Boxer dogs are enthusiastic and fun-loving dogs. They are amazing family dogs that can ensure your family is safe. They’re also always ready for a fun time with their families.
If you’re considering getting a boxer pup, it’s essential that you know everything about them. Most of all, you should know how to properly take care of one. That means knowing what common health issues affect them.
What is a boxer dog’s lifespan? How can you prolong their life and keep them healthy? We’ll be answering all that in this article.
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What is a Boxer Dog’s Lifespan?
Unfortunately, dogs can’t live as long as we do. Bigger dogs also tend to have shorter lifespans than smaller breeds. For the boxer dog, the average life expectancy is 10 to 12 years.
A decade of having a boxer may seem short. But you can help them live long beyond their years by keeping them healthy. Follow their exercise and feeding requirements. You should also keep them safe from possible health issues that can shorten their life.
Exercise Requirements
Boxer dogs are energetic. They need enough daily exercise to keep them physically fit. It’s also possible for your dog to become hyperactive if you keep them cooped up.
Your dog will need around 45 to 60 minutes of exercise. Walking, jogging, and running with them can help. Make sure they are on a leash whenever you’re going out with them. These dogs love jumping and leaping so it’s not good to let them run loose.
Your yard should also be fenced if you wish to have a boxer. Their constant leaping may endanger other dogs and people.
Food Requirements
Feed your dog at least two to three times a day. Their caloric intake depends on their age and weight. You can ask your vet for the best feeding plan depending on your dog’s overall health.
You can give your dog high-quality kibbles or homemade food.
Common Health Problems
Health issues are the main reasons why boxer dogs have shorter lifespan. They may even die earlier if they’re diagnosed with serious diseases. That’s why regular visits to the vet are essential. They can detect and diagnose problems early on for treatments.
Additionally, only get a boxer pup from a reputable breeder. The parent dogs should be healthy. Otherwise, the pup may inherit any diseases they might have.
That said, here are the health issues that commonly affect boxer dogs. These problems may be fatal. Some even cause sudden death.
Heart Problems
Boxer dogs are prone to several heart problems. One of the most common is known as the Boxer Cardiomyopathy (BCM). It’s a genetic condition that causes the entropic heartbeat rhythm.
BCM can be fatal when your dog experiences heart failure. This can happen if the problem is undetected. Most cases are often diagnosed when your dog is around two years old.
Common symptoms of BCM include:
- Coughing
- Rapid breathing
- Fainting
- Fluid in the abdomen
- Irregular heartbeats
Also, beware of other heart problems like aortic/subaortic stenosis (AS/SAS). This is defined as having an obstruction under the aortic valve. It can also cause sudden death like BCM.
Cancer
Different types of cancer are also more common in boxer dogs. In fact, this breed has a high cancer risk than other breeds. It’s believed to be a result of genetic disposition.
Four particular cancer types are more prevalent on boxer dogs. These are boxer hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, brain tumors, and mast cell tumors.
Hemangiosarcoma is otherwise known as the cancer of the blood vessels. Unfortunately, once your boxer is diagnosed with this, it’s a little too late. This cancer is aggressive and rapidly attacks your dog’s body.
Normally, dogs with severe hemangiosarcoma have only two months to live. Early symptoms are almost unnoticeable. These include lethargy, weight loss, loss of appetite, anemia, and breathing problems.
Lymphoma or cancer of the lymphocytes is so prevalent in boxer that 25% will develop it. Symptoms include swelling of the lymph nodes, breathing problems, and fluid in the abdomen. They will also experience fever, frequent drinking, and urination.
Boxers are also the leading dog breed that frequently gets brain tumors. Your boxer may experience seizures, head tilt, personality changes, and constant circling.
Lastly, mast cell tumors on boxer dogs appear on the skin. These are graded from one to three depending on several factors. Grade one tumors unlikely spread. Grade two tumors can metastasize locally while grade three tumors are likely to metastasize.
Regular Checkup
Bringing your dog every now and then to the vet can help detect problems early on. By doing so, it’s possible for your dog to quickly heal. It can prolong their life and help them to live normally.
You now have the answer if you’re asked what is a boxer dog’s lifespan. And now that you know, it’s best to help your dog live their life fully.
