Recently, a dog that we bred garnered his last points en route to his title—at 3 years of age. Until this time, he rather languished around the breed ring, doing little winning although he was always in the running. As an elegant, tall boy, we had predicted that he would be late to mature—and so he was. He is just now looking his best; his was not the sort of physique to win those coveted points from the puppy
classes.
This news is sometimes difficult to accept—and has cost many a fine animal his championship when the frustrated owners give up the quest. At the age of 8-10 weeks the average boxer puppy often looks strikingly in proportion and may in fact resemble a miniature adult.
However, along the way to his mature self he may go through awkward changes, especially between 5 and 10 months—his rear may appear higher than his withers, his stop may diminish, and he may appear coltish, with disproportionately long legs. In the case of our own bloodlines, the spring of rib and forechest may not develop fully until 3 or 4 years of age.—long after most of the adolescent flyers have finished.
Do not despair! This is the youngster who will never grow coarse and loaded in the shoulders, who will be fit to win Veteran classes well into his elder statesman years. Remember that the 1999 American Boxer Club BOB winner was nearly 8 years old and still looked youthful.
I do not mean to suggest that all who finish their championships young are going to lose their elegance with age—just that there are many who take a long while, sometimes a very long while, to achieve their full physical potential. The owner should either keep such an animal at
home until he is ready, or have the patience to suffer through some disappointing losses until he finally comes into his own.
Genetics is the determinant here, and the breeder's measure of it should be an owner’s primary resource. The 12-18 month class might be just right for such a dog, but when he is too old for it, be prepared for him to wait in the wings---until his immature body fits into his genes.
Another Senseless Shooting
In my little bucolic town, population 1250, a woman shot and killed a female Boxer who escaped from a fenced yard because she feared the dog would harm her sheep in a nearby pasture.. The shooter was literally lying in wait to execute the male boxer companion when the owner, who lived next door, came upon the scene and retrieved her dog (nowhere near the sheep).
A sad and senseless incident— whatever happened to neighbors calling neighbors, not resorting to such shocking and unwarranted violence? A CT law that allows the killing of dogs who are threatening livestock or human life aids those who are either unbalanced or angry to avoid prosecution, even though they had no cause. We should contact our local legislators to amend such absurd statutes. Please discuss this at your local Boxer clubs. Unfortunately, this could happen anywhere.
Stephanie Abraham
P. O. Box 346
Scotland, CT 06264
