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The Boxer is a short-haired dog of medium height with a balanced but self-confident nature. His movements are lively, full of energy and nobility. The dogs origins are found in the Brabanter Bullenbeider who was crossed with the in appearance rather similar English Bulldog at the end of the 19th century.
When in 1895 the founders of the breed formed the Boxer-Club in Munich, they started with great enthusiasm and courage to show the first dogs and introduced the internationally recognized Stud Book in which from the beginning until today all Boxer Club members register their litters. So one can trace the breed's development right back to the very first dog.
Even in 1902 the founders had an exact view of the future standard: A beautiful, elegant family-dog, free of all plump or even frightening appearance. In the year 1905 a standard was drawn up. It showed remarkable foresight and still is the basis of our modern Standard now. It took generations, until in the 1930s under the guidance of the today worldwide-known Friederun Stockmann, the Breed accomplished perfection. The "von Dom" Boxers went on a triumphal march around the world, making the Boxer one of today's most popular breeds.
From day one the dogs build and character have been of utmost importance for breeding within the Boxer-Club. Therefore both, his appearance and his suitability as a working-dog (chien de travail - FCI) demand the most solicitous attention. At first some of the Boxer's characteristics seem to be contradictory. He is friendly, affectionate and playful with family, friends and even strangers who approach him kindly. But if the situation arises, he does not hesitate to protect and defend "his people" with great courage and loyalty. To be able, to unite all these qualities, it takes a very balanced and self-confident nature. The Breed-Standard emphasizes: "The Boxer's character is of utmost importance and needs careful consideration.
Therefore the Boxer-Club Munich only allows Boxers to be used for breeding, who have successfully passed a breeding-test. They have to meet the Standard a 100 % in all its demands. Fearful or aggressive animals are excluded from breeding as well as dogs with mild, moderate or severe Hip-Displasia. The Boxer-Club has been fighting this hereditary disease for more than twenty years, so that today as a rule only dogs with good hips are permitted for breeding.
Another health-check is the Endurance-Test, where the dogs have to run a distance of 20 kilometers alongside a bicycle, to prove their stamina.
The Boxer-Club breeders have to show lots of commitment and zest before they are even allowed to start breeding with their dogs. From birth on, their litters are being supervised by a qualified senior breeder, and only if they carry out everything according to regulations, they receive their pedigree- papers from the VDH (German Kennel Club) and FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) with international recognition.
99 % of the Boxer-Club breeders are enthusiasts who keep their one or two dogs as family-pets and guarantee a lovable and caring upbringing of the pups.
The Club consists of 18 County-Groups with about 17000 members. They split down into 237 local groups, of which most own a training-ground. Here extensive performance sport takes place as well as covering all aspects of keeping, caring, upbringing and training a Boxer. The young dog learns a certain amount of obedience and is encouraged to follow with enthusiasm. The aim of this "Teamwork" is a sociable Boxer who adjusts perfectly to his surroundings. A must in today's world that very often has a critical view of dogs altogether.
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