The
"White" Boxer
The White Boxer now makes up 25% of all Boxers within the United States
and there are still many Misconceptions about this color of Boxer. When
viewing the local paper I see at least one breeder of Boxer Puppies that mentions
they have “rare” White Boxers. This article was written to educate potential
Boxer owners about the White Boxer.
Although the color of the Boxer does not determine the individual personality or all those Boxer traits we love, much has been
published about the White Boxer. In many cases they are listed as “rare", but the fact is they have been a part of the breed as
long as the Boxer breed has been around. Although theories differ on how the white gene was introduced, many believe it is due
to the early cross breeding with the English Bulldog, although the White Boxer existed before the time the breeds were mixed.
Originally the Boxer is believed to have been white in color and could be registered in Germany until 1925.
A problem arose with the white color due to the Boxer being used as a police dog. Naturally the white color compromised the
breeds ability to not be seen at night. In 1925 the White Boxer was no longer eligible for registration in Germany to help rule out
the white gene. This led to many breeders killing any puppies of the white color and is where a lot of debate about the White
Boxer begins. Many people today believe the White Boxer is an albino, which it is NOT. An Albino is an animal that has no
pigment whereas the White Boxer’s coat is simply white and the animal does not lack pigment. For this reason the White Boxer
is NOT more susceptible to diseases that occur within albino animals than any Boxers are. The White Boxer is produced by
breeding a flashy Male and a flashy Female together. Crossing the two genes together creates 25% of the litter to be white.
The White Boxer is not recognized in the show arena today. According to the AKC Guidelines a Boxer may be a color of fawn or
brindle with white markings. Any Boxer with more than 1/3 of their body containing white markings is a disqualification. Although
the White Boxer may not be shown, it can be registered with AKC and compete in sporting events.
One main issue when considering a White Boxer is of health concern. Contrary to popular belief NO clear evidence has been
presented showing the White Boxer to be more susceptible to diseases. The one area of health, which occurs in the White
Boxer, is deafness. The cause of deafness associated with the white color is the absence of pigment cells in the inner ear
resulting in a loss of sensory hair cells at about 5-6 weeks of age. The shortage of pigment cells is also the cause of the white coat.
Generally speaking, the more pigment in the coat the lower the risk of deafness.
There are many White Boxers resources available online by searching for “White Boxer” in any popular search engine.
Due to inconsistencies about the Boxer, I urge you to find a variety of resources before determining if the White Boxer
is for your family.
The main point to remember is that a White Boxer is still a Boxer and can provide an
overwhelming amount of love and companionship to your family.
"White" Boxer
The White Boxer now makes up 25% of all Boxers within the United States
and there are still many Misconceptions about this color of Boxer. When
viewing the local paper I see at least one breeder of Boxer Puppies that mentions
they have “rare” White Boxers. This article was written to educate potential
Boxer owners about the White Boxer.
Although the color of the Boxer does not determine the individual personality or all those Boxer traits we love, much has been
published about the White Boxer. In many cases they are listed as “rare", but the fact is they have been a part of the breed as
long as the Boxer breed has been around. Although theories differ on how the white gene was introduced, many believe it is due
to the early cross breeding with the English Bulldog, although the White Boxer existed before the time the breeds were mixed.
Originally the Boxer is believed to have been white in color and could be registered in Germany until 1925.
A problem arose with the white color due to the Boxer being used as a police dog. Naturally the white color compromised the
breeds ability to not be seen at night. In 1925 the White Boxer was no longer eligible for registration in Germany to help rule out
the white gene. This led to many breeders killing any puppies of the white color and is where a lot of debate about the White
Boxer begins. Many people today believe the White Boxer is an albino, which it is NOT. An Albino is an animal that has no
pigment whereas the White Boxer’s coat is simply white and the animal does not lack pigment. For this reason the White Boxer
is NOT more susceptible to diseases that occur within albino animals than any Boxers are. The White Boxer is produced by
breeding a flashy Male and a flashy Female together. Crossing the two genes together creates 25% of the litter to be white.
The White Boxer is not recognized in the show arena today. According to the AKC Guidelines a Boxer may be a color of fawn or
brindle with white markings. Any Boxer with more than 1/3 of their body containing white markings is a disqualification. Although
the White Boxer may not be shown, it can be registered with AKC and compete in sporting events.
One main issue when considering a White Boxer is of health concern. Contrary to popular belief NO clear evidence has been
presented showing the White Boxer to be more susceptible to diseases. The one area of health, which occurs in the White
Boxer, is deafness. The cause of deafness associated with the white color is the absence of pigment cells in the inner ear
resulting in a loss of sensory hair cells at about 5-6 weeks of age. The shortage of pigment cells is also the cause of the white coat.
Generally speaking, the more pigment in the coat the lower the risk of deafness.
There are many White Boxers resources available online by searching for “White Boxer” in any popular search engine.
Due to inconsistencies about the Boxer, I urge you to find a variety of resources before determining if the White Boxer
is for your family.
The main point to remember is that a White Boxer is still a Boxer and can provide an
overwhelming amount of love and companionship to your family.
Kay's Hilltop Boxers
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