Boxer

A Double Interview at the Judges ATIBOX 2011
Mar Anton Rodriguez (E) - Bozhidar Velikoff (BG)

Immediately after the end of the ATIBOX 2011 event, we went to ask some questions to the judges that have participated at this important world event, wishing to let our readers know some of the judges’ thoughts and opinions related to their judging and about the Boxer breed; The result was a friendly nice double interview taken to Mar Rodriguez Anton (E) and Bozhidar Velikoff (BG).
BOXERING.NET : Hi, Mrs. and Mr. Judges, first of all we want to thank you that you accepted to reply to our double interview, so we are starting the interview with the following questions: Which was your first show judging?

MAR ANTON RODRIGUEZ: I do not remember the date very well, but the first time when I judged, it was in a multi-breed show at Caldas de Reis (Pontevedra), in 1996, and the first CAC at Valls (Tarragona), in 2000.

BOZHIDAR VELIKOFF: A Specialty show for boxers 2000 in Varna, Bulgaria.

BOXERING.NET: In your opinion, what a judge expect from a competition field?

MAR ANTON RODRIGUEZ: Surely I always expect to see quality dogs and a good organizing.

BOZHIDAR VELIKOFF: Fair-play between the handlers and excellent presentation of the dogs.


BOXERING.NET: Generally, do you see many differences in boxer type in the different countries?

MAR ANTON RODRIGUEZ: Yes, and I think this is normal, because step by step, easily, it is developing a certain type of Boxer, since local stallions are used in breeding.

BOZHIDAR VELIKOFF: Yes, but between northern and southern Europe.

BOXERING.NET: Do you feel that differences in type can be a healthy development when we think about the size of the gene pool in a breed or is there only one right type for you?

MAR RODRIGUEZ ANTON: Personally, I like a certain type of Boxer, but we also must be able to see the excellent qualities of the other types.

BOZHIDAR VELIKOFF: There must be one type, considering the standard, but obviously the expansion of the gene pool should bring wonderful results for the future.


BOXERING.NET: Which features are the most important ones on a Boxer to be a winner in your ring?

MAR RODRIGUEZ ANTON: For me, a Boxer must have an excellent head, with a beautiful expression and a compact structure of the body, quadratic, strong and well angulated. I do not forget the elegance.
Obviously, I like to see the males being “masculine” and the females being “feminine”.

BOZHIDAR VELIKOFF: Character, type, anatomic construction and, last but not least, movement.

BOXERING.NET: How do you see the breed today in overall quality? Is it the Boxer better than 10 (20) years ago?

MAR RODRIGUEZ ANTON: Some of the past qualities of the Boxer have been lost, but others have been improved – for example, the expressions have worsened, but the structures of bodies have improved.

BOZHIDAR VELIKOFF: I think that the decrease of the registered puppies speaks for itself.

BOXERING.NET: What do you consider serious faults in a Boxer? And which faults do you see today in the ring too often? When you are judging which faults do you penalize and are not acceptable for you as a judge?

MAR RODRIGUEZ ANTON: Talking about the faults at Boxers, I point the shape and the colors of the eyes, the lack of the pigmentation especially on the mask, rough necks, bad angulations, excessively long bodies, soft aplomb, bad physical condition and lack of nobility. In my opinion, the most serious deficiencies are: deviations in the jaw, light colors of the eyes, harsh expressions and without nobility, lack of the character or extreme aggression.

BOZHIDAR VELIKOFF: Character deviations are often seen, the lack of work and training stands behind them. I’d like to think that giving an excellent estimation to a dog, gives boost and self-confidence to the breeder. If I see serious faults I prefer to explain them to the handler right in the ring.

BOXERING.NET: Do you recognize some specific breed problems in the ring?

MAR RODRIGUEZ ANTON: Many health problems are impossible to be seen in the ring. It is not always possible to value the character in the ring, although the judge must take into account this issue seriously.

BOZHIDAR VELIKOFF: Hard to state, I don’t think I’m that experienced.

BOXERING.NET: What is the one thing that really drew your eye to the Boxer?

