Boxer Dog Health Information

The boxer is a popular family dog that is highly intelligent, obedient and loyal to its family. When cared for properly, boxers are relatively healthy dogs, though there are some health concerns that boxer owners need to be aware of to help ensure their pet stays healthy.

  1. Heart Concerns

    • The most common heart condition that plagues boxer dogs is cardiomyopathy, a condition that causes the dog's heart to beat irregularly. Boxers can also experience other heart conditions such as subaortic stenosis and pulmonic stenosis, disorders that affect the flow of blood through the heart.

    Other Health Concerns

    • Other health conditions that are sometimes seen in the boxer breed are cases of epilepsy, cancerous and non-cancerous tumors, thyroid conditions and hip dysplasia. Boxer dogs also tend to be more prone to develop allergies that can cause skin problems such as excessive itching and hair loss.

    Considerations

    • Boxers have a short muzzle or "snub" nose. Short-muzzled dog breeds tend to have more respiratory issues than dogs with a longer snout. Boxer dogs should be monitored continuously for signs of respiratory concern like coughing, gasping or excessive sneezing.

    Prevention

    • Regular examinations by a certified veterinarian will help to prevent many health conditions your boxer can suffer from. Boxer dogs should be screened annually to detect any heart conditions that may be present so that proper treatment can be administered.

    Interesting Fact

    • White boxers have a higher tendency to experience deafness. This is due to the lack of pigment cells that are located in the inner ear canal, which can cause the sensory hair cells to debilitate, resulting in partial or total deafness.