Health in the boxer

The boxer is generally a very healthy breed compared to some other breeds. With the right diet and regular excercise your boxer could live to a ripe old age. Reputable breeders nowadays are trying hard to breed away from any serious problems relating the boxer breed, most are getting all their breeding stock heart-tested from A.S (See Below), and if any problems arise then they will not breed from that animal. The heart-testing scheme has been a great success and the percentage of clear adults is deffinetly on the increase.

*AORTIC STENOSIS-is one of the most common heart defects occurring in boxers. Stenosis is narrowing of the aorta, right below the aortic valve, which forces the heart to work harder to supply blood. Reduced blood flow can result in fainting and even sudden death. The disease is inherited but its mode of transmission is not known at this time. Diagnosis must be made by a veterinary cardiologist, after detection of a heart murmur. Breeding dogs must be properly tested for this disease and affected dogs must NOT be bred from.


*CARDIOMYOPATHY-Cardiomyopathy is a serious inherited disease in which the heart muscle becomes inflamed and doesn't work as well as it should. There may be multiple causes including genetic predisposition and viral infections. The disease occurs most often in Doberman pinscher and Boxer and may result in heart failure and sudden death. The signs usually include exercise intolerance and fainting. Treatment depends on the type of the disease and may include medications or implantable devices.
Available health screening tests are echocardiography and Holter monitoring.

handout sheet for new puppy owners

List of qualified cardiologists near you

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