Owners Bethany and Melissa

Bethany

The boxer journey began in 1990.

A boxer has been part of my life for the past twenty years. They have slept in my bed, on the couch, eaten my shoes, my books and have made me angry, but they have made me laugh and smile far more. The breed holds a very special place in my heart, and a matter of fact it is a very large place…

I was suppose to be shopping for clothes, that's what every 17yr old girl does? Instead, the shopping day ended with a beautiful brindle female boxer, that I named Zoë. She was everything to me, she was my friend, my enemy, my love, but most of all she was my teacher. In every aspect of the word BOXER.

Zoë was my inspiration to learn as much as I could and still can learn about the breed. I know the breed’s origin and its history. The breed’s positives and negatives, the boxer is my passion. It has been a long and great journey... And Briarbush Boxers is proud to be part of its future. I suppose the breeding started at first as a thought that it would be really cool to have a litter of puppies… I knew nothing. I started researching and reading; I talked to some breeders, and did more research. I finally found a male that I thought was absolutely gorgeous, a flashy brindle, at this point I can still see him, the vision is burned into my memory as if I just saw him today…

This is where the lessons begin; this is where my commitment to the boxer breed begins… At first I learned that a female should be how old to breed.
Fine, I waited, while I was waiting, Zoë’s hair started to fall out? So on to the next lesson, not everything goes as planned. To the vet we go. Come to find out it happens to be a symptom of a low, under-active or Hypothyroidism… What? OK, so next, call the breeder and talk to the vet. The vet says that
this condition is a condition that could be genetically inherited. The breeder says it is OK; there is only a fifty percent chance that the puppies would have
the same condition. What? This is one of the things that separates a breeder, from a great breeder. Zoë was spayed at age two. My dream of a bunch of really cool, cute, little boxer puppies crushed- not really, just put on hold.

My dear Zoë, as I said in the beginning, she was my teacher. It is because of her, unfortunately or fortunately, however you choose to view it, that I have
learned about the health issues that plague the boxer. I only wish I knew then what I know now, it all makes sense. Good health, health testing, the
best quality food, conformation, and a clear mind are all priorities in our breeding program. Who says you cannot have good health, beauty, and brains?

Eighteen years later I found myself able to and educated enough to consider the reality of that dream I had long ago…

I am a past volunteer for ASPCA , Second Chance Boxer and 4-H member. I spent four years working with a vet and have had animals my entire life. I am a
certified journeyman I farrier, and work with horses and their owners with various tasks and skills of horsemanship. Certified in; dog training, acupressure, Rieki Master and my personal peeve is canine nutrition and health. Vet tech, physical therapy and massage student, and a sponge for all boxer knowledge.

Take care,
Bethany


Melissa


Melissa ????

My very first dog was Pepper, she was every bit a mutt, or as we now call in American bred. Pepper was my confidant, my teacher and best friend for 18 years. She was trust worthy, she kept my deepest secretssafe and she made my life complete. Pepper was always by my side and taught me many things about canine love and devotion. It was through Peppers patient teaching that I realized at a young age that I wanted to spend my life with dogs and learn to train them and care for them. I have always wanted to manage a kennel.

I met Bethany many years ago; our friendship has withstood the sands of time. One of the most exciting aspects of our friendship is our love for dogs. Zoë introduced us both to the Boxer breed. My goodness did I think she was the ugliest thing in the world but as I got to know her she was one of the best breeds that I had ever been introduced to, she was smart, loving and the cutest thing ever, once she grew into her face. She had the energy of a fireball.

For a few years, I have had the pleasure of owning a boxer. I picked the Briarbush puppy that was the loudest and cutest. Her name is Febemay. She is everything a boxer should be, good with kids, the most loving and loyal dog that I have ever owned. She is my princess. Febemay will be the foundation on which my breeding program is to begin. I have many things to learn and between the both of us, our path will be educational and exciting.

I feel that I have the compassion and an understanding with the dog. With this, I am continuing my education and experiences in many ways. I feel that with even more knowledge, and knowing that they do not staywith us long enough in that time, I can make a difference in every dog’s life, through educating the owner. It is something that I enjoy immensely.

I have two other dogs, a husky named Sebastian, he is going to be fifteen in December and we are dealing with some health issues and I dread the day he lets me know that, that is enough . I also have a cocker spaniel named Kalie; she is just a bundle of plump. I love all of my animals and could not imagine my life with out them.