Have you ever seen a boxer dog before? You probably have them but you didn’t know what they were called. Boxer dogs are usually medium-sized, fairly stocky, and their coats are shiny, smooth, and short. Most boxer dogs have a fawn or brindle colored coat, many without any markings. Don’t be surprised if you find a boxer dog that has white markings on its belly and paws. Colorants like this earned them the reference name “flashy.”
When one third of the boxer’s coat is white, they are called white boxer dogs. Although white boxers make up 20 to 25 percent of the boxing population, they are not considered albino. Genetically, white boxer dogs have a fawn or brindle coat. However, there are so many white patches on the coat that it overrides the other colorations. This is the reason for its name. White boxer puppies can suffer from the same ailments that Caucasian humans suffer from. It is imperative to know this before buying a white boxer dog/puppy.
White boxer puppies can get sunburn at a higher risk than dogs that have a fawn or brindle coat color. They are also susceptible to getting skin cancer. The gene called piebald is to blame for the sensorineural deafness that is present at birth in these white boxer puppies. It occurs due to poor pigmentation of the inner ear. This can also lead to damage to the auditory nerve cells. Reports indicate that more than 18 percent of white boxer dogs are born deaf in one or both ears.
In the past, white boxer puppies were often killed. However, times have changed and breeders prefer to place white puppies in the homes of people who want a Boxer pet under the agreement that the pup will be neutered. Boxing clubs do not allow these dogs to compete in conformation shows. However, they can participate in non-conformity competitions (agility and obedience). No matter the color of the coat, they are the same as fawn and brindle boxers in every way.
White boxers are not immune to other common ailments that fawn and brindle dogs can have. You already know that they can develop skin cancer. They can also get other types of cancer, have heart problems including caridomyopathy. They are still susceptible to AS (SAS), hypothyroidism, degenerative myelopathy, and hip dysplasia. White boxer dogs may have other genetic conditions such as allergies, intestinal problems, and gastric dilation. White boxer dogs are also severely affected by entropion when it occurs. Entropion is a defect of the eyelid and can be corrected with surgery.
Some boxers may suffer from a disorder in which spinal fusion occurs. It’s called spondylosis deformans. Reputable breeders can and will test boxer dogs for any genetic disorder, including this debilitating one. Find a reputable dealer to do business with…if only for this reason.