Please make it stop!

[Cami]

We were at the dog park last night. All was wonderful. A girl comes in with an adorable brindle pup w/tail. He was just so cute.

Cami has a keen eye for other boxers and went up to greet him. The park was loaded (50+) dogs and way too many people to count. Since I pretty much follow Cami around I am about 15ft away and traveling in her direction when I hear this girl say, "Is that a boxer?" referring to Cami. Whoever she was with said, "Could be". I reply, "Yes, she is a boxer" and start gushing over how cute their little guy is. Then the conversation starts.....

HER: He is getting fixed tomorrow and I hope it calms him down.

ME: Yeah, (laughing), good luck with that!!!

HER: What do you mean?

ME: Well, he is a BOXER!

HER: We were told that the surgery would calm him down.

ME: My girl is just as active now at 2 after her spay as she was before, boxers are full of energy.

HER: Your dog is not very big.

ME: Females are usually smaller than males. My girl weighs 60lbs. That is within the breed standard.

HER: Ours is a MINIATURE!!!!!

ME: (slapping forehead!). There is no such thing as a "miniature boxer". They come in all shapes and sizes, some are bigger and some are smaller than others, just like people.

HER: Well, the breeder said he was a miniture. He is 7 months old and weighs 38lbs. He is done growing.

ME: No. The breeder is wrong. Your guy is NOT done growing and there is no such thing as miniature boxers.


Why oh why do I allow myself to get so offended by these types of things? Why do I assume that everyone loves their animals as much as I do and would make it a point to learn as much as they could about the breed?

I am not suggesting that one go to some elite school for an expensive education on all things DOG but pick up a book already about Boxers if you are going to have one.

 

[1FlashyFan]

Just this week the new pool guy said "Is that an American?". I said "The dog? She's a boxer." "Yeah, but is it an American Boxer? One of those miniature ones?" I was at a loss for words for a moment, then I got it together and said "She's not miniature, she's a puppy, only 4 months old." I was just about to go on about how there was no such thing as a miniature or "American" boxer when I realized it was way too hot out and I didn't think he'd really care anyway. Silly people

 

[mmichaelson]

Well there is a difference between an American and a European boxer, there are no title distinctions. . .a boxer is a boxer (just a little difference in looks).

Sean and I read several books before deciding to buy a boxer for certain.

I can't believe people actually think there are miniatures!

OMG I just googled miniature boxers and found a website on experimental breeding for mini boxers. They're scary and look a lot like pugs. This is awful! No wonder people are so confused.

 

[courtney323]

Well there is a difference between an American and a European boxer

Only in the sense that one was born in America and one was born in Europe. The standard is the same, however

 

[chrystel]

Only in the sense that one was born in America and one was born in Europe. The standard is the same, however

well, they do look different though... the standart is the same.. but for a long time white was not a boxer in Europe.. so first of all, they're is not so many flashy boxer.

In europe (i'm from europe) boxers tend to have the nose really flat and they have less long legs than the boxers i see here.

Many "american boxer" wouldn't be confirmed in shows as boxers in europe.

some boxers i see here wouldn't be recognize as boxer in europe, just because of their look. I don't say they look bad.. I loooove those little eyes and their smiling faces.... but i was surprised sometimes when i saw some people telling "he's a boxer".... and to me, he didn't really look like one...

But the "miniature boxer" :D .. this is funny.. some breeders really say anything in order to sell!! LOL LOL

 

[mmichaelson]

Really - google it. They are trying to breed a mini boxer. I can't give the site, since it's not approved, but if you google miniboxers you'll find it. It's frightening and they look like pugs.

 

[Dillon]

I found a site that talked about the so-called "miniature boxers". It said that they were a breed cross of Pug and Rat Terrier. Where exactly does the boxer come in? Yes, I do have to admit that the face of a pug looks a bit like the boxer. I have a neighbor that has a mix of Pug and Beagle and it looks A LOT like Dillon in the face, but you would think anyone that knew better wouldn't call this a boxer.

Oh well, doesn't it just make us feel so much smarter with all these stupid people in the world.

 

[1FlashyFan]

Many "american boxer" wouldn't be confirmed in shows as boxers in europe.

While the wording for the boxer standard may be interpreted somewhat differently from country to country, a boxer bred within the standard is "correct". http://www.boxerworld.com/standards/ If you compare the boxer standards to each other, you will see that a boxer that is "correct" in one country should be "correct" in another.

One of the boxers Frau Stockmann considered a perfect example of the breed was bred in the USA
Ch. Bangaway of Sirrah Crest.

 

[chrystel]

I totally agree that the boxer standart is the same worldwide

(the white boxer is not approved as boxer in europe.. we call that dog "type" boxer)

 

[Paper-Dogg13]

Why oh why do I allow myself to get so offended by these types of things? Why do I assume that everyone loves their animals as much as I do and would make it a point to learn as much as they could about the breed?

I am not suggesting that one go to some elite school for an expensive education on all things DOG but pick up a book already about Boxers if you are going to have one.

Cami, I'm the same way! It never occurs to me that some people don't love their dogs (or other pets for that matter) as much as I love Charlie Paper and the rest of my four-legged family. I definatly did my research before I adopted Charlie Paper. One my neighbors about a block down has an Austrailian Cattle dog who spends 75% of his life on a chain in their yard. I remember when I first moved out here, it appalled me, and when the weather turned cold and he was still out there I almost called the Animal Control. However, the day I was going to, he was off his chain, and I've since seen him on and off of it. I wonder if someone beat me to it? I just don't get it.