White Boxer

[Jazzmin'mom]

I met so called breeders like that and you were right not to deal with them. They try to make people believe that the whites are rare and all they care about is money. I would never deal with anybody who was in the business of breeding for the money. I believe that these are the types running puppy mills. Regards,

 

[MCANINCH]

I am responding to the comment that some people get "pissed" when people state that white boxers are good pets and should not be bred. Having 2 white purebred boxers in my family I feel they are just as good as any fawn or brindle purebred boxer but I do know they are more prone to deafness and skin conditions therefore I would not breed them due to the fact I would not want to pass these genes on. I also have a Jacquets boxer who comes from a long line of high quality purebreds--my dogs parents were heart tested, hip tested etc.. Both of my dog's parents were champions in the show ring but my boxer has only one testicle. Yes he comes from a good line and is a purebred but I would not breed him due to the fact I would not want to pass this trait on. I do not get "pissed" when people tell me this--it is a fact even though he is just as purebred as many other boxers. In my opion you should breed for health, temperment, and looks and if any of these are going to be comprimised then the dog should not be bred regardless of color.

 

[JulieM]

"In my opion you should breed for health, temperment, and looks and if any of these are going to be comprimised then the dog should not be bred regardless of color."

What a wonderful statement! I agree wholeheartedly (although I would say adherence to the standard instead of looks, to avoid being accused of breeding barbie dolls ). However, could you not also say that "You should breed for health, temperament and looks, and if none of these will be compromised then the dog should be bred, regardless of color?" Granted white is at this time a disqualification and so does not adhere to the standard, but hopefully you get my point.

The thing that I think really upsets people about being told whites should not be bred are statments like "it is proven that they are genetically deficient." It is not _proven_ that they are anything because no testing has ever been done. Are white Boxers more prone to deafness? Probably - since it's likely that deafness in Boxers is due to lack of pigmentation in the ear canal. Are white Boxers omre prone to sunburn/skin cancer? Probably - just as lighter skinned people are. However, none of this has been researched so it cannot be considered to be proven. And, none of this means that white Boxers are in any way "genetically deficient." They carry the same genes as their colored littermates, and we certainly would not consider them to be deficient. Some of them are the top Boxers in the country!

Do I think white Boxers should be bred? Well, no, but only because the ABC Code of Ethics forbids it, and I think that every breeder should abide by the parent club Code of Ethics. Do I think that the ABC should step into the 20th century (now that it's over) and get their heads out of the sand regarding the status of white Boxers? You betcha!

(I really tried to stay quiet on this, honest, but I just couldn't do it! Self-control has never been my strong suit )

Julie

 

[Jazzmin'mom]

I agree with the statement that one should breed for health, temperment and looks...

What I get pissed at is when people feel the need to tell me this and imply, sometimes even come right out and say that my dog is inferior to theirs or other "more acceptable colours" I had a breeder actually tell me that my dog should not have been allowed to live - thats someone I feel should not be allowed to own animal, much less breed them!
I also agree that breeders should adhere to the codes set up by their governing association but that maybe the associations should re-think their standards somewhat.
Regarding breeding whites - I really do not know. I think that no matter how meticulous one is about pedigree, lineage or whatever there will always be a degree of chance involved otherwise there would not be any white ones. My dog is a pet so I had her spayed but only because I do not want puppies of any kind. I really do not know enough about genetics to argue. Perhaps because I don't think of it as a business - I would make a terrible breeder - I would keep them all!

 

[Hev]

White Boxers

I had two white Boxers one unfortunately passed away on 17.1.2001 at the grand old age of 16 years - she was one of a litter of 14 pups all of which she outlived. She had a spleen removal with a tumour growth at age 12 and bounced back to full health immediately - she was loyal, strong, good natured and had full use of her eyes and ears (until she became aged). She had a small brindle patch over part of her ear and forehead and black marks on the skin on her belly - she came to me free of charge at eight weeks old but there were several families after her - the Kennel Club were furious that she had been allowed to live!! I also have Katie who is three years old and cost me £200 she is fully Kennel Club Registered but when I have shown her in the past the Judge will not look at her (even for the novelty classes - i.e. dog with the most appealing face). She is also a brilliant dog and I would not swap her - but breeders in Britain still put white pups down - why??!!

 

[Jazzmin'mom]

To Hev,

I am terribly sorry for the loss of your pal. It must be comforting to know that yours lived to a ripe old age without too much worry. I was told that a boxers lifespan is about 8 years so you were quite lucky. Regarding your question as to why some breeders put down white pups, as far as I know it is to insure that the genes from that dog are not passed down to another generation, I also think it is because they do not want people to know that one of their bitches/dogs carries the gene for white. Alot of breeders here have spay/neuter clauses for white dogs meaning that the purchaser agrees to have the animal fixed as soon as they are old enough. Whatever the reason is I think that it is an extremely heartless practice and I question the persons love for their dogs - such people do not care for their animals, just money and recognition. As with any other predjudice, it makes no sense at all. Good for you going into the shows. One day I am sure they will be accepted. I agree with you, I find my Jazz to be a great animal. She is fantastic with my kids and has sooooo much personality (now if I could only get her to stop chasing the cats!)LOL. Take care,

 

[Hev]

White Boxers

To Jazzmin.Mom

Thanks for your answer and words of encouragement - I also own two horses both of them Colours (Skewbalds) and when I first started showing them they were very much looked down on - however recently they have become highly fashionable and I have had a lot of success. At the Horse Shows we have here they also run dog shows alongside them - so this year I will start showing Katie in earnest. I will let Boxer World know how I get on. Regarding Kelly my boxer who now sleeps - she is buried at the bottom of our garden and friends have brought plants and flowers to put at her graveside - one a rose called "Remember Me" - we all miss her so much as even when she was very ill she followed us everywhere and was very much a part of our family and lives. Thanks Again!!

 

[Jazzmin'mom]

Hev,
Good luck with your showing, both dogs and horses-my two favorite pasttimes, I ride also but unfortunately I do not have one of my own so I lease.
Remember that it does get easier as time goes by but it never goes away completely - I still miss my Rotti who passed years ago-it sounds weird but it actually feels good when I miss them.
Regards,
Liz

 

[JulieM]

I can't speak for the UK but I think the main reason white pups are still put down in the US is the misconception that they are more prone to health problems than their colored littermates. Breeders have learned after sixty years that they will not eliminate the white marking pattern from the gene pool by culling white puppies.

I'm curious how you were able to show your white Boxer in the UK? It is a disqualification in the Standard, is it not? Or were you showing in Obedience/Agility. (Sorry, I'm just a bit confused!)

Julie

 

[PawPrintBoxers]

As a show breeder I honestly do not have a problem with placing White pups in good homes versus culling. I believe they are wonderful and deserve as much love as a colored puppy. And while I don't register them, you don't need AKC papers to love your Boxer.