my final activities

My Final activities
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Karin Rezewski
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Patrons who set me on the way
I
n the circle of dog sport friendship is a very rare thing, because sport is living by rivalry
and competition. In breeding ambitious people are lone fighters, who do not talk much, not
to mention exchanging their ideas. Ambitious breeders tend to keep to themselves and are
disinclined to exchange experiences.
Herr Leo Helbig introduced me to Sophie and Hermann Wildeboer of Boxers v. d
Reiterstadt Verden and to Pat Withers of Witherford Boxers.
An extraordinary friendship developed. I was looking for every opportunity to learn from
them. Their good intuition and discipline, their helpfulness and fidelity fascinated me very
much. England was synonymous to an exciting time for me. In the sixties and seventies
during my regular visits there I experienced dog world.
Sophie Wildeboer told about her travel by train for a mating down to south of Bavaria to
Frau Stockmann´s Heiner v. Zwergeck, grandson of Danilo v.Königsee.
Heiner v.Zwergeck 1943
She took the risk although he was known for whites and testicle problems and got Wasko
v.d.Reiterstadt Verden1950, a dominant sire for fine chiseled heads. Some other outstanding
boxers from their line were: Luzi v.d.Reiterstadt Verden, Rola v.d.Reiterstadt Verden,
Uranus v.d.Reiterstadt Verden and the siblings Elettra and Erasmus di San Leonardo, bred
by Helga Parenti-Adami. Finally the long breeding career of the Wildeboers was crowned
when the unique champion trio Ulk, Us-Rania and Us-Ranus v.d.Reiterstadt Verden was
born during the 70ties.
For Wildeboers a good bitch was most important as basis for a breeding kennel. From time
to time studs should be used for refining, but they must be related to their blood line without
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having its inherited faults. As learner I strongly believed that successful breeding is the merit
of the highly decorated champion stud. Later I realized that this theory only applies when the
prepotency is linked up through intelligent line breeding. Sigurd v. Dom was the best
example. When we look back, mostly the good results have been based on similar successful
line breeding – when combining half brother/sister or grandchildren of dogs that have
already proved themselves in the breed. To use a dog purely because of his exceptional
phenotype is a great risk. A good result from such a mating is pure luck.
When Wildeboers had lost their last bitch Bundessiegerin 1954 Loni Peterhund of Italian
breeding ex Rola v.d.Reiterstadt Verden by Nestor v.d.Boxerstadt, we gave Chauke v.
Schütting to them. I dreamed one day they might use our young import Witherford Hot
Chestnut. Finally the long breeding career of the Wildeboers was crowned by this
combination when the unique champion trio Ulk, Us-Rania and Us-Ranus v.d.Reiterstadt
Verden was born during the 70ties.
Ulk
US-Rania
Us Ranus
v. d. Reiterstadt Verden 1967
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4
5
Us-Ranus became my “Once in a life time” dog. At his start in puppy class he entered the
ring and presented himself challenging with glossy self-assurance on loose leach against his
competitors, friendly wagging his tail. He showed off and kept his charisma during all the
years of his most successful career. I think it originates not only because of harmonious
conformation, but this convincing typical Boxer attitude radiates in its basic spirit, alertness
and friendliness combined with the expression of intelligence, frankness and courage.
Between his first title Jeugdwinner & Winner Amsterdam 1968, where he also won the FCI
Group II and finally RESERVE-BEST-DOG ALL BREEDS, the super awards of BEST-INSHOW ALL BREEDS at the International COPENHAGEN 1970 and Atibox Champion
1972, he won the much sought-after title Jahressieger BK in uninterrupted order from 1969
till 1971 three times - an event, that stayed so far unique in history of BK. He also became
Deutscher Kubsieger BK & International Champion FCI.
In the beginning of 1960ties Herr Leo Helbig took me to England to visit the leading kennels
Wardrobes and Witherford. I was deeply impressed by the great harmony of the Witherford
Boxers. Compared to our Boxers in Germany they seemed more elegant and open in
expression.
Pat Withers explained, the more dogs are related to each other the more similarity is
growing until finally conformity in type, conformation, color and temperament is achieved,
the so called family type. She warned however if inbreeding will be continued for a longer
time some unpleasant phenomenon can occur like overdone forms of body and degeneration.
One has to avoid this by timeouts introducing a new bloodline that ties-in.
Because of their similarity in appearance I had some difficulties to get her dogs sorted out.
Finally I picked the young male Witherford Dawn Sky. I was so very thrilled that I
spontaneously asked for a puppy by him. We had to wait patiently several months until we
received the phone call that there was a male puppy on his flight to Germany. A full story on
Witherford Hot Chestnut has been published on my website rezewski.de - a unique tale with
a great many memorable adventures. I´m much obliged to Pat Withers for having entrusted
us with this dominant male and for all her support in development of European boxer
breeding.
After she had met Us-Ranus 1967 at his first show she was overwhelmed and sensibly
praised by characterizing the rareness of beauties in her article "SUPERSTAR" for BoxerBlätter 1971.Today I can imagine she must have felt that encouraging words would help to
stay tough enough against vile gossip in Boxer World!
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The legendary one and only Friederun Stockmann
In company of Leo Helbig it was a great honor for me to have visited this knowledgeable
lady in her home at Töging/Inn. Thanks to Friederun Stockmann the Boxer breed went
through the most important process ever. Friederun Stockmann has doubtless the biggest part
in the absolute boom of breeding around 1930. If we compare the dogs of this time with the
dogs of the beginning, the progress was the most important in Boxer breeding ever made.
The small, coarse dog had changed to a tall, elegant Boxer. Without the legendary SIGURD,
LUSTIG and UTZ v. DOM and without DORIAN v. MARIENHOF, the only brindle male
in this quartet, Boxer breeding would never had made such a boom all over the world. These
males demonstrated the most perfect ideal of a long term, carefully planned pioneer work.
World of Boxers is bowing thanks to FRIEDERUN STOCKMANN, the creator of the
modern Boxer. With her unique book “A Life with Boxers” her ingeniousness will remain
forever. Like some other boxers these “GREAT FOUR” were sold to America due to the
economically difficult situation in Germany during World War II.
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Four years after the end of war Friederun Stockmann was invited to America and England as
the very first German Boxer judge and took not only a great part in building a bridge to
better understanding between the nations, but also in the not broken love to our breed, the
Boxer. In gratitude for her brilliant and successful work the two American Boxers ABRA
DABRA OF SIRRAH CREST and MAZELAINE’S CZARDAS, based on Sigurd, Lustig
and Dorian v. Marienhof came back home to Frau Stockmann 1949 enabling her to restart
her breeding: Wiking, Rival, Primus and Godewind v. Dom and the young bitch she showed
at her last appearance will always stay best record of the legendary Dom dynasty.
Welcome Home
Godewind v. Dom 1959
.
Stockmann “Just the way you are”
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Leo Helbig “My mentor”
His activities as main breed ward of the BK and as judge in the Boxer ring were estimated
far beyond the borders of his own country. He was president of ATIBOX and committee
member of VDH, where he was responsible for organizing the judging/judges' matters. His
sovereignty, his authority and treating everyone always correctly and seriously was
worldwide esteemed.
Herr Helbig saw that I was keen to learn all about the breed and the standard. He explained
at first I had to recognize the plus points in a dog in order to distinct between a good and a
bad specimen. Furthermore I should watch every specialist judge while judging and from
time to time an experienced All Breed Judge. They can teach best that judging does not mean
first of all searching for faults. In fact it means to emphasize the virtues, the confirmation,
the harmonious body, and the balanced behavior in a dog. The eye for form must be trained in actual fact it should be a born talent.
During the following years I studied Malcom B.Willis on “Genetics”, McDowell on
“Anatomy and Movement” and Friederun Stockmann´s practical instructions “Type,
Conformation and Gait of the Boxer”. It would fascinate me to become a judge one day.
Some points the BK is asking for future judges:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Born ability to recognize forms
Morphology
Procedure of judging
Own experience in dog sports and breeding
Ethical integrity
Strength of decision
Knowledge of the international candidacy
Plenty of time, great efforts and skills in working with dogs were needed in having trained
and led three Boxers for IPO I.
