Is it ok to breed a deaf boxer

DominoDomain · #1 10th February 2012, 12:02 PM

If I were to breed my deaf boxer are the puppys most likely to be deaf as well?

Sansal · #2 10th February 2012, 01:00 PM

It is absolutely NOT okay. Please stop thinking about breeding your boxer and just enjoy him/her as a pet (and spay/neuter). Only dogs that are health tested and have been successfully shown in the ring should be bred. Deafness definitely disqualifies a dog from being a good candidate for breeding.

BxrMommieNAZ · #3 10th February 2012, 03:01 PM

I agree to absolutely do not breed your Boxer and to spay/neuter him/her to prevent any "accidents" as well as yes you would be passing on known defective genes. Love your pup as a pet and a pet only.

**gmacleod** · #4 10th February 2012, 03:38 PM

There is a whole lot more to responsible breeding than the simple matter of whether or not a particular defect is likely to be passed on - and that you need to ask the question tells clearly that you don't have the knowledge (of genetics and other things) to even be thinking of becoming a breeder at this point. IF you're seriously interested in breeding - which is and should be a serious business, not a hobby or something you'd ever do with a pet dog - then there's plenty of information on this site about the sorts of things you need to learn and the health screening that needs to be done before a dog can be considered for breeding.

Notwithstanding the above, I do commend you for asking (and before, not after, the fact)

As for your actual question, can you breed from a deaf dog - the answer is rather dependent upon why the dog is deaf

. If it is the result of some accident or illness, for example, then there is no reason that the problem would be passed to offspring (i.e. it's not a genetic problem). In that instance, providing the dog is well assessed in the show ring (showing being for the purpose of selecting breeding stock) AND he passes all his genetic screening (for boxers, this means screening for cardiomyopathy and aortic stenosis, hip dysplasia, and hypothyroidism), then there would be no reason at all not to breed from that animal.

If, on the other hand, your dog has been deaf all his life - its a very different matter. It would be very likely in this case that the reason is genetic, and it's those faulty genetics that would be passed to any offspring, who would certainly be at high risk of being deaf themselves or later having deaf offspring.

The most common reason for deafness in boxers, incidentally, is the white coat colour. If you want to know more about the reasons why that's the case, there is a sticky thread at the top of this forum that discusses why white boxers must not ever be bred from, whether they're deaf themselves or not (their ofspring and subsequent generations would be at significantly higher risk of being deaf, creating a problem throughout the breed). Note that the gene causing the problem doesn't only occur in whites (which have two copies of it) but also in flashy dogs (who have one copy). Thus, if you have a dog - especially one with any amount of white - who is deaf from a very young age, then you certainly should not consider ever using the dog for breeding.

**Jan** · #5 11th February 2012, 07:24 AM

I checked your gallery and I see your boxer is white. There is nothing wrong with a white boxer, but they are definitely not a candidate for breeding. Just enjoy him as a pet.

DominoDomain · #6 12th February 2012, 10:44 AM

It was just a question. I have no intention of breeding. I was just curious because I had a couple of friends ask if I was going to and I told them I did not think it was a good idea because he is deaf. I do not need to be put down for asking a simple question! But thank you anyway.

BxrMommieNAZ · #7 12th February 2012, 01:53 PM

I don't see anywhere where anyone was putting you down. We simply said that if it is a genetic defect you should enjoy your pup as a pet and spay/neuter your pup and not breed him/her. In fact, someone commended you for asking prior to breeding as opposed to after.

So when people ask, just explain that it is unethical to breed white boxers (regardless of if they are hearing or deaf), and to boot yours IS deaf and it would be potentially passing on defective genes to another dog. White Boxers are not of breed standard and should not be bred. I have a white one and I am constantly asked the question as well. Typically saying he is neutered stops that conversation, given that obviously it would be impossible. I have had a select few people then ask why would I neuter him if he's a purebred and I simply explain that he is white, not of breed standard and it is unethical to breed him. That usually shuts down the question, but does it in a nice way and hopefully teaches them something in the process.

I got it with my flashy fawn (both of them I had two) male and female as well and again just told them that they were both rescues, neither were up to par on breed standard and neither should be bred due to imperfections. That we obviously loved them, but my female was hypothyroid (which is genetic) and had a few growths (all benign, but nonetheless there), and it was obvious by looking at her, although adorable, she was not up to being breed standard. Same with my male, we loved him dearly, best dog we've ever had before or since, but his snout was a big longer than breed standard, he also ended up being hypothyroid and ended up with a brain tumor as well so thankfully we never did breed him. But both came from reputable Boxer rescues and they were spayed/neutered when we adopted them.

Usually either explaining to folks the reason why or simply stating that you love them as a pet is enough to stop the questioning. I've only ever had purebreed dogs, but they've all been either rescues or a white Boxer so none of mine have ever been breeding material.

If your pup is not spayed/neutered, I would again recommend that you do that to prevent any "accidents". There are many discount locations across the country that do it for under $100, and in some areas if you are on state assistance, social security and/or Medicare, you can receive spay/neuter services at no cost to you.

Cami · #8 12th February 2012, 02:48 PM

Quote:

It was just a question. I have no intention of breeding. I was just curious because I had a couple of friends ask if I was going to and I told them I did not think it was a good idea because he is deaf. I do not need to be put down for asking a simple question!

No one was putting you down.
Your original question was stated: "If I were to breed my Boxer...."
Translated to those reading the post that perhaps you were considering it.
The majority of the members here on BW are very passionate about the breed and only want what is best for the breed as a whole. You have been given great advice with no harm intended.