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MEET THE BOXER............

        The Boxer's most notable characteristic is his desire for human affection.  The Boxer is happiest when he is with people--especially children, watching protectively over their play.This breed looks intimadating ,like most "Bully" breeds but extremes in aggression is NOT a trait. Boxers are considered the clowns of the dog world and love to make people laugh. Although regal in look and bearing their actions are sometimes not , like a true Jester ANYTHING for a laugh.........

        The Boxer's historical background begins in Germany.  Here, a small hunting dog with a mastiff-type head and undershot bite was used to catch and  hold  bull, boar,stag or bear for their owners. Many features of the Boxer were selected , in the beginnig,to help serve this end.The underbite,with the short slightly turned up nose helped the dog to breath while maintaining a hold on the hunted animal. The wrinkles on the forehead and deep indent (called a "Stop") helped channel blood from the held animal away from the nose eyes and mouth,to drip down the sides of the face.The ears were cropped short along with the tail (Boar will happily grab a dogs tail and do major damage) to keep from being cut or torn and bleeding profusly.Strong jaws,neck and chest muscles helped to wrestle and hold the animals. In the 1880's, descendants of this type of dog were bred to a taller, more elegant English import, and the era of the modern Boxer had begun.  Imported to America after the first World War, his popularity really began in the late 1930s.I continues today with the Boxer ranking # 6 in popularity via AKC registration numbers.

        The Boxer is a medium-sized dog ranging from 21 1/2 inches high at the shoulder in a smaller female up to 25 inches (sometimes taller) in a large male.  Adult weight may reach 65-80 pounds in the male, with females about 15 pounds less.  There are no miniature or giant varieties. The Boxer is considered a MEDIUM SIZED BREED . The short, close-lying coat is found in two equally acceptable and attractive basic colors-fawn and brindle.  The fawn may vary from a light honey colored tan to a beauitiful deep stag red (also called Mahogany).  The brindle ranges from sparse, but clearly defined black stripes on a fawn background, to such a heavy concentration of black striping that the essential fawn background color barely, although CLEARLY, shows through (which may create the appearance of "reverse brindling"). Compleatly black boxers are not breed standard and have an "alternate" registration code and color name (Seal) along with white or checked Boxers.They are also not "rare" and can be bred by crossing twp very dark Brindle parents.

        White markings should be of such distribution as to ENHANCE the dog's appearance, but may not exceed one-third of the entire coat.  It is not uncommon to have a totally white Boxer born in a litter. This is NOT rare as is sometimes reported , and to a very large extent may be avoided by not breeding together two flashy dogs. An all-white coat, or a predominantly white background with fawn or brindle markings or patches(known as a "check") may occur.  In order to retain the beauty of the fawn and brindle colors, American Boxer Club members are pledged not to use white boxers for breeding.Unfortunatly white Boxers can have health issues that a Boxer of breed standard colors do not have.

        The Boxer's offical classification is in the "Working Group" of dogs.  Although always vigilant, the Boxer is not a nervous breed, and will not bark without cause. Unfortunatly this breeds AVERAGE lifespan is only 8-10 years.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS AFFECTING BOXER
        Despite a breeder's best efforts, Boxers do sometimes suffer from conditions to which the breed seems to be predisposed.  In many instances, diagnosis and treatment will effect a cure or symptomatic relief.

HEART DISEASE
        Like many breeds of dogs, Boxers are subject to heart ailments. Like humans, these include congenital anomalies as well as acquired disease later in life as the dogs body ages.  Boxer heart disease usually falls into two important categories:  aortic stensois and cardiomyopathy. Heart Disease and Cancers are the biggest killers of this breed.

AORTIC STENOSIS
        This is a congenital condition, a narrowing or constriction of the outflow tract from the left ventricle to the aorta.  It can be detected as a systolic murmur by your veterinarian in young puppies an older dogs.  Sometimes the murmur will not show up until the dog reaches enough physical size for the constriction to become evident.
        This murmur must be distinguished from other types of murmurs, often innocent flow or "puppy" murmurs that disappear as the puppy grows.  There is no practical surgial treatment, and if the condition results in arrhythmias, antiarrhythmic therapy is usually instituted.  Mild forms of the anomaly may go undetected and are not incompatible with a normal life span.

