My family and I are considering adopting a white boxer puppy. Does anyone have any infromation on these dogs before i adopt? The information I have gathered has been mixed and sometimes contradictiong. Do white boxers actually have more genetic defects that those that are not? Why do breeder put them down? Don't they still make exceptional pets despite their "less than desireable markings". Also, generally speaking, which of the two sexes is more docile and accepting of young children (1-6 yr olds). Thanks for the advice.
white boxers
- Thread starter MCALVO
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A white boxer does not meet the breed standard set by the American Boxer Club (ABC) - more than 1/3 of the coat white. Some breeders from the "old school" did and continue to put them down because they do not meet the breed standard and the ABC for years, while not condoning putting them down, did not provide a breeder a means of placing the white puppy. The ABC however, has changed the rules to basically allow a white boxer puppy to be placed in a pet home. No fee should be charged (although some breeders will ask for a fee to cover expenses) and the puppy should be placed with a spay/neuter contract because breeding them would not further enhance the breed standards. Contrary to propular belief, white boxers are not rare - based on genetics about 25% of them are white. You are seeing more and more of them because of the change in the placement policy by the ABC. I "purchased" Lucy from a reputable breeder who asked for what I thought was a rather minimal donation to boxer rescue.
As for the health problems, some of the myths were that whites were more prone to deafness and other genetic abnormalites - all of which I believe remain substantially unproven. There is a movement to allow white boxers from ABC breeders to be given a limited registration with AKC in order to try tracking some of these issue. Lucy is a perfectly health one-year old boxer puppy. She is not deaf and has one blue eye (said to follow the white marking) and one brown eye. She is the perfect pet companion. White boxers (like any white short hair dog) do have a tendency to sunburn. I use children's sunblock on Lucy's ears, nose, and back, when we are going to be outside for a lenghty period of time.
As for the sex - I have only had females and do not have children - although my girls get along great with kids. I have females based on personal choice, and they are great lovers and protecters. However, I have always heard that it is typically the male who is the lover and the feamle who is a little "snooty." But as we all know - one of the boxers most well known trait is their abilities with children - no matter what the sex.
Good luck with your decision. I don't know how you can go wrong with a Boxer - no matter what the color!
As for the health problems, some of the myths were that whites were more prone to deafness and other genetic abnormalites - all of which I believe remain substantially unproven. There is a movement to allow white boxers from ABC breeders to be given a limited registration with AKC in order to try tracking some of these issue. Lucy is a perfectly health one-year old boxer puppy. She is not deaf and has one blue eye (said to follow the white marking) and one brown eye. She is the perfect pet companion. White boxers (like any white short hair dog) do have a tendency to sunburn. I use children's sunblock on Lucy's ears, nose, and back, when we are going to be outside for a lenghty period of time.
As for the sex - I have only had females and do not have children - although my girls get along great with kids. I have females based on personal choice, and they are great lovers and protecters. However, I have always heard that it is typically the male who is the lover and the feamle who is a little "snooty." But as we all know - one of the boxers most well known trait is their abilities with children - no matter what the sex.
Good luck with your decision. I don't know how you can go wrong with a Boxer - no matter what the color!
JulieM
Boxer Insane
The only condition that white Boxers are proven to be more prone to is deafness, which is due to a lack of pigmentation in the inner ear. They are also more prone to sunburn, but I wouldn't consider that a "condition" 
During the war, Boxers were used as war dogs. A white coat (and even a lot of white markings) was unacceptable (too visible at night), and since meat was rationed breeders needed to spend their efforts on the dogs that would be useful as war dog. I'd imagine they were culled from litters at birth, although I can't say I've read that anywhere. The goal was to eliminate the white coat color from the breed (which proved to be impossible since white is not a coat color, but a marking pattern.)
After the war, the stigma surrounding whites continued, and in the US the American Boxer Club Breeder's Code of Ethics forbid the sale, registration, or *placement* of white Boxers. Breeders had to choose to either cull whites at birth, or keep them all. (There are those who took them to the vets to be euthanized, and let the vets find them homes.)
Happily, the COE was changed in 1985(?) so that placements of white Boxers was allowed. (They still cannot be "sold" or registered, although that will change at some point in the future.) There are still a few old-time breeders who cull their whites, but they are getting older, and fewer. Most breeders today place their whites in loving homes on spay/neuter contracts, and they often go on to be successful in performance events. Somewhere on the board there is a statistic about the high number of white Boxers being used as service dogs....
