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How do you determine which puppy is the “best?”

I select the most balanced pups having all the requirements that I think is the ideal makeup of a Boxer:  great temperament, soundness and beauty in body and movement, a pleasing expression, and most important of all, no genetic defects.

What do you do to ensure that every litter is as good or better than the last?  And how do you raise the pups?

 We breed the best temperament with great temperament, soundness with soundness.  We provide the bitch with a balanced rich diet with an ideal environment to whelp and raise her puppies.  We play classical music during her pregnancy and while nursing and weaning.  We handle the puppies often, once the bitch feels comfortable about this, picking them up, kissing, hugging, talking to them.  When the dam stops her toilet cleaning, we take over in keeping the litter immaculate.  We take them out after every meal and nap, praise them, giving them reassurance and provide them with plenty of plush toys (compliments of J-B Wholesale, of course!).  We start crate training by allowing them to be in the crates for short intervals, and eventually overnight.  This is of tremendous help to the new owners.  When possible, we include children in the socialization process, as many Jacquet Boxers go to homes with kids.  For future show pups, we start them on gaiting by walking back and forth outside their runs.  Then we take them out on the lawn and have them follow us by using a squeaky toy.  Later we introduce liver treats with the pups on their Resco leads (which slip over their heads and taped ears easily, without tightening around their necks).  We let the pups meet strangers who visit, and after they are inoculated, we attend show handling classes sponsored by our local all-breed clubs.

  What challenges does the kennel owner face?

One of the obvious challenges is the various viruses that can be picked up at a dog show which are then brought back to the kennel.  Another challenge is the difficulty of finding the best helpers and assistants for the kennel, individuals who really care for the dogs and can be relied upon, no matter the weather or the holiday!  I rarely leave my dogs, but when I do, it is most comforting to know that the Jacquet kids are receiving the best of care. Our local High Schools and Colleges will recommend to us students who are interested in animal husbandry and we select the most caring.

 What would you like to see for the Boxer in the new century?

 Beyond the pursuits of showing and obedience, I would like to see more Boxers serving humankind through search and rescue, handicap dogs (especially for kids with special needs), Seeing Eye dogs, seizure-predicting, therapy and other such things.  Many of our Jacquet Boxers have been involved with this, and I am proud that our dogs have become such good-will ambassadors for this wonderful breed.  Lastly, I would love to see our Boxers live even longer then they do now, which is about 11 to 15 years, some living into their 16th year.  If they could only live as long as we humans do!