New Boxer owners interested in their breed’s history will want to know about the “Four Horsemen of Boxerdom.” These dogs were considered the foundation of the breed in America, and because of their significance, they were given the aforementioned moniker.

“Sigurd” was first, and was the grandsire of the other three Horsemen. Born in Germany in 1929, he was sold to Charles Ludwig, and then to Barmere Kennels when he was five years old. Ten of Sigurd’s puppies were imported into America and became champions, and the forbearers of champions. Fifty-five of his descendents earned an American championship, or left champion progeny. Sigurd won Best of Breed at Westminster in 1935, and before he died, Sigurd had won 54 Bests of Breed, eight Groups, and two Bests in Show.

Lustig and Utz, full brothers from different litters three years apart, each sired dozens of champions. Lustig became an International Champion and sired forty-one American-bred and imported dogs who became American champions. He also produced twenty-five American bred and imported producers. Lustig died on June 14, 1945.

By the end of 1947, Lustig’s brother, Ch. Utz v. Dom, had sired thirty-five champions and sixteen non-champion producers.  Utz won the Working Group at Westminster, and a dog he sired, Warlord of Mazelaine, would become quite famous by becoming first Boxer to win Best in Show at Westminster. Utz died two months before Lustig. As an aside, Warlord was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Kettles, Jr. who had paid $7,500.00 for “Warry” back in the 40s, a staggering sum for a dog in those days.

“Dorian,” or Int. Ch. Dorian v. Marienhof was born in 1933 from a full brother to Lustig’s father. Dorian won the Working Group at Westminster in 1937,  just a year after he was imported. Some of Dorian’s get were Chs. Symphony and Serenade of Mazelaine, and Ch. Duke Cronian. The latter was the foundation stud of the Sirrah Crest Kennels,  and the ancestor of Bang Away of Sirrah Crest who won Best in Show in 1957.

The accomplishments of these dogs is utterly impressive, and they prove that “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”  To read more about the Boxer’s early days, read this marvelous article by Amy Fernandez.

Image by Schlüsselbein2007 under the Creative Commons license.