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10 years passed by until I felt safe enough to implement my visions of the Boxer. I applied to
the Boxer Klub München for being trained as judge and apprenticeship was accepted. Alois
Roll was BK´s responsible chairman for judges’ matters, he asked for our total respect,
ambition and devotion. After two years of apprenticeship my first judging appointment in
Germany was in 1967.
Basis of my training was the very valuable code of practice “Judging and faults of the
Boxer"- attached at the end of this discourse.
I learned much time, energy and practice is needed to understand the characteristics of the
breed. Only by the time you are able to understand how all features in the living dog are
matching to each other.
Friederun Stockmann explained that the characteristics of the Standard are not like a
pattern, but pre-drawn ideas according to the imagination of the conformation of the Boxer.
“There is simply no perfect dog. For the most part judging a dog correctly means to balance
minor lacks, which even might tend to be small faults, against the excellent plus points of the
dog. The first placing always belongs to the Boxer with the greatest harmony. The eye for
this cannot be given to anyone - if it is not born, it must be worked hard for it.”
Many years later International All Breed Judge Judy Horton from Australia favorably
responded to my CD-ROM “Changing Boxer World 2014” and kindly offered to embed it to
her own website. Flattered by the possibility of my words being spread worldwide, I
appreciated and accepted her splendid proposal, took up her idea by updating all my
publications since 1974 to my own website: http://www.rezewski.de.
In her excellent guide “Appraising Dogs Correctly” Judy Horton repeated the wise words of
late Friederun Stockmann: “Judging dogs is an art based on observation. One can read a
Standard and quote it verbatim, but that does not enable one to have the proper mental
picture of an ideal dog or to appraise the dog in front of you.”
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From my book “Changing Boxer World”
Type, construction and gait of the Boxer by Friederun Stockmann
“The Boxer should not appear plump or heavy, lean or racy - The gait must be lively and
full of strength and nobility”
When strength and nobility come out of balance, the overall appearance easily goes plump
and course or the dogs turns out into the reverse and appear lean and racy. With the tendency
to achieve more elegance often loss of structure with long, light bone and shallow brisket is
the consequence. True, to combine strength with nobility is a challenge which not very often
turns out perfectly. Strength easily leads to a heavy dog, when nobility is neglected. Nobility
is not the pick of excellent ancestors. Nobility means balance of the required characteristics
of the Standard - nobility also is functional. The pioneers of the breed already strove for a
strong athlete with agility and stamina.
“Previously far more attention was given to this part of the anatomy than it is given today.
We must regard our Boxer as a working dog and we must not cease to strive for correct
construction and immaculate gait”.
The following is part of above article that appeared in “Boxer-Blätter” September 196l and
remains as relevant today as when it was first published.
The shoulder assembly in the Boxer is the most important point, it was created to accomplish
the following task: “To bear weight, to absorb shocks in walking, running or jumping, to
propel the front when turning and to assist in maintaining balance”.
When alert and keen, the Boxer stands with his weight taken through the shoulders - weight
bearing, steering and braking being their function. The hindquarters, if they are well
angulated as they should be, are set well back, and as he comes to rest, he automatically finds
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his centre of gravity and the international recognized silhouette of the Boxer in stance is
there for all to see.
Drawings A, B and C show the shoulder when the dog is standing in the correctly balanced
position. A comparison is very interesting.
In Figure A the very sharp angulation is caused by the long upper arm bone, and this is the
shoulder found in the German Shepherd. Here the long sloping pasterns have to compensate
in order that the ball of the foot can stand, as it must under the centre of gravity, despite the
very great angulation.
Figure B shows the correct shoulder placement for the Boxer with the line going straightthrough to the ground at the point of centre of gravity.
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Figure C is the usual shoulder for a Terrier, but this is no longer a rarity in our breed.
The angulation here fails, not through a faulty positioning of the shoulder blade, but
because the upper arm bone is too short. It is completely unbalanced and dogs who
possess this construction can never achieve satisfactory results in either speed or
endurance.
Frau Stockmann concludes her discourse on the anatomy of the Boxer by saying: “pay
attention to the angulation of the shoulders and quarters of your dogs. These are failings
which we thought had been overcome years ago but today become more and more prevalent.
We do not want to turn the Boxer into a racing dog, but it has been proven that without
losing substance, a well-constructed animal can have that free, ground covering movement
which is the most functional of all his assets.”
By Karin Rezewski
Terrier front
The Terrier front( upper arm being too short and thereby falling far short of forming a right
angle with the shoulder blade) gives square outline which is vastly different from that of the
correctly constructed Boxer. It is a sad fact that today we appear to have decided that we can
dispense with fore chest. But where there is no fore chest there will be found an upright
shoulder. Personal observations lead me to say that with upright shoulders one sees the
narrow front, long fore legs and attractive height at shoulder. This front has “eye appeal” but
it is nevertheless faulty and incorrect.
Construction-gait
We all are aware of the fact that a reasonable bone construction for a working breed is most
important. Imagine how much power, agility and flexibility the dog needs for a jump over
the hurdle, if he shall not be damaged or injured. A body capable for such work really
requires a proper construction and maximum balance in structure. On the move we can find
out best, if the dog is balanced or which are the weak points he tries to compensate.
We must pay a great deal of attention on the back. For the power drive, steering and lifting of
forehand he should be short and strongly coupled with the hindquarters and he should be
lying absolutely firm. Too long and soft backs promote the sideward swinging of the body,
thus preventing the symmetrical forward stride.
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Viewed from the side the stride of a dog with proper angles in front and rear is smooth and
ground covering, the back foot occupying the print which the front foot has vacated. In order
to increase speed the centre of gravity is moved forward by bending head and neck forward.
Short and shocking step results from lack of angles in quarters. Hind legs moving close. In
order to compensate lack of drive, weakness, the dog tries to propel from front, which causes
slack ligaments, elbows turning outward, the forelegs are paddling, speed and stamina
reduced considerably.
When over angulated hindquarters are coupled with steep shoulders and/or with a short
upper arm balance is disturbed immensely. The most fortunate dog is the one that cuts down
his back drive until it matches his front, but the action still is little ground covering and
stilted. Most of the dogs however, try to reduce the shock in two other ways.
Either they lift the leg and pad high suspending them in the air for a fraction longer time and
then drop the pad into the place. This not only requires additional muscular effort but also
breaks the tautness of the leg. The other way to lift is he uses the neck muscles which run
down to the upper arm with utmost efforts by carrying the head and neck very high. The
result is the centre of gravidity is pushed back and works like a counter brake. Easy to
understand the difficulties the dog has on the move.
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Head type
Early in BB 1/1956 Friederun Stockmann was deeply concerned about the alarming
development of head type in Germany and complained: “Was eine langjährige Züchterin
mit 45 jähriger Erfahrung zu sagen hat“.
Was fiel während der abgelaufenen Jahre an unseren Hunden besonders auf und wo muss der
Hebel angesetzt werden, damit erkannte Fehler sich nicht noch weiter verbreiten. Der
Boxerkopf von heute ist ein Problem. Zugegeben, er hat sich sehr gebessert, aber das was er
einst sein sollte, ist er schon lange nicht mehr. Den Kopf von Rolf v. Vogelsberg können wir
heute nicht mehr ansehen. Dabei sind die seinerzeit festgesetzten Rassekennzeichen
geblieben. Es heißt, dass sich die Schnauze zum Oberkopf verhalten soll wie ein zu zwei. Ich
bitte die Züchter und Richter einmal nachzumessen. Man misst vom Hinterhauptbein bis
zum Augenwinkel und von Augenwinkel bis zur Nasenspitze. Sie werden finden, dass sich
die Verhältnisse verschoben haben, dass es jetzt nicht mehr heißt 1 zu 2, sondern 1 zu 3, oder
gar 1 zu 4. Nach unserem heutigen Begriff ist das alte Verhältnis unerträglich.
