standard only states that the white mark- ings should not detract from the intel- ligent expression. Th at leaves plenty of room for interpretation. Whether any given pattern of white markings is per- ceived as more or less attractive, there is no room for artificially changing it by using hair dyes. Th at is a practice that sadly is seen far too often lately in the show ring. Th e Boxer skull is slightly arched and the cheeks are rather flat. Dome-shaped skulls and cheekiness are not desirable for the breed and often come along with excessive wrinkling. However rich in details, Boxer heads are not so di ffi cult to judge. Getting famil- iar with the correct expression is likely the best path to understand it as significant deviations in its conformation will always impact proper expression. In conclusion, Boxers are a head breed and what that means is that a correct head is a necessity for this breed as it implies quality and helps define breed type. How- ever, Boxers are still working dogs and as such they also need solid conformation, sound gait and proper temperament. So what should we be more forgiving of in this breed? Nothing, I say. We should just expect more from them. “WRINKLING ON THE HEAD IS REQUIRED from the lower edge of the stop extending to the sides of the muzzle and will also appear on the forehead when the dog is alert.”
Until a better term is coined, lemon-shaped remains by far the most accurate. I find it troublesome that the standard for this breed does not describe the eye shape accurately, and it’s a “head breed” nonetheless. Because it is a brachiocephalic breed and with a certain amount of wrinkling on the head, Boxers often show a tendency for droopy, looser lower eyelids (ectropion). Th at is neither correct, nor is it healthy. Boxers must have dark brown eyes regardless of coat colors. Some years ago the standard used to refer to light-eyed dogs as having a bird of prey expression. As standards where changed to adapt to AKC’s guidelines many detailed descrip- tions of faults became deleted but the relevance of dark eyes and its impact on expression cannot be forgotten. Wrinkling on the head is required from the lower edge of the stop extending to the sides of the muzzle and will also appear on the forehead when the dog is alert. Exces- sive wrinkling will detract from the desir- able intelligent expression and lack of the above mentioned wrinkles will ruin the expression completely and usually are asso- ciated with long and weak muzzles. Ears are set on high and may be cropped or left natural. Both are equally accept- able. When cropped, they should stand
erect when the dog is alert and the natural ears should lie close to the head. Th e new trend of natural ears seems to be coming on strong in this country. Ear crop is man made and it does not change the breed- ing value of the dog. However, in order to stand the cartilage should be thin and crisp whereas natural ears, in order to lie properly should be a bit thicker and softer. Th is presents a challenge to breeders who must be able to recognize cartilage quality early on in order to properly decide which get cropped ears and which should not. Boxers must have a black mask. Th e mask may be partially covered by white markings on the face. In essence, the black mask is an extension of the pig- ment of the eyelids, lips and nose; there- fore, it will gradually fade and blend into the background color. White mark- ings on the head typically occur on the muzzle top and sides and a blaze between the eyes. Also the chin may be partially white. White markings may sometimes extend over the forehead connecting with the white collar and may extend on the sides of the face in such fashion as to go over the corner of the lip covering the flew. Th ese markings are referred to by some as “mismarks” but in reality no such description is found in the standard. Th e
4 )08 4 *()5 . "(";*/& . ": t
Powered by FlippingBook