CARDIOMYOPATHY
    Cardiomyopathy is an electrical-conduction disturbance (sometimes referred to as ARVC--Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy), a condition of the heart muscle itself causing abnormal electrical impulses to disrupt the heart's normal rhythm.  This arrhythmia may lead to sudden death or heart failure.  Symptoms include weakness and/or collapse.  Arrhythmias can be brought on by certain poisons, infections (notably parvovirus), severe uremia, diabetes, and heatstroke.  However, in Boxers they most often occur due to no known cause.  Heredity undoubtedly plays a  role.  Boxer breeders around the world are frustrated that there is at present no way to diagnose the propensity for this condition in asymptomatic dogs.

CANCERS
        Boxers are at risk for a variety of cancers.  These include benign and maligant skin lesions (because of their all white color and the fact that they sunburn eaisly White Boxers have a higher chance of skin cancers,espically on their noses,ears and tail .) as well as cancers affecting the brain, thyroid, mammary glands, testes (undecended Testicles in a male dog almost always turn cancerous), heart, spleen, blood, lymph system (lymphoma), and other organs.  Benign skin tumors usually respond to simple surgical excision under local anesthesia.
        It is prudent to be alert to any unusual growths or medical developments, especially as your Boxer ages.  Consult with your veterinarian immediately if you notice anything suspicious.  Early detection is important to long term survival.

DEGENERATIVE MYELOPATHY
        DM (Degenerative Myelopathy) is a neurological disease affecting the spinal cord and nerves coordinating the rear quarters.  Over time, dogs lose the ability to walk, become incontinent, and are most often euthanized at this point.  DM is a sad disease in that the patient remains mentally alert; there is no pain; and yet, keeping such an animal happy poses special challenges.

HIP DYSPLASIA
        Hip Dysplasia is a developmental disease of the hip joint that affects many breeds of dogs.  The head of the femur (thigh bone) and the acetabulum (hip socket) become incompatible; the joint weakens and loses proper function.  Reluctance to engage in strenuous physical activity, lameness and pain are all possible signs of dysplasia, usually manifested between the ages of 4 months to 1 year.  X-rays are definitively diagnostic and will show evidence of abnormal joint laxity. Hip Dysplasia is a poly genetic disease and many factors contribute,including heredity,diet and type and amount of excercise on growing puppies.

THYROID DEFICIENCY
        The condition may be caused by thyroid tumors or primary malfunction of the thyroid itself.  The deficient thyroid may have an effect on many organ systems, including the heart.  Symptoms may include exessive hair thinning, obesity, anemia, infertillity, and lethargy.  Diagnosis is confirmed by a complete thyroid panel blood test.  Oral doses of thyroid hormones will alleviate most symptoms and will probably need to be given for the duration of the dogs life.  Luckily, thyroid therapy is relatively inexpensive and effective.  Remember, many Boxers can and do live long and healthy lives with thyroid problems. 

STAYING IN TOUCH
It is very advisable to maintain a relationship with your puppy's breeder.  The breeder can be an invaluable friend to you throughout your Boxer's life, and can advise you about care and health matters that are unique to the breed.

MEET THE BREED.......

      The Dobermann Pinscher is a stately , intelligent dog. Sometimes refered to as a "velcro" dog as they are extremely loyal to their people ,and being in the Working group ,love to have a job. If the Boxer is the Jester of the dog world the Doberman is the King and Queens with their noble bearing and wise eyes they are the height IMHO of dogdom.

The origin of the Doberman Pinscher is unique in that it is the result of purposeful selected breedings to produce wanted characterisitcs in a protection dog. The purpose for this dog was decided before the breed was even developed. The Doberman Pinscher is the only breed known to be developed for this purpose. Because of this, we know exactly where, when, why and how the Doberman came to be.

Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann began his breeding program with Thuringian Shephards, early Rottweilers, and German Shepards. He visited many dog shows and breeding kennels to find the particular characteristics he wanted for his foundation stock. German Pinschers, Black and Tan Terriers, Weimaraners, Greyhounds, and the German Shorthair Pointer all are believed to have contributed to his early breeding stock.

Years of trial and error passed before the refined breed capable of reproducing itself, now known as the Doberman Pinscher ,was produced.

The appearance is that of a dog of medium -large (NOT GIANT) size, with a body that is square, compactly built, muscular and powerful, for great undurance and speed. Elegant in apperarance, of pround carriage, reflecting great nobility  and temperment. Energetic, watchful, determinded, alert, fearless, loyal, and obedient. Height -withers: Males 26 to 28 inches ideal about 27 1/2 inches and ranging from 80-100 lbs. Females 24 to 26 inches ideal about 25 1/2 inches and 10-20 lbs smaller. The height, measured vertically from the ground to the highest point of the withers, equal the length measured horizontally from the forechest to the rear projection of the upper thigh. Length of head, neck and legs in proportion to length and depth of body. There is no minitures of this breed and a "MIN PIN" or Miniture Pincher is actually a terrier NOT a Doberman.

  DESPITE A BREEDERS BEST EFFORTS DOBERMANS TOO HAVE PREDISPOSED HEALTH CONCERNS:

These health conditions have been identified in the Doberman -THEY LIVE A BIT LONGER THAN THE BOXER AVERAGING 10-12 YEARS:

CARDIOMYOPATHY: is suspected to be an inherited disease in Dobermans. Research is in progress in several insitutitions. An echocardiogram of the heart will confirm or deny the disease, but will not guarantee that the disease will not develop in the future.

HIP DYSPASIA:(SEE ABOVE DESCRIPTION) is a polygenetic disease.Genetics play a role however, Dyplactic Hips can also be caused by trama on growth plates at a young age or even diet.

HYPOTHYROIDISM: is probably inherited and means that the thyroid gland is not producing enough hormone to adequately maintain the dog's metabolism. It is easily treated with thyroid replacement pills on a daily basis. The cost is nominal.Thyroid testing should be performed on an annual basis.                                        

vWd: (Von Wildebrands Disease) is an autosomally inherited bleeding disorder with a prolonged bleeding time and a mild to severe factor IX deficiency.Dogs with this effected with this disease may have trouble clotting ,and bleed profusily at whelping,injuries and surgical procedures. Certain medications should be restricted in these dogs as they may also cause internal bleeding. vWd factor antigens of 70% to 180% are considered to be within the normal range for Dobermans. A DNA test for vWd is now available-genetically: CLEAR (only approx. 25% of Dobes are tested clear)  CARRIER-AFFECTED-

WOBBLERS SYNDROM: is suspected to be an inherited condition in Dobermans. Dogs suffer from spinal cord compression cause by cervical vertebral instability or from a  malformed spinal canal. Extreme symptoms are paralysis of the limbs.

PRA: is an inherited condition in Dobermans. Clinically, visual acuity is diminished, firt at dusk, later in daylight. The disease progresses over months or years to complete blindness. A screening test is available and can be performed by a verterinary ophthalmolosight. CERF will certify eyes for 12 months from the date of evalutaion.

BLUE DOBERMAN SYNDROME: is a skin disease associate with the blue color of this breed.The hair is lank and patchy with acne and pustules common.

ALBINISM: "white coated" and "white factored" Dobermans should NOT be bred.These odgs are TYROSINASE POSITIVE ALBINOS. In 1996, the AKC established a tracking sysytem allowing breedfers to identify the normal colored Dobermans which may carry the albinistic gene.This is known as the "Z" factor in Dobes.A dog with the letter Z in it's registration number has been determined to have the white gene and also should not be bred.