Woher kommt nun dieses starke Abweichen vom ursprünglichen Standard? Es haben heute
die Züchter und leider auch viele Richter (nicht alle) das Bestreben, immer mehr Typ, immer
stärken Stopp, immer mehr Vorbeißen zu verlangen. Wir vergessen dabei, dass wir bereits an
der äußersten Grenze angelangt sind. Ich muss gestehen, dass ich auch nicht mehr den Typ
vergangener Tage herbeisehne, aber es muss einmal eine Grenze sein, sonst werden wir es zu
bereuen haben. Erst mahnte uns die Natur dadurch dass die Zähne schwächer werden, sie
finden nicht genug Platz im Fang. Jetzt erfolgt die zweite Warnung mit Hasenscharten,
schiefen Unterkiefern und durch das Zeigen von Zunge und Zähnen.
Eine besondere Gefahr in dem mangelnden Kinn unserer Hunde sehe ich nicht. Bestimmt
liebe ich auch ein gut markiertes Kinn beim Boxer, als den Punkt der am meisten den
Ausdruck des Boxers bedingt. Gefährlich halte ich diesen Fehler nicht, weil ihn wie auch die
hellen Augen ein jeder sehen kann, auch wenn er sonst nichts von Hunden versteht. Viel
gefährlicher sind die Zungenzeiger, sie vererben sich weit durchschlagender als z.B. Hunde
mit zu wenig Kinn. Trotzdem bin ich die letzte, die einen Hund totschlägt, ich bin auch nicht
für Zuchtverbote, wenn nicht ganz katastrophale Gründe dazu zwingen. Ich habe mich nie
gescheut, mit fehlerhaften Tieren zu züchten, wenn sie Vorzüge hatten, die es wert waren,
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dafür den Kampf mit Fehlern aufzunehmen. Das richtig auszuwerten bedeutet „ZÜCHTEN“!
Jedes Mal haben wir mit Zuchtverbot einen speziellen Fehler zwar ausgemerzt, aber einen
Schwarm anderer groß werden lassen.
Es muss mehr Einigkeit unter unseren Richtern herrschen. Die Urteile besonders bezüglich
des Kopfes laufen z.T. so auseinander, dass hierin bestimmt die größte Gefahr für die Zucht
besteht. Ich wünsche mir nicht den Kopf des Boxers vom Jahre 1914, noch weniger den vom
Jahre 1924, aber ich denke mir, da wo wir jetzt sind, was Typ anbelangt, müssen wir stehen
bleiben, wenn wir es nicht einmal bereuen sollen“.
Danilo v. Königsee 1935
Ch.Eitel von Altenau 1952
Edler v.d. Fuhlenburg 1949
By Edler v.d. Fuhlenburg who during the 50ties dominated the breed in Germany
Ch.Cocco Dei Dogi Di Venezia: 1955
Ch. Petruschka v.Hagental, LeistungSG 1985/86
(. Eitel von Altenau e da Peterhund Luzi)
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BK`s breed warden
In the mid eighties the Boxer Klub had lost Leo Helbig and his successor for breed
management Heinz Hopf – the last two stalwarts in Germany´s Boxer culture that originated
from Friederun Stockmann.
A disturbing period came about by rotating breed wardens. During the immense
development of the breed in the seventies automatically the too small gene pool was further
diminished, losses through testicle problems, harelips or deafness were alarming. On top of
this "Overtype" had to be stopped. Without thinking twice I jumped into the job…
I gave series of lectures with photo-series on the standard and appealed in BB to officials and
breeders to support the necessary widening of our gene pool in order to balance standard
requirements.With the seminar “Interpretation of the Standard by the Judge”, led by the
international renowned breed expert Dr. h.c. Hans Raeber from Switzerland, I obviously was
too exacting. While the foreign guests from 15 different countries joined in with plenty of
enthusiasm, I was shocked that the German breeders and judges did not even attend!
The constant change of breeders is a great stumbling block. Most members breed one or two
litters, they develop little ambition as they never gain experience. These amateur breeders
believe they are on the safe side when they meet all the rules and regulations of the club,
which are mostly based on statistics. With grim humor I often faced the tricky situation
between my own responsibility as breeder and the network of breeding restrictions.
Looking back, I believe these problems are a big handicap for long-term development of the
breed in BK. After five years of hard struggle I gave up, not only frustrated in having lost a
battle, my beloved father had passed away and my own dogs needed my care and attention.
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My critical reflections on the present day Boxer head type
BB 1987
As we know the correct head of our Boxer is very difficult to breed and also difficult to
judge. It is however extremely important as it is the significant feature of desired Boxer
type.
The Standard describes the head of the Boxer as the unique stamp of the breed. It requires
that the skull and muzzle should always be in correct proportion to one another. It states that
the proportions between muzzle and skull should be 1:2. The measurement is taken from the
occipital bone to the corner of the eye, and from the corner of the eye to the tip of the nose.
The forehead should be well developed and form a distinct stop with the bridge of the nose
which should never be pushed back too much into the forehead. The tip of the nose should
be slightly higher than the root so that bridge is slightly below the tip. Experience shows that
animals where the tip of the nose is higher than the root produce better Boxer type than those
with a straight bridge.
The nose should be broad not narrow or small. This is especially important because narrow
nostrils usually mean narrow nasal canals which restrict breathing considerably. The small
nose can be seen particularly in over-typical heads which present a strongly shortened upper
jaw and a nose bridge which is forced into the forehead. The shape of the muzzle results
from a broad strong jaw with a straight row of teeth in the lower jaw, a slight outward curve
of the upper jaw and lips covering the slightly upwardly curved and undershot lower jaw.
From the front the shape of the muzzle should appear to be square, the upper lip resting on
the edge of the lower lip. The chin must be well defined from the front and the side. A well
accentuated chin determines the expression of the Boxer most, depending on the
interdependence of the three factors: the degree of undershot, the degree of the upward curve
of the lower jaw and the well padded upper lip.
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A mouth that is over undershot is as undesirable as one that is too little undershot. A weakly
accentuated chin certainly distracts tremendously from the expression, but it does not affect
the effectiveness of the jaw, as is the case with an extremely undershot bite. The undershot
bite is unnatural, and can give rise to weakness of the lower jaw: small, loose incisors and
weak canines that lead to irregularities. The more undershot the lower jaw becomes, the less
space for the teeth. Therefore the strength of the jaw and the size of the teeth should not be
neglected and become stunted when striving for the desired Boxer expression. Compared to
other dog breeds the Boxer does not have especially large teeth. It is known that he is no way
inferior to other dog breeds when it comes to holding on because a firm bite is not only as
the result of strong teeth, but also because of the pressure of the jaws, a so-called suction
bite. Centuries ago the shape of the muzzle and the jaw was deliberately fixed in the
breeding of the Bull biters and Sow Packers for this very function.
There are a number of dental problems that we have to deal with within our breed, as the
Boxer bite is unnatural and therefore affected by many possible faults. As I explained earlier,
too little chin represents no real danger to the health and the function of the Boxer head, but
is rather a factor that distracts from Boxer expression. Of much greater concern, than for
example a dog with too little chin, is a dog that shows tongue as it can be easily be hidden
from a judge and is hereditarily dominant. Another inherited fault is a cramped and clustered
teeth configuration in the jaw because this can easily lead to a spoon mouth. Generally we
distinguish between a sloping/slanting irregular row of teeth and a wry lower jaw. Even an
anatomically correctly formed jaw can have a sloping or irregular set of teeth. This should be
noted as a breeding fault although not as serious as a wry jaw.
In an effort to achieve greater breed type, a more distinct stop, a more pronounced chin with
the subsequent degree of undershot and especially a broad square muzzle, the health and
function of the Boxer head must not be placed at risk. As a result a greater number of teeth
can be found in the upper jaw. Instead of the desired norm of 6 incisors up to 7, 8 or even 9
incisors are found.
