white boxers, any probs with them?

[fordraceing_]

skin problems

i called my local vet here and she said to stay away from white boxers because they have all types of problems she said besides being deaf they have skin problems and that its something wrong with there genes.
is any of this true?

 

[gmacleod]

This is a different vet to the one that just told you that any health issues related to being white was a myth, I presume?

The only "skin problem" white boxers have is that they are susceptible to sunburn. So you have to protect them from the sun, especially around the nose area. You have to do that for boxers with white markings too, since they'll burn just as easily. And just as for people, sunburn puts dogs at risk of melanoma. Use sunblock and you've got no problems.

 

[Vela]

I have two boxers, one white (2) and one brindle (4 1/2). My brindle has had many many more health problems than my white boy has. He has never had any health problems or allergies, or skin problems. He is not deaf. I just make sure if he's going to be in the sun for a while to put sunscreen on him so he doesn't burn. We have had no problems with him in any way and I've had him since 8 weeks old. Only about 18-23% (roughly) of the white boxers born are deaf. You can have a Baer test done at around 5 weeks to test but I found that speaking or clapping my hands worked just as well. I picked out my boy at 3 days old. I train my dogs using both hand and voice signals. They learn from hand signals just as well. The only thing you MUST be sure of is they have an enclosed space to play in if they are deaf as recall can't be yelled out to them. I do notice more white hair all over things than my brindle girl but I think it's just because you can see it better.

 

[Sirus'Mommy]

I don't know about the blind thing, but the deaf thing is absolutely true!! White boxers tend to be deaf...

No...white Boxers don't tend to be deaf...that would mean that it's totally normal...and that non-deaf white Boxers would be abnormal...it's vice-versa. It's heard of that white Boxers are deaf...but it's not a tendency. Sorry...just had to throw my 2 cents in...

 

[fordraceing_]

yes

yes it was a different vet, every vet i talked to said something different about white boxers, one said they all have probs one said they aren't any different then fawn and brindle. so i don't know

 

[Sirus'Mommy]

Besides the deafness thing and the fact that they can get a sunburn...they are no different than fawn or brindle Boxers...just a little more high maintainence in the "keeping them clean" department!

Try and find a vet to talk to next time that maybe knows a little bit about the Boxer breed. That's what I did. I had one vet that knew absolutly nothing about Boxers...and told me that because Sirus was a little hyper (nothing to do with being white...some are just more high-strung than others) there was something wrong with him! So...I told him "Good Day!" and found a new vet that knows the Boxer breed. It was the best switch I ever made!

 

[beausmommy]

Beau had his one year checkup and vaccinations last month and the vet said that he's very healthy. He's not deaf by any means! His breeder has a deaf white male she is keeping because she doesn't think anyone else would love him like she does. One telling sign of deafness is blue eyes but just because a white dog has blue eyes does not mean it will be deaf. I have spray on sunscreen for the summer. A guy at the dog park told me that he thinks Beau is one of the most beautiful boxers he's ever seen because he is so unique looking. I've never seen another boxer that looks quite like Beau. That's one reason I love him so much! I don't think they run any higher risks of health problems than other boxers. Just do a hearing test before bringing your pup home. Even if he is deaf-would you love him any less? Deaf dogs need loving homes, too.

As far as shedding-Beau didn't until a couple of weeks ago. It's warming up now and I could make a sweater out of all the hair in my house. I just wear a lot of white!

 

[KCboxer4]

One of each

I have had one of each, I say had because I lost my brindle boy to cancer a little over a year ago. I have Maya, flashy fawn, who gets seasonal alopetia (sp) and my brindle boy did also, every year. Roxie my white princess is 12 1/2 years old and never had aproblem with anything, all of my kids came from very reputible breeders, ( Dylan was from a different breeder than the girls). I have to say Roxie is tough as nails, no worries, no problems. She just started to loose her hearing last year, but she is still good and healthy and happy!!!! I'd do it all again. As far as shedding, I agree with everyone else, it's just the white that shows up, ( black isnt a hugely worn color around here )

 

[sashamom]

My white girl hears just fine, although is rather selective in WHEN she chooses to hear me...LOL! She gets sunburned in the summer as we live in a rather warm climate and I do have to be careful with sunscreen. She has extremely sensitive skin and gets hives rather easily and her coat is rather thin so she can scratch 'red marks' on her skin very quickly! However with that being said i know several other white boxers who are 'tough as nails' like my Telmar (fawn).....It's truly just based on the dog, although i would agree that the deaf rate in boxers is around 20%.

 

[Marybeth18]

As far as shedding-Beau didn't until a couple of weeks ago. It's warming up now and I could make a sweater out of all the hair in my house. I just wear a lot of white!

Good idea - I have to go shopping!

Seriously though, find a new vet. One who knows about Boxers and their health issues and quirks .That's what I did when a vet in my old practice accused Daisy of being uncontrollable (she was sitting patiently). Our present vet volunteers his services to boxer rescue and owns several boxers as well as being a foster parent for rescue. I trust any decision he makes with my babies.