Boxers in East Africa

Little is known of the breed in East Africa before World War II, although it has been said there were a few Boxers here then.

This record begins with the importation of VERVAIN OF SYBILHILL (I.F.S.) from Ireland by Mrs. P.M. Groves. This bitch was in whelp to Cuckmere Tempest and she had a litter in October, 1946 which bore the prefix Chebole. A son-CHIEFTAIN-was owned by Mr. Mervyn Morgan and was exhibited several times in variety classes.

Colonel S. MacWatt of Konza imported a number of Boxers which had been used as guard dogs in Palestine, and founded his Mamandu line on them. When later they proved not to breed true to type he purchased stock from other local breeders.

Early in 1948 Dr. Strangways Dixon imported several well bred Boxers from England. MARIENLYST OF MASPOUND (ENG.) (Maspound Amos of Fieldburcote x Stain- burndorf Franconia) the dam of Ch. Monarchist of Maspound. MASPOUND BRIAR OF IBBER (ENG.) (Ch. Monarchist of Maspound x Annie von der Lembeck) and MOSCA OF MASPOUND (ENG.) (Panfield Flax x Margot of Maspound). On these he based his Kerenga kennels which became very well known at the time and from which many of the early Boxers in Kenya were descended. Some difficulties were experienced by this breeder as he lived in an area which was often in quarantine for rabies, but when the opportunity arose many of the bitches were sold on breeding terms throughout the country.

Later the same year Miss O'Donnell Paterson came out from England, shortly followed by air by her brindle bitch, RANEE OF LIMURU (ENG.) (Juniper of Bramblings x Aawldogg Felicity).

About the same time Mrs. and Miss Marks also arrived from England by sea bringing with them LUCIA OF KELCOTT (ENG.) (Ch. Monarchist of Maspound x Bottisham Daffo- dil) and FELMOOR BRASSEY (ENG.) (Chuckmere Kipps x Beckleybrook Phillipa) who won one Challenge Certificate before being sold to Mrs. Hunter in Tanganyika.

Mrs. Berkeley of Leseru imported a dog and bitch from Mrs. Osborn of the Bramb- lings Kennels, England, but neither reached maturity.

In December, 1948, RANEE had a litter to BRASSEY and the Arcady line began. Puppies were sold in Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika and Boxers began to catch the public eye.

In February, 1949, LUCIA also had a litter to BRASSEY and the Markendorf kennel was born.

1949 saw the arrival of several more Boxers. Mrs. E.H.M. Scott of Jinja, Uganda, imported a bitch from England-CHARTERLEA CANDY (ENG.) (Carlo von Rurland x Vondor Jeanette). She competed in the E.A.K.C. Championship Show in Nairobi in August, 1949, under Mr. A. Dalzell of Belfast, and in an Any Other Variety Nonsporting Open Bitch Class won the first Challenge Certificate awarded to a Boxer in Kenya.

The next importation was from South Africa-FLAME OF N'DUNA (S.A.) (Stain- burndorf Zulu x Blandan's Norah Belle) - a copper-red bitch which went on to win two Challenge Certificates. Mrs. Bellhouse of Nakuru was the importer and her kennel name M'buruk.

In August Mrs. Berkeley imported AWLDOGG FRANCIS (ENG.) (Breakstones Helios vom haus Germania x Awldogg Katrinka) and AWLDOGG HERMIONE (ENG.) (Awldogg Kurt x AWLDOGG Naida).

In November an animal-plane brought a dog and two bitches from England. CRISPIN OF HOLMER (ENG.) (U.S.A. Champion Applause of Emefar x Graz of Styria) for Miss O'Donnell Paterson and the litter sisters, GREMLIN MUNA (ENG.) and GREMLIN MYSTIC (ENG.) (Axel von Bad Oeyn x Gremlin Gazelle) for Mr. and Mrs. Rolland and Major Wyndham Wright respectively. MYSTIC became the first and only Boxer to win Best in Show at an E.A.K.C. Championship Show. This was in March, 1951. She had a nice litter in 1953 to her fellow-traveller CRISPIN.

In December a very well bred bitch arrived from the Argentine with her owners Mr. and Mrs. Kater. She was CHENGUIZ EKKO OF MOLSBERG (Chenguiz Congo of Molsberg x Chenguiz Atout of Molsberg). As she had cropped ears she could not be shown. She had one litter to Ch. Shandal Anton of Pound Green in November, 1951, which bore the prefix Retak.

In February, 1950, Mrs. Berkeley purchased the C.C.winner - HAAKON OF FINEMERE (ENG.) (Finemere's Flip of Berolina x Dagmar of Finemere) and he was flown out by sea-plane but died tragically en route from heatstroke. To overcome this loss Mrs. Berkeley imported PACE-MAKER OF FINEMERE (ENG.) (Finemere's Flip of Berolina x Kitty of Klesby) and ROMANCE OF FINEMERE (ENG.) (Finemere's Flip of Berolina x Finemere's Alexio.This pair formed the nucleus of the Bolebec line, many of which have done well in the show-ring, exhibited by their buyers, as Mrs. Berkeley did not wish to take part in shows.

