1902/1904 Official Boxer Standard

 

 

DER BOXER; revision. Translation by John P Wagner (The Boxer 1939). The German Boxer Club's Standard of January 14, 1902 with January 31, 1904.

BREED MARKS OF THE BOXER:
General Appearance - The general appearance of the Boxer is that of a shorthaired, strong, compactly built, active elegant dog, of medium height, standing on absolutely straight, sturdy legs, and of perfectly square build.

The Head - The head should be dry throughout with as few wrinkles as possible. The cheeks should not be proportionately thicker than the upper part of the head but instead should appear laterally compressed. (The head should appear square from all angles and well defined in its exterior lines.) The parallel lines of the muzzle should run directly forward, not tapering, so that the front of the muzzle forms a broad, square surface. The forehead is arched, the back of the head is high, the break of the forehead (stop) viewed from the side is definitely marked.

Upper and lower jaws are definitely parallel; the teeth are at right angles to the jaws. The teeth of the lower jaw stand in front of the teeth of the upper jaw and fit so that the teeth touch each other when the mouth is closed, in the manner of a scissors. The corner of the eye, which lies halfway between the nose and the occipital bone, should not be pushed in under the forehead as it is in the Bulldog.

The nose is broad and black, the bridge of the nose is not broken but is straight (a split nose is absolutely defective). In front the lips are blunt, they should not hang over too much on the sides. They should just sufficiently cover the lower jaw. The entire set of teeth must be healthy and strong. The ears, which are set closely behind the cheekbones, should be trimmed to a point and carried erect. This as well as the clipping of the tail is important because long ears give the dogs a sleepy expression, which is very objectionable. The eye is dark, of good size and full of life. A light eye is permissible in light colored animals.

Neck - The neck is strong, elegant, not too short, and absolutely free from dewlap, blending beautifully into the torso.

The Body - The back is short, rigid and straight. The greatest stress should be placed upon these three qualities. The front is not broad, rather narrow, the chest deep but not wide, and under no circumstances may it hang below the elbows. The ribs should be well arched, but not rounded barrel-shaped. They should be strong and well tucked up. The hindquarters, legs and thighs, strong, powerful and muscular, without depression. The kneecaps well rounded, tail clipped, set moderately high, but never carried above the back.

Legs and Paws - The legs are absolutely straight with strong bones. Paws, small, round, well closed, with strong, hard soles (cat paws).

Coat and Color - The hair is short and tight to the body. The basic colors of the Boxer are yellow and striped (fawn and brindle). These were the original colors. Yellow occurs in all shades from dark brown to wheaten. With striped dogs, any shade of yellow may form the basic color. White, while not sought after as a basic color, is permissible. It is not objectionable as a mark of distinction. A black mask improves the Boxer expression of yellow and striped dogs.

Size - The height at the shoulders is between 17 and 22 inches.

Defects - Coarse, Bulldog-like appearance, loose shoulders, off-standing elbows, chest hanging between shoulders, cow-hocks, bad or weak teeth, double nose, dew-claws, long back, too long or spread-out toes, crossed teeth in the upper jaw, visible teeth in the lower jaw, brown or flesh colored nose, flesh colored eyelids, glass eye, and lack of temperament.

Qualities - The Boxer is an alert, devoted, easily trained dog, very lively in temperament. Although his strength and agility enable him to compete against any assailant, he is never a bully. As a defender of the person and the property of his master, he is famous. The Boxer loves water passionately, is an excellent retriever and a good ratter. He is an indefatigable companion on foot, bicycle or horse, and also a good room, house or estate dog.

In order to attain uniformity of judgment and thereby guarantee the speediest arrival at correct Boxer type the following outstanding breed characteristics are briefly specified, given in the order of their importance: General appearance (elegant, free of every coarse Bulldog-like appearance, square build, neck); the three distinguishing marks of the back; legs, paws and shoulders, head, color. Color is of least importance, even if the basic color is white, although in animals of equal qualifications the one with the least white would be preferred.

Approved, by the Munich Boxer Club, January 31, 1904, published in their first Stud Book. The earliest Boxer Standard used in the USA.
 

Evolving Boxer Standards:
1902/1904 Official Boxer Standard
1938 Official Boxer Standard
1947 Official Boxer Standard
1951 Official Boxer Standard
1962 Official Boxer Standard
1968 Official Boxer Standard
1980 Official Boxer Standard
1989 Official Boxer Standard
1999 Official Boxer Standard
2005 Official Boxer Standard

Special thanks to Audrey Schnell and Sturlene Arnold for assisting in the research that made these standards possible.

 
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