Creation of the Boxer
The following was told by Herr Philip Stockmann, of Von Dom Boxers in Germany. He recounts this as an actual folk tale told since antiquity by the peasants in southern Germany about the Boxer dog and his creation. This version comes from "The ABC 50th Anniversary Album."
On the fifth day of Creation, the Lord made all the animals. He crafted many breeds of dog. There were big dogs, little dogs; long-haired ones, smooth coated and wire-haired ones; yellow, black, spotted and brindle ones.
The Lord viewed them with great pleasure. Then He spoke, "I have made a great variety which none other of my animals can equal, but now I will mold a masterpiece; a dog in which nobility, power, speed and courage are perfectly balanced by beauty, good-nature and friendliness."
Thereupon the Lord took up a piece of clay and shaped from it the Boxer, which looked exactly as it does today, except that its head was like the heads of other dogs with cut-thrust nose. The Lord was pleased with his handicraft and said, "he is good beyond my expectations. I will put him aside for a while, for his clay is yet soft and could easily suffer damage."
But, the Boxer had heard the Lord's words, that he of all dogs was the most beautiful and courageous and began to boast proudly and demand admiration from the others. The smaller breeds were in full agreement and rendered the Boxer his due respect. However, the larger dogs were overcome by prideful vanity, jealous that a medium-sized animal should surpass them.
There were angry words, and growlings and suddenly the Boxer jumped at his tormenters in rage. He forgot that the clay of his nose was still soft. The angry impact compressed and blunted it. When the antagonists were separated once more, the Lord smiled and said, "Since you are my favorite, there shall be no punishment except for all time to come, you shall wear your nose as it now is."
And he who doubts the truth of this tale has only to watch the Boxer in his relationship to other breeds. All smaller dogs he greets with friendliness, remembering their respect and loyalty, but, to this day the Boxer cannot forget nor forgive the tauntings of the larger ones, flung at him on the day of his creation.
On the fifth day of Creation, the Lord made all the animals. He crafted many breeds of dog. There were big dogs, little dogs; long-haired ones, smooth coated and wire-haired ones; yellow, black, spotted and brindle ones.
The Lord viewed them with great pleasure. Then He spoke, "I have made a great variety which none other of my animals can equal, but now I will mold a masterpiece; a dog in which nobility, power, speed and courage are perfectly balanced by beauty, good-nature and friendliness."
Thereupon the Lord took up a piece of clay and shaped from it the Boxer, which looked exactly as it does today, except that its head was like the heads of other dogs with cut-thrust nose. The Lord was pleased with his handicraft and said, "he is good beyond my expectations. I will put him aside for a while, for his clay is yet soft and could easily suffer damage."
But, the Boxer had heard the Lord's words, that he of all dogs was the most beautiful and courageous and began to boast proudly and demand admiration from the others. The smaller breeds were in full agreement and rendered the Boxer his due respect. However, the larger dogs were overcome by prideful vanity, jealous that a medium-sized animal should surpass them.
There were angry words, and growlings and suddenly the Boxer jumped at his tormenters in rage. He forgot that the clay of his nose was still soft. The angry impact compressed and blunted it. When the antagonists were separated once more, the Lord smiled and said, "Since you are my favorite, there shall be no punishment except for all time to come, you shall wear your nose as it now is."
And he who doubts the truth of this tale has only to watch the Boxer in his relationship to other breeds. All smaller dogs he greets with friendliness, remembering their respect and loyalty, but, to this day the Boxer cannot forget nor forgive the tauntings of the larger ones, flung at him on the day of his creation.
