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We have some litters planned for 2006 that should be outstanding. We invite you to take a look at our Puppies page and our Upcoming Litters page. If any litter mentioned there piques your interest, let us know. We *don't* think every colored puppy born in every litter is a show prospect. And we don't think we can reliably look at 2-week-old puppies and designate them as "available to a show home only". Classic (plain) puppies *can be* show prospects, but we feel they must meet an even higher standard than the flashy puppies for there to be reasonable expectation of success--i.e., they must have a superior head, outstanding overall structure and movement, *and* exceptional showmanship. |
What do we look for in a puppy we would offer as a show prospect? Our vision of the correct Boxer includes sound construction that enables the dog to look as good (or better) standing on his own than he does when he's been hand stacked. A good Boxer shouldn't need a handler's assistance to "give him a topline" or make his feet point in the right direction. A correct Boxer head is also essential. The breed standard says "the chiseled head imparts to the Boxer a unique individual stamp." A Boxer *must* have sound construction *and* a correct head or, quite simply, he isn't a good Boxer. When a Boxer has a pretty head, sound construction, and natural confidence and showmanship, he comes close to the ideal described by John Phelps Wagner (Mazielane Boxers) in 1945: "What breeders and judges should mean by Type and should be looking for and be able to appraise in a dog is a combination in the highest degree of the fundamentals--balance, soundness, gait, and temperament--plus great beauty of outline--nobility--by this I mean graceful lines that blend into each other--good, proud carriage and the spirit to step out and make the most of such qualities." Great beauty of outline. . .nobility. . .graceful lines that blend into each other. . .and the spirit to step out and make the most of such qualities. Yes! That's what we're looking for in a show prospect. If you'd like to discuss this subject more, drop us a line at bixl@lightspeed.net. Photo at top left: Victoria's Secret of Bix-L (Cherokee Oaks Blazing Chief ex Telstar's High Fidelity), a Grand Sweepstakes and Best Puppy winner from the early 1990's. |
