[Anton]

Personally I wish we would be able to vote on each SUBJECT/section and not on the document as a whole.

I agree Diane !! There are some really good changes in there, and a couple I don't like. It says to write to the ARC newsletter editor with your comments/concerns--and this sounds like a good concern !!

"#5. The American Rottweiler club members shall dock tails on Rottweiler puppies within 7 days of birth whenever feasible. No member of the ARC shall dock any Rottweiler without proper veterinary, surgical and pain care after 7 days of birth"

This one I have a problem with. No I am a die hard docked Rottweiler fan and do not foresee having a tailed Rottweiler nor foresee that I will stop docking puppy tails. HOWEVER. This section reads like ALL ARC members MUST dock the tails of their Rottweilers. Also, It STILL allows for people who import tailed dogs to dock them.

A) If someone wants to have a tailed Rottweiler I see NO problem with it. IF they want to show a tailed Rott again no problem. IF they want to leave the tails on their pups, so what?

B) if you import a tailed dog then by God it should stay tailed. Docking after 7 days of age should be totally banned! If you want a docked dog then for God's sake buy a docked puppy/dog.

AMEN !!! AMEN !! AMEN !!!

#1. In an attempt to lower the incidence of elbow dysplasia in Rottweilers it is strongly recommended to breed only normal elbows to normal elbows, or Grade 1 and 2 to Normal elbows (for the purpose of maintaining a broader gene pool)"

I have an argument with this one. While most breeders will use a dog with DJD 1 elbows, especially if this is unilateral; to state that using a Grade 1 or 2 dog without stipulating DJD ONLY is fool hardy. using a dog with Grade 1 or 2 FCP, UAP or OCD in the elbows is very very risky because these are shown to be inherited. The use of dogs with "only" DJD 1 (not DJD 2 just DJD 1) is a FAR different proposition!

I don't believe a DJD 2 in one or both elbows should be bred. I do agree that the gene pool is shrinking, but making DJD 2 elbows a reason for "maintaining a broader gene pool" is a poor excuse, when the puppies of these breedings are also developing DJD 2 elbows. How is that improving anything? At least keeping the elbows at DJD 1 or better, will be moving in the right direction.

And stating that if you do have a Grade 1 or 2, that you breed to 'normal elbows'. If grade 1 or 2 is good enough to breed, then choosing a partner with the "acceptable" elbow readings should be up to the breeder.

There are definitely some good changes, and some that need to be readdressed. And the main thing is to vote on each change individually and not as a whole.