White Boxers prone to allergies?

[Bail's mommy]

Hi everyone,

I'm new here and I am finding it interesting that I don't see many posts about White Boxers with allergies...
I have a beautiful white boxer named Bailey, he is about 5 years old - and he is allergic to just about EVERYTHING! Seriously though, he's been tested, and he's allergic to hundreds of different things....anything from pollen to dog shampoo -

Anyway, the reason for my post - is that my vet has said that allergies are common to white boxers, and will probably get worse as he gets older...

Anyone else find this to be the case?

I actually have his skin looking the best it's ever looked - I adopted him from a friend about 1 year ago, and he had sores and scabs everywhere. It was horrible. They had him on medicated shampoo and conditioner (which he was allergic to), and I've put him on an all natural, hypo-allergenic kind, which he seems to do pretty good with....I've also changed his food.

I also am finding that sometimes his scratching is behavior induced. If he's alone for example. Anyone else have this happen?
Just curious...
Aside from all his medical issues (if ya can call it that) - he is the absolute best dog and best friend I have ever had!

 

[Vela]

Honestly enough at least based on this board I read more about boxers who aren't white with allergies more often than I read about whites having alleriges. I have a white boy and he doesn't appear to be allergic to anything at all. I really do not think white's are more prone to anything over their colored counterparts other than sunburn and an slightly increased chance of deafness. LOTS of boxers seem to have allergies, not just whites. I have to tell you though that I think it's great you are trying so hard to make him comfortable and help him with his problems. Lots of people wouldn't invest the time and money in a "high maintenance" dog like that. Interestingly enough, for me anyway, my brindle girl is high maintenance whereas my white boy is good as gold. I think honestly that it just dog sepcific rather than color specific as far as that goes. Good luck on helping him and finding things hes not allergic to.

 

[Adelle]

I don't believe that white boxers are more prone to allergies than any other color of boxer. I think allergies are common in boxers in general. My white boy has no allergy problems at all but my fawn girl does. Your vet may still be living in the world where whites are considered to have more health problems than a fawn or brindle, which of course is not true.

Have you considered switching to a raw diet? It may help - I am thinking about it myself to see if it will help with my fawn girls allergies.


Adelle, Finnegan, CGC & Nessa, CGC
Boxer Buddies Rescue & Adoption Inc.

 

[FarleyBoxer]

I would agree that Bailey's allergies probably have more to do with breed than with color. The boxer is an allergy-prone breed, generally speaking. Whites have other color-specific issues, but I don't think allergies are one of them.

Camille

 

[harley'smama]

My white boy, Harley, has no allergy issues while my fawn, Zoe does. The only problem with anything Harley has ever had was when I put him on Flint River Ranch food, he has loose stools. I think the food was too rich for him so I took him off of it.
Like everyone else has mentioned, boxers are a breed prone to allergies anyway.

 

[cozza]

K & T's Aussie mum

Hi everyone,

I'm new here and I am finding it interesting that I don't see many posts about White Boxers with allergies...
I have a beautiful white boxer named Bailey, he is about 5 years old - and he is allergic to just about EVERYTHING! Seriously though, he's been tested, and he's allergic to hundreds of different things....anything from pollen to dog shampoo -

Anyway, the reason for my post - is that my vet has said that allergies are common to white boxers, and will probably get worse as he gets older...

Anyone else find this to be the case?

I actually have his skin looking the best it's ever looked - I adopted him from a friend about 1 year ago, and he had sores and scabs everywhere. It was horrible. They had him on medicated shampoo and conditioner (which he was allergic to), and I've put him on an all natural, hypo-allergenic kind, which he seems to do pretty good with....I've also changed his food.

I also am finding that sometimes his scratching is behavior induced. If he's alone for example. Anyone else have this happen?
Just curious...
Aside from all his medical issues (if ya can call it that) - he is the absolute best dog and best friend I have ever had!

Hi Bail's mum, we have a tan Boxer and a white boxer, I find my white boxer loses a lot more of his hair, and where he has had some surgery on his ear the hair doesn't seem to want to grow back in that area. People said we were mad to get a white boxer because of the allergies and skin cancers he many get, but I wouldn't trade him for anything in the world, he is a absolute angel!!

 

[Jan]

From what I understand, the only thing the white boxers are more prone to is deafness. In everything else they are the same a coloured boxers.

 

[Simba]

Hey all... Just some info if it helps mabey? Simba is White and she has allergies out her bum!!!!!! Now matter of fact YESTERDAY.... I made a trip to the Vet with Simba AGAIN! This is 2 times in a week. ALLERGIES! She is on 2 types of pills. Now get this ok,.... Our Vet Said White boxers are More prone to Allergies due to the sentisve skin (sorry spelling) and there ammune system's Are alote weeker then other boxers. Some white boxers has more problems then other but We have been told that white boxers are more prone to allergies! (may be wrong but this is our 3 vet that has told us this due to having a white boxer) I love Simba and all but she really knows how to run up a vet bill She is healing but still can not take her out due to allergies and waiting for her whelps and hives to clear up. It dont matter what season it is with her when she has thease allergic outbreaks. Winter spring summer or fall. She is my life wouldnt give nor take anything for her. Will wrestle the vet bill's :eek: she is worth it all.

 

[EMWAZ]

I don't think white boxers are anymore prone I have a white and a fawn and actually the fawn used to have more problems with allergies than the white. The white Buster just gets very pink sometimes which maybe be allergies. Once again though I have to praise our change of food to pro plan sensitive stomach and skin, they all look great since they've been on it.. Also I think its weird that your vet said your dogs allergies would get worse, I think my fawn boxers have gotten better since he's older... No problems especially since the change in food..

 

[kassa]

White boxers are NOT more allergy prone than fawn or brindle boxers.

White boxers are, in fact, either fawn or brindle themselves, genetically. It's an exaggeration of the regular marking pattern, not a separate color.

Immune diseases often initially present with skin problems. Definitely try addressing this with a quality diet low in artificial ingredients. There are special diets for dogs with various allergies (I think Wellness makes a fish and potato diet, for example, that can be used for dogs with chicken/wheat/rice allergies.)

It's a shame that some vets perpetuate the myths about white boxers. The only thing proven is the deafness link, and the danger of sunburn, but the sunburn risk is real to fawn and brindle boxers too -- on the parts of them that are white! "White" boxers just have more area that qualifies!

Enjoy your white kids -- aside from showing and breeding they're the equal of any other boxer!

Kathryn Saxon
Daisax Boxers