MAR RODRIGUEZ ANTON: The Boxer drew my eye on him for his look from the eyes, his strong appearance, his noble and elegant look – for his beauty and majesty.

BOZHIDAR VELIKOFF: Character, type and behavior of the dog.

BOXERING.NET: When reading the standard it is open for interpretation, what is short to one cannot be short enough to the other; do you think this is good or do you think the standard should be more precise?

MAR ANTON RODRIGUEZ: In my opinion the Standard is good how it is now.

BOZHIDAR VELIKOFF: This has been discussed last year in Poland and I believe the BK Munchen will issue its so-called notes on the standard.

BOXERING.NET: How do you see type versus function, and how do you define type and function?

MAR ANTON RODRIGUEZ: It is possible not to understand very clear this question, but… why the Type should be VERSUS the Function?

BOZHIDAR VELIKOFF: Type can’t be versus function. They both make up the perfect boxer.


BOXERING.NET: Is it something positive to have a lot of inside information about the breed for being able to judge or not?

MAR ANTON RODRIGUEZ: It is good to have a lot of information about the breed, about the trends, but the best thing is to breed the Boxer and to live with him.

BOZHIDAR VELIKOFF: Of course, but in our electronic multimedia world information is accessible to everyone who seeks it.

BOXERING.NET: s the standard clear in its description enough for breeders to understand what to breed for and what to avoid?

MAR RODRIGUEZ ANTON: Yes, the Standard is clear, then everyone knows what to do.

BOZHIDAR VELIKOFF: It is difficult at the very beginning, that’s why we need shows, clubs and teamwork.

BOXERING.NET: What do you consider to be a Boxer judge's greatest responsibility?

MAR RODRIGUEZ ANTON: The greatest responsibility of a judge is to be honest and just.

BOZHIDAR VELIKOFF: To explain and thus maintain the standard with its assessments.

BOXERING.NET: In what area do you think the Boxer has improved the most?

MAR RODRIGUEZ ANTON: The Boxer improved the most morphologically in the structure.

BOZHIDAR VELIKOFF: Health.


BOXERING.NET: What do you most enjoy about judging?

MAR RODRIGUEZ ANTON: I am always enjoying seeing dogs and their quality.

BOZHIDAR VELIKOFF: Meeting all these boxer friends every time…

BOXERING.NET: Which is the feeling when you are judging BIS boxer in a show like this one - the final of the finals, with those impatient waiting people, clapping, tension, hope, the drive of the handlers who try to take the best out of their dogs... what a judge feels in that moment?

MAR RODRIGUEZ ANTON: I feel a big responsibility in those moments.

BOZHIDAR VELIKOFF: The feeling is being full of adrenaline while keeping yourself calm and concentrated on your work… Very similar to the handler’s experience.

BOXERING.NET: What advice would you give to today's aspiring Boxer’s breed judges?

MAR RODRIGUEZ ANTON: I recommend to the aspiring Boxer’s breed judges to breed Boxers and to see many Boxers. To live with the Boxer.

BOZHIDAR VELIKOFF: Follow your dreams, do what is right.

BOXERING.NET: What is the most important thing that Boxer’s exhibitors should do?

BOZHIDAR VELIKOFF: Always prepare themselves and the dog as for a Final.

MAR RODRIGUEZ ANTON: Exhibitors should show their dogs in a good physical condition, observe their competitors and be self-critical with their own subjects. But the most important thing is to treat their own dogs with the same love that they give disinterested each day to them.

BOXERING.NET: We are closing with a more frivolous question: What is the nicest thing and the most inconsiderate thing an organizer can do for judges?

MAR RODRIGUEZ ANTON: In my opinion, the organizers do not make inconsiderate things, but the nicest things are their hospitality and the enthusiasm in organizing the event, not leaving anything to chance.

BOZHIDAR VELIKOFF: The nicest thing that an organizer can do for a judge: To give him the opportunity to know better the country he’s visiting and its culture. The most inconsiderate: To organize his small hours of the day too.


BOXERING.NET: We are closing our interview thanking to both of you for your kindness in accepting to reply to our questions and wishing to meet you soon in one of the beautiful rings all over Italy and Europe… Thank you!