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These recessive genes can be found among all those breeds that show a shortening of the
muzzle and a stop that is pushed too far in. Deformities such as harelips and cleft palates are
the consequence. That is why puppies with these deformities can be found especially in
litters of dogs with very typical heads. These deformities will never be completely eliminated
as long as we breed Boxers and want to retain the breed characteristics. The head
construction of the Boxer is unnatural, and as the genes for head type are recessive, they can
never be fully controlled. Head type disappears quickly if we do not look after the typical
characteristics of the head, as nature always tends to revert to its original state. The head of
the Boxer would lengthen, the stop would disappear, the degree of undershot would become
less. However, if we mate a dog with a severe genetic fault with one that has the same flaw,
the head would be excessively fixed and have many faults. Therefore the aim of breeding
head type has to be constantly observed.
In enthusiasm for the hereditary virtues of some outstanding males I think head type has
been carried too far, most of today´s heads in Europe are overdone. If we measure the head
proportions in Germany we will find required proportions have been changed! Now the rate
is no longer 1:2 but 1:3 or even 1:4. To summarize, the consequences are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
too much rise of skull
muzzles too short,
nostrils too small
tongues too long
tooth anomalies
hare lips and cleft palates
Combinations of over- typical heads must be avoided, especially when they are quite closely
related, which often is the case.
It does not only depend on the selection that breeders make to even out matters, but also the
judges have to contribute their share to ensure that the harmony of the head as stipulated in
the Standard is not disturbed by any extremes. The greatest priority for breeding and judging
the “Working Dog” besides Boxer type, is the consideration of serious faults to the extent
they reduce the working ability of the Boxer.
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Perhaps less emphasis should be placed on minor faults such as light eyes, poor mask, shape
and placement of ears and greater importance should be placed on a firm, strong body,
correct construction, excellent movement and correct healthy bite.
Recognized breed expert Dr. Tomaso Bosi in Boxer-Blätter 1996
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Uniform breed type by Dr.Tomaso Bosi
Nowadays the arrogant beginners use all possible means to get to the top as judge without
any mentor and practical training job in detail that was necessary to meet the requirements
for the judge´s education in former times. Besides profound knowledge of the Standard, both
breeders and judges need the right feeling and devotion for the breed in order to be
successful in improving the breed. A good judge is always keen to interpret and understand
the meaning of every single word or phrase in the Standard. If these requirements are not
fulfilled satisfactorily, it might happen that the young judge is influenced by wrong
impressions thereby steering the development of the breed in the wrong direction. Or he
judges according to preceding results or even the person at the end of the lead. It does not
only depend on the selection that breeders make to even out matters, but also the judges have
to contribute their share to ensure that the harmony of the head as stipulated in the Standard
is not disturbed by any extremes.
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The first one who disclosed the weak points of this alarming development was
FriederunStockmann in 1956. Dr. Tomaso Bosi from Italy and the director for breeding in
Hungary, Miklós Szabó, were the only experts who stood for their disapproval of the
development at the end of last century.
After having wasted more than 50 years trying to do my best for approximate balance of the
important characteristics of the breed, at Atibox 2013 I decided to retire from Boxer World.
The ideas on judging and varying the levels of conduct amongst exhibitors in comparison to
my long life experience made it impossible for me to hold back my disappointment that these
changes cannot be revised or improved anymore. I was brought up when the unique Mission
of Atibox was born and spent many years supporting it. But over the years I viewed with
much concern that we have fought a losing battle. I tried to cover lost time working on my
experiences, my thoughts and sentiments about the in different articles on my website:
http:www.rezewski.de
Today with over 80 I have come to the conclusion: It depends on the skill and experience of
each single breeder and judge – where ever he lives - how much he is able to stick to the
breed type which in all important traits is precisely required in the worldwide valid
Standard.
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Most judges visualize in their mind the perfect Boxer, usually based on a combination of
reading the Standard and what they have seen in their country. If they don´t find their
particular style of dog, they have to compromise by putting up the best of what is being
shown on the day, the dog that best fits the Standard. The Standard is type and the law for
the breed. Style sets apart from another country or breeder. There can be a slight variance in
head, still keeping within the Standard. Problems arise when body style changes dramatically
and Boxers in any country have too much elegance or too much substance.
Zum Abschluss meines Diskurses möchte ich Passagen aus einem mustergültigen Sach- und
Fachwerk zitieren, welches ich von MIKLÓS SZABÓ, einer Persönlichkeit mit großartiger
Intuition und hochbegabten Visionen, in deutscher Sprache zum Ende der 90ziger Jahre
erhalten habe.
Wie mir die Züchterin Viola Nagy berichtet hat, war der Boxer seit den 60ziger Jahren in
Ungarn groß in Mode gekommen. Mit Hilfe bedeutender Hunde wie Steppke v. Bauberg,
Sven v. d. Hubersiedlung und Britta von Salzetal und durch die Blutlinien Val di Senio,
Donnersburg, Schatzkästlein, Hazenberg und Woribken war in den 70ziger und 80ziger
Jahren in punkto Zucht und Standard ein gutes Fundament geschaffen, welches für die
25
östlichen Nachbarländer Polen, Tschechien, Rumänien und Russland als Grundstock genutzt
worden ist.
Die Überlebenschancen des Standardboxers im 21.Jahrhundert von Miklós
Szabó
FCI Boxerrichter 1968 - Zuchtleiter Ungarn
TEIL 1
Für diejenigen, die sich mit der Rasse intensiv beschäftigen, ist es immer offensichtlicher auf
den Ausstellungen und im Alltag überall in Europa, dass das einheitliche Rassebild nicht
mehr existiert.
Es gibt verschiedene Phänotypen und Heterogenität. Es fällt immer mehr auf, dass die
Beurteilungen und Platzierungen der Richter für die verschiedenen Typen in Deutschland
und in Europa sich von Ausstellung zu Ausstellung ändern, je nach dem Geschmack und der
Person der Boxerrichter. Die bestimmenden Typmerkmale werden unterschiedlich betont
und beurteilt. Eine straffere Koordination durch die Atibox bezüglich der Vorstellungen über
die Entwicklung der Rasse wird immer mehr erforderlich. Es sollte zu erwarten sein, dass
eine einheitliche Regelung der Typmerkmale der Rasse in allen Einzelheiten wenigstens zu
80% hilft, die Homogenität der Rasse wiederzugewinnen. Danach bliebe die Aufgabe,
zielgerichtet zu züchten und die Rasse weiter in die Öffentlichkeit zu bringen - zur Erhaltung
ihrer stolzen Anmut, ihrer dominanten Eleganz und ihrer Vitalität.
Steppke v. Bauberg, Bes. Miklós Szabó
Die zweite, nicht minder wichtige Aufgabe wäre die bessere Informierung der immer weiter
ansteigenden Anzahl der europäischen Boxerbesitzer. Die jetzigen Anomalien und
Fehlplanungen machen es notwendig. Die Geburt einer Spitzenklasse dank der bewussten
26
Arbeit einiger Züchter ist unbestreitbar. Welpen von solchen Verbindungen wie zum
Beispiel von "Wing" Kennel Bes. Német György werden von Westeuropäern gern
importiert. Aber das macht nur 5-10% aus. Das Problem sind nicht die 50% der neuen
Boxerbesitzer, die noch rechtzeitig auf den laufenden Stand gebracht werden können. Die
Gefahr für das weitere Schicksal der Rasse sind die restlichen 40%. Nach ein paar Jahren
halten sie sich für unfehlbar, sie halten an ihren Teilergebnissen fest, die nur dem Zufall zu
verdanken sind. Ihr Ziel ist es nicht, neue Erkenntnisse zu sammeln oder Schritte in Richtung
weiterer Verbesserung zu unternehmen, sondern die möglichst schnellste Abgrenzung
suchen nach dem Motto " Meiner ist immer noch besser als deiner "! Noch jedem unrechten
Ausstellungsergebnis oder Richter fängt nach jedem Sieg die Fortpflanzung der
Heterogenität für großes Geld wieder an. Noch schlimmer ist es, wenn sie nach ihren
falschen Vorstellungen eine Linienzucht anfangen, weil dadurch konsequenterweise nur
Fehler wiederholt werden!
