A pedigree for the white boxer: a journey through history

At first meeting with a white boxer anyone wonders: what is it? At first glance it looks almost like an American bulldog. After a few moments we realize that under that manto-twinned that recalls all other races there is a one hundred percent boxer: by character and construction it has nothing to envy to its brothers Felixvi and Tiger. Past the initial amazement the thought runs immediately to the same questions: how are white boxers born and why is it so difficult to meet them? They are not a novelty of our times and looking at the past immediately emerges their fundamental contribution in the selection of the race.

Despite the boasting of an ancient lineage, the current boxer has quite recent origins and can be traced back to the late nineteenth century. It was born thanks to Friederich Roberth, an officer of the German colonial army originally from Vienna who had had access to the studies for the preparation of military dogs of the German, French and Russian armies. Established in Munich in 1894, he came into contact with Erald Konig and Rudolf Hopner, at the time engaged in the experimentation of the use for war purposes of the Airdale Terrier, already successfully used by the British. He thus Matured the idea of giving life to a German canine race to be used in war: character and balance had to find place in agile and powerful body such as that of the BelenbeisserThe search for a strong and combative spirit led to the choice of the English bulldog Dr.Tönniessen's Tom which was used several times in breeding. Alt's Flora I was born Mühlbauer's Flocki, the first boxer in the register of origins, the tiger Flora Augusta and Blanka v.Angertor And he brought white into the race, and the white woman, which, with her father, was born in the midst of the great seed of the latter, Meta v.d.Passage from which, counting a few generations, you reach the great breeding Sigurd and Lustig v. Dom Their breeder was the most famous Friederun Stockmann The mother of the boxer, who is always very active and a leading voice in the world of German breeders, never failed to sing the praises of whites: she often remembered that among her fattrici included white Moud de Sadowa, which, repeatedly covered with males Fulvi, never begat a white or cut subject.

The first Boxer Klub was founded in Munich in 1896, when white boxers were still the backbone of the breeding. The first standard was adopted in 1902 and the white, initially accepted, in subsequent versions was prohibited, legalized and again prohibited. In 1927 the German association decided to exclude from the inscription in the book of origin all the sliced, white and black subjects; a choice this announced as early as 1925 when it was established that from there soon such colors would not be accepted. It was immediately controversial. Mrs Stockmann opposed this decision and in 1933 wrote the following in the magazine Boxer-Bätter: "Typicality and healthy construction are much more important than color." In 1934, after strong pressure, the ban on white breeding was lifted by re-admissioning them in full capacity.

The story had caused heavy breaks. In 1937 a small step back was taken by establishing a maximum number of cut-out puppies that were allowed to breed. The following year it was ^ that the white pieces should not exceed a third of the mantle. In the breeding world of the time it was very difficult to grow numerous litters, therefore a maximum of puppies to be left alive and in precise relationships between males and females was suggested; we should not be surprised if the subjects to be eliminated were chosen among the weakest and the less adherent to the standard.

In early 1939, when the air of World War II was now breathing, the Reichsfachgruppe Deutsches Hundewesen an autonomous association of the Reich The Germans had already successfully experienced the use of dogs in the war during World War I. Obviously, they served subjects with certain qualities and therefore the rag was banned because it was too visible. On the eve of World War II, the command of the army was to be held in the hands of the Germans. Wermacht It provided for the census of usable dogs subjecting them to very severe tests that were exceeded only by 32 percent of Boxers (like the Dobermanns and seconds only to 33 percent of Airedales).

On June 1st 1941, when the war broke out, the ban on breeding white and black boxers was established, which had to be respected by killing puppies after the birth. The reasons for this choice are due to the fierce state policy of that time that was based on the canons of saving and targeted use of resources. The white or sliced mantles and the lucidity of black were not indicated for the army dogs who had to camouflage. The boxer was employed alongside the German occupying troops of the Feldgendarmerie, spreading throughout our peninsula and in France.

As the years passed, black boxers were said not to be typical as they were derived from the Schnauzers and whites were to bring genetics. At least that is what we have always heard. In fact, a scientific investigation was never carried out that could prove the validity of such theories. Killing them at birth could never be carried out a scientific study that demonstrated the poor health of the white boxer. The situation changed towards the end of the seventies, when a law for the protection of animals came into force in Germany; from January 1, 1979 the Boxer-Klub E.V. Sitz München It also releases pedigree to all born regardless of color.

But how do these puppies come about? The basic colours of the cape of the boxer are the tiger and the Fulvo; the white instead is the result of an interaction of genes that causes the absence of pigmentation and therefore eliminates the presence of the background color on certain parts of the body. Inhibition can occur in different degrees and the diffusion of the white follows the following order: chest, legs and tip of the tail, snout, nasal cane and collar. The coloring of the boxer most welcome requires the presence of white. In the desire to preserve the pieces you resort to couples between pieces with which you are highly likely to generate white puppies.

For years the white boxer has been discredited and pointed out as a symptom of wrong selection. This has led many breeders to hide them to avoid getting bad publicity. Today, fortunately, the common consciousness accepts them as a product that is uneliminable from selection and worthy of the right recognition. This is the road to which the ENCI seems to approach. It will mark an important step in the history of the race and will ensure a better future for those cubs that were once torn from life. The pedigree, besides certifying the authorship of the subject from a legal point of view, will justify its cynological value by opening new possibilities for white boxers.

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