Pedigree History
(From a "Dogs in Canada" article, April 1997. Submitted to Dogs in Canada by Shirley & Ben de Boer)

In the United States, strengthening of the Boxer genetic pool occurred during the 1930's when the four foundation sires - "Sigurd", and his three grandsons "Dorion", "Lustig", and Lustig's younger full brother "Utz" - were imported from Germany. These dogs were considered to represent the ideal of nearly 50 years of careful breeding of the breed's most aristocratic and finest families, including the famous Von Dom Kennel. They were also extensively used by the American breeders, producing 144 champions and 21 producers (SOM's, DOM's). They were the leading sires from 1937 through 1941.

SIGURD VON DOM, born 1929
 

DORIAN VON MARIENDORF Dorian, born 1933 Sire of 40 champions in USA

LUSTIG VON DOM Lustig, born 1933 Sire of 41 champions in USA

UTZ VON DOM Utz, born 1936 Sire of 37 champions in USA

John P. Wagner of Mazelaine Kennels produced some 100 champions, including Westminster Best in Show winners "Ch. Warlord of Mazelaine" and "Ch. Mazelaine's Zazarac Brandy". The four foundation sires' names appear numerous times in the pedigrees of "Warlord" and "Brandy" (line-bred).

The pedigree of "Ch. Bang Away of Sirrah Crest", the all-time winner (121 Best in Show wins) and producer (120 champions), is dominated by the Von Dom, Mazelaine, and Sirrah Crest kennel names. "Bang Away" appears in approximately 95% of the pedigrees of 2000 American Champions of the 1980's, and was so famous he was featured in magazines such as Life, Colliers, Esquire, numerous dog magazines as well as newspapers. When being transported by air the pilots let him ride up top in the plane, bragging that they had Bang Away on board. In 1951 he won Best in Show at Westminster and he is credited with changing the look of the Boxer breed into the more stylish type we see today.

Written by Joanne, some excerpts from the official CKC Boxer Standard:

The Boxer is originally from Germany; a unique combination of MASTIFF, ENGLISH BULLDOG, and BULL TERRIER breeds. An exuberant, courageous hunting dog, years ago he was used to hold large game with his strong, undershot bite. The Boxer’s head piece is to this day of high importance, as the work this breed was originally required to do meant the dog needed to be able to grip onto the game and not let go. The greatest jaw width possible gave the Boxer a powerful grip, and the up-turned nose allowed this fighting dog to breathe while still holding the game in his mouth. The bottom jaw was required to be square (front teeth straight across between the corner canines), and the upper jaw slightly rounded. In addition to proper bone structure, the wrinkles on the Boxer’s muzzle kept any blood from running into his eyes; therefore the extra skin on the face is also an important feature.

Years later, the Boxer became useful as a guardian, due to his keen hearing ability, and presents himself as alert and self-assured. He is not a nervous breed and will not bark without cause. He is playful, energetic, intelligent, and loyal to his family. "Aware" but not "afraid" of strangers, and fearless if threatened, the Boxer is also confident, curious and very friendly once properly introduced. A Boxer will not go looking for a fight, but if a fight finds him, he will not back down.

The Boxer ranges in size from 21” at the shoulder in small females up to 25” in males; adult weights can range from 50-85 lbs. The short, smooth coat is either fawn (red-tan) or brindle (red-tan or mahogany colouring with black striping). Black brindle, also known as reverse brindle, is a colour that is mostly black but has some thin fawn striping on the coat. Boxers do not come in pure black (with or without white markings), but the original Bull Terrier type dog still shows up in most litters by the appearance of pure white puppies, or white with a fawn or brindle patch. These white puppies are not “albino”, as they have brown eyes and black noses. Some white markings on the fawn or brindle coats are desirable, but must not exceed 1/3 of the Boxer’s total colouring as required by the Boxer Standard (white puppies are not eligible for competition in CKC/AKC conformation shows). Ears may be cropped or left natural, and the long tail is docked to a length of ¾” to 1” three days after birth.

The Boxer is extremely smart and learns quickly. He needs early consistent training, but will become stubborn and resistant if harshly disciplined. He also requires daily vigorous exercise, and loves to be with his family. He does not need to do long-distance marathons…but a 15-20 minute jog every day, or chasing a ball in the park for half an hour, as well as an active weekend lifestyle (hiking, running) will keep a Boxer in top athletic condition.