About this time Mrs. R. B. Stock arrived with BOXMOOR BEAUTY (ENG.) in whelp to Panfield Tough Guy, but little was heard of this litter.

In October, 1950, the E.A. Kennel Club permitted classes for Boxers; previously they had had to compete with a strange assortment of breeds in Any Variety Non-Sporting Classes.

At the end of the year Mr. and Mrs. Weston Tagart arrived from England, via South Africa, with a string of outstanding Boxers. SHANDAL ANTON OF POUND GREEN (ENG.) (Ch. Cuckmere Andrew x Bottisham Migonette) was the first Boxer in Kenya to become a Champion. He achieved this in October, 1951, and was never beaten in his sex. SHANDAL LEDA OF BREAKSTONES (ENG.) (Helios vom haus Germania x Genevieve of Breakstones) a lovely bitch became a Champion almost as quickly as ANTON. After winning four Challenge Certificates they were both retired from competition. SHANDAL CERES OF BREAKSTONES (ENG.) (Helios vom haus Germania x Maragay of Mas- pound) won one Challenge Certificate and four Reserve Challenge Certificates, but always had to play 'second fiddle' to LEDA, SHANDAL VIKING, a son of ANTON and CERES, who was born in South Africa, arrived with them as quite a youngster.

Early in 1951 Mrs. Barlow brought MARLENE OF CRAWLEYDOWN (ENG.) (Finemere's Flip of Berolina x Cuckmere Aurora) from England. She had a litter to ANTON in August, 1952. Her owners were army people and were very soon posted away from Kenya.

Another army family, Mr. and Mrs. Willis, arrived with DAISY VON SCHWERINER SCHLOSS, who had been born in Germany, and her daughter FRANTAIN ANNA (ENG.) by Helios vom haus Germania. This bitch was later purchased by Mr. und Mrs. J.M. Boyd.

Mrs. Pooles also arrived from England with GILDA OF FIDDLERS (ENG.) in whelp to Ch. Klesby Sparklet. A dog from this litter, FIDDLER'S FELLAH, did well 1952. He was later taken to England by Mrs. Pooles (by then Mrs. Drummond) who still breeds Boxers in Dumfrieshire.

In 1952 Mr. and Mrs. Kelsall came from Eritrea with several Boxers including ZIGHNI OF KELNOR (Secondus Eritrea x Rhelaware Rheva of Kelnor). Later in the year they imported STAINBURNDORF VANDERBOY (ENG.) (Stainburndorf Frolich von Dom x Yacomb Ardenoak Newflash) and his half-sister STAINBURNDORF SAILOR-GIRL (ENG.) out of Boxmere Bosko. By the same ship, a brother, STAINBURNDORF VANDERMAN (ENG.) arrived for Mrs. Berkeley.

Later in the year Mr. and Mrs. P.L. Scott arrived from England with their Gayfriars kennel. These included PANFIELD CAROL (ENG.) in whelp to Ch. Panfield Awldogg Attar; GAYFRIARS LEGEND (ENG.) (Ch. Faust vom haus Germania x Gayfriars Anna) and GAYFRIARS KISS-ME-QUICK (ENG.) (Gayfriars Copper King x Gayfriars Dragon Seed). LEGEND became a Champion in July, 1956, winning 3 C.Cs. and 2 R.C.Cs. KISS-ME-QUICK won one C.C. and 3 R.C.Cs.

Owing to the Emergency there were no shows in 1953. It was at this time that DAMZEL OF KERENGA lost her life defending her mistress - Mrs. Raynes Simson of Mweiga - when she was attacked by an armed gang of terrorists. For gallantry DAMZEL'S name was placed on the Animals' Roll of Honour of the People's Dispensary for Sick Ani- mals, London. A fitting tribute to a brave dog.

Two Boxers were imported this year - ZOLKA'S JESSICA (ENG.) (Nurmi von Marienwerder x Ardenoak Vogue) by Mrs. Berkeley and PANFIELD TALKATIVE (ENG.) (Mazelaines Texas Ranger x Panfield Scandal). The latter, although entered on a number of occasions by his owner, Mrs. Horsefield of Moshi, Tanganyika, never appeared at the shows.

