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    • EARLY DEVELOPMENT PUPPY GYM
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  • BREEDER RESOURCES
    • ANIMAL WELLNESS COACHING
    • ANXIETY
    • BIO SENSOR FOR PUPPY DEVELOPMENT
    • COEFFICIENT OF INBREEDING
    • CRYSTALS FOR BREEDING ANIMALS
    • CANINE INFLUENZA
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Gentry Boxers
  • HOME
    • WELCOME TO GENTRY! >
      • ABOUT PAULA
      • PHILOSOPHY
      • CODE OF ETHICS
      • TESTIMONIALS
      • NATURAL REARING
      • CONTACT US
      • WHY BUY FROM A BREEDER LIKE ME?
  • PUPPIES AVAILABLE
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    • WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN WE'RE EXPECTING
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    • DO I REALLY WANT A BOXER PUPPY?
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    • BIO SENSOR SUPER DOG
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    • THE GIRLS >
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        • PHOTO GALLERIES
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        • PEDIGREE
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        • SUMMARY OF HEALTH SCREENS
        • PEDIGREE
      • LAYLA >
        • SUMMARY OF HEALTH SCREENS
        • PEDIGREE
        • PHOTOS
      • SPICE >
        • SUMMARY OF HEALTH SCREENS
        • PEDIGREE
        • PHOTOS
        • SPICE PUPPIES
      • TWINKLE - THE BOSTON TERRIER >
        • PEDIGREE
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      • ZIVA >
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    • THE BOYS >
      • THOMAS >
        • STUD SERVICE
        • SUMMARY OF HEALTH SCREENS
        • THOMAS PHOTOS
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      • ROBO >
        • SUMMARY OF HEALTH SCREENS
        • PEDIGREE
        • PHOTOS
      • RYDER >
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        • SUMMARY OF HEALTH SCREENS
        • PEDIGREE
        • RYDER PHOTOS
    • GONE BUT STILL LOVED >
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        • SUMMARY OF HEALTH SCREENS
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      • SCOTTY >
        • STUD SERVICE
        • SUMMARY OF HEALTH SCREENS
        • SCOTTY PHOTOS
        • SCOTTY'S PUPPIES
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        • NALU PUPPIES
      • DASH >
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        • SUMMARY OF HEALTH SCREENS
        • PEDIGREE
        • DASH PHOTOS
        • DASH PUPPIES
  • PAST PUPPIES
    • BOSTON TERRIER LITTER 2024
    • GRACE - DUSTY LITTER
    • ZIVA-TOBY LITTER
    • GRACE - SULLY LITTER
    • SPICE/MOTO LITTER
    • NALU/RUGER LITTER
    • 2013 PUPPIES
  • BREED FACTS
    • AMERICAN BOXER CLUB >
      • HEALTH SCREENING RECOMMENDATIONS
      • THE BOXER STANDARD
      • HOW TO JUDGE A BOXER
      • HOW TO PICK A SHOW PROSPECT
      • FUTURITY NOMINATIONS
    • WHITE BOXERS
    • MARKINGS IN BOXERS
  • HEALTH and CARE
    • ANIMAL WELLNESS COACHING
    • ANXIETY
    • CRYSTALS FOR HEALTH AND SUPPORT
    • DEATH AND EUTHANASIA
    • EAR CROPPING
    • EATING HEALTHY/RAW DIET >
      • HOW WE MAKE OUR OWN RAW FOOD
      • WHAT ABOUT PARASITES AND PATHOGENS?
    • ESSENTIAL OILS
    • FLOWER ESSENCES
    • HEALTH ISSUES IN BOXERS >
      • CORNEAL DYSTROPHY
      • DEGENERATIVE MYELOPATHY
      • HEART PROBLEMS
      • HIP/ELBOW DYSPLASIA
      • KENNEL COUGH
      • MANGE
      • SNAKE and VENOMOUS INSECT BITES
      • THYROID PROBLEMS
    • HEARTWORM PREVENTION AND TREATMENT NATURALLY
    • HOMEOPATHIC SUPPORT >
      • HOW HOMEOPATHY WORKS
      • HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES and MUSCLE TESTING
      • HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR DOGS - A QUICK STUDY
      • HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR VACCINE REACTIONS
      • NOSODES
    • MUSCLE TESTING - KINESIOLOGY
    • RENT CARDIAC HOLTER
    • SNAKE and VENOMOUS INSECT/SPIDER BITES
    • VACCINES
  • TRAINING
    • ANXIETY
    • BIO SENSOR SUPERDOG
    • PUPPY TRAINING
  • SHOPPING
    • BOXER MERCHANDISE and CALENDARS
    • EARLY DEVELOPMENT PUPPY GYM
    • STORE FOR BREEDERS and OWNERS
  • BREEDER RESOURCES
    • ANIMAL WELLNESS COACHING
    • ANXIETY
    • BIO SENSOR FOR PUPPY DEVELOPMENT
    • COEFFICIENT OF INBREEDING
    • CRYSTALS FOR BREEDING ANIMALS
    • CANINE INFLUENZA
    • EARLY DEVELOPMENT PUPPY GYM
    • ESSENTIAL OILS
    • DEATH AND EUTHANASIA
    • MICROCHIPPING
    • NATURAL REARING
    • NOSODES
    • RENT CARDIAC HOLTER
    • SAVING PUPPIES
    • TAILS and DEWCLAWS
    • TUBE FEEDING
    • WHELPING PUPPIES
  • BLOG
  • FORENSIC HAIR ANALYSIS
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HEALTH ISSUES IN BOXERS

OUR HOPE REGARDING DEGENERATIVE MYELOPATHY
Gentry Boxers is dedicated to increasing the life span of our beautiful boxers by applying the science of health screening, holistic supports, the use of minimal vaccinations and toxins, the use of homeopathic medicines, and using Animal Communication to discuss health concerns with the animals themselves.

On the following pages you can learn about the most common health issues that boxers face.  We screen for all of them; hips, elbows, eyes, thyroids, hearts, spines.

The two most common health concerns that are fatal to boxers are heart problems (cardiomyopathy and sub-aortic stenosis) and spinal problems (degenerative myelopathy).  Although there is some wiggle room in a breeding program on non-fatal issues, in my opinion there is not on issues that can cause severe symptoms and death.  Therefore, we do not compromise on heart issues nor degenerative myelopathy.

Degenerative Myelopathy (aka DM) is often considered trivial in some breeding programs.  It can be called an old dog's disease, thus there is less concern for this health issue than some others.  We had our first experience with it in 2009-2010 when  our beloved white boxer Petie expressed the symptoms of DM.  He was born before the DM genome test was available, and we didn't know he had two alleles for DM that put him at risk for the disease.  When the test came out we screened him and he came back positive with two alleles (At Risk).  He developed symptoms in 2009, first dragging a back toe.  A paralysis crept up from his toes up through his hips and into his spine, making ambulation difficult.  He kept his dignity and happy bounce for about 18 months, but life was challenging for him.  We didn't have room for a dog to ambulate with a wheelchair, so helped him in other ways, using MuttLuck booties and helping him get where he wanted to go.  However, DM is utimatately fatal and currently has no cure.  The American Boxer Club Charitable Health Foundation is funding research into this disease and we support them with donations from sales of our calendars and donations of services and products from The Dog Breeder Store and our Zazzle Boxer Store.

Petie died on November 12, 2010, after letting us know that his time had come to pass.  We were heartbroken to lose him at only 11 years of age.

We do not want our clients to go through this experience.  Therefore, we will do everything possible not to produce puppies either through our own nursery or through our stud dogs who will symptomize for DM.  Dogs that are At Risk should be raised naturally, detoxed from vaccines (or preferably not vaccinated), and live a holistic lifestyle with raw diet and natural supports.  Don't ask to breed to any of our dogs with a DM allele without screening for DM and having an open mind regarding natural rearing supports.  We know that a large percentage of boxers are not clear of DM alleles and that it will take considerable time before this disease is cured.  However, we believe that with mindful breeding choices and natural rearing techniques, we can continue to move forward in the goal to produce no boxers who will ever suffer from DM again.


IN MEMORY

Picture
In memory of our dear Petie who passed away of Degenerative Myelopathy in 2010

CORNEAL DYSTROPHY (EYES)

DEGENERATIVE MYELOPATHY (NERVOUS SYSTEM)

CARDIOMYOPATHY and SUBAORTIC STENOSIS (CARDIAC)

ELBOWS AND HIPS (SKELETAL)

KENNEL COUGH (IMMUNE SYSTEM)

MANGE (IMMUNE SYSTEM)

THYROID (IMMUNE SYSTEM)


Resources:

