Which health problems are common in the Boxer?
Boxers are prone to an inherited heart rhythm problem, skin lumps and eye ulcers. A yearly heart check with a 24-hour rhythm recording, and having any new lump looked at, are what owners can do.
Updated November 9, 2026
What should Boxer owners watch for?
Common for the breed doesn't mean your dog will have it.
- Boxer cardiomyopathy. A heart muscle disease that causes an irregular heartbeat, found with a 24-hour recording. Fainting is the most common sign and needs a vet soon.
- Skin lumps and tumours. Lumps are common, mast cell tumours among them. Have any new lump checked rather than waiting to see.
- Eye ulcers. Sores on the surface of the eye are common and can be slow to heal. A squinting, watering eye needs a vet the same day.
- Ear infections. Head shaking, scratching or a smell from the ears can mean an infection, one of the breed's common problems.
- Gum growths. Lumps on the gums are common in older Boxers. Show your vet any growth in the mouth.
Which checkups do vets often suggest?
| Checkup | What it is | When |
|---|---|---|
| Heart exam by a cardiologist | A vet listens to the heart, and a heart specialist may add an ultrasound. Programmes certify it from 1 year of age and suggest it every year. | From 1 year · Every year |
| 24-hour heart rhythm test (Holter) | A small recorder worn for a day counts irregular heartbeats. Programmes for Boxers repeat it every year. | From 1 year · Every year |
| Hip X-ray | X-ray of the hips, usually under sedation, to check for dysplasia. Schemes take it from 1 year of age in the UK and 2 in the US; ask your vet when. | From 1 year · Once |
| Thyroid blood test | Blood test for an underactive thyroid. Programmes repeat it at set ages up to 8 years; ask your vet when. | From 1 year · Once |
Your vet decides which checkups fit your pet, and when.
How do I keep a Boxer health record?
VetVitae, a free pet health record app for iPhone, Android and the web, shows these notes on your dog’s profile under Health, and Plan it opens the exam or test with its name filled.
For vaccines, parasites and the signs that can’t wait, see the dog care guide.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Your vet knows your pet.
Sources
- Demography, common disorders and mortality of Boxer dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK, Canine Medicine and Genetics, 2023
- Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in dogs and cats, Merck Veterinary Manual
- Working group health testing requirements, American Kennel Club
- Cardiac disease, OFA
- Thyroid, OFA
- BVA Hip Dysplasia Scheme for dogs, British Veterinary Association
Start a record for your pet.
Add your pet, log the last vaccine, and you're set up. Use it in your browser, on iPhone or on Android.