essie: you wrote "European Boxers' ears have to be taped differently than most others as their ears are generally harder" and my reply was about two things in your sentence: 1) the term European Boxers and 2) the difference in ears.
- About 1) as I wrote in my previous reply, in Europe we do not use the term European Boxers as there are different styles within Europe and I mean already only within Western Europe. Then you also have the Eastern Europe (Russia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Bulgaria, Ukrainia, Slovakia mostly) where you have so many puppy mills that the puppy/pet business becomes a significant part of these countries GDP. In Europe they export mostly in Belgium, The Netherlands and Spain where controls are not strict enough and then from there in all the European Union. I do not see how a boxer coming from these puppy mills differs from a boxer coming from a puppy mill based in America, they both had no health testing and poor standard. But it is an "European boxer", like yours
See how the term cannot be accurate.
- About 2) "European Boxers' ears have to be taped differently than most others as their ears are generally harder". Do you realise how ridiculous is that? It is like saying "American" boxers bark louder than "European" boxers. That's why I wrote in my previous reply this is not exact. It depends on each dog.
After that clarification, I am replying to your latest reply.
I understand that they are a business, but nonetheless. I agree with most of what they have said. There are many interviews posted on their site.
You can agree to a pamphlet/advertisements but it does not mean it is based on facts. When it is a business, you do everything you can for the business and disregard the rest. You might find many interviews there, but why would you put an interview that would be against your business?
I suggest you read what the general consensus was about the difference, then, if it all possible, contact the breeders and judges (some international) regarding this issue..
Using the term "the general consensus" is a little bit too easy, don't you think so? It is like saying "some people say" and it would be assuming those differences do exist. I did ask some breeders/judges and you know what? All of them did not care. It is not interesting for them to know what's happening oversea. And I believe 99% of breeders in America do not care of what's happening in boxer dog shows in Europe. Why would they pay attention anyway? They are not going to show there.
To compare again with cars, like they do on the page you posted, it is like F1 and Indy Cars. Who, in Europe, watch Indy Cars races?
I understand that this term is a generalization, but do you not agree that, generally, boxers in Europe differ from boxers in North America?
I agree with you here but it is about styles and we are talking about boxers correctly bred, not the ones coming from pet stores etc. I think in the USA they should do more about the working part instead of focusing in conformation, like they should do the 20km (12 miles) endurance test before breeding dogs etc as they do in most countries in Europe where the law is enforced.
I have visited many legit and well known boxer breeders in Canada and not one of their pups resembled the pups I have enquired about overseas. They definatly don't look nothing like Dante.
I understand you are passionated about Dante
but really, don't you think you are extreme? I am sure it is possible to see many puppies from Canada that look like Dante. If I show you photos of puppies, you would not be able to tell which are the ones coming from Europe and which are the ones coming from Canada. Puppies can be so different, even in the same litter.
All the shows you've been to, and being the owner of this site (or are you a moderator?) obviously shows that you are experienced in the breed. I understand why you disagree with me, but I must say if I hadn't read anything regarding this issue, I still would have come to the same conclusion.
I moderate and also own the site, it's not incompatible
I am not an expert but I certainly do know about the breed. I disagree about the term "European boxer" and I am European. I do not own a boxer anymore since the death of my boxer. I am not a breeder or into dog show.
The link you posted is titled "Advantages and Drawbacks - The Comparison/ Euro puppies: Pros and Cons". Where are the Cons? I see none, which isn't a surprise as the purpose of that site is business related. And when I read "Strict adherence to these guidelines has, for generations, resulted in an enormous development of the breed in European countries, unlike the rapid decline Boxers in North America have, and continue to, experience", I find that ironical knowing the owner of that site is from Russia, one of the countries I listed about puppy mills. We certainly do not talk about the same Europe. It is possible to have good breeders in any countries, but some of them are more known for their puppy mills. A mention about them in that page wouldn't have hurt the truth. By the way, I did not choose the countries from Eastern Europe by random, it is borrowed from an investigation from the French Senate about pet identification and their traffic.
http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/rap-info/i3457.asp
http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/rap-info/i3457-02.asp
Also, from the same page:
The EB's skin is fairly thick. Their hair is a bit longer, but much softer and silkier to the touch than somewhat thorny coat of the North American Boxer.
Proof? It is ridiculous again.
Large, straight set eyes with their magnificent expression look very different from the smaller almond-shaped eyes of a typical North American Boxer.
Proof? And again, that generalization. It's just too simplistic to resume things to the "typical North American Boxer", like it is to say "European boxers". Looks to me they should have written a definition page to say the "typical North American Boxer" in that site is the bad one and the "European boxer" is the good one.
A typical EB is very intelligent, focused and extremely easy to train due to his well developed drives and excellent motivation. Ball drive is normally very high in these dogs, so playing with them makes an excellent reward for the task well done. EBs love their toys and remain very playful well into their teens. [snip] EBs do very well with family cats, especially when they are brought up with them, however that doesn't mean your EB won't chase a neighbor's cat if he encounters it on his property. These dogs are always in a good mood, and a nice romp in the park (preferably with a toy in his mouth) is enough to make him the happiest dog on Earth. Finally, EB possesses very good sense of humor and learns to recognize hundreds of words on his own when placed in a good environment.
Now who would call that "information"? Any breeder can put that on his/her site. How come you never hear a negative word about the European boxer on that site?
Also, I do not know about you but if you were a breeder, would you mail a puppy oversea without meeting in person the buyer first? I would not.
Olly