Link to Boxer Stud Dogs Who are Tested Clear
Podcast on Health Issues in Boxers
Copyright 2013-2025 Gentry Boxers LLC - Affiliate disclosure:  Occasionally links are embedded that put a small stipend into our bank to support our natural rearing mission! There is nothing recommended that we don't use regularly here and find to be extremely effective.  Prices are the same as if you purchase without our link. Thank you for your support.
  • HOME
    • WELCOME TO GENTRY! >
      • ABOUT PAULA
      • PHILOSOPHY
      • CODE OF ETHICS
      • TESTIMONIALS
      • NATURAL REARING
      • CONTACT US
      • WHY BUY FROM A BREEDER LIKE ME?
  • PUPPIES AVAILABLE
    • PUPPY APPLICATION
    • BOXERS AVAILABLE >
      • WATCH OUR PUPPIES GROW
    • BOSTON TERRIER AVAILABLE
    • PUPPY FAQ, PRICING, REFUND AND DEPOSIT POLICY
    • HOW GENTRY PUPPIES ARE RAISED
    • WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN WE'RE EXPECTING
    • HEALTH GUARANTEE INFORMATION
    • DO I REALLY WANT A BOXER PUPPY?
    • EARLY DEVELOPMENT PUPPY GYM
    • CHOOSING A BOXER PUPPY
    • BIO SENSOR SUPER DOG
  • MEET THE GENTRY DOGS
    • THE GIRLS >
      • FLAME >
        • PHOTO GALLERIES
        • SUMMARY OF HEALTH SCREENS
        • PEDIGREE
      • GRACE >
        • SUMMARY OF HEALTH SCREENS
        • PEDIGREE
      • LAYLA >
        • SUMMARY OF HEALTH SCREENS
        • PEDIGREE
        • PHOTOS
      • SPICE >
        • SUMMARY OF HEALTH SCREENS
        • PEDIGREE
        • PHOTOS
        • SPICE PUPPIES
      • TWINKLE - THE BOSTON TERRIER >
        • PEDIGREE
        • HER FAMOUS PARENTS
        • HEALTH SCREENS
      • ZIVA >
        • SUMMARY OF HEALTH SCREENS
        • PEDIGREE
    • THE BOYS >
      • THOMAS >
        • STUD SERVICE
        • SUMMARY OF HEALTH SCREENS
        • THOMAS PHOTOS
        • THOMAS PUPPIES
      • ROBO >
        • SUMMARY OF HEALTH SCREENS
        • PEDIGREE
        • PHOTOS
      • RYDER >
        • STUD SERVICE
        • SUMMARY OF HEALTH SCREENS
        • PEDIGREE
        • RYDER PHOTOS
    • GONE BUT STILL LOVED >
      • GINGER >
        • SUMMARY OF HEALTH SCREENS
        • PEDIGREE
        • SUMMARY OF HEALTH SCREENS
        • PHOTOS
        • HER PUPPIES
      • SCOTTY >
        • STUD SERVICE
        • SUMMARY OF HEALTH SCREENS
        • SCOTTY PHOTOS
        • SCOTTY'S PUPPIES
      • NALU (The Perfect Wave) >
        • PEDIGREE
        • NALU PUPPIES
      • DASH >
        • STUD SERVICE
        • SUMMARY OF HEALTH SCREENS
        • PEDIGREE
        • DASH PHOTOS
        • DASH PUPPIES
  • PAST PUPPIES
    • BOSTON TERRIER LITTER 2024
    • GRACE - DUSTY LITTER
    • ZIVA-TOBY LITTER
    • GRACE - SULLY LITTER
    • SPICE/MOTO LITTER
    • NALU/RUGER LITTER
    • 2013 PUPPIES
  • BREED FACTS
    • AMERICAN BOXER CLUB >
      • HEALTH SCREENING RECOMMENDATIONS
      • THE BOXER STANDARD
      • HOW TO JUDGE A BOXER
      • HOW TO PICK A SHOW PROSPECT
      • FUTURITY NOMINATIONS
    • WHITE BOXERS
    • MARKINGS IN BOXERS
  • HEALTH and CARE
    • ANIMAL WELLNESS COACHING
    • ANXIETY
    • CRYSTALS FOR HEALTH AND SUPPORT
    • DEATH AND EUTHANASIA
    • EAR CROPPING
    • EATING HEALTHY/RAW DIET >
      • HOW WE MAKE OUR OWN RAW FOOD
      • WHAT ABOUT PARASITES AND PATHOGENS?
    • ESSENTIAL OILS
    • FLOWER ESSENCES
    • HEALTH ISSUES IN BOXERS >
      • CORNEAL DYSTROPHY
      • DEGENERATIVE MYELOPATHY
      • HEART PROBLEMS
      • HIP/ELBOW DYSPLASIA
      • KENNEL COUGH
      • MANGE
      • SNAKE and VENOMOUS INSECT BITES
      • THYROID PROBLEMS
    • HEARTWORM PREVENTION AND TREATMENT NATURALLY
    • HOMEOPATHIC SUPPORT >
      • HOW HOMEOPATHY WORKS
      • HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES and MUSCLE TESTING
      • HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR DOGS - A QUICK STUDY
      • HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR VACCINE REACTIONS
      • NOSODES
    • MUSCLE TESTING - KINESIOLOGY
    • RENT CARDIAC HOLTER
    • SNAKE and VENOMOUS INSECT/SPIDER BITES
    • VACCINES
  • TRAINING
    • ANXIETY
    • BIO SENSOR SUPERDOG
    • PUPPY TRAINING
  • SHOPPING
    • BOXER MERCHANDISE and CALENDARS
    • EARLY DEVELOPMENT PUPPY GYM
    • STORE FOR BREEDERS and OWNERS
  • BREEDER RESOURCES
    • ANIMAL WELLNESS COACHING
    • ANXIETY
    • BIO SENSOR FOR PUPPY DEVELOPMENT
    • COEFFICIENT OF INBREEDING
    • CRYSTALS FOR BREEDING ANIMALS
    • CANINE INFLUENZA
    • EARLY DEVELOPMENT PUPPY GYM
    • ESSENTIAL OILS
    • DEATH AND EUTHANASIA
    • MICROCHIPPING
    • NATURAL REARING
    • NOSODES
    • RENT CARDIAC HOLTER
    • SAVING PUPPIES
    • TAILS and DEWCLAWS
    • TUBE FEEDING
    • WHELPING PUPPIES
  • BLOG
  • FORENSIC HAIR ANALYSIS
  • PRIVACY POLICY