Information & Resource Links
The Boxer:
A Versatile Working Dog
“Other breeds have pronounced specialized talents . . . . hunting, herding, trailing, and so on . . . but for a combination of the outstanding virtues of many with the faults of a few, our Boxer is the most gifted of canines. For the man, woman or child who wants an all-round dog, he has no equal. No other dog is more individual in appearance, more keenly intelligent or sanely even-tempered. These virtues alone are priceless if the dog is to become part of his master’s family, which he should for the well-being of all concerned.”
- John Wagner, The Boxer
As detailed in the above quote by John P. Wagner, the author of “The Boxer” (first published in 1939), our breed of choice is a versatile dog. Its temperament, drive and biddable nature allow it to go from sleeping on your couch, to intense working dog (on the schuzthund field, agility course), or the consummate showman in the conformation ring, then back at home laying around while his youngest family members play dress up with him. The Boxer is a working breed that is still used as a service dog in many parts of Europe, and a few are used here in the States as well, both police/narcotics work and for Search and Rescue. In Germany, Boxers are the second most titled breed in Schutzhund behind Shepherds, and while schutzhund is not nearly as popular here in the States, our boxers still excel at a wide variety of sports and activities including Schuzthund, Agility, Obedience, Rally, Tracking, Nose Work, French Ring, Mondio and most recently AKC Sanctioned Herding too. A boxer with sound temperament and proper character, paired an owner/trainer who can invest the time to work their dog, can really do anything its owners set forth to accomplish. It's this type of boxer that we feel is our ideal dog to have in our home, and it's this type boxer we do our best to breed towards
Differences in Boxers Around the World
"Why are the dogs so different? One thing emerges quite clearly - and that is that there is much variance in style. There is a lot lost today from the past. If people really think on what is needed for a working dog, they will see the problems of today´s dogs and the handicap that they have made for the breed"
- Karin Rezewski, Changing The Boxer World
With an increasing population of imported boxers from around the world, it is evident there is a clear distinction between the typical boxer seen in North America, and that which is found around the world. In our home, we have North American, German (European), and UK-lines, each with qualities and faults, as there are no perfect dogs or lines. The quote above is taken from Karin Rezewski, long-time member of the German Boxer Klub, International FCI-licensed judge, who bred under the kennel "von Schutting". We truly believe this statement that in a few short words describes why it is so important to keep in mind the boxer is a working dog. Whether it be muzzles too short, or too muzzles narrow, bones too heavy, or too light, dogs too tall, or toplines too sloping, while some of these over/undertype may stand out in some show rings, they detract from what makes an ideal working dog. We do our best to breed a boxer that is truly a med-sized working dog, that looks, and acts like a boxer.
For more differences of boxers seen around the world please visit "The Worldwide Boxer".
Club Websites:
United States Boxer Association (USABOX) - National Working Boxer Club, German Boxers, ATIBOX-Affiliate
ATIBOX - Association Technique Internationale du Boxer
American Boxer Club - National Breed Club of America, American Kennel Club (AKC) affiliate.
Boxers West - West Coast working boxer club, regional member club of USABOX.
Registries
American Kennel Club (AKC) - http://www.akc.org/
Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) - http://www.fci.be/default.aspx
United Kennel Club (UKC) - http://www.ukcdogs.com/Web.nsf/WebPages/Home
Health Information
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) - http://www.offa.org/
Genetic Diseases Common to Boxers - http://www.americanboxerclub.org/genetic_diseases.html
