Page 69 - ShowSight Presents The Rottweiler
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q&A
Half Moon, CD (a Cade Daughter) and Ch. Nelson vh Bra- bantpark and Ch. Gamegard’s US Marshall. This is in no particular order, just how their names came to me. There are so many great dogs, it is difficult to really stop here. I apologize to the ones I have forgotten.
8. Anything else you’d like to add?
I love this breed. They are so versatile and can do it all. Literally. Their intelligence is unbelievable and there have been many a self-professed trainer who has been stumped by the breed. They are kind and easy to live with and get alone with other breeds. They do shed and have a double coat to keep them warm and tend to need a bath about once a month. They also drink water with real sloppy slurps and usually take one extra mouthful
to let it drip from the water bucket. These are things to remember if you’re thinking about having one as a family member. I totally do not agree with keeping Rottweilers in kennels or outdoors, without human interaction. The breed is such as joy and this is just not the way to enjoy the breed to their fullest. They are great with children and no one should ever try to mess with a Rottweiler’s person—especially a child. I have heard stories of bur- glars breaking into a home protected by a Rottweiler, and when the owner came home, the burglar was still in the house, as the Rottweiler would not let them leave. The burglar was quite happy when the police came to rescue them. (Mind you, the dogs did not bite these intruders.) They are great companions, service dogs, therapy dogs, search and rescue, barn hunt, trackers, obedience, herd- ing and oh yes, show dogs. There is nothing a
Rottweiler cannot do when treated with the respect they deserve.
LIZ WERTZ
Dogs have been part
of my life since a child, growing up with a Cock- er Spaniel, Poodle and later, a Doberman Pin- scher. After the sudden death of my Doberman to an aneurism, I decided a change of breeds was in order. I began watch- ing the Rottweiler ring and was impressed by the Rottweiler’s presence and overall look as well
as their intelligence. My serious involvement in the AKC show ring began in 1984, when I bought my first Rottwei- ler, a show prospect bitch, Brenna. I showed Brenna to
a four-point major early on and was then officially “bit
by the show bug.” She accumulated more points before being bred. She had three litters, producing Champions from each. At that point, I began looking for a male dog
Ch. yden’s Chase Manhattan, CD, Bh, hCt, tt (Photo courtesy of owner)
to bring in house, traveling to New Hampshire to pick up the pick of a litter, who later became known as ‘Chase’ or Ch. Yden’s Chase Manhattan, CD, BH, HCT, TT. Chase sired my second and third litters with Brenna. He also was used at stud by others, achieving the American Rottweiler Club Gold Producer award. I have had the
joy of handling my dogs to noted levels of accomplish- ment at nationals and other specialties. Without a doubt, my most memorable win was when I showed Chase to
a Best in Specialty win at the large Cleveland IX shows. Over the years, I have bred on a very limited basis. With my breeding stock aging out, we recently brought in
two new bitches that show great potential. As a breeder/ owner/handler, I have been involved in conformation, obedience, herding, rally and some SchH training. Hav- ing personally witnessed the Rottweiler’s innate herding ability in the early 1990s with my own dog Chase, I was part of the instrumental small team responsible for align- ing the Rottweiler to be accepted at AKC herding trials in June, 1994.
1. What traits do you look for, in order, when judging Rottweilers? What do you consider the ultimate hallmark of the breed?
Overall balance, type, temperament and presence. It
is important not to focus on one particular area which might be a personal pet peeve such as round, light eyes, but to look at the total dog. In your mind’s eye, how much does the dog align with the breed standard? Is he balanced? Is he almost square (9:10)? Does he have that Rottweiler type that is undeniable? Does he have the presence that warrants further consideration? Could he/ she perform the duties he/she was bred to do?
The build should be compact, yet robust; denoting great strength, agility and endurance. The attitude should be calm and confident promoting a regal stature/presence— never shy. In judging the Rottweiler, I believe it is
