Boxer
GENERAL APPEARANCE : The Boxer is a medium-sized, smooth-coated, compact, robust, square-built, strong-boned dog. The musculature is dry, strongly developed and sharply defined. His movement is energetic, powerful and noble. The Boxer should be neither coarse, nor heavy, nor too light, nor insubstantial.
Personality: Cheerful and affectionate.
Energy Level : Very Active. This dog is active and energetic, and needs daily exercise.
Good with children: Yes.
Good with other dogs: With supervision.
Grooming: Seasonal.
Life Expectancy : 10-12 years old.
Bark level: Bark when necessary.
HISTORICAL SUMMARY
The little one, so called Brabant Bullenbeisser, is considered to be the immediate ancestor of the Boxer. In the past, the breeding of Bullenbeissers was mostly in the hands of the hunters they worked with during the hunt. Its task was to firmly hold the prey pursued by the hounds, until the hunters arrived and killed it. For this job, the dog had to have as wide a mouth as possible, with a wide set of teeth to hold and hold the game firmly. Any Bullenbeisser with such characteristics was the most suitable for this work, thus being used in creation. At that time, only ability to work was a selection criterion for use in creation. This selection criterion led to the production of a dog with a broad muzzle and an upturned nose.
Country of Origin: Germany.
BEHAVIOR AND TEMPERAMENT: The Boxer must have strong nerves, be safe, calm and balanced. Your temperament is of the utmost importance and requires the most attention. Its attachment and loyalty to its owner and family, its vigilance and its intrepid courage have long been known. He is docile in the family environment, but suspicious of strangers. Cheerful and affectionate in play, yet fearless when the going gets tough. Easy to train thanks to its docility, security, courage, natural biting and olfactory aptitudes. Undemanding and clean, he is as pleasant and appreciated in his family circle as both a guard and companion dog. His character is frank, without falsehood or hypocrisy, even in old age.
HEAD: It is the part of the Boxer that gives it its characteristic look. It should be well proportioned to the body, without appearing light or heavy. The muzzle should be as wide and powerful as possible. The beauty of the head depends on the proportional relationship between the measurements of the muzzle and the skull. Whatever the angle at which the head is viewed, from the front, from above or in profile, the muzzle must always be proportional to the skull, that is, never appear too small. The head must be dry, without wrinkles. However, natural wrinkles are formed in the cranial region when the dog is very attentive. Originating on the dorsal surface of the root of the snout, natural wrinkles descend symmetrically on the sides. The dark mask is limited to the muzzle and must be sharply separated from the color of the head so that the expression does not appear somber.
CRANIAL REGION
Skull: The cranial region should be as narrow and angled as possible. It is slightly arched, without being too round and short, nor flat; not too wide. The occiput is not very pronounced. The frontal furrow is slightly marked, it should not be too deep, especially between the eyes. Stop: The forehead forms a clear stop with the bridge of the nose. The bridge of the nose should not be shortened on the forehead as in the Bulldog, nor dropped forward.
FACIAL REGION
Nose: Broad and black, slightly upturned, with wide nostrils. The nose of the truffle is slightly higher than its root.
Muzzle: It is powerfully developed in the 3 dimensions of volume, neither pointed nor narrow, neither short nor flat. Its shape is determined by:
a) The shape of the mandible.
b) The position of the canines.
c) The shape of the lips.
Canines should be set as far apart as possible and of good size. The anterior plane of the muzzle is therefore broad, almost square, forming an obtuse angle with the topline of the muzzle. The upper lip contour lands on the lower lip contour. The lower lip, in the anterior third of the curved mandible upwards, it cannot go far beyond the front, nor can it be hidden under the upper lip. The chin projects in front of the upper lip very clearly, both in front and in profile, without therefore resembling that of the Bulldog. Canines, incisors and tongue should not be visible while the mouth is closed. The cleft of the upper lip is clearly visible.
Lips: Complete the shape of the muzzle. The upper lip is thick, full and fills the space left by the longer lower jaw and rests on the lower canines.
Jaws and Teeth: The lower jaw extends beyond the upper jaw, curving slightly upwards. The Boxer is prognathous. The upper jaw is broad at its junction with the skull and sags very little forward. Teeth are strong and healthy. The incisors are preferably aligned. The canines are wide apart and of good size.
Cheeks: They are developed in relation to the strong jaws, without being too pronounced. They merge with the muzzle in a slight curve.
Eyes: Dark eyes are neither too small, nor prominent, nor deep. The expression denotes intelligence and energy, it should be neither threatening nor penetrating. The eyelids should be dark in color.
Ears: Natural (uncropped) ears are appropriately sized. Inserted sideways into the highest part of the skull. At rest, they are carried pendant close to the cheeks and face forward, making a well-marked fold, especially when the dog is at attention.
NECK: The topline extends in an elegant curve from a well-defined nape to the withers. It should be of good length, round, strong and muscular.
BODY: Square, straight limbs.
Withers: Must be marked.
Back: Including the loin, it should be short, firm, straight, broad and muscular.
Croup: Slightly sloping, broad and slightly arched. The pelvis (or pelvic bone) should be long and wide, especially in females.
Chest: Deep, reaching to the elbows. The depth of the chest is half the height at the withers. Forechest well developed. Ribs well sprung but not barrel-shaped, well extended towards the rear.
Bottom Line: Describes an elegant curve to the rear. Short and firm flanks, slightly raised.
TAIL: Set more on high than on low. The tail is of normal length and remains natural.
MEMBERS
FOREQUARTERS: Viewed from the front, they should be straight and parallel with strong bone.
Shoulders: Long and sloping, firmly attached to the chest. They shouldn't be so loaded.
Arms: Long and at right angles to the scapula.
Elbows: Not too close to the chest, not loose.
Forearms: Vertical, long, dry and muscular.
Carpi: Strong, well defined but not exaggerated.
Pasterns: Short, almost perpendicular to the ground.
Feet: Small, round, compact, with well padded and hard pads.
HINDQUARTERS: Very muscular; with stiff and visible muscles under the skin.
Seen from behind: straight.
Thighs: Long and broad. Coxofemoral and knee joint as obtuse as possible.
Knees: When in stay, they must have a sufficient reach in front of them to be able to draw a vertical line, from the tip of the ilium to the ground.
Legs: Very muscular.
Hocks: Strong and well defined, but not exaggerated. Angle approximately 140°. Metatarsals: Short with slight inclination, 95° to 100° to the ground.
Feet: Slightly longer than the forelegs, compact; with well-padded and hard plantar pads.
GAIT/MOVEMENT: Lively and with great strength and nobility.
SKIN: Dry, elastic, without wrinkles.
COAT
Hair: Short, hard, shiny and well laid.
COLOR: Fawn (golden) or brindle. Fawn comes in different shades, ranging from light yellow to dark red; the medium shades (yellow red) are the most beautiful. The mask is black. The brindle variety has dark or black stripes towards the back. The contrast between the stripes and the base color should be sharp. White marks should not be discarded; they can be quite pleasant.
SIZE: Height at the withers: Males: 57 to 63 cm. Females: 53 to 59 cm.
WEIGHT: Males: over 30 kg (with +/- 60 cm at the withers). Females: +/- 25 kg (with +/- 56 cm at the withers). Skull should be flat and of moderate width, gradually decreasing in width towards the eyes and narrowing towards the muzzle.
FAULTS
Any deviation from this standard should be considered a fault and penalized in exact proportion to its severity and its effects on the health and well being of the dog.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS
• Aggressiveness or excessive shyness.
• Any dog that shows any sign of physical or behavioral anomaly must be disqualified.
• Atypical dogs.