Unsere Verantwortung betreffend wiederhole ich die allgemeinen und allumfassenden
Verpflichtungen gegenüber dem Boxer. Die Erwartungen sind global bekannt, trotzdem
möchte ich einige Dinge wiederholen, zum Beispiel die angeborene Ethik, die unsere
Entscheidungen auch dann sicher macht, wenn die "Blutlinie" des betreffenden
"Wunderexemplars" unsere Konkurrenz ist und der Eigentümer unser Gegner. Unsere
Beurteilung bestätigt auch für die Zuschauer eindeutig unsere völlig gerechte Objektivität.
Nicht zuallerletzt müssen alle unsere Handlungen davon zeugen, dass wir nicht uns, sondern
die Rasse auf das Piedestal heben wollen.
Teil 2
Von den äußeren Merkmalen, über deren Beurteilung es eine große Diskussion gibt, ist der
KOPF äußerst umstritten. Er hat am meisten in Form und Proportionen geändert. Zwei
Veränderungen sind am wichtigsten:
1.
Die Veränderung des Oberkopfes wo die Furche, die früher bis zum Hinterkopf
verlief, verschwunden ist. Der Kopf ist rundlicher geworden. Wegen des immer
wieder auftauchenden Mops-Bulldog-Kopfes (Fang/Oberkopf in einem Stück) wäre
es unbedingt notwendig festzulegen, dass der Fang und der Oberkopf zwei Teile des
Kopfes sind, die sich harmonisch zusammenfügen und eine Einheit bilden.
27
Ein gutes Beispiel sind die Bilder von Achillis und Astaire v. Rieseneck 1996. Die
Abgrenzung bedeutet nicht, dass die Leere unter den Augen notwendig ist, aber es ist
inakzeptabel, wenn bei diesem Kopftyp schon bei halboffener Schnauze der Fang ohne
Überleitung mit dem Oberkopf verschmilzt !
2. Der Hauptgrund für die offensichtliche Veränderung des modernen Boxerkopfes liegt
in dem Verhältnis zwischen Fang und Oberkopf, das Verhältnis hat sich wesentlich
verändert. Das frühere Verhältnis 1 zu 2 existiert nicht mehr. Mindestens 70-80% der
heutigen Population hat nunmehr ein Verhältnis zwischen beiden wie 1 - 3, in gutem
Zufall zwischen 1-2,5.
Das ist eine Tatsache im Ursprungsland der Rasse, deshalb erwähne ich die Länge
des Nasenrückens absichtlich nicht.
Die allgemeine Meinung in Europa ist, dass heute zwei Typen nebeneinander existieren: Das
Original, mit einem prägnanteren, runzligeren, fleischigeren Kopf mit kürzerem
Nasenrücken - der sogenannte deutsche Typ. Seit Hot Chestnut gibt es den "englischen" Typ
mit einem schlankeren Oberkopf und weniger dominanten Fang, gleichzeitig spricht man
häufig von einer Leere unter den Augen. Eine solche Vereinfachung der Dinge, eine solche
Klassifizierung ist falsch und oberflächlich! Jeder, der sich mit der Rasse beschäftigt, weiß,
dass die europäische Boxerpopulation ihren qualitativen Höhepunkt in den Siebziger und
Achtziger Jahren erreicht hat - gerade durch die glückliche Vermischung der beiden
Typen, durch die Erschaffung eines Mitteltyps und durch dessen genetische Fixierung.
28
So wurde damals der Boxer zum modernen Standardboxer, der Kraft, Eleganz und Anmut
besitzt. Ohne die boxergeschichtliche Bedeutung des Hot Chestnut anzuzweifeln, würde ich
sagen, dass das mit ihm zurückgeführte Lustig-Blut allein nicht für die Veränderung des
Kopftyps gereicht hat. Lustig an sich könnte heute nicht mehr zum Wettbewerb erfolgreich
antreten. Modellköpfe gab es schon vor Hot Chestnut.
Wer würde heute nicht über solche Typen wie Carlo v. Fels, Eclipse della Val Di Senio
oder Godewind v. Dom und Grischa v. Alt Pempelfort glücklich sein? Aber es liegt auf der
Hand, dass Hot Chestnut der einzige Rüde war, der seine Merkmale in seinen Nachkommen
über 6-8 Generationen erhalten hat.
Witherford Hot Chestnut GB 1960
29
Der optimale Kopf und seine Variationen sind rar. Hier fehlt nur ein Schritt von dem Typ mit
einem kurzen Nasenrücken, um beim Übertyp zu landen, dem schweren, groben, faltigen
Kopf mit der unerwünschten Pug-Bulldog-Nase. Die Fixierung dieses Typs birgt die meisten
Risiken. Wegen der Anomalien wäre es notwendig, selbst wenn es kindisch erscheint,
endlich die optimale Nasenlänge zu bestimmen. Das Mindestmaß wäre 4,5 cm. Höchstgrenze
5,5 cm - natürlich in allen drei Dimensionen passend zu dem korrekt proportionierten Fang.
Zurück zu den festzulegenden Normen: „Wegen des immer wieder auftauchenden
Mops/Bulldog-Kopfes - Fang und Oberkopf sind eins - wäre es unbedingt notwendig
festzulegen, dass der Fang und der Oberkopf zwei Teile des Kopfes sind, die sich
harmonisch zusammenfügen und eine Einheit bilden“.
30
Teil 3
Der kurze Hals ohne Eleganz, ohne Anmut, mit Halshaut kommt oft vor - besonders mit dem
Mops-Bulldog-Kopftyp vernichtet er vollkommen das Bild von der Eleganz des Boxers.
Wo ist die elegante Nackenlinie, der schön geformte, adelige Hals?
Der Anblick eines solchen Halses ist eine erfreuliche Seltenheit geworden. Wenn bei einer
steilen Schulter wegen der falschen Winkelungen der Hals tief angesetzt und vorwärts
gerichtet oft kurz und runzlig ist- kann man das noch ertragen. Aber wenn sich bei einer
guten Schulterknochenlage und bei einem hohen Halsansatz dieser Fehler - kurzer Hals ohne
Eleganz mit Halshaut - in der Zucht festsetzt, sind die Folgen nicht auszudenken,
unvorstellbar ! Bei Spitzenrüden ist er selbstverständlich noch schädlicher, gerade wegen
ihrer aller Wahrscheinlichkeit nach vielfachen Vererbungsmöglichkeit dieser Merkmale.
Im Interesse der Rasse wären diese Fehler unbedingt zu beachten, ihre Ausbesserung ist
unumgänglich, sogar durch Selektion, wenn nötig. Die Winkelung Schulter-Oberarm lässt
auch viel zu wünschen übrig. Der lange Oberarm ist selten, genauso wie die gute
Schulterlage - dadurch wird der Boxer vorn leer, die so erwünschte Vorbrust fehlt. Ich
würde sagen, der eigentliche Schwerpunkt des Boxers verschwindet, der explosive
Charakter und die Funktion - die notwendige Beweglichkeit repräsentierende und plastisch
bemuskelte Schulterpartie geht verloren.
Die Merkmale des guten Rückens sind bekannt, die allgemeinen Fehler genauso.
Bemerkungen über den in der letzten Zeit immer mehr verbreiteten Terrier-artig kurzen
Rücken sind völlig richtig. Diese sind auch in Osteuropa gut bekannt. der Widerriss ist kaum
zu sehen - von den Hüften bis zur Rute sind es nur noch einige Zentimeter - die muskulöse,
relativ lange Kruppe und die leichte Wölbung bis zur Rute sind verschwunden. Die Kruppe
als eigener Teil nach Standard geht verloren -zum großen Teil die Funktion auch. Die
bisherige Harmonie fällt auseinander.
Zusammen mit den obengenannten Fällen verursacht die abfallende Kruppe auch häufig die
schlechte Winkelung der Hinterhand - der kurze, wenig gewölbte ( flache ) Schenkelknochen
determiniert das Gesamtbild. Manchmal mit schwachem, kaum sichtbarem Sprunggelenk so verliert der Boxer seinen hinteren, muskulösen Bewegungskörperteil, weil sich auf
kürzeren Schenkelknochen auch entsprechend weniger Muskeln festbinden können. Die
Bewegung wird bei dem Terrier ähnlichen Rücken ungewöhnlich gekünstelt. Der Lauf ist
weniger ausgeglichen, die Schrittfolge kurz. Im Fall der abfallenden Kruppe kommt noch der
gebundene, wenig bewegliche Schritt hinzu.
