The Health of Our Boxers Is Paramount
At Sinnot Boxers our goal is to continue the breed standard while simultaneously improving the breed's health. This is an ongoing journey of knowledge and understanding that comes to us through new developments in science and more information constantly becoming available. Boxers are plagued with many diseases that have been passed onto generations or that can pop up in a generation. While health issues can arise at any time due to a mutation, at Sinnott Boxers we use all the knowledge available to us now and in the future to make the safest, most healthy decisions when breeding our best friends. Below are some articles on the common health concerns with Boxers for which we test to avoid and breed to prevent. We also make certain to remain certified in pet first aid and CPR by taking great online classes like ProPetHero's course taught by a wonderful ER veterinarian.
Raw Food Information
At Sinnott Boxers we not only do extensive health tests, but we also feed a species-appropriate diet. We understand that feeding raw food is not something that everyone feels comfortable doing but we do ask that you perform research and understand the benefits that feeding such a diet has for dogs. We have provided some articles and references. There are great commercially available freeze-dried foods and premixed raw foods on the market that make feeding your pup a species-appropriate diet easy and convenient.
Exercising & Socializing Your Boxer
Another aspect of health is mental health. A happy well-balanced Boxer will excel in your home, the public and life in general. All of our dogs are temperament tested and only those with solid temperaments that are good representations of the breed will be included in our breeding programs. While temperament is certainly the foundation to a great dog, so is training. We highly recommend early and continual training for your Boxer. They are a working dog so please put them to work! Please see our activities for a list of all the fun things you can do with your Boxer.
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Spaying or Neutering Your Boxer
Spaying and Neutering are also important topics in regards to Boxer health. While removing the reproductive organs certainly stops their ability to reproduce, it also removes vital hormones necessary for many life stages, not just reproduction. While we recommend delaying and specifically not spaying and neutering, there are instances where doing so can be beneficial. Certainly for the health of a female that may have uterine issues or when mating cannot be prevented. Please read the articles provided for more information.
Health risks of spay and neutering
Golden study conducted on early spay and neuters
Cancer association with spay and neuter
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Vaccinations & Acepromazine
The final topic we would like to mention is regarding vaccinations and a particular medication that should never be given to your Boxer. Acepromazine, a medication commonly used in anesthesia protocols and as a sedative is very dangerous to Boxers, resulting in death. Please read the link below and make certain that your veterinarian has your dog's medical record marked to never dispense this medication to your Boxer.
Vaccines are vital to the protection of our dogs from deadly diseases like parvo, distemper and rabies but the amount and frequency at which they are given has been proven to be unnecessary. All dogs bred by Sinnott Boxers have received their puppy "core" vaccinations. They receive parvo & distemper shots at 8 weeks old (prior to going to their new homes) then we recommend the boosters be given at 12 & 16 weeks. Rabies should not be given any earlier than 20 weeks, waiting until a year is recommended but that may not be allowed by the law. Beyond that, all of our dogs are titered and only receive revaccination if their titer levels fall below the levels needed for protection. We do not recommend "non-core" vaccinations, in particular, the vaccine for Leptospirosis as it has a high occurrence of causing a dangerous allergic reaction in Boxers. Since owning Boxers since 2002, we have never had to revaccinate any of our dogs. Their titer levels have remained safe for their lifetime. As required by law, all our dogs beyond 1 year are vaccinated for rabies but if any of them have a reaction to the vaccine they are issued an exemption by our veterinarian.
Study and recommendation for titers
Taking the risk out of puppy shots
Click here for an article on the Kennel Cough vaccine