Boxer Breed Magazine - Showsight

boxer Q&A WITH CINDY MEYER, SHARON STECKLER, ALBERTO BERRIOS AND ANN GILBERT

1. Describe the breed in three words. CM: Square, elegant and muscular. SS: Medium-size, square and noble.

performed, as appropriate for the breed, to maintain breed character and preserve the history of the breed Ear cropping is done by a veterinarian under general anesthesia, between six and twelve weeks of age. Most puppies are up and playing as soon as they are awake and show no signs of lingering discomfort from the surgery. Uncropped ears are slightly more prone to infections and are more prone to hematomas. Although the Boxer standard allows exhibitors the choice between cropped or uncropped ears, cropped ears are customary. To me, the Boxer with a properly cropped ear exemplifies the unique headpiece of the breed. 6 Do you think the dogs you see in this breed are better now than they were when you first started judging? CM: I think that right now the overall quality of the breed is better than it was when I started judging in 1999. I think all breeds go through good and bad times and right now I feel the Boxer is doing better, but there still needs to be improvement and more consistency. SS: The breed has improved over time, as can be seen from photos and films of Boxer champions in earlier times. Through significant advances in health research and test- ing, the overall soundness of the breed has improved. AB: Unfortunately, they are not. When I started handling in 1978, competition was very tough. The entries were much larger and the quality was better. It was not easy to win a major. The ring also was full of very good profes- sional handlers. In 1997, when I started to judge the quality was still good but it had depreciated some. Today the quality is lower and the entries are much smaller. Therefore, competition is not as tough and it is easier to win majors. I think that a lot of breeders today do not think about their breeding programs carefully. The breed is in trouble with straight shoulders, no forechest, bad bites, lack of bone and bad feet. There are still some breeders who are really knowledgeable, who have been in the breed for decades. They are usually the old knowledgeable ones and should be consulted by newer breeders. A mistake done by many breeders is breeding only to top winners since it doesn’t necessarily bring success to their breeding program. AG: The good thing is we are seeing more classic Boxers in the ring today, less of the flashy white markings or chrome as I like to call it. I have seen that increase since my judging assignments began. Why or why not? I am saddened at times to see the lack of quality in some of the dogs I judge, but overall I think the breeders and owners try very hard to maintain a good balanced dog. 7. What do you think new judges misunderstand about the breed? CM: I feel that new judges have a hard time understand- ing the head of the Boxer. The Boxer’s skull is slightly arched, should never be rounded or apple headed, and should not be heavily wrinkled. Wrinkles do appear on the forehead when the ears are erect, and are always

AB: Square, head and balance. AG: Funny, loyal and beautiful.

2. What are your “must have” traits in this breed? CM: Square, elegant, muscular, but not coarse, well balanced and well proportioned, with a pleasing head and expression. SS: Proper, sound temperament, coupled with adherence to the breed standard in all significant aspects, especially those that materially affect the breed’s ability to perform the functions for which it was bred. AB: Type, correct head, medium size, square, proper combi- nation of substance and elegance, good front, good move- ment and good temperament. AG: Good temperament is always my first requirement on both the dogs I own and the dogs I judge. Being healthy and coming as close to the standard round out the top three requirements on my list. 3. Are there any traits in this breed you fear are becoming exaggerated? CM: Not at this time. SS: In certain parts of the country, Boxers are being exhib- ited that are sometimes significantly larger than the preferred medium-size called for by the Boxer standard. Often this larger size results in a loss of the squareness characteristic of the breed. AB: They are now taller than they used to be and have strayed from being medium-sized. They have lost good shoulder layback, good forechest and good bone. Breed- ers like more length of leg since it shows a more elegant look, but some are too much. We are also losing the square look since I see slightly longer body proportions in many. AG: Boxers are getting too tall. Boxers are medium-sized, square dogs. I am also concerned about some that are fearful in the ring. The Boxer is a stand-your-ground dog and a spooked or frightened dog does not belong in the show ring—or in anyone’s breeding program.

4. What’s the most common fault you see when travel- ing around the country?

CM: Poor feet and light eyes. SS: Shyness and skittishness.

5. Ear cropping has become a hotbed item of late. Your thoughts? CM: Although, I love the attentive and elegant look of cropped ears, I can accept natural ears if they fit the head and do not detract from the alert, dignified expression of the Boxer. SS: Ear cropping has been a part of the Boxer breed long before the breed itself was established. This procedure was developed to prevent injury to the dogs as they per- formed the various functions for which they were bred. I strongly support ear cropping, when humanely

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