Good! Do the research, that's a great start. I'm guessing that you got Tank from a breeder-- so maybe you can start there- ask the breeder how to get started & do it correctly. Good luck!

Your clarification indicates that your mom does know some of the things that are important when breeding, however, just having a pedigree or paperwork is not a guarantee of soundness. Your mom certainly did not upset me. I feel compelled to educate people about things I think are important, and that I know a little bit about, although I am not a breeder. There are several breeders on the site who have posted excellent first hand experiences and knowledge if you can find their posts.

http://www.americanboxerclub.org/healthtbc.html

this site outlines many health issues in your breed. remember, there are many more inherited defects, besides hip displasia. this breed can have serious inherited heart issues (if you have not researched the ancestry of his parents, you are doing a disservice to the breed to breed him, as you do not know whether he will pass these genes on)they also can have eye issues, and several other conditions, which can be inherited. cancer is something i have seen very commonly in this breed. if you love your breed, instead of possibly passing bad genes down the line, why not instead volunteer with indiana boxer rescue. spend that $$ you would use on all those tests on a foster dog, or to help out the breed. there are sooo many wonderful boxers out there that need help, and since you own the breed, you would be a great asset to the rescue. just some food for thought........

Most breeders "line breed." That's how you achieve a line. They don't do outcrosses very often, unless they are trying to introduce a new/improved trait, rather than just emphasizing/perfecting their own traits. Line breeding is a form of inbreeding to less closely related individuals--think cousins, or great uncle to grand niece, etc. "Inbreeding" is used to quickly solidify traits in a bloodline. This means breeding closely related relatives, like mother to son, or brother to sister. Only very experienced breeders do this and not very often. You can't acheive reliable breeding program unless you line breed--you will not be able to predict what puppies will be and will have no idea what you will produce if you only do outcrosses. It's great that you are getting Tank's hips certified with OFA...a definate must in that breed. I don't know much about boxers...what are the blood tests checking for? Jude has to have a DNA test (blood or cheek cells) done to detect what her status is on PRA--is it something similar to that?