Boxer Dog (Detailed Introduction)

       If a Boxer dog has hind leg lameness, most cases are caused by hip dysplasia, which is one of the main reasons for this lameness. Hip dysplasia is a form of arthritis caused by laxity of the hip joint itself, so when raising Boxer dogs, attention must be paid to hip dysplasia.

       Hip dysplasia occurs at the connection between the thigh bone (femur) and the acetabulum of the pelvis where the ball joint meets the socket. It happens in dogs with joint laxity due to looseness in the tissues that maintain the joint in position. Over time, this laxity causes abnormalities in the ball joint and acetabular bone. Hip dysplasia is typically seen in older dogs rather than young puppies. Research has not shown that tissue laxity does not start in the dog’s younger years and then change over time. The problems seen in older dogs result from long-term laxity of the joint leading to arthritis issues.

       The primary source of information and research about hip dysplasia is led by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). The OFA believes that after dogs reach four months of age, testing for hip dysplasia will not result in significant changes. As a preventive measure, they do require testing for dogs up to two years old for certification purposes. When dealing with dog health, it is better to err on the side of caution, which is the reason behind testing adult dogs.

       When testing for hip dysplasia, signs can range from no symptoms to severe lameness with varying tissues involved. The severity of hip problems seen on X-rays does not necessarily correspond exactly to the degree of the dog's lameness. Diagnosis is made by taking X-rays of the dog’s hip joints from the pelvis to the knees. During the X-ray, the dog's posture is very important, so sedation is required to obtain a conclusive image. Once the X-rays are taken, they are reviewed by veterinarians trained in dysplasia evaluation. The vets assign a rating to the dog's hip condition. The 6 grading levels for detected dysplasia are: Excellent, Good, Fair, Borderline, Moderate, and Severe.

       Among Boxer dog owners, there is considerable concern about hip dysplasia. The OFA shows that Boxer dogs currently rank 67th in hip dysplasia incidence among all breeds. Of tested Boxer dogs, 2.9% earned an Excellent rating, while more than 11% showed signs of dysplasia.

       The best preventive approach for future dog owners is to choose a breeder who has tested their Boxer dogs for hip dysplasia and other common health concerns within the breed. When the puppy’s parents are certified free of hereditary hip problems, the chances of producing healthy Boxer puppies increase. Buying from a certified Boxer breeder usually costs more. However, in the long run, it is worth it because you will add a healthier, happier new member to your home.