Die Gefahr ist hier genauso groß wie bei der Schulter. Trotz der vielen Gegenstimmen, die
vor einer übergewinkelten Hinterhand warnen, stehe ich zu der notwendigen Dominanz der
Winkelung der Hinterhand und Kruppe wie bei der gelben Atiboxsiegerin Grace de
Lovencourt 1996. Ich bin überzeugt, dass eine solche Hinterhand bei größerer Repräsentanz
und bei gezielter Arbeit fixiert werden kann und in ein paar Jahren korrigierbar ist.
31
Grace v. Lowencourt 1996
Es bleibt mir nur, Sie zu bitten: Achten wir auf die Harmonie, auf die Makellosigkeit des
Kopfes und der Körperpartien und auf die richtigen Proportionen - auf die Eleganz und
stolze Anmut des Boxers. Als Künstler und Bildhauer kann ich sagen, dass der Boxer neben
seinen Nutzfunktionen, für mich jedenfalls auch ein ästhetisches Geschenk ist. Achten wir
darauf, dass es noch lange Zeit so bleibt!“
Milós Szabó
P.S. Karin Rezewski
32
Hinterhand
Das Becken ist die Basis für die Anlage der Hinterhand – es soll lang und breit sein für den
Ansatz eines breiten, muskulösen Oberschenkels, der bei einem harmonischen Gesamtaufbau
die gleiche Länge aufweist wie die Knochen der Vorhand. In Verbindung mit einem
angepassten, gleich langen Unterschenkel und einem tief stehenden, stabilen Sprunggelenk
mit kurzem Hinteren Mittelfuß wird die größte Hebelwirkung erzielt, infolge dessen auch
Kraft und Ausdauer. Wenn wir überprüfen wollen, ob die Anlage der Hinterhand
standardgerecht d.h. richtig funktioniert, dann nehmen wir als Anhaltspunkt das Knie, das in
der Grundstellung so weit nach vorn reichen soll, dass es eine vom Hüfthöcker zum Boden
gezogene Senkrechte noch berührt. Gleichzeitig soll eine Vertikale vom Sitzbeinhöcker zum
Boden die Innenseite des Hinteren-Mittelfußes berühren. Damit wird die beste Stabilität in
der Hinterhand erreicht.
Ebenso häufig wie die Steilheit der Hinterhand, die hauptsächlich auf zu kurzem
Unterschenkel beruht und sich als Erbe des Bulldog durch die ganze Zuchtentwicklung zieht,
finden wir das Gegenstück, nämlich dass der Unterschenkel zu lang ist. Von hinten gesehen
erscheint eine solche Hinterhand kuhhessig, d.h. spitze Sprunggelenke stehen zu eng
beieinander und die Pfoten und Kniegelenke werden nach außen gerichtet. Die Läufe bilden
nicht wie erwünscht eine Gerade, sondern sie werden durch fehlerhafte Gelenke und Bänder
unterbrochen - dieses bedeutet Minderung von Kraft und Ausdauer. Von der Seite betrachtet
wird die Hinterhand in der Bewegung zu weit unter den Körper geschoben. Ein solches
Gangwerk mag für manchen spektakulär erscheinen, tatsächlich ist es aber ineffektiv.
33
‘ENGLISH’
The chances of survival of the standard Boxer in the 21st century by Miklós
Szabó FCI Boxer judge 1968, Head Breed Warden in Hungary
PART 1
For those who work intensively with the breed, it is increasingly evident at shows and
everyday activities across Europe, that the uniform breed image no longer exists. There are
different phenotypes and there is heterogeneity. It is always striking that the judges’ critiques
and placings of the different types in Germany and in Europe varies from show to show,
according to the taste of the individual boxer judge. The distinctive features of the type are
differently stressed and assessed. Strengthened coordination of the ATIBOX in relation to
the ideas about the breed’s development is becoming increasingly necessary. It would be
expected that a uniform policy covering typical characteristics of the breed in full detail, at
34
least would help to 80% to regain the homogeneity of the breed. The task would then be only
to breed for the further popularization of the breed, to maintain its proud grace, its dominant
elegance and vitality. The second, not less important task would be to better inform the everincreasing number of European boxer owners. The current anomalies and misconceptions
make this necessary. The breeding of a top class group of boxers, thanks to the deliberate
work of some breeders is undeniable. But that accounts for only 5-10%. Offspring of such
breeding programs, for example of “Wing” Kennel owner Nemet György, are gladly
imported by Western Europeans. The problem is not the 50% of new boxer owners, which
could be informed in time. The danger for the further fate of the breed, are the remaining
40%. After a few years they deem themselves infallible, they hold on to their partial
achievements, which are only due to chance. Their aim is not to gain more knowledge or
undertake steps in the direction of further improvement, but instead to seek fastest possible
demarcation according to the motto “mine is better than yours”. After each wrong show
result or judge, the reproduction of the heterogeneity for big money will begin again after
each victory. It is even worse, when they start a line breeding based on their misconceptions,
as the mistakes are only repeated as a consequence. On the basis of our Responsibility, I
reiterate the overall and all-encompassing obligations we have to the Boxer. Expectations are
globally known. Nevertheless, I would like to repeat certain aspects, for example, the
inherent morals, which will then make our decisions reliable when the bloodline of the
respective “miracle specimen” belongs to our competition and the owner is our opponent.
Our assessment also confirms clearly for the viewers our completely fair objectivity. Not
least of all, our actions must testify the fact that we do not want to put ourselves, but the
breed on the pedestal!
PART 2
Amongst the external characteristics about which there is a big discussion, the head is the
most controversial. It has changed the most in shape and proportions. The head determines
the breed the most. Two changes are the most important:
1. The change of the skull, where the furrow which in the past ran up to the occiput, now
has disappeared. The head has become more rounded. Because of the recurring
Pug/Bulldog head (muzzle and skull in one piece). It would be essential to establish
that the muzzle and the skull are two parts of the head, which harmoniously blend
together and form a unit. The distinction does not mean that hollowness beneath the
eyes is necessary, but it is unacceptable, when for this type of head the half-open
mouth of the muzzle merges with the skull without any transition.
2. The main reason for the apparent change of the modern boxer head is to be found in
the relationship between muzzle and the skull, that ratio has significantly changed.
The former 1:2 ratio no longer exists. At least 70-80% of today’s population has a
relationship between the two more like 1:3. Sometimes if you are lucky between 1:2,5.
35
This is a fact in the country of origin and that’s why I deliberately don’t mention the
length of the bridge of the nose.
3. The general opinion in Europe is that today two types exist side by side: The original
with a more striking, wrinkled, beefier head with a shorter bridge of the nose – the so
called German type. Since Hot Chestnut the “English” type exists with a leaner skull
and less dominant muzzle; at the same time hollowness underneath the eyes is more
often to be found. Such a simplification of matters and such a classification is false
and superficial! Anyone who is engaged in the breed knows that the European boxerpopulation reached its qualitative peak in the 70s and 80s; just by the fortunate mix of
the two types through the creation of a mid-type and the genetic fixation thereof.
4.
So in this way, the boxer at that time, beyond all measure, became the modern
standard Boxer, possessing strength, elegance and grace. At that time, i.e. without
doubting the boxer-historical importance of Hot Chestnut, I would point out that the
Lustig blood brought back through him alone would not have been enough to change
the head type. Lustig himself would not have competed successfully in today’s show
ring. Model heads existed already before Hot Chestnut. Who wouldn’t be happy today
with specimens like Carlo v Fels, Eclipse della Val Di Senio or Godewind v Dom and
Grischa v. Alt Pempelfort? It is but obvious, that Hot Chestnut was the male, which
has been able to maintain his characteristics over more than 6-8 generations.
