White boxers?

[taraann81]

I just came across an ad on kijiji and people were looking for a white boxer. In the ad it stated that they new all about the "myths" involved with white boxers.

I was curious about these"myths".

A friend had a white boxer, growing up. His name was Future, and he was a nice dog. I remember my dad saying that white boxers were "not right".

What is it about white boxers? And if their is something inherently wrong with them, what causes it? Also is it genetic or can ANY to purebred boxers throw white pups?

This is just curiosity for me, boxers have never been a breed I've been particularly interested in (except when people have though my dogs were BIG boxers(bullmastiffs).

 

[bagendhens]

im not sure on the genetics with boxers, but i do know pure whites are more likely to have vision and hearing issues

 

[chickenlittle32]

Quote:
I, myself, have a white boxer and love him very much!!!

The percentage of white boxers being deaf or blind are similar to number of the fawn or brindle having the same issues....

White boxers aren't up to the Standard because Boxers, of course, are working dogs...and the white color would stick out instead of them being able to hide...
They aren't caused my genetic defects....The father and the mother carry the gene for the white coat...

 

[Haviris]

I would say about 10% are deaf, to me this would not be a deal breaker as far as pets. I do not know of any vision problems, I think that's one of those things that people get in their head, they get mixed up, that's my best guess. They may suffer alittle more from sunburn. Otherwise I don't think there is anything wrong w/ them, they make fine pets!

As for how you end up w/ them, they come from the flashy boxers (white blazes and collars), it's a maximun expression of the flashy. Statistically 25% of a flashy to flashy breeding would be white, or that's how I understand it.

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

White boxers, as with many domesticated animals, lack pigment. The genes for specific pigmentation on the body are also linked to problems with the animal. Skin allergies, sun sensitivities, higher risk of skin cancers, hair loss, hearing loss and blindness are all issues common to not only white boxers. But also white cats, other breeds of dogs, even some rodents. So, its not just a fault with the breed but is also looked down upon because these dogs are often medicaly more needy to take care of.

 

[taraann81]

Quote:
I, myself, have a white boxer and love him very much!!!

The percentage of white boxers being deaf or blind are similar to number of the fawn or brindle having the same issues....

White boxers aren't up to the Standard because Boxers, of course, are working dogs...and the white color would stick out instead of them being able to hide...
They aren't caused my genetic defects....The father and the mother carry the gene for the white coat...

Thanks. I didn't think the white coat was caused by a genetic defect I though maybe the white coat was linked to a genetic defect. Is the only difference the increased chance of being deaf? If thats it then why so many myths ? White coats in MANY breeds and even cats is linked to an increased chance of deafness(bull terriers, aussie shepherds, dalmations(the less spots on the ears and face the more chance of deafness to name a few)

Poor boxers got a bad wrap. Thanks for clarifying for me!

 

[redux]

I have a white boxer. He does not lack pigment - he is not an albino. He is a normal dog with white fur.

 

[taraann81]

Quote:
That pic is hilarious! What a pretty dog(looks well fed also

He has a very american bulldog look to him, I bet you get that alot(and I love american bulldogs).

He is gorgeous!

 

[redux]

Thanks- he is tall for a boxer, and about 90 pounds, with a big underbite. He does look like a bulldog on steroids.

This pic was taken right after his surgery for removal of a 40 pound tumor.

He is almost 10 and that is the only health problem he has ever had in his life. They said it was worth doing the surgery because he was in such good health otherwise.

 

[LAMchop]

I've been doing lots of dog research in anticipation of getting one

, and in one of the books I've been reading it says that up until about 80 years ago, most Boxers were predominantly white, but that color fell out of favor in the show ring, and all but disappeared. (The book is called "New Dog"- good read).