9781422279298

tags, and then lead medical officers back to the wounded, proving the versatility of the breed. Boxers served as messenger dogs, attack and guard dogs, and pack dogs. As with most breeds in Europe, Boxer breeding programs suf-

fered greatly during the war. The Stockmanns helped restore the breed. Most of today’s top Boxers can be traced to dogs from the Vom Dom kennels. Friederun Stockmann wrote a book called My Life with Boxers , which is a fascinating account of the breed’s history and development. She was outspoken on a number of subjects, including the envy of fellow breeders. She wrote, “If you wish to become unpopular, just buy a beautiful dog!”

The Boxer comes to America

One of the greatest Von Dom males was Sigurd. At the age of five, the Stockmanns sold him to a breeder in California. Three of Sig- urd’s grandsons—Lustig von Dom, Dorian von Marienhof, and Utz von Dom, were later also sold to American breeders. These four Boxers are largely responsible for establishing the breed in the United States. They were highly successful in the show ring, but it was through their offspring that their influence was tru- ly felt. They produced generations of champions, and even today, many of the greatest Boxers have one of these four in their pedigree.

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