Witheford Hot Chestnut 1960 GB
36
37
The optimum head and its variations are rare. Here, only one step is missing from the
type with a short bridge of nose to ending up with over-type: A heavy, coarse,
wrinkled head with the undesired Pug/Bulldog nose. So, the fixation of this type
presents the most risks. Because of the anomalies, it would be necessary even if it
seems childish, to finally determine the optimal length of the nose. The minimum
would be 4, 5 cm, the maximum 5,5 cm – of course in all three dimensions with the
appropriate and correctly proportioned muzzle.
PART 3
The short neck without elegance and grace, with neck skin is frequently seen –
especially with the Pug/Bulldog head type, it will completely destroy an image of the
Boxer’s elegance.
Where is the elegant neckline, the nicely shaped and noble neck? The sight of such a
neck has fortunately become a rarity. When a neck is set low and forward leaning,
often short and wrinkled due to upright shoulders caused by incorrect angulation, can
still be tolerated. But when this fault – a short neck lacking in elegance with neck skin
– is to be found with a good shoulder structure and a high onset of the neck,
establishes itself in the breeding, the consequences are unthinkable and unimaginable.
This also happens with top males. Here it is of course even more harmful, precisely
because of the increased likelihood of passing on these characteristics.
In the interest of the breed, attention must be paid to these faults - their improvement
is absolutely an imperative, even by selection if necessary. The angulation of the
shoulder arms leaves much to be desired. A long upper arm is rare as well as a correct
location of the shoulder which causes the front of the boxer to look hollow, the desired
front chest is missing. I would say, the true point of gravity of the boxer, the explosive
character and function, the necessary agility enabled through a plastically muscled
shoulder disappear.
Designed by Marlene Heystek
38
The features of a good back are known, the general faults as well. Comments about the
lately ever more widespread short terrier-like back are fully correct. These are wellknown also in Eastern Europe, the withers are hardly noticeable, there are only a few
centimeters from the hip up to the tail – the muscular, relative long croup and the
slight arch towards the tail has disappeared. The rump as part of its own standard is
lost - to a large extent the function also. The previous harmony falls apart. Along with
the above mentioned cases, the sloping croup also often causes the poor angulation of
the hindquarters – the short, lack of arched thigh bones determine the overall picture.
Sometimes with a faint and hardly visible ankle – so the Boxer loses his rear and
muscular part of an agile body, because less adequate muscles can be attached to a
shorter thigh bone. The movement is unusually affected with the Terrier-like back.
The motion is unbalanced, the pace is short. In the case of a sloping croup also a still
tight and less active pace follows. The danger is here as big as with the shoulder.
Despite the many voices warning against over angulated quarters, I stand by the
necessity for a dominant angulation of the hindquarters and croup, as can be seen in
the fawn 1996 ATIBOX Champion Grace de Louvencourt. See Boxer-Blätter 1997III.
I am convinced that such hindquarters can be established – and corrected in a couple
of years – through being favored and represented more in breeding programs with
such likely males.
Grace de Louvencourt 1997
It remains for me just the request: Pay attention to the harmony, the immaculate head
and body, and the correct proportions, elegance and proud grace of the Boxer, for
which we so value him.
As an artist and sculptor, I can say that the Boxer, in addition to his working functions,
for me is certainly, also an aesthetical Gift. We must make sure that he remains so for
a long time!”
Translation by
Tommy Dahlstroem
39
Zoltan Rudolf wrote:" He saw the tendency that started in the late 60s which
considerably narrowed down the gene pool of the breed and he witnessed
how the politics got over everything and turned the Boxer rings in Europe
into the places of political interest and ego. He didn`t want to save the
world, he worried only for the breed. Miklos Szabo was way ahead of his
time and he could be even today if he was with us.”
P.S. Karin Rezewski
1. FCI Standard No. 144/09.07.2008 - Hindquarters
General appearance: Very muscular, the muscles brick hard and visible under the
skin.
Hind legs: Seen from rear: straight
Thigh: Long and broad. Angles of hip and knee are open but as little as possible
Knee (Stifle): When dog is standing, should reach sufficiently forward so that it
would touch a perpendicular line from point of hip to ground.
Lower thigh: Very muscular
Hock: Strong and well defined but not exaggerated. Angle approximately 140
degrees
40
Metatarsus (Rear pastern): Short with slight inclination, 95-100 degrees to the
ground.
Hind feet: Slightly longer than front feet, tight; well cushioned and hard pads
Faults: Weak muscles. Too much or too little angulation, down on hocks, barrel
hocks, cow hocks, narrow hocks, dewclaws, hare foot, flat, splayed feet.
2. Extracts from “Judging and Faults of the Boxer” in the Boxer Stud Book IV
and V of the Boxer-Klub E.V.München 1912, compiled by the early pioneers
The Boxer can only be judged correctly when one knows what he should be, namely:
guard dog and companion. Previously the Boxer was only suitable as a guard dog and
not as a companion. Today he is both. The nature of the change lies in bringing out
nobility and the creation of a capable working body.
But here we see the great difficulty and danger in that some desire him as guard dog
rather heavy, whereas others rather elegant, tall and narrow. This diverging
interpretation would instead of one, produce two types of Boxers. Therefore,
consistent judging and the understanding of the character and the development of the
modern Boxers are required to strengthen homogenous type.
The relatively successful blending of the earlier with the new characteristics and the
right combination of power with elegance in a body is reflected in the general
appearance. This first impression on the judge will mostly always be the deciding
factor and only rarely has to be corrected due to finding of major faults. On the other,
hand where the individual parts of the body of a dog meet the requirements but
nonetheless display incorrect general appearance it is due to a lack of harmony and
proportions between the parts. One often feels that something is lacking but cannot
always place it.
The difference between substance and elegance and between strength and nobility is a
fault found frequently in proportions. But also between two individual body parts: for
example between head and body. Also the relation between height, width and length
or between height and weight must be correct. Substance is excessive in Boxers with
heavy heads, short, thick necks, too broad in chest and short in leg with onset of
excessive fleshy tissue and fat. They are coarse and have no nobility; they carry too
much weight and cannot move. As an example, they are closer to the Bulldog.
Elegance outweighs to the detriment of substance when the Boxer, on the other hand,
changes to the opposite: thin bone and narrow chest, lacking substance in body. He is
able to run but he is not a Boxer, as he lacks substance: the strong bones, the taut
muscles, the compact body.
41
Nobility does not only express itself in the correct construction of all limbs of an
animal, but especially in the beautiful lines of the neck and back and the underline; in
the noble shape of the head, the dry muscles, dry thin skin, fine coat, clean color, in
the proud erect carriage and in the nimble, elegant movements, especially at play.
Also the head loses type and nobility due to lack of proportions. Type is more evident
in profile, nobility more from the front view, in the rather narrow skull, the slightly
arched cheeks and the very broad muzzle. The most common fault in particular is that
the skull and cheeks are far too broad, however, the bridge of nose is too narrow and
the muzzle too pointed.
The respective course of the outline of the profile and the different frontal views
explain the numerous departures from the correct type. For example, the apple head is
incorrect, as it is round and too short.
Also an angular head with a straight nose bridge, often also with too much rise of
skull, lack of turn up of nose, sharply defined nose, straight flews, is incorrect. These
lines are rather curved and the angles rounded off.
If the tip of the nose is much higher than the root of the muzzle then the angle between
the forehead and the nose bridge is reduced whereby the bridge of the nose is forced
back into forehead. The opposite thereof is the downward sloping nose bridge, where
this angle is too open. The former is often also too short, the nose turned up too much,
the lower jaw curved up too much. As a result the shape of the muzzle has too much
chin and is Bulldog like.
If the lower jaw is too long or the upper jaw too short, it can be the case that the upper
lip can no longer cover the lower canines. The teeth are visible also when the mouth is
closed. Heavy wrinkles on the head, long flews, a deep forehead furrow, an open or
piercing eye, poor ear placement, somber markings as well as the abovementioned
faults rob the Boxer of his unique expression that cannot be described in words but for
which one must have a feeling.
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Judging the body is therefore that important because it is a test of the Boxer’s
endurance on the move, and thereby so difficult because knowledge of the correct
anatomical construction of the body as well as faults is a prerequisite. Judging is
incomplete if it does not also include an evaluation of all gaits. Performance and
harmonious general appearance have the same foundation, namely a correctly
constructed body.
