Hi can anyone tell me at what age my dog should be heart scored, i have a Boxer. Also how much does it cost? Thanks

Age wise  he will have to be over 12 mths of age.

Cost will depend on where you have it down....if you phone the Boxer breed council   they may be able to tell you at which Boxer shows they are doing heart scores.... if you have it done  this way, it is around  £ 8 ,  it may have gone up this yr.

Other wise  ask your vet to  recommend  the nearest Cardiologist   to you.... be prepared , you may have to travel

The scoring will be from 0 to 6.... a 0 or  1 should only  be bred from....some breeders will breed from a 2 , but under exceptional  circumstances, you must know your lines inside out!!!

Do you have the scores of your dogs parents, this may give you an idea  of his score...  and are you planning to breed your dog... other wise unless you have some concerns  over his health, there is really no need to have your dog done... other than your own personal  knowledge.

"and are you planning to breed your dog... other wise unless you have some concerns  over his health, there is really no need to have your dog done... other than your own personal  knowledge. "

But, just to give another viewpoint - it could be very useful information for his breeders and the owner of his sire :)

But, just to give another viewpoint - it could be very useful information for his breeders and the owner of his sire

True!!!    good point!

No i'm not planning to breed from him but wasn't sure if i should get him heart scored anyway, considering the stories you here about Boxers dying suddenly.... or am i just worrying too much about that ? His Dam is Grade 0 and his Sire is Grade 1. 

Hi, no you are not worrying to much,  we all do so with out Boxers ,as cardiomyopathy?
is a major problem In Boxers.

If you are overly concerned then  it is worth doing m but with those scores form parents ,  you should not be  to worried.

Has you normal  vet picked up any murmurs on his annual check up...  for instance both my dogs have been graded   a 1 by MY  vet BUT I must stress this is not a true reading as it is not done by the cardioligist... my boy is 8 and my girl is 5 ,  both lead normal lives,  and unless  Something gives me worry, I have not bothered to have them scored . (neither is breeding stock)

Here you go, some reading for you to  look at.

http://www.geocities.com/apexboxers/boxerheart.html

South Western Boxer Club are doing heart testing at their show.  Give the secretary Glenda Tibbotts a call. http://www.southwesternboxerclub.co.uk

The vet says that my boy is in perfect health and no sign of a murmur. i think for my own peace of mind i will get him scored though.Thanks for  your reply .

I'm in Buckinghamshire, do you know if there is a breed club closer to me than the south western?

have a look on ukboxer list http://www.ukboxerdogs.co.uk

You can try either the London and Home Counties Boxer Club show
This is on Sunday 15th June, at the Fairlands Community Centre, Guildford. GU3 3NA.
Heart Testing is around £10-£10.50 now, some clubs may be a little more expensive.
But it's the vet that determines the cost of testing.

Or The British Boxer Club, which holds it's next show in Steventon nr Didcot at the end of November.
They didn't have testing at their earlier show this year as it clashed with Easter and all the vets they normally
use for heart testing were on call.

Normally it's best to arrive in the morning as if there aren't many dogs to heart score they won't stay all day.

I have found a cardiologist in Berkshire, he charges £27 which is the cost of his normal consultation fee, so i shall be going next week.

If he's not on the list of approved boxer breed council cardiologists then your dog won't be able to go on
the heart test list.

See here www.boxerbreedcouncil.co.uk
click on health and then AS, the links should be on the page.
It also has a link to the Boxer heart score clear list.

Thanks, i looked on Boxer breed council list and phoned the nearest cardiologist which was in Hertfordshire but he had left the practice,the other cardiologist there would only do the Doppler echocardiography and hopefully that won't be needed, so the nearest one to me is Mr Oakley in Crowthorne Berkshire,i'm going next week.