I have owned other breeds, and my favourite quickly became the Boxer. I love the breed for its monkey-like (almost human) character, medium size (great for families), its trustworthy happy nature, short hair (easy to clean), and adorable "snorffly" and vocal noises.

I AM NO LONGER BREEDING ANY LITTERS AT KABOOM - STUD SERVICES ONLY BY CHAMPION FLASHY FAWN CH. KABOOM'S COOKIE TWIX

I believe in SUPERB HEALTH as a first priority - the breed has many serious health issues and I am taking steps to get back to a "healthy Boxer". I feed a high quality diet which includes raw chicken & raw green tripe, fruit, fish, & vitamins. My dogs that have been fed raw have had lots of energy, glossy shiny coats, nearly non-existent shedding, and the health clearance certificates speak for themselves.

I believe in a "temperament you can live with" - a Boxer who is bouncing off your walls is not going to make an enjoyable house pet. I prefer (and look for in breeding stock) a stable, confident, easy-going temperament. A nervous, up-tight, jittery, or aggressive Boxer has no place in my breeding program, and numerous people who have purchased one of my dogs after having several other Boxers have commented that the dog they purchased from Kaboom had the best temperament and was easy to train.

I believe a healthy puppy comes from healthy parents, so I took precautions when planning every litter...by TESTING & CERTIFYING the parents I plan on breeding, and researching the pedigree behind those dogs. If I find a health concern or short lifespan in one dog back in the pedigree, I make sure to not "double-up" on that dog or that same health condition. There are no "perfect" dogs - as with all living species, there will always be Mother Nature to deal with - but this way, I hope to eventually weed-out specific conditions and have longer living dogs. If I find a dog in the pedigree that is excessively healthy and long-lived, I try to double-up on it or its relatives to preserve the healthy lines.

I encourage those entering the breed to study it's heritage and get back to the "larger" Boxers...not overdone, but robust enough to still be a "working dog". There is a fine line in Boxers between too big and too small. Many North American show Boxers are "stylish" but slight in bone. I prefer a more substantial Boxer, but one that can still win in the ring. With my 2004 litter, I out-crossed and added top UK bloodlines to the Kaboom pedigree, with a deliberate intention of achieving a balance of good health, strong bodies, and long lives in my dogs.

Although I've got no dogs to show at the moment (perhaps my new Brussels Griffon in the near future), I believe a dog show is a great place to temperament-test! A nervous dog will not do well, and its character will quickly be apparent. I pay attention to behaviours I see in Boxers at shows, including dangerous aggression or shyness in any dog (or its relatives) that I am considering for my breeding program. As per the breed standard, Boxers are strong-willed and stubborn - they are a confident breed, and will defend themselves if necessary, but must not attack unprevoked. Deliberate and wary with strangers, and loving of children, they will exhibit curiosity but, most importantly, fearless courage and tenacity if threatened, especially towards other dogs. I've been proud on many occasions standing ringside with my Boxers, when they've been in contact with other Boxers (even my intact stud dog and another intact stud dog!) and showed their true colours by kissing the other dog or initiating some simple playtime while waiting to be judged.

Proper socialization is a must, and I strongly believe all puppies should be exposed to a wide array of stimuli such as strangers, many neighbourhood kids, car rides, various footing (tile, carpet, grass, blankets, newspaper, stairs, etc), other dogs, and common household sounds such as dishwasher, vacuum, etc. Take your puppy everywhere, and expect great behaviour! (meaning, don't ever put up with bad behaviour....train and socialize your puppy properly!)

I have never culled a white Boxer from any litter...yes, there are rumours that they may be more susceptible to health conditions, but I sold all 4 of them at a very reasonable price and made sure the buyers were well aware of how to take proper care of their adorable white baby. I encourage owners of white Boxers to enjoy other canine events such as Obedience, Agility, Flyball, and Therapy activities.