FEDERATION CYNOLOGIQUE INTERNATIONALE
F.C.I. - Standard No 144 / 14. 04. 93 / GB
(DEUTSCHER BOXER)
ORIGIN : Germany
EMPLOYMENT: companion, security, working dog
CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : GROUP 2 : Pinscher and Schnauzer type- Molossian type and Swiss Cattledogs
SECTION 2.1. : Molossian type-Mastiff type With Working Trial
HISTORY OF THE BREED: The ancestor of the boxer is considered to be the small Brabant Bullenbeisser. Bullenbeissers were bred mainly by hunters who used these dogs for hunting. The task of the Bullenbeisser was to catch the animal driven by hounds and hold it until the hunter arrived, who would appear and kill the prey. To do this, it was necessary to have a very large mouth with a wide set of teeth, which made it possible to firmly grab and hold the prey tightly. Each Bullenbeisser that met these requirements was used in breeding the breed. This is how breeding selection was carried out, as a result of which a dog with a wide muzzle and an upturned nose was bred.
General appearance: the Boxer is a medium sized, smooth coated, sturdy dog of compact, square build and strong bone. His muscles are lean, strongly developed and moulded in appearance. His movement is lively, full of strength and nobility. The Boxer must appear neitherclumsy or heavy, nor lacking in substance or weedy.
PROPORTIONS:
1. The ratio of the length of the body to the height at the withers is 1:1; the body is square,
i.e. the lines drawn through the extreme points of the body (the horizontal one through the highest point of the withers, the vertical ones - one through the extreme front point of the shoulder-scapular joint, the other - through the extreme rear point of the ischial tuberosity) form a square.
2. Chest depth / height at the withers: the depth of the chest is equal to half the height at the withers. The chest reaches the elbows.
3. Length of the bridge of the nose / length of the head: the length of the bridge of the nose and the length of the cranial part of the head are related as 1 to 2 (the measurement is taken from the tip of the nose to the inner corner of the eye and, accordingly, from the inner corner of the eye to the occipital protuberance).
BEHAVIOUR/TEMPERAMENT: The boxer has a strong nervous system, is fearless, self-confident, calm and balanced. The dog's temperament is a very important parameter and requires special attention. Since ancient times, the boxer has been famous for its devotion and loyalty to its owner and his family, as well as the vigilance and fearlessness of a defender. He is affectionate with his own, but distrustful of strangers, cheerful and friendly in play, but fearless in attack. He is easy to train due to his natural obedience, courage, fighting qualities, agility and excellent sense of smell. Being unpretentious and neat, the boxer is an excellent member of the family and performs the functions of a protector, companion and working dog in the house. The character of the boxer is distinguished by honesty, openness, sincerity, a complete lack of cunning and deceit - regardless of age.
HEAD: Gives the Boxer a special identity. The dog's head should correspond to the proportions of the body and not look either too light or excessively massive. The muzzle should be as wide and powerful as possible. The harmony of the dog's head is ensured by the correct relationship between the muzzle and the cranial part. When viewed from any side - from above, from the front or from the side - the muzzle should remain in the right proportion with the cranial part, i.e. in no case should it look too small. The head should be dry, without folds and wrinkles. At the same time, spontaneous formation of wrinkles on the forehead is allowed if the dog is in an alert state. Natural wrinkles on both sides of the dog's muzzle always go down from the base of the bridge of the nose. The black mask is limited by the muzzle, clearly stands out against the general color and should not give the Boxer a gloomy expression.
CRANIAL REGION:
Skull: The top of the skull should not be broad and as angular as possible, slightly convex, neither spherical nor shortened, neither flat nor too broad. The occipital protuberance is pronounced, but not excessively so. The frontal groove is only slightly marked and should not be too deep, especially between the eyes.
Stop: The forehead merges into the bridge of the nose with a distinct step. The bridge of the nose should be neither upturned (as in bulldogs) nor drooping.
FACIAL REGION:
Nose: Broad and black, slightly upturned, with wide nostrils. The tip of the nose is located slightly above its base.
Muzzle: The muzzle should be voluminous in all three planes, i.e. it should be neither sharp, nor narrow, nor shortened, nor shallow. The shape of the muzzle is determined by: a) The shape of the jaw.
b) The arrangement of the canines.
c) The shape of the lips.
The canines should be as wide apart as possible and long enough so that the plane formed by the nose, the front surface of the lips and the chin becomes wide, almost square and is located at an obtuse angle to the bridge of the nose.
The front edge of the upper lip meets the front edge of the lower lip. The curved front part of the lower jaw together with the lower lip forms a pronounced chin. It should not protrude much from under the upper lip or, what is even less desirable, be hidden by the upper lip. The chin should look clearly defined both when viewed from the front and from the side.
When the mouth is closed, the incisors and canines of the lower jaw should not be visible, in addition, the tongue should not be visible. The groove of the upper lip is clearly defined.
Lips: Give the dog's muzzle a complete shape. The upper lip is fleshy and thick, hiding all the free space formed by the great length of the lower jaw, and is supported by the lower canines.
Teeth: The lower jaw is longer than the upper and slightly curved upwards. The boxer's bite is undershot. The upper jaw is wide at the base and only slightly narrows towards the end. The teeth are strong and healthy. The incisors are located as evenly as possible, in one line, the canines are large and wide apart.
Cheeks: The cheekbones are developed in proportion to the powerful jaws, but should not protrude noticeably. When passing into the muzzle, the cheekbones form a slight bend.