In March, 1954, Mr. Martin Reich arrived by sea from Germany with five very high class Boxers. He had the misfortune to lose one dog FRED VON DER FUHLENBURG (Claus von Stortebecker x Cilli von der Fuhlenburg), fullbrother to seven times German Champion Edler von der Fuhlenburg, from heatstroke at Mombasa. To save the remainder from the heat he travelled up to Nairobi in the guard's van with his dogs among the frozen fish. They were the dog BUTEN VON DER SUEDERELBE (Dixi v.d. Karlsschlucht x Britta von Greveno) and his older sister ANTJE VON DER SUEDERELBE; ADDY VOM KAMPMOOR (Ch. Carlo von Rasmus x Anka von Stolzeneck) and ASTA VON DER HUBER-TUSSCHLUCHT (Dolf v. Niemannseck x Dolly v.d. Karlsschlucht). All were Trained Class I attacker dogs. On the journey out ANTJE whelped nine puppies to Bingo von Leimbach and these were greatly sought after on arrival and formed the 'E' litter of von der Siegeshohe, many of which appeared in the showring and won several awards.

Later in the year Mr. Reich imported two more bitches from Germany -ASTA VON DER SIEGESHOHE (Ch. Lackl vom Emilienhorst x Citta von Windorf) and her daughter DORA VON DER SIEGESHOHE by BUTEN.

In March, 1955, Mrs. Fraser of Makuyu imported a dog and a bitch from South Africa. ADELMAN'S SHASTA (S.A.) (Eikenhof Rex of N'Duna x Bomber's Jewel of Dawner) and ADELMAN'S PANDORA (S.A.) (Brown Bomber of N'Duna x Adelman's Anne).

About this time Mr. Tucker brought a bitch called GIRDA VON GELERT (Bomber x Popsie von Benglestein) with him to Kenya.

In June, FREDY VOM FELS (Ch. Edler von der Fuhlenburg x Cilli von der Waldis) joined Mr. Reich's team from Germany.As all his dogs were crop-eared they could not compete in the shows but his stud dogs were seen several times "Not for Competition" and were sought after for their services by those who appreciated their Continental quality.

In the summer of 1956, while in England, Mrs. P.L. Scott bought MICKLEHAM CLEVER (Panfield Beau Geste x Mickleham Cecilia) who was doing very well in the shows. She was mated to Mazelaines Texas Ranger and was flown out to whelp in Kenya. She had four puppies, two of which went to the Belgian Congo. Unfortunately the other two became ill and had to be put to sleep. It was a pity this breeding was lost to Kenya. CLEVER won 6 Challenge Certificates and was never beaten in her sex.

Later in the year Captain Luxmore arrived from Germany with a youngster called BENJAMIN VON DER KLEINENHOHE (Carlo von Annenhof x Addy v.d. Kleienhohe). After some time in quarantine he joined his master's regiment in Uganda. He attended the December 1958 show, but could not compete as he had cropped ears.

In 1958 the only Boxer to come from the Rhodesias arrived, a brindle bitch - CHIPONGWE GRETEL (South African Champion Blacknowde Banshee x Chipongwe Cristel). She had one litter to ARCADY HOTSPUR and time later vanished from her home in Nakuru and unfortunately was never found..

So far this history of Boxers in East Africa has concentrated on the dogs and bitches which were imported during the period 1946 - 1958. In the early days importation, a costly business, was the only way to establish and maintain a worthwhile kennel

At this point it should be recorded that in December, 1960, Mr. Richard Freund, the American Consul General, brought to Kenya a very flashy, red and white dog - EROSSO VOM HAUS GERMANIA, from Mr. Zimmermann's famous Dutch kennels. This youngster, who is crop-eared, has yet to prove himself as a stud. It is of great interest to Boxer enthusiasts to note that Mr. Freund is a nephew of Mr. Erwin O. Freund of the Tulgeywood kennels who imported International Champion LUSTIG VOM DOM into America in 1937.

The second part of this history is devoted to the progeny of these imported dogs and their success in the show-ring. Each of the leading breeders developed his or her own blood- line and the successful results can be seen from the following record.

The Arcadys kept to a direct mother-to-daughter line, with outcrossing to select unrelated imported males. As previously stated, Ranee of Limuru (Eng.) was mated to Felmoor Brassey (Eng.) in 1948 and a daughter - ARCADY ECHO was born, who on 1951 was bred to her owner's imported Crispin of Holmer (Eng.). From this litter came ARCADY DORCAS, a somewhat delicate bitch who proved to be a wonderful brood because, when mated to Pacemaker of Finemere (Eng.), she had ARCADY AJAX (2 C.Cs. & 1 R.C.C.) owned by Mr. and Mrs. Aronson; to Buten v.d. Suederelbe, she had ARCADY PHEBE (3 R.C.Cs.); to Fredy vom Fels, she had ARCADY HOTSPUR (3 C.Cs. & 3 R.C.Cs.) and ARCADY KATE (1 C.C.). In 1954 Echo was bred to Buten v.d. Suederelbe and pro- duced ARCADY ZILLAH (1 C.C. and 1 R.C.C.). The female line is being carried on in the fifth generation by ARCADY LUCIE (Arcady Hotspur x Arcady Phebe) who has one R.C.C.

