Boxers are prone to develop
cancers,
heart conditions such as
Aortic Stenosis and
Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (the so-called "Boxer Cardiomyopathy"),
hypothyroidism,
hip dysplasia, and
degenerative myelopathy; other conditions that may be seen are
gastric dilatation and
torsion (bloat),
intestinal problems, and
allergies (although these may be more related to diet than breed).
Entropion is occasionally seen, a
malformation of the eyelid requiring surgical correction, and some lines have a tendency to develop
spondylosis deformans, a fusing of the spine.
Responsible breeders use available tests to screen their breeding stock before breeding, and in some cases throughout the life of the dog, in an attempt to minimize the occurrence of these diseases in future generations.
HIP DYSPLASIAOne of the biggest health concerns for all Boxer owners is Hip Dysplasia.
This is the number one cause of lameness is the hindquarters in Boxers and should be something all Boxer owners should be aware of. Hip Dysplasia is an arthritic condition originating from looseness in the hip itself.
Hip Dysplasia occurs in the ball and socket joint where the thighbone (femur) joins the pelvis. In dogs looseness in the joint can be caused by the tissue, which hold the joint in place. Over time the looseness in the joint will lead to abnormalities of the bone in the ball and socket.
Hip Dysplasia is typically seen in elder dogs as opposed to young pups. Research has not shown that the looseness of the tissues does not change over time from when the dog is young.
The problems in the elder years are caused by the looseness in the joint over a prolonged period of time causing arthritic problems with the dog.
The main resource for information and research on Hip Dysplasia is conducted by the
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).The OFA believes little change occurs in testing for Hip Dysplasia after a dog reaches 4 months of age. As a precaution, they do require testing of dogs up to 2 years and older for certification purposes. It is better to err on the side of caution when dealing with a dogs health and this is the reasoning behind the adulthood testing.
The best prevention for a potential owner is to choose a breeder who have their Boxers tested for Hip Dysplasia and other common health concerns for the Boxer breed.
When the parents of the pup have been certified to be free of any genetic hip issues it increases the chance of a health Boxer baby. Often buying from a breeder with certified Boxers the cost for a pet is much higher. In the long run it is well worth it, as you will have a healthier, happier new addition to the family.
CONDITIONING