The bitter story of the White Boxer: from the Race, to extermination, to the mockery of the prohibition of reproduction

We are again forced to intervene on the debated problem of the white boxer. Not only has nothing been "moved" at the level of official cynophilia, but we continue to see how on the subject realms disinformation and ignorance, unfortunately also among the same professionals.

The colors in the boxer are three: Fulvo, tiger and white; or rather four because there is also the cut.

White is not albino and this is the reason for much of the confusion. In fact, whites have truffle and dark eyes (in addition to coloured spots that are variedly distributed); albinos have the mucous de Pigmentate and red eyes or - at most - blue. Health problems, even of sensory type (sorry, etc.), are only ascribed to albinism cases, fortunately very rare. No health problems more serious or different than colored boxers has ever been found among white boxers.

The presence of white in the boxer comes from a race ancestor, who was a white bulldog. The white coloring present is allowed at British or American bulldogs and other varieties of moloxes, has never been considered a health problem or other type in these breeds.

Initially, many boxers were white and cut and white fattrici like Meta Von der Passage descend almost all modern boxers. The exclusion of white coloring from the standard dates back to 1925, but it was debated with pro and counter- opinions - especially on the pieces - and some reverse in the 1930s. The question was then decided by the outbreak of the Second World War: the boxer was used for war use and the white color - too visible - was not desirable for problems of camouflage. In years marked by a harsh war economy, we could not simply afford to raise white puppies, which were systematically suppressed at birth. We are also in a context in which euthanasia was uninvitedly practiced also on human beings.

As can be understood, it was an external and contingent event that put out the whites and not considerations pertaining to the good of the race, we do not speak of the good of whites, which were exterminated only because of a lack of color. This practice, no longer motivated by the war needs, kept undisturbed for decades and to justify it it resorted to presumed hereditary to the whites. Here comes the legend of the deafness of whites. Something similar, but with doubting tone and circumspect ways was supported, by Dr. Bosi himself. It is undeniable, however, that it was impossible to diagnose sensory problems to whites, when simply whites did not exist. Today, whites, protected by laws on the protection of animals, are spared, we can confirm that this imposition was completely unfounded.

Currently, the white boxer can get regular pedigree and participate in work tests: white is a boxer in all effects even from a character point of view. As a result of this white cubs have assumed a commercial value (they are given discounted, although some dishonest trader, taking advantage of the misinformation, tries to sell them at a higher price, presenting them as rarity) and this causes the practice of euthanasia to be partially re-entered. However, there are reasonable reasons to believe, that many are still suppressed: in fact, whites should represent about 25% of the existing population, but - given to the hand - they are much less.

Moreover, the white boxer is still suffering a serious discrimination as the prohibition of reproduction applies to white. And here is another confusion. In fact, this prohibition is sometimes justified on the pretext that white color is out of standard. But the standard refers essentially to an expositive, non-reproductive use; that is, it sets the criteria according to which a subject becomes a beauty sample or not. An out of standard character may not be to be excluded or even desirable for reproductive purposes, for example an eccentric height, if a breeder intends to use it to increase the stature of his own blood line.

In light of all this we believe that there are the terms for reviewing the position of white in the boxer breed, reviewing historical motivations, health and character data and the needs of modern breeding. Indeed, today, raising means subjecting to numerous restrictions in the choice of breeding animals, which concern health standards and - in some countries - also character. This, while it is certainly positive for the quality of the offspring, threatens on the other hand to reduce the genetic heritage to which it is possible to draw. Considering that the exclusion of whites descends as we have seen from a mix of historical motivations outdated and prejudices, the targeted use and with the right techniques of white breeding animals, which have morphological, sanitary and character qualities of excellence could by-pass this problem.

But finally, we come to the sad Italian case, where - strange to say in our country - we touch the play of the absurd. White boxers are released regular pedigree, but on it the ENCI stamp the inscription "not admitted to reproduction". Now, this ban is simply crazy because

1. it is not imposed on those dogs who for health reasons "would deserve it" (monorchids, severe dysplasia etc.)

2. does not concern subjects of other breeds equally out of standard for reasons of coloring (ad es. the Tiger Saluki).

This measure, which is unjustified, which exorbitates the Enci's own competence, and discriminates only against one race for a =0.

Further details on Boxer White visiting the dedicated section on the site .