several days, then stuffing them with food.
In fact, many recommend feeding two or three meals daily rather than one. Do a search on feeding here, and some will feed their dog a small snack before their regular feeding to reduce vomiting or regurgitation.
As much as we know about cancer, there is much more that we don't know. There are known carcinogens, and there are suspected carcinogens. Some foods seem to inhibit the development of cancer, while others are suspected of causing, or "encouraging" cancer to develop in certain parts of the body.
Since Boxers have a relatively short life, it is our responsibility to make the most of the time we have with them. Enjoy them, and make their lives enjoyable. Doing that will help to improve their health and ours.
Tom
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