Published in ABC News Bulletin, September 1999
In the past week, I have been hearing from numerous people that there is an awful lot of confusion out there regarding our Boxers' health and cardiomyopathy in particular. I have been confused for some time and asked the Health and Research Committee in May to submit their committee minutes for publication in the Bulletin, so that the membership would be made aware of what efforts are being made in regard to this problem. The minutes were not in the June issue, but I understand that they will be in this issue.
The question has arisen as to what is the ABC's policy regarding testing of our Boxers for heart problems? The research is ongoing and it is too early to make policy on the incomplete data that is available. One of the reasons for some of the confusion is that the researchers are being called by individuals who are pressing them for answers that they do not yet have .Our Boxers have had this cardiac problem for a long time, and we have just recently recognized how extensive it is. There is also a lot more being written about it, but no one has the answers that we are seeking. We must not panic but should be patient and allow those doing the research to complete their studies and then give us the advice that we need to curtail or hopefully eradicate this problem.
The research is funded mainly by ABC members through the American Boxer Charitable Foundation and subsequently through the AKC Health Foundation. Those doing the research are therefore answerable to those organizations. The ABC Board has asked the ABC Health Committee to keep the ABC Board and the membership informed of any reported progress but has not established any policy based on the incomplete data presently available. We suggest that each individual evaluate the information that is made available as best as he/she can and use it as he/she sees fit.
We urge you not to criticize those whose practices may differ from yours, and also urge you not to spread rumors regarding the health problems of fellow bleeders'dogs. It is only through truthful cooperation and trust that we will be able to stamp out this problem, and then only after we obtain knowledge based on facts obtained through the continuing research, which I am proud to say that the ABC and the Foundation are supporting.
We must be careful not to turn the American Boxer Club into a dictatorial organization on breeding policies, but we must be patient and work together to solve this problem.
Respectfully Submitted
Dr. Bob Oliver President
September 7, 1999
