Puppy's Markings

Charlie'sMom · #1 4th April 2005, 07:47 AM

Hi,

I am hoping to bring home my first boxer baby in about 5 weeks, and I went to see him for the first time on Saturday (he's 3 weeks now). I have been waiting for a while to get a pup, and (like everyone else!) have tried to find the 'right' breeder with the 'right' parents to get the 'right' pup! I thought I had managed it to get the white flashy red male I was hoping for - but after seeing him on Saturday I'm a bit worried about his looks, as he has half a black mask and half a white mask - kind of looks abit odd, but it is perfectly split down the middle of his face! Is this a normal marking, and will it change as he gets older? I haven't seen any adult dogs with 'uneven' faces. I know that when I get him home and when he starts developing his personality in a couple of weeks it shouldn't matter, but I can't help wondering if I should now wait to try to get a dog with more usual, even markings...?!

boxer · #2 4th April 2005, 08:07 AM

You mean something like the dog in this photograph? http://www.boxerworld.com/training/collars/

Uneven head markings aren't unusual. For the show ring, an even distribution of markings is desired, but uneven markings aren't excluded by any means. Personally, I would not let the markings put you off at all. Finding a healthy puppy from health-tested parents and a reputable breeder is a far more important criterion. and with so many un-reputable breeders out there, I'd take the puppy you can get from a good breeder, irrespective of the colour or markings.

As for whether or not things will even up as he grows, no, it is unlikely. The white markings will tend to shrink as he gets bigger, of course, so it rather depends on extent of those markings as to how much he'll have as an adult. He's not going to develop any on the other side though

JaketheSnake · #3 4th April 2005, 08:21 AM

I would think it would make him an individual. Jake is looks like your basic fawn boxer, but his spot on his neck makes him special. The puppy you've picked out will be special too. I'm sure he'll have a personality to match. You'll fall in love with him all over.

Charlie'sMom · #4 4th April 2005, 08:34 AM

Thanks - I know that I shouldn't be put off by the markings, (which are like the puppy on the far right: http://www.boxerworld.com/puppy/), but I guess when you plan on getting a pup you have an ideal in your mind of what it will look like - bit like imagining getting a supermodel pup I suppose! His parents both seem to have great temperaments, and are both 0 heart scored, and as you say, I'm sure it will be nicer to have a pup whose looks add character. Thanks!

**gmacleod** · #5 4th April 2005, 11:42 AM

Charlie'sMom: If you'd like to see how that particular puppy (who is also named Charlie, btw) grew up, there's a photo here: http://www.boxerworld.com/cgi-bin/im...l&tt=&bool=and
Perhaps not quite a "supermodel" but not at all bad either

If that's how your little guy looks, I think you can rest assured he's unlikely to grow up looking at all odd

Mama_Zookeeper · #6 4th April 2005, 06:30 PM

Charlie's mom, I wish you best of luck in picking out your new pup. I have to admit I look for uniqueness in my picks and marking like those described sound wonderful to me.

Gmacleod, wow! Charlie is an AWSOME looking young guy! Thanks for that picture, it really makes me look at those puppy pictures differently now!

Dora

Charlie'sMom · #7 5th April 2005, 09:45 AM

Thanks gmacleod for the picture of Charlie grown up and handsome! I've put a picture of the pup (who is yet to be named, but Bruce is top of the list at the moment!), in the gallery so you can see his half and half face! I guess it does make him more unique!

Oscar's Mom · #8 5th April 2005, 03:36 PM

I think he's adorable.
I would love to be called his Mom.

Myra

haleyandmark · #9 5th April 2005, 03:51 PM

Oh, I love it!! I would take that little guy in a heartbeat!! I love how Boxers have so much personality, you can tell he's going to be a sweetie! Good luck, I hope you go for him!

Gmacleod - Is Charlie your furbaby? That picture of him with all the greenry behind him is awesome! He is a beautiful boy!

**gmacleod** · #10 5th April 2005, 04:37 PM

LOL - no Charlie's not mine. He's a UK boxer, and I'm currently in the UK, but that's about as close as the relationship gets. Charlie belongs to a member of the old Boxerworld mailing list. That photo dates from around 1997, so I guess Charlie is an old gentleman around 9 years old by now

Charlie'sMom - your little guy looks incredibly cute

Don't forget to post more pics as that little sweetie grows.