The Boxer is a fast and an endurance runner. This places high demands on: the bones,
muscles and ligaments, the back, the fore- and hindquarter. For the effective
functioning of the organs, especially the heart and the lung a deep chest must provide
ample room. The chest may actually not be broad like in a heavy draught horse nor as
broad and hanging between the shoulder blades as in the Bulldog, but be well
proportioned to the height of the legs. Therefore the chest has to be deep, with well
arched ribs that extend far to the rear, so that the brisket reaches at least to the height
of the elbow.
The most important part for the Boxer is the hindquarter. Its effectiveness depends on
a strong and short back, the lay of the croup and its own conformation. The most
common fault is steepness due to yielding ligaments, which allow the joints to extend
beyond the permissible degree or as a result of insufficient angle where the bones
articulate. A Boxer with weak stifle and hock joints can stand well angulated for a
short time but at certain moments display his weakness, so that the entire hind leg
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forms a straight line. Like when he stands naturally on his hind legs, while urinating or
when approaching an opponent in measured steps.
The shape and the more horizontal or too sloping position of the pelvis influences the
lay of the croup and the position of the tail set. If the hip, stifle and hock lack angle, so
that the bones come close to forming a straight line and the femur is short, then the
upper thigh becomes narrow, the stifle angle opens, the hindquarter steep. Thus, the
hindquarter can appear overbuilt, as by nature it stands higher than a hindquarter
where the bones articulate in acute angles. The stiff hindquarter due to poor movement
tends to have the same outline. The joints do not move excessively, but are kept very
rigid, stiff.
If the union between the upper and lower thigh is such that the upper thigh is too steep
and the lower thigh stands too far behind, so that the hock joints stand far behind the
vertical line that runs through the sciatic bone, then the dog stands too far back. If the
upper and lower thighs are ultimately in the correct position, the stifle well angled, the
lower thigh suitably long, the hock joint angle can still be too acute so that the
metatarsus does not stand perpendicular or even better slightly sloping to the front on
the ground but rather too sloping, then the dog is sickle hocked.
Viewed from behind one can add the bandy stance as well as the cow hocked stance
where the hock joints of the dog stand too close together. All these faulty positions can
be associated or combined with the laxity of the ligaments. As such we see dogs that
are simultaneously steep and bandy, or stand under and are cow hocked, etc. When
viewed from the side the shape of the hindquarter is influenced by the bone structure,
whereas when viewed from behind, the well developed or poor musculature gives the
upper thigh a curved and full or light and flat appearance. Hard musculature requires
correspondingly strong and long bones.
In judging, emphasis must be placed especially on the short, straight and well muscled
back. The more closely knit the individual spinal vertebrae are, the shorter the back
appears. This gives the back the firmness and tautness it requires for the transition of
powerful drive from the hindquarter for the forward and upward impetus of the
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forequarter. A long back, but even more so, the soft back causes the body to roll from
side to side and thereby restricts forward movement.
The opposite is the carp back, a back that arches up too high, often in combination
with a falling away croup. All three faults of the back: carp, soft and too long are signs
of weakness in the dog and hampers his performance. Soft backs are often the result of
numerous, heavy litters, of continuous filling up of the body or of poor health
(rickets). The carp back, however, is not acquired but inherited and is a notorious sign
of the relationship to the Bulldog. The steep and weak hindquarter is often associated
therewith.
For the same reasons the loins like the back must be short and muscular, in other
words be broad. Long, narrow, sunken in loins are faults, slightly arched loins rather
an advantage.
In the correctly placed shoulder, the shoulder blade is long, broad and sloping.
Accordingly the upper arm is also more horizontal and long. The shoulder blade
corresponds with the upper thigh and the upper arm with the pelvis. In the faulty, steep
shoulder the shoulder blade and upper arm are shorter and positioned steeper whereby
the shoulder joint forms a more open angle. The drawbacks in movement as a result
thereof are the following: The reach of the front legs during movement depends on the
length and the sloping position of the shoulder blade as it can extend further and the
foot can accordingly be placed further forward. In a steep position the front leg cannot
be lifted up in the same that is necessary for ground covering reach.
Furthermore, in this position movement becomes choppy and stilted, especially in
combination with short steep pasterns, whereas in a sloping position the gait becomes
elastic, because the impact, as also in the hindquarter, is reduced or cushioned. Boxers
with a steep shoulder give themselves away by their stilted, pounding, bucking gallop.
The faults of the skeleton often are combined with poor musculature.
As a result of either narrow shoulder blades the muscles are weakly developed, so that
the chest hangs between the shoulder blades which become visible under the skin at
the withers: loose shoulders or the shoulder blades lie too close to the chest wall: tiedin shoulder, or lastly the shoulder musculature is so overdeveloped, that we speak of
loaded shoulders, which restrict speed considerably and give the dog a coarse and
mean appearance. The loose shoulder is observed more easily than the tied-in shoulder
because at a given moment, for instance when the neck is turned in the opposite
direction, the entire shoulder with the elbow stands away from the chest, so that one
can fit an entire hand in between.
Of course, the placement of the shoulder bones influences the general appearance. In
the steep shoulder position the front legs appear to have moved forward when
compared to correct shoulder placement, and the fore chest is flat as it lacks the curve
given by the sternum.
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With the perfect shoulder the elegant neck extends attractively and freely from the
shoulder region, its underline running in a distinct line to the sternum and fore chest.
The curve to the sternum corresponds with the crest and the transition to the withers.
The carriage of such a neck is considerably different to the one with the steep shoulder
blade in that the withers and the base of the neck are pushed too far forward. The neck
is short and cannot be carried proudly erect, the top line and underline have no curve.
If the withers are too low due to short vertebrae spines, then the neck appears low set
where it runs into the withers and the entire dog is overbuilt, especially when steep
behind. A barrel shaped chest and a broad low set front amplifies the common
impression.
The front legs when viewed from the front must be straight, that is both legs must be
parallel to each other and stand perpendicularly to the ground, so that they can swing
easily like a pendulum. A fault, besides the fiddle front, is the forearm curving
outwards and then inwards. With the former the elbows are placed firmly to the chest
wall, the feet turn out: the position of a dancing teacher. With the latter the elbow turns
out and the feet are slightly turned in. Elbows turned out must not be confused with a
loose shoulder both faults can appear simultaneously or separately.
Poor feet make movement more difficult. Flat feet are due to sandy or soft soil.
Splayed and hare feet are also a result of soft soil or due to weak ligaments. The Boxer
can only attain tightly, arched feet by often running on hard ground.
The Boxer with strong loins, dry upper thigh musculature with corresponding joints
has an elastic, springy gait. Loins and croup remain level without too much movement.
The dog with weak loins waddles and with every step the hindquarter rolls. This is
displayed much better at the walk than at the gallop which hides many a weakness.
The dog that in all aspects is sound in conformation has the smoothest gallop and the
most endurance and speed. The movement of fore- and hindquarter happens
effortlessly. It is so powerful and ground covering that the idea of strain does not come
to mind. Fatigue does not only occur as the muscles tire but also due to pain resulting
from impact as a result of joints lacking in angles and faulty paws.
The greatest priority for breeding and judging the “Working Dog” is, besides Boxer
type, the consideration of serious faults to the extent they reduce the working ability of
the Boxer. Perhaps less emphasis should be placed on minor faults such as light eyes,
poor mask, shape and placement of ears and greater importance should be placed on a
firm, strong body, correct construction, excellent movement and correct, healthy bite.
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P.S. Karin Rezewski: I`m very grateful to Tommy Dahlstroem for his accurate translation
and to Ute Füglister another best friend of past times always at hand in case of need. I also
would like to thank Viola Nagy, Bianka Sue Orban and Zoltan Rudolf for their praise of
Miklós Zsabó´s activities and esteemed knowledge of the breed standard in Europe. His fore
sight views in many points predicting today´s development deserves our tribute.
Bremen, 12.07.2016 - 21 Uhr
Karin Rezewski
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