| In
the mid seventies, when the breed after the
Second World War boomed with record entries
in stud registers and Best In Show successes,
I observed in the various countries that breeders,
with their overwhelming enthusiasm, exaggerated
specific characteristics, thereby pushing
the breed into detrimental extremes.
If
we look back over the years, the overall appearance
of the Boxer in different countries has deviated
from the look of the four prototypes SIGURD,
LUSTIG, UTZ and DORIAN. I have noticed trends
in Boxer types which have obviously drifted
away from the standard of the four great breed
representatives. It would appear this has
come about through differences in judging
and evaluation of the breed characteristics.
From Germany the powerful, overall short Boxer
dominates the European scene. If we consider
the Standard as the Alpha and Omega of the
breed, this type is as equally incorrect as
the lighter, more elegant North American dog,
which through North and South America, South
Africa, Australia, England and Scandinavia
has been widely spread. Here and there I was
fortunate to find specimens of an overall
well-balanced Boxer but unfortunately they
were in the minority.
What
are the reasons for this drifting apart in
Boxers, which in comparison to other breeds,
is extremely pronounced? Considering the development
and partially unknown origins of the breed,
it is obvious why we quite easily lose important
traits. From experience we know that this
happens when we concentrate too much on details.
Moreover, the eye adapts very quickly to the
dogs we permanently see, irrespective of their
merits or shortcomings. Finally, we come to
the point where we believe that we are on
the right path and strive to maintain uniformity.
However, without comparing to other foreign
Boxers, it is difficult to assess whether
the correct type of Boxer has been achieved.
Striving
for the overdone dog appears to continue ad
infinitum. Apparently all Boxer lovers have
a fancy for either the American or the European
type. The crux is that in each case the opposite
is turned down and even judges are not strong
enough to open eyes in both directions, although
they should be able to see the differences.
Unfortunately the clubs in the different countries
very seldom exchange judges. As a result sharing
of experience is limited and does not help
to set a uniform standard for important breed
characteristics. However, breeders and judges
should be fully aware that details and assessment
of minor faults should not be focused on because
in this case, we shall never see the wood
for the trees.
Bremen,
13/O6/O6
Karin Rezewski
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