˃ѵըeT Q&A
WITH DAVID AND STEPHANIE ABRAHAM, ALBERTO BERRIOS, HOWARD ENGEL, ANN GILBERT, THOMAS J LATTA, JANET AND LARRY SINCLAIR, SHARON K. STECKLER & JUDITH VORAN
inner and outer thigh muscling. A well-defined tuck-up helps complete the picture. Good bone and substance is a must. The Boxer should hold the profile in motion and the topline should level as the dog moves. Reach needs to be present in motion as short choppy strides indicate straight fronts. The hallmark of the breed is the clas- sic head of a Boxer. High ear set (preferably cropped), frontally placed eyes (dark and filling the socket), pro- nounced stop, tip of nose slightly higher than root of the muzzle, and broad blunt muzzle with acceptable bite. The muzzle should be in balance with the skull, not too short but definitely not too long. Too much lip overhanging the lower jaw or excessive flews are very unattractive. AG: When judging Boxers I look first for a medium-sized, square dog. I begin my examination with the head; it must be in balance with the rest of the dog. It is often said that the head is the hallmark of our breed and that is true to some extent but I also know that this breed does not go around the ring on their heads. A too large head, or not enough head can throw the balance off. Expres- sion is important, I want to look into those eyes and know there is somebody home. Good shoulders, a short back, good tail set and movement always come into play. Feet are also important to me, a dog with bad feet or flat feet will not move as they should. Lastly, but very impor- tantly, is temperament! A Boxer is a stand your ground dog and should be fearless in any situation. There is no room for a dog that is frightened of their own shadow. I will forgive a longer back, especially in a bitch, as long as the rest of the dog is balanced. Sometimes the tail set is a little lower than I would like but again that does not create problems in movement. The one thing I will not forgive is temperament. TJL: First consideration must be given to general appear- ance and demeanor—the Boxer should “own the ground “THE MODERN BOXER SHOULD STILL POSSESS THE ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE ITS ORIGINAL PURPOSE—BEING ABLE TO TAKE DOWN AND HOLD BOARS AND BEARS UNTIL ITS OWNER ARRIVAL.”
it stands on”, confident and never fearful. The modern Boxer should still possess the essential components necessary to achieve its original purpose—being able to take down and hold boars and bears until its owner arrival. This in turn requires two essential components: firstly, a square, balanced structure which affords the Boxer to ability to pursue its prey in a ground covering stride while maintaining the ability for sudden changes in direction and secondly, the components of the Boxer head and bite, as the Boxer must be able to hold the prey with its mouth, continuing to breathe until the owner’s arrival. Temperament and an alert expression are essen- tial. Proper conditioning, tight well-arched toes, hocks all contribute to the Boxer’s ability to move in the proper ground-covering stride. 7. Is there anything Boxer handlers do you wish they would not? AB: The most serious problem that I see with some handlers is when they try to influence your judging by bragging about the wins of their dog that I am about to judge. Throwing bait is also a serious problem especially in the Boxer ring. HE: Boxers are a very heavily professionally handled breed. Owners need to be on the top of their game to compete. All must remember that this is not a race, so slow down when asked to. AG: For years the Boxer has been considered a handler’s dog and there are many good Boxer handlers today and in days gone by. A good handler is invisible to me in the ring as my focus is always on the dogs. In recent years I have come to appreciate the owner handlers too, some do a remarkable job and it is always good to see the teamwork between them and their special dog. TJL: Because I believe movement is one of the two most important components in judging the Boxer, I prefer to see the Boxer exhibited on a loose lead wherever and whenever possible. I believe this allows the dog to exhibit a smoother and more natural gait, but understand this is sometimes more difficult with young puppies or poorly trained exhibits. I also appreciate a handler who can move their exhibit down and back in a straight line (if I want to see the dog in profile, I simply walk around). 8. Is there anything else you’d like to share about the breed? D&SA: Boxers are bold, happy dogs with a delightful, intel- ligent outlook on life. They play happily into oldest age. They are ideal family pets, though sometimes overly boisterous. Conscientious breeders and pet owners alike cherish this happy, gregarious Boxer temperament. Unfortunately, shyness is a troubling tendency in some bloodlines. Happily, aggression towards people remains rare indeed.
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