The Shandal line concentrated on its own imported team throughout. Ch. Shandal Anton of Pound Green (Eng.) and Ch. Shandal Leda of Breakstones (Eng.) produced KURT OF SHANDAL (1 R.C.C.), FAUST OF SHANDAL (1 C.C.), CHARLOTTE OF SHANDAL (2 C.Cs.) and CARL OF SHANDAL (3 C.Cs.) whoe went to America immediately after gaining his title with his owners Mr. and Mrs. Jones. Anton mated to Shandal Ceres of Breakstones (Eng.) produced SHANDAL FILIBUSTER (1 C.C. and 1 R.C.C.)

The Gayfriars line also concentrated on its imported team with great success. In 1953 Ch. Gayfriars Legend (Eng.) mated to Gayfriars Kiss-Me-Quick (Eng.) produced GAYFRIARS N-FOR-NONSENSE (2 C.Cs. and 2 R.C.Cs) who was unlucky not to gain her title. A repeat mating in 1956 produced CH. GAYFRIARS PEREGRINE (4 C.Cs.) and GAYFRIARS PUFFIN (1 C.C. and 1 R.C.C.). In 1958 Peregrine was bred to the imported bitch Ch. Gayfriars Mickleham Clever (Eng.) and this resulted in the birth of the very successful brothers CH. GAYFRIARS TERRIFIC (6 C.Cs. and 3 R.C.Cs.) and GAYFRIARS TEMPTATION (2 C.Cs. and 2 R.C.Cs.).

From the Kelnor imported team came the following winners - DELIGHT OF KELNOR (Stainburndorf Vanderboy of Kelnor x Zighni of Kelnor) who won two C.Cs. before going to live at Mombasa with her owners Mr. and Mrs. R. Slater. Her litter brother GAY GALLANT OF KELNOR won one R.C.C. FLASHAWAY OF KELNOR (Stainburn- dorf Vanderboy of Kelnor x Rhelaware Rheva of Kelnor) also won one R.C.C. and his daughter LOVELY LADY OF KELNOR, out of J'ELEGANCE OF KELNOR, won one C.C. at Eldoret in October, 1961.

The combination of these countrybred Boxers has also produced a number of winners. Ch. Gayfriars Legend mated to PERSEPHONE NOETIC (1 R.C.C.) (Fredy vom Fels x Arcady Titania) produced LINEBREAKER MERRY-THOUGHT (2 R.C.Cs.) owned by Mr. and Mrs. Boyd.

Ch. Gayfriars Peregrine bred to BOLEBEC JESSAMY got SPEEDBIRD JUNIPER (1 C.C. and R.C.C.). This bitch, also originally owned by Mr. and Mrs. Jones, was transferred to Mr. and Mrs. Mascarenhas the owners of the well-known obedience trained Boxer - REX DARIUS OF RYEDOWNS (1 R.C.C.) (Edward v.d. Siegeshoehe x Groschen of Prattendons (1 R.C.C.).

Ch. Carl of Shandal bred to Speedbird Juniper produced ANNABELLE OF STOCKTON, winner of 1 R.C.C. before she was taken to France by her owner Mrs. Massias; and when bred to Ch. Gayfriars Puffin, in the ownership of the Glass family, produced the outstanding bitch CH. PANMURE PETITE, who has won 9 C.Cs. and 2 R.C.Cs.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Smith's pair, Ch. Gayfriars Terrefic and Lovely Lady of Kelnor, have produced the litter brother and sister GAYTIME BACCHUS and GAYTIME BRORA who have won 1 R.C.C. each for their owners Mrs. Langenberg and Mr. R.A. Fraser.

This record ends in December, 1961, but it is expected that the younger dogs and bitches mentioned will win many more certificates before their show days are over.

Of course, Mr. and Mrs. C. Gretzschel bought from Miss B. Glass the very promising dog PANMURE ATLAS (Erosso vom Haus Germania x Ch. Panmure Petite) in July 1962. Atlas has been showed on the E.A.K.C. Championship Show on Saturday, 16th March 1963. Mr. Stanley Dangerfield, the International Judge, judged all breeds. He selected as Challenge Certificate winners the litter brother and sister, PANMURE ATLAS (B. O. B.) and PANMURE ARTEMIS by the Dutch dog Erosso vom Haus Germania. Atlas also won Best Non-sporting Puppy in Show. Runners up were Ch. Gayfriars Terrific in dogs and Ch. Panmure Petite in bitches. The Glass family can feel proud of being the breeders of the winners and Panmure Ambrosia, which was second to her sister in the Novice and Graduate Bitch classes. Mr. & Mrs. Gretzschel, the owners of Atlas, are posted, we understand, to the coast, but we hope they will manage to enter this promising young dog in future shows.