Boxers - Choosing a Boxer - Dog Breeds

Boxers - Choosing a Boxer - Dog Breeds

By: Dr. Dawn Ruben

Common Diseases and Disorders

  • Boxer Cardiomyopathy - is an electrical disorder of the heart that causes arrhythmias (ventricular premature contractions). Dogs may present syncope, weakness and congestive heart failure.

  • Gastric torsion, also known as bloat, is a life-threatening sudden illness associated with the stomach filling with air and twisting.

  • Epilepsy is a seizure disorder that develops between the ages of 2 to 5 years.

  • Intervertebral Disk Disease is a disorder that affects the spinal disks resulting in pain, difficulty walking and possibly paralysis.

  • Dilated cardiomyopathy is a serious heart condition that results in a large, thin walled heart muscle.


  • Atrial Septal Defect - is a congenital defect of the atrial septum of the heart

  • Aortic Stenosis – this disease is caused by stenosis of the aorta and causing symptoms such as weakness, collapse and sudden death.

  • Sick Sinus Syndrome - is a disease that causes a dysrhythmia of the heart.

  • Interdigital Dermatitis, also known as pododermatitis, is an inflammation of the paws involving the feet and nails.

  • Mast Cell Tumors are malignant tumors than can occur in the skin or within the body.

  • Drug Reaction to Acepromazine may lower the blood pressure and cause arrhythmias of the heart. Acepromazine should not be used in the boxer breed.

    In addition, although these occur infrequently, the following disorders have also been reported:

  • Hyperadrenocorticism is a disorder affecting the adrenal glands. When overactive, the adrenal glands secrete excessive cortisol, resulting in illness.

  • Cryptorchidism is a condition in which one or both testicles do not descend into the scrotum.

  • Hypothyroidism results when the thyroid gland does not function adequately. Without- enough thyroid hormone, illness can occur.

  • Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive degenerative disease of the spinal cord that slowly results in weakness and eventually inability to use the rear legs.

  • Progressive axonopathy - is a debilitating nervous system disease, which thanks to diligent boxer breeders, is now uncommon.

  • Prolapse of the third eyelid also known as cherry eye, is not painful and occurs spontaneously.

  • Entropion is a problem with the eyelid that causes inward rolling. Lashes on the edge of the eyelid irritate the surface of the eyeball and may lead to more serious problems.

  • Ectropion is a problem with the eyelid that causes eversion of the eyelid margin. It most commonly affects the lower central eyelid.

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