Giving up on the breed. Boxers need help

[dalefuller]

Thanks UmmasMom for replying. So, you would think that with the "Boxer Klub München" testing going on in order to breed, that the breed should be seeing improvements in those particular blood lines.

I wounder if there is improvment? I've always heard that the German bloodline does testing for at least 2 years before you can breed.

Hi porpulane...

I'm not UmmasMom, but I can tell you something about breeding Dobermanns according to European standards. I don't know about European Boxers, but I would guess that they would be similar.

Our Dobermann kennel is a DVG kennel (German Dobermann Club), so we have to follow DVG rules in breeding selection. All breedings have to be club sanctioned if the puppies are to be registered, but it is up to the kennel owners to do their own research and matches. We are not allowed to breed to dogs with American bloodlines in them and fairly extensive pedigrees are required to demonstrate the lineage of the breeding pair.

Many European breeders take their responsibilities quite seriously. My sister and I do extensive research into several possible dogs before we narrow down the choices for our brood bitch. Then we contact the owner and exchange medical histories, test results, championships, awards, personality traits, etc. Both kennels have to decide together whether we think this would be a good mating. Then we have to have DVG approval for the mating. Throughout all of this, our first concern is what the puppies will be like in terms of general health, personality, breed characteristics, and breed improvement. It is the future of these puppies specifically and the future of the breed in general that drive our matings.

I suspect that Boxer people are the same way. Reputable breeders are aware of Boxers' hereditary problems and are breeding to eliminate those problems, but it takes many generations to do that. Thirteen and fourteen year old Boxers are not unknown, however, just like fourteen years and older Dobermanns are not unknown.

I think that there isn't as large a problem with BYB in Europe as there is in the US, possibly because there isn't as large a market for puppies and because in our experience, European buyers tend to be a bit more educated about the dog breeds that they like and more discriminating in their choice of puppies.

HTH...

 

[ELubas]

I suspect that Boxer people are the same way. Reputable breeders are aware of Boxers' hereditary problems and are breeding to eliminate those problems, but it takes many generations to do that. Thirteen and fourteen year old Boxers are not unknown, however, just like fourteen years and older Dobermanns are not unknown.

I think that there isn't as large a problem with BYB in Europe as there is in the US, possibly because there isn't as large a market for puppies and because in our experience, European buyers tend to be a bit more educated about the dog breeds that they like and more discriminating in their choice of puppies.

HTH...

I think this is an excellent point. It does take many years to eradicate genetic problems once those problems are identified. And I would agree that in the US we tend to "pick" our breed first and learn about the problems the hard way. Very interesting post

 

[morrissey11]

When Morrissey died the pain was so terrible I swore I could never have another Boxer, or any dog actually. The only time Morrissey was at the vet was for his shots, oh, and when he jumped too high for his frisbee and the vet told him to take it easy for a while....then shortly before his 11th birthday he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Dh had a boxer, Broo, when we met and he lived to 11 years too.
Around Xmas time my daughterand dh begged and begged for another Boxer, it was much too soon for me but in Jan we adopted Reilly, he makes us laugh every day and now I'm so glad we have him. There's nothing like seeing that smiling face, his wiggling nub, etc. I do think occasionaly that we had 2 babies til they were 11 so are we going to be lucky with Reilly, (got to stop that!!), but, there's nothing like the love of a Boxer! Kate.

Reilly, 12 months Brindle wild boy.
Morrissey, our angel
02/1995 - 04/2006 x
Broo - never forgotten buddy x

 

[JulieM]

Many European breeders take their responsibilities quite seriously. My sister and I do extensive research into several possible dogs before we narrow down the choices for our brood bitch. Then we contact the owner and exchange medical histories, test results, championships, awards, personality traits, etc. Both kennels have to decide together whether we think this would be a good mating. Then we have to have DVG approval for the mating. Throughout all of this, our first concern is what the puppies will be like in terms of general health, personality, breed characteristics, and breed improvement. It is the future of these puppies specifically and the future of the breed in general that drive our matings.

Except for the DVG approval, this is exactly what responsible Boxer breeders do (indeed, responsible breeders of any breed) - in any country.

Just remember, there is no 'magic bullet' as far as health goes; while Boxers in Europe may not have the same health problems at the same level as Boxers in the US, they do still have health problems. All Boxers are descended from the same stock - Frau Stockmann wrote about some of her dogs dying of heart attacks, and those dogs or their progenitors are behind pretty well every Boxer alive today. You want to look for health and longevity in the lines, certainly, but that is no guarantee - and remember, these are living beings; it may tragically end up that you find a puppy from the most thoroughly health-tested, long-lived lines in the breed, and some accident occurs that ends his life prematurely. You do the best you can, using all the information you can collect, and then enjoy every day as the gift that it truly is.