Your Need-to-Knows About Boxer Dog Health

Boxer dogs, like many other purebred dogs, have a propensity to develop specific health issues. Any responsible pet parent – whether prospective or your Boxer bundle is already in-hand – will do their research on what to expect. You’ll want to make sure you’re covering their health needs well and protecting your pup as much as possible.

In the pet industry you’ll often hear people saying that mixed breed dogs have fewer health problems than purebred dogs like Boxers. But do they…? We’ve looked into all the science in our article ‘Do mixed breeds dogs have less health issues?’

Assuming you have a purebred Boxer dog, want to add one to your family, or even have a dog who you suspect is part Boxer, you’re probably more interested in their breed’s specific issues. Keep reading to find out which health problems they’re most likely to develop. You’ll also uncover common signs and symptoms to watch out for to help keep your pup fighting fit.

Breathing issues in Boxer dogs

Though it’s not always as pronounced as in dogs like Pugs, Boxers are considered one of the Brachycephalic breeds. These are often called “flat faced” or “snub nose” dogs, because they do tend to have flat noses paired with wide, short heads. Other dogs in this category include English and French Bulldogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Boston Terriers.

Brachycephalic breeds have shorter noses rather than the long snout-looking nose of a lot of other dogs. This means the soft tissues take up more space and can affect their breathing pipes and palette. The soft palette and sinuses don’t have enough room, obstructing airflow and making breathing difficult.

BOAS

That’s why you’ll often notice flat-nosed breeds breathe loudly and heavily. The number of problems it causes depends on the dog, but some have quite pronounced breathing issues. If it becomes medically problematic for your dog, it’s called brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome or BOAS.

Larynx, eye and back issues

On top of the breathing issues, dogs with BOAS are prone to collapse of the larynx.

They may also be affected by problems with their eye health due to bulging eyes.

And although you tend to think of things like IVDD in Dachshunds when back problems in dogs are mentioned, brachycephalic breeds may also be more prone to abnormal vertebrae in their spines, which can cause back issues.

These issues may require surgery and other medical treatments. Australian pet insurance providers (including PD) usually don’t cover congenital conditions. This means BOAS isn’t covered, which is why it’s so important to know what your Boxer dog may be prone to before you bring them home.

Are Boxers more prone to cancer?

When it comes to Boxer health, one cancer you’ll often hear people talk about is lymphoma or lymphosarcoma, a cancer of the white blood cells. This is more common in Boxers than most other breeds, and can emerge almost anywhere in the body, but luckily is fairly treatable with chemotherapy.

Some symptoms that your dog may have cancer include:

• Swollen glands
• Weight loss
• Laboured breathing

This specific type of cancer can often be picked up via a simple blood test so can be diagnosed early. That’s why it’s a great idea to get your Boxer a blood test at least once a year. Prevention is better than cure, as they say.

Boxer dog health: hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is one of those conditions that receives plenty of attention. It’s particularly common in larger breeds, like Boxer dogs, Labradors and German Shepherds.

It’s a complex condition affecting a dog’s hip joints. And just like joint problems in humans, it can have a knock-on effect on their mobility.

Common symptoms of hip dysplasia include:

• Difficulty moving around (particularly getting out of bed, climbing stairs, jumping into cars and so on)
• Rear end lameness (although often this is only noticeable in later stages of hip dysplasia)
• Loss of muscle in thighs
• Abnormal gait

When it comes to Boxer health, hip dysplasia can start early on though you might not immediately notice symptoms. If your Boxer does display any of these, take them to the vet. They can do x-rays to determine the exact problem and extent of it.

Read more about hip dysplasia in dogs for detailed symptoms, causes, treatment, and advice on managing the condition, regardless of your breed of dog.

Degenerative myelopathy

Degenerative myelopathy, as the name suggests, is a condition that worsens over time. It’s a neurological disease beginning with hind leg weakness and developing into complete paralysis over time.

Because it’s progressive and degenerative, it’s usually diagnosed in older dogs. Sadly, there’s no cure for degenerative myelopathy yet. You can find out more about what DM is and how it affects Boxer dogs here.

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is more common in Boxer dogs than other breeds. It causes heart rhythm problems and can weaken the muscles around the heart. It tends to get progressively worse over time, which is why it’s usually diagnosed in adult dogs.

That said, cardiomyopathy can develop at any age so it’s possible for a puppy or young dog to be diagnosed with it. Keep an eye out for:

• Fainting 
• Coughing
• Abdominal distention
• Breathing difficulties
• Stumbling
• Inability to exercise

Bloat

Gastric dilatation volvulus is commonly known as bloat. Bloat happens when a dog’s stomach twists in on itself and fills with gas. This twisting blocks the blood supply to the stomach.

Symptoms include:

• Heaving with nothing coming up
• Acting restless
• An enlarged abdomen
• Lying with head down and read end up

If you notice any of these symptoms you need to take your Boxer to the emergency vet immediately. Bloat in dogs is considered a medical emergency and can be fatal if left untreated. On top of that, bloat can progress rapidly, often causing death in less than an hour.

If you see any signs, err on the side of caution and take your dog to the hospital straight away.

Seizures

Seizures in pets include epilepsy, idiopathic seizures and general seizures that are caused by a trigger.

While Beagle epilepsy is what most people think of when it comes to seizures, the condition isn’t only limited to them. Boxer dogs are also prone to epileptic seizures in general, but idiopathic seizures in particular, which are seizures with no known cause.

Dog insurance for Boxer health

Wondering what dog insurance would cover if your Boxer or other dog got sick? There is a difference between hereditary and congenital conditions. Most pet insurance providers will cover hereditary ones as long as they’re not pre-existing. Read all about pre-existing conditions and pet insurance to find out why getting insurance early is important.

If you do take out a comprehensive dog insurance plan, rest assured your dog will be covered for a wide variety of non-routine pet care including tests, surgery, hospitalisation, medicines, various other treatments and more.