But to us, Rogue is about much more than the pretty package he comes in. This boy is our everyday reminder of the moral and ethical responsibility of owning and breeding a dog. Despite having had more socialization than either of his canine sisters and more obedience training than both of them combined, it could not be denied that Rogue definitely had ‘issues’ when it came to temperament.

A root cause of these issues was hard to ascertain; He was temperment tested and affirmed to be quite 'normal' when he left his breeder. His parents and even grandparents were health tested and by all accounts didn’t demonstrate such issues, nor did offspring from their other litters. He was afforded all the recommended exposures and experiences for a young dog including puppy kindergarten and beginner’s obedience. Yet, since a very early age, in the words of professionals, Rogue has a temperament ‘unlike any boxer’ – he was a rogue anomaly.

Well, that was definitely an eye-opening time for us, complete with an exercise in soul searching and moral fiber. But at the end of the day, we realized that challenging as every day and every new situation with Rogue is, we were not going to jump on the bandwagon of people that had given up on, and abandoned accountability with this dog. True he will never fulfill dreams of ribbons; True he will never contribute to any breeding programs; but what this boy brings us each day is worth more than ribbons and titles; he allows us to rest easy after every day filled with his unconditional love and amusing boxer antics, knowing that we did the right thing by him.

Rogue, unlike his more accomplished half sister, Paige, will not be found on his breeder's website. While some may consider him a skeleton in the closet, we are happy to have him on display for the world to see so that he may serve as a buyer beware story of how, even in this age of health testing and in this breed known for being the clowns of the dog world, temperment and breeding ethics should never be taken for granted, or assumed at face value.

We consider Rogue our work in progress. Idealistic as we may be, we choose to believe that with commitment and time, there is hope for him. Rogue currently has four points towards his CKC championship, as well as having completed a beginner's obedience class.

He will always remain with us, the much loved playmate, and ever mischievous sidekick to Paige, and the most loyal, devoted, and affectionate Momma’s boy ever! While we work on addressing his behavior a little each day, he serves as a constant reminder to us that every breeding must be done considering the psychological and physiological soundness of the dogs involved, and that those that choose to breed are responsible for the emotional and physical well being of every dog we make a conscious decision to bring into this world, not just till they are eight weeks old and ready to leave for their new homes, but for their entire, hopefully long-lived, doggy lives.