Information on White Boxers

Why white boxers should never be bred

Regardless of the information available to breeders about the reasons why white Boxers should not be bred, there are still some breeders out there who choose to breed dogs of unacceptable colors. White markings result from the lack of pigment cells, a lack of color, so-to-speak. This is true of white markings found on 'flashy' dogs and to white Boxers or checks. A boxers white markings are 'inherited' from a dog's parents, one gene each, from sire and dam. The gene associated with whites is the (sw) gene which is what gives us the coat color of the white boxer. A 'plain/classic' dogs color results when the dog has at least one copy of the dominant S gene. Flashy boxers (those with white markings on the face, legs, chest and belly) have one copy of the solid S gene, and one copy of the recessive sw gene. White and check boxers have two copies of the recessive sw gene.

White boxers, when bred, can produce more health problems than their colored counterparts, including deafness in colored dogs. Often, these breeders state that breeding flasy dogs together should not be allowed and is unethical as they produce whites. However, they also are quick to point out that whites bred to plain dogs produce entire litters of flashy puppies. What then should be done with the resulting flashy puppies out of the white X plain breeding?

The main 'excuse' for these breeders to include whites in their breeding programs, is they claim the individual dog is of high quality, or, they claim that they are 'expanding' the gene pool. Both, are usually, and almost always incorrect. First, ANY REPUTABLE BREEDER will place a white on a spay/neuter contract. The only breeders who do not are usually pet/BYBs. These dogs are not bred to the breed standard, and are usually mediocre at best. Secondly, the argument regarding the gene pool is false. These dogs have colored littermates, and likely, half brothers and sisters from previous breedings. There are enough colored animals of quality out there to negate any arguement for breeding whites, and enough diversity overall.

A quote from George M. Strain Associate Vice Chancellor Office of Research & Graduate Studies Louisiana State University -

"It is my opinion that white boxers carry a version of the regulatory gene that causes over- expression of the piebald gene, producing heavy white color, blue eyes, and deafness. Breeding these dogs back into the boxer gene pool will very likely increase the overall incidence of deafness in ALL boxers (white or otherwise). I do not know the genetics of BCM, but it is not likely that white boxers are free of the defect, and nothing associated with pigmentation (or its absence) should logically protect against BCM. Breeding a white boxer without BCM back into the breed gene pool is not likely to affect BCM incidence, and in fact could worsen it if BCM is polygenic and the white boxer carries some of the responsible genes. If asked, I would be opposed to breeding white boxers -- to either whites or colors. If this practice is continued the prevalence of deafness in all boxers will increase as has happened with other breeds. I know that there is a strong group of advocates for white boxers, mostly because there is always attraction to something novel. To me it seems totally without logic to continue a breeding practice which, based on all available knowledge, will increase the prevalence of hereditary disease in a dog breed."

White Boxers make wonderful pets, and absolutely have a place as companions, and beloved family members. However, it is not in the breeds best interest to use these dogs in any breeding program. If you locate a breeder who breeds white boxers, I would ask them why, and strongly recommend searching for a different breeder.

Coat Colors in Boxers
and the American Boxer Club*
By R. D. Conrad & Ann Gilbert

      For each breed that is recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the AKC also recognizes an organization termed, "the parent club." Each parent club (in this case the American Boxer Club [ABC]) is responsible for establishing and writing a Breed Standard, a document describing that breed. Breed standards are not written to discriminate. Quite simply, the standards are designed as guides to determine the structure and desirable traits to be used for selecting breeding stock and instructions for judges.
      The currently approved Boxer Standard explicitly defines the allowable coat colors and markings for Boxers. There are two coat colors, fawn or brindle. There are no stripes in fawn coats. Those Boxers exhibiting black stripes on the fawn background are termed brindle. The fawn coat ranges from light yellow to dark red. Brindling can be sparse or heavy, and sometimes so heavy the animal appears to be black with fawn stripes (this is called reverse brindling).
      The ABC's Boxer Standard defines the desired colors and markings one should strive for in the ideal Boxer. The Boxer Standard requires that two-thirds of the coat color on the total surface of the skin must be either fawn or brindle. If white markings exceed one-third of the total surface of the skin, the Boxer would be excused from competition by the judge. In show terminology this is called a disqualification. The pattern of the white markings on the muzzle, end of the tail, legs, feet, neck, chest, and under side of the body is known as the Irish Spotting Factor. This polygenic trait (an observed trait determined by several genetic determinants) was first described in rats and studied by a geneticist in Ireland. It is observed in many mammalian species and several breeds of dogs.
      In The Inheritance of Coat Color in Dogs, Dr. Clarence C. Little indicated that white Boxer puppies are not true albinos as albinism is defined by geneticists (a complete lack of pigment in the skin or hair and blue eyes). Approximately twenty-five percent (and this is an estimation as exact records have not been maintained) of all Boxer puppies are either white or almost all white, making white puppies neither "rare" nor "unusual." Some of the pups may have brindle or fawn spots on the head, trunk, or base of the tail. These almost all-white puppies are called "checks" or "parti-colored." A great many white puppies are humanely disposed of at birth because of the following reasons:

           (1) Some of the white pups, with little or no pigment in their skin, must be kept out of the sun because they sunburn. This is similar to a condition observed in Collies which is called "Collie nose."

           (2) A certain percent of the white Boxer puppies are deaf in either one or both ears. The most accurate record of the percentage of deaf white Boxers comes from the current records of Boxer Rescue Services. Rescue efforts in Dallas, Texas, indicate that thirty out of seventy-five white Boxers (40%) that came through their rescue program over a two-year period were deaf, and the rescue program in Virginia and Maryland recently reported that six out of twenty white Boxers (30%) in their program were deaf. In Boxers and other breeds (Bull Terriers, Dalmations, Great Danes, Collies, Shetland Sheep Dogs, etc.) in which deaf animals sometimes occur, this is associated with the loss of pigment and coat color, but, the mechanisms of inheritance are different from Boxers. It is known that deafness results when the cells of the skin lining the ear canals lack pigment.

           (3) It has been reported that some white Boxer puppies may be blind, however, this condition occurs at a low frequency.

      As a result of these observations, some breeders may choose to dispose of their white, check, or parti-colored Boxer puppies by euthanasia or simply by placing these puppies, unregistered with the AKC, in homes as companion animals. The practice of placing white puppies should be done carefully. A responsible breeder should require that any white or mismarked puppy must be spayed or castrated if placed as a companion animal.

      The AKC will register any puppy, regardless of color, as long as both parents are registered---unless there is a contract signed by the breeder and purchaser of the puppy to the effect that the animal is not to be registered by the AKC. Presently, the breeders have the option of assigning a Limited Registration to any puppy for lack of quality or merit. The AKC will not register any offspring produced by a parent with a Limited Registration. The Limited Registration will permit th e dog to be shown in obedience trials (only) at AKC-licensed events and AKC-sanctioned matches. Considering the unfortunate traits associated with the lack of pigmentation and the ABC's Boxer Standard clearly addressing the white coat coloring as undesirable, this should discourage any breeder from registering a white, a check, or particolored Boxer for breeding purposes.

      The stigma associated with white Boxers is evident. In fairness to all, there should be no embarrassment for those loving and owning a white or check Boxer. We do not understand the genetic mechanisms responsible for the inheritance of the lack of pigmentation and white markings over large areas of the skin. What is important for all to remember is that there are many Boxers (including white check, parti-colored, fawn and brindle) with other undesirable traits that also should not be used for breeding.

* Approved by the Officers and Board of Directors of the American Boxer Club, May 8, 1997.