White boxers are shunned by most breeders upon birth.
Twenty-five percent of boxers are born almost entirely white in color, but many are euthanized upon birth. As is standard for their breed, white boxer puppies are happy, trainable animals, ideal for families with children and other pets. However, white boxers grow to have a few health problems that standard boxers do not suffer.
Origin
The white gene is a recessive trait in boxers; therefore, white boxers have been in existence since boxers were first bred in Germany in the 19th century. Boxers were originally bred from mastiff ancestors. Those offspring were later cross-bred with bulldogs. The boxer's purpose was to serve as cattle herders or fighting dogs. The breed garnered its name because the dogs stood up on their hind legs and "boxed" with their front paws. After World War I, boxers were brought to America where they have become one of the most popular dogs, according to the American Kennel Club.
Description
Most boxers are either fawn or brindle in color. A boxer puppy is considered nonstandard, or white, when white markings cover more than one-third of its entire coat. White boxers are born only when both parents carry the "white gene." Although they are commonly labeled as such, white boxers are not albinos because they do not lack all color or pigment. They are simply born with mostly white fur, but their eyes and noses are still brown.
Full-grown boxers have a square, muscular body with a blunt snout and an underbite. Females grow to be 21 to 24 inches in height and weigh 53 to 65 pounds. Males are usually 22 to 25 inches tall and weigh 60 to 70 pounds. Boxers' short coats are easy to groom, and they shed an average amount of hair. The position of their ears and length of their tails depend on the breeder's preference and are set as puppies.
Temperament
White boxer puppies have the same temperament as standard boxer puppies. Boxers are smart, inquisitive and energetic. They are loyal and get along well with children. Boxers protect their families and serve as exceptional watch or guard dogs. When trained, they also interact well with other household animals.
Needs
All boxer puppies require dominant owners who will train them consistently, and white boxers are no different. When they are not trained firmly, boxers can grow to be stubborn and hard to control as adults, which is not typical of the breed.
Boxers, white or pigmented, are active animals. As puppies they may not require much space, but as they grow, they will need more and more. Although boxers can live in an apartment, they are very active indoors. They require a brisk walk once per day. A boxer's ideal environment is a home with a yard. Also, boxers are sensitive to extreme temperatures, and they need to live somewhere they will not chill or overheat too easily.
Health Concerns
The average life expectancy of a boxer is 11 to 14 years, but some health concerns specific to the breed can shorten that span. Standard boxers are prone to heart conditions, epilepsy and hip-dysplasia. After age 8, they are also more likely than other breeds to form tumors. White boxers are prone to these conditions and others as well because of their white coats. With little pigment to protect their skin, white boxers often sunburn and must be kept out of intense sun. Deafness is also common in white boxers because the skin lining in the ear canals lack pigment; the cell damage occurs when puppies are 6 to 8 weeks old. Boxers may also drool, snore and suffer from flatulence especially when fed food other than what they're accustomed to eating.
Discrimination
Although white boxers were accepted as part of the breed until the early 1900s, they have long been deemed undesirable. The American Boxer Club will not allow white boxers to be registered or bred. The American Kennel Club will allow white boxers to be registered but never shown in competition.
Breeders are not allowed to purposefully breed white boxers. In litters, when a white boxer is born, the pup is determined as unacceptable and, in many instances, white boxer puppies are immediately euthanized. If a white boxer lives past infancy, it is usually placed with a family and recommended for sterilization.
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