A History of the American Boxer Club
Part 1c: 1937-1939
Adapted from Suzie Campbell, "Our History,"
The American Boxer Club 50th Anniversary Album (1985)

1937
ICh. Dorian v Marienhof of Mazelaine - who had gone BOB at Westminster in 1936---became the first Boxer to win the Working Group there in 1937 and was a strong contender for Best in Show. He remained undefeated in his breed and set the first BIS record for Boxers with twenty-two all-breed BIS wins. Dorian was a large, impressive brindle male. He had been Schutzhund-trained and never forgot it. Film is still available of him moving and going over a six-foot jump at about eight years of age.

Jack Wagner always said Dorian was their greatest boxer, and one suspects Wagner had Dorian in mind when working on the Standard. Dorian was the leading sire in 1937, 1938, and 1940, and tied with Lustig in 1939. He sired a total of thirt-nine American bred and imported champions and eight producers of champions.

ICh. Lustig v Dom of Tulgey Wood followed Dorian to the U.S. in March, 1937. He finished in one week for owner Erwin Freund, with one BIS, two Group Firsts and one Group Fourth. Lustig was considered to have an outstanding head and expression. He too went BOB at Westminster. Lustig never met Dorian in the ring here, as they were both shown by Jimmie Sullivan. He was the leading sire in 1939, tied Dorian in 1941, was second in 1937, 1938 and 1940. A total of forty-one American-bred and imported champions and five producers were sired by Lustig.

Despite all the controversy raging over the standard, the club put on their first sanctioned match May 9, and held their second specialty with North Westchester Kennel Club at Katonah in June.

The Puppy Match was held at the estate of Mrs. Lawrence Whittemore, St. James, LI, NY. An entry of thirty-eight turned out for it. This match was the first of many. Two or three matches were held annually, a tradition which continued well into the 1960s.

Mid-West Boxer Club was organized in March, 1937 by John and Mazie Wagner. They also served as officers for several years. Mid-West Boxer Club held the very first independent Boxer specialty, Nov. 20/21, 1937 with an entry of 48 (14-19-10). Judge was August Belmont. Entered for exhibition only--- as announced several months in advance--- were Dorian, Lustig and Pitt von der Wurm (then of Tulgey Wood).

1938
The great standard-controversy was only resolved by bringing Philip Stockmann (vom Dom), Chief German Breed Warden, to the United States. Herr Stockmann came over to judge Boxers at Westminster in February, 1938. He drew the then-unprecedented entry of 102. In addition, he and John Wagner worked till the wee hours of the night in a hotel room translating the German Standard, which had by then been adopted by almost all other countries. They were assisted by the AKC Recording Secretary, Enno Meyer, noted breed artist and judge, who acted as interpreter, and Mrs. Palmedo and Mrs. Gaertner. All three spoke fluent German.

Again we quote Dr. Gordon:

Altho [sic] not perfect, the new revision omitted much of the confusing measurements, etc., in the old, such as exact measurements of the various parts of the head, and the revision made for a more understandable piece of literature. White [flash] was permitted, altho checks were ruled out in conformity with the Germans who, after again ruling-in checks, had made another about face and voted them out of the stud books effective 1-1-39. [Checks, I/3 to 2/3 white, were allowed in 1937 and 1938 in Germany. Whites over 2/3 were not. Both were eliminated to attain working dog status during the war as breeders were allotted food for breeds used as war dogs.--Ed.]