Rottie Breed Club...Need Help!

[Angela Kustron]

I am trying to start a rottie only breed club in Northern Indiana/Southern michigan. I am not doing it just for showing but because in this area we need to get people with nice rotties out in public together to educate the public about rottweilers, and just to hang out and show off our babies. Two things, one, is anyone in this area interested? Two, how do I get enough people, and how do I get their attention.

[lblax]

yes i would be interested we live in rome city in. about 45 miles east of southbend

[southerncomfort]

Two words...liability insurance. Hard to find, so start looking or asking others on this site now.

[Angela Kustron]

There is one reason that we wouldn't need to do that yet...we are going places where all dogs are welcome, not places where people don't expect dogs. Why would we need it right now anyways? Seriously, if there is a good reason, please tell me. We have so very few people right now.

[southerncomfort]

I'm sure the laws in your state require you to have insurance being a registered dog club(especially when you tell them what breed). I'll check for you who we use but we are in Virginia and I'm sure rates differ. Seriously, speak to any attorney and mention rottweiler club ....do ya think we need insurance?

[Anton]

Originally posted by AngelaKustron:
<STRONG>I am trying to start a rottie only breed club in Northern Indiana/Southern michigan. I am not doing it just for showing but because in this area we need to get people with nice rotties out in public together to educate the public about rottweilers, and just to hang out and show off our babies. Two things, one, is anyone in this area interested? Two, how do I get enough people, and how do I get their attention.</STRONG>

There is a Rottweiler club based out of Indianapolis area -- The Hoosier Rottweiler Club.

I know a few of the people who are members of the club, and they are great people. They work hard, and host a Specialty every February in Indianapolis.

[Angela Kustron]

I had a little more personal club in mind, similar to the all breed club here, but specifically rottweilers. They meet every week, hold information seminars, etc. They are all friends. I wanted something like that where rotties would fit in, because they don't in this group. I know of the rottweiler club in Indy, and am considering joining, but...like I said, I want a more personal atmosphere.

[southerncomfort]

Why not just JOIN your local Rotweiler Club, I'm sure if they are like us they need all the support they can get.

[Angela Kustron]

I think I need to explain alittle bit more about what I'm trying to do...I am not starting some huge, state/area wide breed club where dozens of people get together somewhere and stuff, like the other clubs. I am thinking...rottweiler lovers/owners who want to come to MY HOME with/or without their dogs, plan outings together to EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT ROTTWEILERS! I am not trying to start a breed club like the Hoosier Rottweiler Club or something! If I can't just have several rottie lovers get together without insurance, lawyers, etc, then I won't do this. I wasn't looking for some huge thing, just other people who love rotties, especially in an area where the all breed club is so unwelcoming to rottweilers and their owners. Also, I want to educate this area about what a real rottweiler is like!

[Angela Kustron]

There isn't a local rottie breed club. The closest one is 3 hours away, give or take. The only club in this area is an all-breed club, and they are not very happy to have dogs like rottweilers in their club, which was made very obvious to me and several other rottie owners. That is not the only reason I was starting one...there is a need in this area to get the public informed about rottweilers, real rottweilers, not the ones the media portray, mainly because the humane society has made it very well known they are trying to get rid of all rotties in this area. As soon as someone registers their rottie, the humane society starts harrassing them, fining them for everything they can think of, and even taking their dogs for silly things like, "He's vicious, because when we walked in the yard he growled." Nevermind the fact that they let themselves into the backyard without the owner saying they could. Also, we think it's alittle odd that rotties are disappearing from their yards at an alarming rate in this area, only to be found at the pound alot of times, and they have such huge fines on rotties that no one can afford to get their dog out. They won't even release these poor babies to the rescues. We (several rottie owners around here) decided that we NEED to get the word out, not only about their true personalities, but about what is going on. I've found Kelsey's tie out (an "unbreakable" one) cut in half. Luckily, she ran in her doggie door as soon as it happened. Someone broke my fence one evening trying to get to Rocky (my friend's rottie) and Kelsey. The cops weren't surprised about it at all. There is a neighbor who is an excellent rottie mom who has had 3 of them taken, 1 for sure by the humane society, and the other 2, unknown. I can't let Kelsey run in our backyard, that is completely fenced in, because I'm afraid they'll try to take her. It is a very serious problem. They've publicly said that dogs on their "dangerous" list, will soon no longer "trouble this city". I know it's illegal, but myself (and those I know with rotties) haven't registered our dogs with the city, because we know what will happen. Within 2 months, at most, we'll start being harrassed. Go to one of their adoption days: they say they have tons of rotties in their shelter, but you won't see even one at the adoption days, nor will you find them in the "to adopt" wing of their shelter. 3/4 of the time, if they get ahold of your rottie, you won't ever get it back, because they are put down within 48 hours. And you can't call and ask if they have it because they will always say no, you have to go down there. They say they don't do these things, but that's what alot of rottie owners have run into. It isn't fair, nor is it fair that they constantly remind people that in this area, pits can be shot on site, and that boxers should be too, as well as rotties. It is horrible. They want to do away with a breed. All the owners of rotties in this area need to get involved, get active, and get the word out about what's going on. They know about Kelsey, but haven't succeded yet...I hate even leaving her home alone. I almost always take her, even to run errands, and that's sad that I feel I have to. It sounds outragious I'm sure, but it is so true, and is happening as we speak. They are stealing our rights to own whatever dog we want to. It's awful. That is why I am starting a breed club here...not because I want to start an agility, obedience, or conformation club, but an "all about rotties" club. An information club...that and there's streangth in numbers. It's alot harder to do those things to informed, aware, and organized dog owners, than for single, alone, uninformed dog owners. Right now it's rotties, pits, and boxers, but how do shepherd owners know they aren't next...then bulldogs, then dobermans, then....get my point? Once they start this thing, we are not going to be the last....it's just beginning.

