About Apex Boxers

3 generations in profile 2005. Rosie her mum Kiri and grandma Wilma
'Apex' and 'AtApex' are the registered kennel prefixes of Dr Daniela Rosenstreich

Apex Boxers is a small kennel based on carefully selected proven lines and a lifetime of experience with the breed. Currently in Victoria Australia but also registered in New Zealand.

PAGE CONTENTS: Philosophy | History | Current Dogs | For Puppy Buyers | Contact Details

BREEDING PHILOSOPHY
Apex Boxers is very small scale and my dogs are first and foremost loved family members - no kennels! I aim for 'quality' not 'quantity' of puppies. I produce litters only when confident that a mating will produce top quality Boxers in terms of temperament, looks, longevity and quality of life. Boxers that people can enjoy with pride for many years.
I am concerned that many breeders focus too much on the show ring; following fashion trends that in many cases produce dogs prone to injury; paying little attention to health; and not assessing their dogs' temperaments beyond the kennel walls or show ring. For me, show success is not a main objective - I seek to produce healthy dogs with sound temperaments and correct balanced construction that enables them to be active into their teens.
I believe it is important for Boxers to remain dogs capable of the tasks they were bred for and a correct Boxer temperament is also well suited to modern family life (see my page about the Boxer breed for information about boxer temperament.) I ensure that my dogs lead full and active lives - getting out and about into many situations, as well as competing in working events, so that both their physical and mental constitutions are well tested.

Sound construction and good health are of prime importance to me (what's the point in breeding a litter with perfect eye colour, for example, if they're destined for short lives or uncomfortable ones?!). I select lines based on health and longevity through ongoing extensive pedigree research - results are displayed in my latest Extended Pedigree.

My dogs are put through rigorous health screening to safeguard against introducing problems in the future - hips are scored for HD, hearts are checked for murmurs (and doppler checked if a murmur is found), and thryoid is tested. In 2005 I began using a 24 hour holter monitor to screen for ARVC - the first breeder in Australasia to buy a monitor. In 2009 two new DNA tests became available and I am currently testing my dogs for DM and ARVC using those tests. (Few Boxers in Australasia are so thoroughly tested). My Health Page has information about the health testing that all breeders should be carrying out). I also strive to keep my lines free of annoying conditions Boxers can be prone to like skin allergies, and collitis. Boxers can also be prone to cancer and I'm delighted to be able to say that I am not aware of a single Apex boxer who has succumbed to cancer!!

A LITTLE HISTORY
My family acquired their first boxer at the start of the 1970's when I was a toddler. My father was a vet, and my mother Anna bred boxers under the Hexenhaus prefix in NZ and WA. My mother competed very successfully in breed shows and obedience competitions with her boxers (multiple Best in Specialty Shows, and she competed at Test C level - the highest - in obedience with 2 boxers as well as being qualified as an obedience judge). My mother was involved in tracking and utility trials as well so I spent some fun weekends as a child off at dog tracking camps and the like. My mother sadly passed away in 2008 and I can't begin to express how much I miss her. Growing up within an environment full of dog breeding, showing, working events and veterinary care gave me a wealth of knowledge and a great head start.
In January 1986 I got my first boxer of my own: Fratzi who was a wonderful companion to me and a top show dog and producer. From Fratzi's last litter in 1990 I kept Freddy. I competed with Freddy in conformation and obedience with some success but I didn't end up being 100% satisfied about breeding on from Freddy and so in 1992 I brought home Wilma to be my new foundation bitch and I was so glad she was with me for almost 14 years. Her daughter Kiri Kiri (born 1996) was part of our family for 13 years and a great agility dog.
I ensure that all the dogs I breed from are exhibited at conformation shows, particularly under specialist judges, but my real interest is in dog sports that allow boxers to use the abilities the breed was developed for. I have tried my hand at tracking, obedience, flygility, and agility with some great successes. As well as competition, I have been actively involved teaching obedience and agility at all breeds training clubs.

THE CURRENT APEX DOGS
I own or co-own 4 Boxers but only one lives with me: Rosie, (born 2001) was a real agility star with plenty of ribbons both in NZ and Australia competing against all breeds (her wins are displayed at the bottom of my agility page). Two of Rosie's 'pups' (born Feb 2006) are currently competing in both conformation and agility in Dunedin NZ: Gus, and Yana, and another, Diesel, competes in conformation in the North Island of NZ. (I recently added a lovely Border Terrier, Barney, to our household and he is a real joy!).

INFORMATION FOR PUPPY BUYERS
If you're interested in an Apex pup, the latest information on litters is posted on my Puppy page. As I have very few litters, I'm not always able to offer a pup to the wonderful people who contact me. However, as I care deeply about the Boxer breed I do my best to help good homes find good boxers. Too many nice people end up with problem dogs because they assume that all breeders are conscientious. Please take care - the breeders who do so much damage to the breed and cause such pain to loving families couldn't stay in business if puppy buyers were more careful. My website includes lots of hints about finding a sound healthy boxer - start at the Choosing a Pup Page.

CONTACTING ME
I'm always happy to hear from anyone with a love of Boxers - please contact me:
Dr Daniela Rosenstreich, Melbourne Australia / Dunedin NZ
EMAIL: