SPIRIT OF LIFE LITTER
SPICE/MOTO
Most boxers today are very inbred, carrying alarming coefficients of inbreeding (COI) scores. In the past, we calculated these COI numbers by hand using paper pedigrees. We were actually taught by our mentors to inbreed and linebreed, keeping the COI number high to keep the breed recognizable and predictable in looks. Nobody realized how dangerous that would be to the health of the breed as a whole. We now have ways to run DNA tests to get the real COI on our dogs. Most breeders don't use these tools yet, but we do. However, what they don't know will hurt the breed. We have a closed gene pool, which contributes to the risk of bringing forward more breed-specific health issues. The average life span of boxers per very large surveys has gone down by a full year between the years 2004 and 2014. I am determined to make a difference in this and the areas of health and longevity.
After years of searching for the right stud dog to improve vitality, longevity, performance capability, structure, and reduce coefficient of inbreeding -- we found Moto. But Moto lives in Vermont, over 4,300 miles from our home in Houston. Boxers are no longer allowed on airplanes due to their brachycephalic muzzles. (Many breeds have been unfairly banned by airlines due to the careless mistakes of a few people handling our brachy breeds.) My dear friend Katie Midkiff drove Spice 70 hours to meet up with this beautiful boy and spent a week in Vermont to get this breeding accomplished.
It's nearly impossible to find well bred naturally reared stud dogs in the United States. We have tried artificial inseminations both inside and outside of the U.S., only to have failures to conceive. Even with all the technology available, natural breeding is still the most reliable. We decided this time to spend the money and time to get to one of a handful of dogs I was willing to accept into our breeding program. Moto is an import from Belgium with Belgian and German ancestry and a bit of Italian mixed in. His pedigree is heavy on Hazenberg, a very old kennel in Belgium. He has spectacular shoulder and hip angles, a sweet, goofy temperament, a very nice bite, face and expression. His health screens are impeccable. He has earned advanced titles in conformation, obedience, agility and protection. His deep, soft red undercoat and dark pigment will add to the already beautiful coats that we enjoy in our dogs. He is a genetically plain (classic) dog, so we will not expect white puppies in this litter. He carries the fawn gene, therefore we are hoping for a mix of classic and flashy, fawn and brindle puppies.
We call this the "Spirit of Life" litter to honor our mission to bring in new blood, reduce inbreeding damage that many breeders are experiencing, and improve the lack of bone that most North American boxers exhibit. We also hope to combine our natural rearing philosophies with this new pedigree to improve vitality and longevity in our dogs and those dogs who are loved by our clients.
Sire
V Moto De La Legende D'Olav
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Dam
Cinnibon's And Everything Nice, CA
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