Genetically, white Boxers have no more and no less chance of problems than their colored littermates - they have the same gene pool to draw from. They are Boxers, through and through, and they have the same qualities as colored Boxers that will make them exceptional pets
As for sex - I tend to prefer the males (but don't tell my girls that! ) They are a handful as puppies and young adults, but once they've matured they are, IMO, more laid-back and loving than the females. Of course, each individual dog is different, and I know there are many laid-back and loving females. (In fact, my brood bitch is *excellent* with children and very calm, and if I'm sitting down she has to be in my lap. She doesn't seem to express the sheer joy of being with me that my boys do, though.) I always tell people to pick the puppy that they "click" with, regardless of sex or color. If you teach your puppy how to behave around children, and you teach your children how to behave around dogs, you shouldn't have any problems. (Boxers are boisterous, though, and may knock down small children accidentally! If you start training right away not to jump on people, you can probably avoid most of these mishaps.)
During the war, Boxers were used as war dogs. A white coat (and even a lot of white markings) was unacceptable (too visible at night), and since meat was rationed breeders needed to spend their efforts on the dogs that would be useful as war dog. I'd imagine they were culled from litters at birth, although I can't say I've read that anywhere. The goal was to eliminate the white coat color from the breed (which proved to be impossible since white is not a coat color, but a marking pattern.)
After the war, the stigma surrounding whites continued, and in the US the American Boxer Club Breeder's Code of Ethics forbid the sale, registration, or *placement* of white Boxers. Breeders had to choose to either cull whites at birth, or keep them all. (There are those who took them to the vets to be euthanized, and let the vets find them homes.)
Happily, the COE was changed in 1985(?) so that placements of white Boxers was allowed. (They still cannot be "sold" or registered, although that will change at some point in the future.) There are still a few old-time breeders who cull their whites, but they are getting older, and fewer. Most breeders today place their whites in loving homes on spay/neuter contracts, and they often go on to be successful in performance events. Somewhere on the board there is a statistic about the high number of white Boxers being used as service dogs....
Genetically, white Boxers have no more and no less chance of problems than their colored littermates - they have the same gene pool to draw from. They are Boxers, through and through, and they have the same qualities as colored Boxers that will make them exceptional pets
As for sex - I tend to prefer the males (but don't tell my girls that!
) They are a handful as puppies and young adults, but once they've matured they are, IMO, more laid-back and loving than the females. Of course, each individual dog is different, and I know there are many laid-back and loving females. (In fact, my brood bitch is *excellent* with children and very calm, and if I'm sitting down she has to be in my lap. She doesn't seem to express the sheer joy of being with me that my boys do, though.) I always tell people to pick the puppy that they "click" with, regardless of sex or color. If you teach your puppy how to behave around children, and you teach your children how to behave around dogs, you shouldn't have any problems. (Boxers are boisterous, though, and may knock down small children accidentally! If you start training right away not to jump on people, you can probably avoid most of these mishaps.)PawPrintBoxers
Banned
White Boxers make wonderful pets. Their coat color is not acceptable towards showing and breeding, but does that matter when you just want a buddy? Of course not. Just spray some sun screen on them when going out on a sunny day and you are good to go The prior replies were wonderful, by the way
The prior replies were wonderful, by the way AWHarrison
Boxer Pal
I had to put a white boxer down about a month ago, but only due to age. She was born on Jan 18, 1988 and we had 13 absolutely wonderful years together! I was lied to when I bought her - was told that I could show her (obviously I had not done any homework other than loving the breed!). In Canada, whites can be registered and shown in obedience. I found that she only got the typical boxer ailments as she grew older, like arthritis and starting to go blind and deaf (but only when it suited her!) after about the age of 8. That will happen with fawn and brindle boxers as well. Lady was 3 years old when my daughter was born and she was absolutely wonderful with her and her friends. I've only had female boxers - in fact, I have 3 two year old flashy fawns right now - so can't really make any comment about choosing the sex. Lady was super hyper until she was slowed by arthritis and my 3 girls now are also pretty hyper; it depends on what you allow them to get away with, because they will always test their boundaries! I read in other posts that their whites were prone to sunburn - Lady never had sunburn and I didn't put sunscreen on her, so I guess it depends on the strength of the sun where you live. Anyway, as a small time breeder, I say go ahead and get a white if you don't want to show in conformation! They are GREAT pets who can certainly give you a lifelong love for the breed!!
Adrienne
Adrienne
Hi,
We lost our Rosie (white female)last december and I also think you should't worry about the color if you don't intent to join any contest.
She was our 3rd boxer and first white.
She wasn't different from the previous 2 , just as lovable and cute .
She was already 1 1/2 year when our daughter was born.
There were no problems.
I had to teach my daughter how to act with a dog but Rosie needed no teaching at all!!
At the age of 5 1/2 she suddenly developed pancreas-cancer and after 2 months she died...
I looked in the different threads however and found at least 4 other cases of this desease with simmilar outcome, but all were with colored boxers.
Therefore I wouldn't say that whites have weaker healths but neither are they stronger.
Just be realistic in your expectations and you can't go wrong.
I wish you lots of joy with your new pup.
Chri
We lost our Rosie (white female)last december and I also think you should't worry about the color if you don't intent to join any contest.