[southerncomfort]

If the situation is as bad as you say, I would contact the Rottweiler Club 3 hours away from you and explain what is going on in your area. I would also recommend licensing your dog with the city, there is no sense in giving them a "reason" to take your dog.Sounds like you have a heck of a situation and hopefully all works out for the best.

[Angela Kustron]

No, I won't register with the city!!! It is once people register their dogs with the city that they get them taken. It's the people who DON'T register their dogs that aren't bothered much by them. I already contacted that one in Indy, and nothing has ever been sent back to me regarding it. I am doing what I feel is best...also several other rottie owners agree with me as well. It's alot better this way...getting people with similar problems together, and get everyone organized. If I register my dog, I will likely lose her...that's how they work...they're like an extermination squad...registering your dog is telling them what breed and where, and frankly, I'm not risking that. Kelsey is safer unregistered. Someone needs to do something about this, but no one has. They even have the media on their side here, and there hasn't even been any attacks here, and that's what I don't understand!

[Dakaila]

Originally posted by AngelaKustron:
<STRONG>No, I won't register with the city!!! It is once people register their dogs with the city that they get them taken. It's the people who DON'T register their dogs that aren't bothered much by them. I already contacted that one in Indy, and nothing has ever been sent back to me regarding it. I am doing what I feel is best...also several other rottie owners agree with me as well. It's alot better this way...getting people with similar problems together, and get everyone organized. If I register my dog, I will likely lose her...that's how they work...they're like an extermination squad...registering your dog is telling them what breed and where, and frankly, I'm not risking that. Kelsey is safer unregistered. Someone needs to do something about this, but no one has. They even have the media on their side here, and there hasn't even been any attacks here, and that's what I don't understand!</STRONG>

While it sounds like your heart is in the right place Angela it also sounds to me like you are very angry and bitter. While you want to get the word out about Rottweilers you need to do it safely. In my city of Romeoville, IL. We are bound by law to register our dogs with the city or have a fine placed on our heads. It is not only for the safety of officals but for the safety of the dog. My dogs are registered with the village if they are lost I will be contacted or they will be returned to me rather then taken to a shelter. In the case of an emergency my dogs are listed under my care so that they will be cared for as pets and not strays. You can form a group of other rottie owners and get the word out. Kudos to you for wanting to do so. But like all things you have to go through the proper channels.

[RottnKid1]

If I was in your situation, until I could get do something to change things, I'd be registering my dogs as Black & Tan Coonhound/Black Lab crosses. Lots of tail accidents. Then I'd be contacting everyone and anyone who might be able to help. The goings-on need to be exposed.

[southerncomfort]

[b][quote]Originally posted by AngelaKustron\[QB]I am trying to start a rottie only breed club in Northern Indiana/Southern michigan. I am not doing it just for showing but because in this area we need to get people with nice rotties out in public together to educate the public about rottweilers, and just to hang out and show off our babies.... No, I won't register with the city!!! It is once people register their dogs with the city that they get them taken. It's the people who DON'T register their dogs that aren't bothered ///

Angela I am certainly not trying to pester you, however I am concerned about what you are saying. In your above and earlier posts you are talking about taking your Unregistered/Unlicensed Rottweiler, with a group of other Rottweilers (a club), without any insurance, into public to show them off, in an area apparently EXTREMELY hostile towards rottweilers. You may consider being a bit more discreet considering rotties around you are being taken from their yard and owners of rotties are being fined for no reason, and those are the ones who ARE conforming to the law !