1000i on the boxer: handle with caution

A new book on the Boxer (Edizioni De Vecchi, May 2011) has recently been released. Indeed, the manuals on the breed in circulation were a little dated.

One could expect a publication at the last shout, but at the same time we are far away.

The old-fashioned setting immediately jumps out on the standard chapter, white boxer section.

It was necessary - in our opinion - to inform the current situation of this colouration in relation to the standard, rather than to compromise the treatment of personal opinions, which were not documented.

Whether it is right or not for the author to remain out of standard white is irrelevant to the reader, as it is not the author of a manual to decide the future of the breed, but the club owner of the standard (Boxer Klub in Munich). Instead, it was necessary to inform a hypothetical reader, future owner of a white boxer, who, although currently out of standard, the Boxer Klub in Munich has taken seriously into consideration the reintegration into the white colour standard, starting an experimental phase in which white boxers are allowed on display, but not yet in breeding.

The editor's confusion is evident: after minimizing many aspects including the suspected albinism in the white color, he argues that "the only problem is related to deafness that could increase considerably, if white boxers were allowed to play" but no fear - always according to the author - because deafness is ONLY 12 % (SIC!).

We would like to ask what studies or research is the editor based on, unless it is the notorious research conducted by boxer benefiction in the United States and especially if he has verified it in breeding or by other methods this increase in deafness with the whites in reproduction.

Our opinion is that 12% of white people are not very few and we feel like we are categorically denying it not only on the basis of our own research and others on documentable material, but also because we know hundreds of white boxers owners and if there were one out of 10 deaf white boxers we would have noticed. Unless the reference is to the famous monolateral deafness or partial that nobody knows anything about, because nobody practices the test to diagnose it.

Much more correct would have been to quote the Boxer Klub of Munich, which admitted that - since there are no reliable and sufficient data on the possible incidence of deafness in the white population and its effects on reproduction - an experimental phase with a minimum of 25 pairs with a white parent to be monitored for a number of years has been initiated.

The author has little regard for white is evident: he is not considered almost a breed dog calling him "a living being in need of care and affection," practically a half-timber.

It is obvious that white boxers have been unable to obtain pedigree in Italy since 2005, if they were born to certified parents. Following a long bureaucratic process committed by our President with the Enci, the first pedigree to a white was released to Italy by Casa Bartolini, a subject of his breeding.

We also disagree with the suggestion of white, as low-cost boxers for families who cannot afford the full price. We have eyes to see that white boxers are unfortunately very represented among the boxers in difficulty that are dealt with by the benevolent associations. The breed dog taken lightly because at little price or given often ends up in the end of so many metic and disposable dogs: ends in canile. We suggest the purchase only to lovers of this coloration and not to those who want the cheap dog.

In conclusion, we believe that the editorial staff has used outdated material and advice from people who have inserted their beliefs instead of data and facts. This text is born as a reference in particular for those who approach the race and risk being confused with the Bible of the boxer by the neophyte. So we regret that - beyond those arguments whose treatment remains valid: character, education, nutrition, puppy, etc. - the chapter on the standard is already born 10 years old. On the contrary, those who are going to a new publication should find and disseminate the most up-to-date information available about the race.

Further details on Boxer White visiting the dedicated section on the site .