She was our 3rd boxer and first white.
She wasn't different from the previous 2 , just as lovable and cute .
She was already 1 1/2 year when our daughter was born.
There were no problems.
I had to teach my daughter how to act with a dog but Rosie needed no teaching at all!!
At the age of 5 1/2 she suddenly developed pancreas-cancer and after 2 months she died...
I looked in the different threads however and found at least 4 other cases of this desease with simmilar outcome, but all were with colored boxers.
Therefore I wouldn't say that whites have weaker healths but neither are they stronger.
Just be realistic in your expectations and you can't go wrong.
I wish you lots of joy with your new pup.
Chri
faely[{SR}]
Boxer Pal
the way i understand it...white boxers are beautiful...the problem i am finding is that they may go blind or be deaf or have hip displacyia...breeders tend to not want to breed because of thiese possible defects...other than that, they are very good dogs for children of all ages..good luck
Tulsa-Dan
Your Friendly Moderator
I think you have a lot of valuable information here about white boxers. They are, in my opinion, the same as any other boxer. Any pure bred dog can be born deaf, blind, have genetic problems, etc., etc. These are part of the risks of highly bred dogs over many many decades such as the boxer.
I have a 2year old white female. She's as normal as my other flashy fawn boxer. She is so affectionate and wiggly and loves to run and play and is very protective of me. She's a little shy of people at times, but that is pretty much a boxer trait, from what I understand. They tend to be wary of strangers at first, but respond to genuine friendly overtures from strangers.
I'd take another white boxer (if I had the room) any time, even if that boxer were deaf. I combine hand signals with voice commands anyway, so it would be no problem training a deaf boxer for me, I don't think. And there are lots of people out there with deaf dogs who have trained them and wouldn't trade their dogs for anything in the world.
Don't listen to the naysayers. If you want a white boxer, by all means find the right one for you and go for it. You won't be sorry.
I have a 2year old white female. She's as normal as my other flashy fawn boxer. She is so affectionate and wiggly and loves to run and play and is very protective of me. She's a little shy of people at times, but that is pretty much a boxer trait, from what I understand. They tend to be wary of strangers at first, but respond to genuine friendly overtures from strangers.
I'd take another white boxer (if I had the room) any time, even if that boxer were deaf. I combine hand signals with voice commands anyway, so it would be no problem training a deaf boxer for me, I don't think. And there are lots of people out there with deaf dogs who have trained them and wouldn't trade their dogs for anything in the world.
Don't listen to the naysayers. If you want a white boxer, by all means find the right one for you and go for it. You won't be sorry.
E
Eddie's mom
Guest
First I'd like to say that white boxers who are deaf are born deaf, they don't become deaf, so if you get a puppy that is not deaf than he is not deaf! Right?? Or am I wrong?
I don't know much about all the rules and regulations, just what I have learned here and saw on the surveys.
I do know I have a pure white male named Eddie and he is wonderful and healthy, as are 4 other white boxers I know, 2 of which are Eddie's Parents.
I think a white puppy is a good choice, they deserve good loving homes too. If you just want your puppy for a family member and not for show than go for white I say!!! Of course I am biased.
I don't know much about all the rules and regulations, just what I have learned here and saw on the surveys.
I do know I have a pure white male named Eddie and he is wonderful and healthy, as are 4 other white boxers I know, 2 of which are Eddie's Parents.
I think a white puppy is a good choice, they deserve good loving homes too. If you just want your puppy for a family member and not for show than go for white I say!!! Of course I am biased.
DebHemsley
Boxer Pal
White Boxer ?
I have a white boxer called Taz she is 2 years old and she will shortly be receiving an award from the RSPCA as she saved my life last year. My husband has had 4 Boxers one previous one was white Sheri. She died when she was 11 years old. The White Boxer Rescue Centre in the UK says that there is no real increased health rish with whites and if you look back into the history of Boxers they were all originally white it was only because they were white and in the war they were used as watch dogs and at night they were more noticable and were shot which is why the army asked if they could have red or brindle in future.
All white deserve a chance. My husband playes me up because I always say that if ever I won the lottery I would but a farm and all people would be ably to see is a flock of white boxers and not sheep!!!!!
I have a white boxer called Taz she is 2 years old and she will shortly be receiving an award from the RSPCA as she saved my life last year. My husband has had 4 Boxers one previous one was white Sheri. She died when she was 11 years old. The White Boxer Rescue Centre in the UK says that there is no real increased health rish with whites and if you look back into the history of Boxers they were all originally white it was only because they were white and in the war they were used as watch dogs and at night they were more noticable and were shot which is why the army asked if they could have red or brindle in future.
All white deserve a chance. My husband playes me up because I always say that if ever I won the lottery I would but a farm and all people would be ably to see is a flock of white boxers and not sheep!!!!!
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