Finding its roots in Germany, the Boxer Breed’s ancestry begins with a mastiff dog called the Molossian Hound. Eventually, the evolution of this dog became known as the Bullenbeisser, its roots from Belgium. These dogs were known to be great hunting and working dogs. But as this breed continued to grow and evolve, different types of this dog came to be known. The smallest of these dogs were given the name Brabanter Bullenbeiszer. Evolution of this dog continue with the cross breeding of the Brabanter Bullenbeiszer and an English Bulldog, could this have been the beginning of boxer kennels? Whatever the case, this brought about the breed known today as the Boxer Breed.

By the 1860′s documentation of the history of this breed had been kept very well. As with most anything, there must be guidelines and standards to be met. This is the time when the first guidelines and standards where set and they make up the foundation of what must be met today in boxer kennels. Of course, as years pass these standards had to be improved.

“Blanka”, one of the first boxers, who was entirely white, gave birth to a litter of puppies. One of her daughters, “Meta von der Passage”, became a major player in the boxer pedigree, and thus, well known in today’s boxer kennels. Now it is believed that most boxers can be traced back to this dog. Interestingly enough, the original boxers were basically white in color and now if entered into a dog show, a white boxer would be eliminated. The color of choice today is fawn and brindle. Less than one third of its coat can be white to compete.

In 1904 the first Boxer was registered with the American Kennel Club. And in 1915 the first Boxer was crowned champion. But it wasn’t until 1940 that this breed became popular with the American mainstream. Boxer kennels were on the rise then. Not only was this dog known for being a great working dog, it was also used in the popular sport of dog fighting. It’s unsurpassed courage made this dog a great choice, in the eyes of the military, then, for the job of running messages on the battle fields of WWI and WWII. Then in 1949, Bang Away became a very famous dog by winning over 120 best in show awards. It wasn’t unusual to find this dog on the cover of many popular magazines of that time. Today the Boxer is one of the most popular breeds, probably, in part, due to the success of Bang Away.