I'm buying a puppy form a white Boxer

[mmazoyer]

Hi,

It's my first dog and of course I wanted a Boxer. So I'm gathering all the information I can on this beautiful race and I readed that white boxer or not good to breed because of the chances to be deaf. PLEASE HELP ME. The puppy I chose is from a white Boxer. The mother is not deaf, but how can I know if the puppy is deaf and also can I be sure it's a pure Boxer ??? I need some help, I'm suppose to get the puppy in 3 weeks.......

[ELubas]

I am sure many will post but I suggest you look up the breed standards and health testing that you can find right on this site. You will find great info at the top of the home page. White boxers should not be bred-they are every bit as wonderful as any other boxer by the way-but breeding them over time will not preserve the standard and , yes , there is a risk of deafness and allergies. But I am more concerned that you are taking a pup from someone who would breed a white which makes me worry that they have not tested thier breeding stock either. Boxers, like all breeds, suffer from inherited disease and all responsible breeders health test thier dogs. Again, read the site and then you will know the right questions to ask and can decide if you want to purchase this puppy. Aside from incredible expense if you end up with a sick dog, is the heartache when they are unwell, suffer, or, God forbid, die young-I know of where I speak and would not wish it on anyone. And I am sure it is not your intention to encourage irresponsible breeders. Best of luck to you!

[gmacleod]

"Preserving the standard" has nothing whatsoever to do with why whites should never be used for breeding. You do not need to breed from whites to produce whites. The reason they should not be bred is purely about detrimental effect doing so would have on the health of the breed. That's it (and it should be reason enough for anyone).

In your position, I'd be rethinking the decision to purchase the puppy. Reason being, if you've found a "breeder" who is unethical enough or ignorant enough to breed from a white dog... what else are they unethical or ignorant of? Have both parents been screened for cardiomyopathy, aortic and subaortic stenosis, hip dysplasia, and hypothyroidism? Do you have copies of those results? That's a heck of a lot more important than whether or not any pup you might buy may be deaf. Deafness doesn't kill, it doesn't cripple, and it doesn't cost tens of thousands in vet bills either. Those other - common -hereditary conditions do

[mmazoyer]

OH MY GOD ! I didn't see it that way . I'm so happy I joined this group and posted my concerns. Like gmacloud said put I said the deafness, what other kind of inherated illness could he have. It's our first dog and I have 3 young kids at home, it would break they're heart also if the dog was sick. You get so attached to the dog. So going thru all the stress and sadness if he had something is not worth taking the chance. I called the breeder and told him that if he didn't have the medical result of the mother and the father, I was not taking the puppy. I'll wait for his reply and will confront him with the question of the mother beging white and I will keep you all posted.

Thanks again for advicing me so well.

[gmacleod]

You can find information on the health testing - and the specific tests - any responsible breeder should be doing at www.boxerworld.com/health_testing Those are the things you really should see the hard copies of results on both parents.

If you get no joy from the guy you've been talking to (and I'm pretty sure that you won't), then the best place to start looking for a responsible breeder is actually your nearest boxer club. They should be able to point you in the direction of any breeder members who do follow a responsible health screening program (not every member will, so you need still to check) and who may have litters coming up. You can find a list of Canadian clubs at http://boxerclubofcanada.com/links.html

Health screening really is worthwhile - it cannot guarantee you a dog who's going to live a long and healthy life, but it dramatically increases your chances. Here's a thread that gives you a good idea of what you can be facing in health risks with this breed: Backyard breeding - the consequences Again, health testing may not be foolproof - but it tips the odds far in your favour (and you've got years of healthy life or alternatively, huge vet bills, to look forward to). Also a bit of information on what to look for and what to run away from in a breeder at www.boxerworld.com/faq

[matrok]

I would also mention that if you change you mind and decide not to take the puppy, hopefully they will refund any deposit you may have put down to reserve the dog. If not, do not be tempted to take it anyway for the deposit lost is minimal compared to the potential vet expenses and not to mention the heartache if the dog is sickly, this is priceless. Good luck with your decision.

[ELubas]

Originally Posted by mmazoyer

OH MY GOD ! I didn't see it that way . I'm so happy I joined this group and posted my concerns. Like gmacloud said put I said the deafness, what other kind of inherated illness could he have. It's our first dog and I have 3 young kids at home, it would break they're heart also if the dog was sick. You get so attached to the dog. So going thru all the stress and sadness if he had something is not worth taking the chance. I called the breeder and told him that if he didn't have the medical result of the mother and the father, I was not taking the puppy. I'll wait for his reply and will confront him with the question of the mother beging white and I will keep you all posted.

Thanks again for advicing me so well.

Don't be surprised if you do not hear back from him... but in the meantime you can do lots of fun research and there are a lot of great breeders out there and one of them has your pup ! Good luck