With his expressive face, high spirits, and certain vocal “sassiness”, the Boxer makes a wonderful and entertaining companion.

So … what’s it really like to live with one?

Boxers are playful, mischievous, and don’t like to be ignored. They chase bugs, they dig in the garden, and they can jump 6 feet in the air to pick pears off your tree! They learn how to open doors, open food bins, open fridges, and open hearts… Boxers adore children, protect your home and property with a serious bark, yet welcome approved visitors like old pals.

This is an active breed that will become very bored, very fast. The Boxer is best suited to stay-at-home owners, or those who work part time. For full time workers, their Boxer almost always demands doggie-daycare! Many Boxers are happy to go to work with their owners, and are well behaved when given proper training.

Once you are owned by a Boxer, this breed will hold a special place in your heart forever.   

AKC Gazette February 1991, by Stephanie Abraham

WHAT THE STANDARD DOESN'T SAY

Boxers make us laugh. By nature they offer us a lot of comic relief during otherwise tough days. Who can avoid a smile when a Boxer greets you, wiggling, bent like a pretzel, with a forbidden slipper in his mouth?

Every breed has its essential characteristics, those qualities that tell you that you live with a Malamute, not a Min Pin. Surely, there can be no more unique a personality in dogdom than that of a Boxer.

Boxers are excellent retrievers. They will pick up almost anything you can toss for them, with bounding enthusiasm and the greatest joy. Too bad; they will never bring it back. Rather, they enjoy playing "keep-away," careening around the yard, loving every moment of your exasperation as you try, in vain, to teach your Boxer to be a Labrador.

When your frail Aunt Martha comes to visit, just after her hip surgery, you can be sure that your Boxer will launch himself like a rocket in greeting, jumping on her with full force as you watch, horrified, as she disintegrates before your eyes. A Boxer gives love, even casual affection, in its most exuberant form, and training a Boxer not to jump is often a Life's Work. And by the way, after he's finished with Aunt Martha, he may engage in one of his favourite pastimes: running straight at you, throttle open, then dodging aside at the last possible agonizing moment, usually.

Eating: Most Boxers are good at it, but they may train you, in their youth, to feed them roast beef and caviar. For every Boxer that chows down kibble mixed with canned dog food, there is another Boxer capable of convincing you that he will starve unless you give him the porterhouse that he loves. If all of your efforts to coax him to eat normally fail, you may resort to the controversial practice of "stuffing": force feeding ugly food balls. Most often this is done to ensure proper conditioning for the show ring, and many people abhor the practice. Nevertheless, it will continue to be done, and one thing is absolutely certain: When the championship is won, and you tell your neurotic eater to leave you alone and either eat or waste away, he will never miss another meal.

Boxers don't like other Boxers. Or rather, they don't like other Boxers of the same sex. While males and females may live together in perfect harmony, and indeed as fast friends, two adult males, or less often females, may decide one fine day to eat each other. Usually, some momentous event precipitates the clash---once, in my case, we had WWIII over a ripe pear stolen from a kitchen counter. Jealousy over an owner's affections may also be a major issue. Once war is declared, a truce is not possible. The only way to keep the would be combatants in the same household is to separate them behind closed doors. It can be done. But remember, even years later, your Boxer will remember that he hates the dog on the other side of the door.

While he may be fierce if threatened by another dog, tease the cat unmercifully, and choose occasionally not to come when he's called, your Boxer will take almost any abuse from children. Boxers adore children. Given a room full of kids and adults, odds are that the Boxer is rolling around on the floor with the little people. They don't discriminate against the neighbour's kids, either. They'll follow them for miles, especially if they're on bikes, which is one of the very good reasons that your Boxer should be restrained in his own yard behind climb and dig-proof fencing.

I've only just touched on the essence of the Boxer, but you probably knew it all anyway. Boxers are fun, stubborn, physically active, loyal, and among the most good tempered creatures ever to interact with the people they love. And when we lose them, as we inevitably must, what we shall remember about them is much more than any shiny trophies or purple ribbons. We shall remember the tail that wagged with delight every time they saw us; we shall remember the morning they stole a pound of butter from the kitchen and ate it all over the Oriental rug; we shall remember their sweetly quizzical ways, and the uncanny human expression in their eyes.