Hole in Heart in Boxers

Question
Hi, I have a question about breeding my female boxer with a male boxer who has a hole in his heart. I just wanted to know if this could be passed on to the pups like other heart problems. Also she weighs about 55 pounds and the male weighs close to 80 pounds, is this too much of a size difference for breeding? Thank You for your time!

Answer
Hi Stephanie,

Ventricular septal defect (VSD)or hole in the heart is a malformation of the heart where there is a hole between the left and right ventricles.  A small hole in the heart will sometimes seal of its own accord in the first year of life. Even if it remains open, a dog may well live with the condition for years without suffering any ill effects. Large defects will eventually give rise to symptoms of heart failure and require surgical repair.

That being said it is considered hereditary and can be passed on.  But on another note the male may at a risk of a "heart attack" during the mating sessions.  

It is common for a male of any breed to be larger than the female.  In this instance, I would reconsider the male.

Good luck