The working Rottweiler

[German Vanegas]

The ADRK (the German organization club that maintains the desired standards and official registries of the true German Rottweiler), the FCI (an internationally recognized federation that oversees most dog breeds with official registries, establishing breed standards, helding sport trials, and so forth), and even the AKC (our own domestic dog registration club), classified unanimously the Rottweiler within the WORKING group.

What are working dogs? Working dogs are intelligent and strong dog breeds, whose ancestors were bred and trained to perform useful functions such as guarding and protecting lives and estates, drawing sleds across snow-swept lands, performing water rescues, aiding policemen and soldiers to protect and serve, guiding the blind, and so forth.

Today, such working tradition is still maintained and preserved in the Rottweiler, and even expanded to modern neccessesities such as SAR, explosives detection, narcotics detection, etc. The capabilities of the Rottweiler are simply amazing.

The Rottweiler excels as a working dog, including also sport trials, proving itself in many working fields and leaving no doubts about it. It is an intelligent, powerful, seviceable breed, capable of many utility jobs. There should no be arguments or disagrements regarding this issue, but there are. Some people are focusing and concentrating mainly in conformation for the show ring, and maybe even obedience competition. Thus, limiting the traits and abilities of the great Rottweiler. I disgree with such position. Conformational structure is absolutely important, don't get me wrong, but so are the working skills of the Rottweiler. What do you think?

[Maggie]

Wouldnt it be great if we all were so passionate about our beloved Rottweiler. I totally agree that the Rottweiler is first and foremost a working dog,but when combined with excellent conformation and a self assured presence,it is the ULTIMATE DOG,nothing can compare. I corresponded with the head of the Austrian Military dog school a few years ago,a very interesting man. They have 350 working Rotts who are all bred at the training school,and only use 10 per cent belgium and german shepherds,now that should tell you something about these dogs endless qualities. All the dogs at the end of the day go home with their handler on the base and live in the family-home enviroment. These dogs do the most amazing tasks,things we would never dream of,so I dont just think of the Rottweiler as one or the other, I think of him as the ALL ROUND MULTI PURPOSE WORKING DOG,which was what he was originally bred for,a master of all trades.

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Maggie Murray
Rottweiler Specialist Judge
New Zealand

[Baren]

I believe that both show and work are just as important in all working breeds. A true rottweiler is one which combines both. A KS with a SchH III atleast. That is what breeders should aim for (in my opinion).

[German Vanegas]

Baren,
How easy do think is to bred a dog exceling at both: conformation and working abilities? Some do. But many others are outstanding, if not amazing, working dogs with MINOR faults (not disqualifiying ones!) that would not do well in the show ring. While there are other dogs with fine conformation for show competition but with no working, or little, traits, drives, abilities, and so forth. You take your pick.

Thank you Tony, Maggie, and Rrowl... Belgium you left us wondering!

"ROTTWEILERS ARE HAPPY WORKING DOGS, FIRST AND FOREMOST"

[Eve]

No one said it was easy, but it is what every breeder should strive for. Working ability without breed type is (IMO) just as bad as breed type without working ability.

[German Vanegas]

Eve,
My whole point is, while concentrating on mainly conformation ignoring the working traits, is producing "half-a-dog". As much as a breeder should strive to achieve both, which is the ideal goal, producing all off-springs with show and working qualities is easier said than done. I personally look for both too, but I demand working drives in a potential puppy candidate before "perfect" conformation. To me, "near-perfect" will do as long as it comes with high drives and working potential. If the pup or dog comes from ONLY show lines, I rather pass and keep looking... My personal choice, of course.

[belgium]

german, sorry this was not for this post.
here is my answer.first of all i want to make sure , i like both sides , i'm doing well in conformation and schh/ipo work.i also try to breed the dogs doing both.
i think instead of arguing you usa breeders should try to work together.its the only way to be able to breed some good dogs,the working lines need the show dogs and vis versa.

[Maggie]

Well put belgium,I totally agree,and if everyone did work together we would see alot better examples of the breed.

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Maggie Murray
Rottweiler Specialist Judge
New Zealand

[Hackel]

Belgium & Maggie....I don't think that anyone on this board will disagree with the fact that the breeders in the US need to come together and breed with a common goal in mind. But, I would advise you not to make judgements about the US simply based on what you hear in these forums.

Neither of you live in the US and I don't think you have a full grasp of the mentality of some breeders here. The breeding for conformation only has brought this breed to it's knees in this country. We are trying to impress upon the new generation the importance of preserving the mind and temperament of the "true" Rottweiler. As I have stated before, in general conformation problems can be fixed alot quicker than temperament problems can.

Also, I doubt you will find a breeder who breeds working dogs that does not also breed for correct conformation. Without certain structural things in place, the Rottweiler or any working dog will not be able to accomplish his tasks successfully. On the other hand, alot of people who breed for conformation place less emphasis on working ability and make MANY compromises as far as temperament is concerned for the sake of having that "perfect" show dog.

So you see, while what we want is unity...it is probably something that will never happen. This debate has been going on for as long as the breed has been here and will probably continue till the end.

As the ADRK motto goes, "Rottweiler breeding, is the breeding of working dogs."

[Baren]

The ADRK motto goes, "Rottweiler breeding, is the breeding of working dogs."
But lets not forget that Germany (ADRK) has the best conformation dogs in the world. They have no fear of missing the standard when they breed for work. Belgium and Maggie did not make a wrong judgement, so how do you know that what they say is based on just what they hear in this forum? I agree with you German. I look at drives very much when looking at a puppy. Especialy drives.

[Michele Baxter]

I agree with Belgium and Maggie. German, you have made very good points about a "working dog." But two points for the thread in general, first, please don't group all people who participate in conformation showing as "breeding only for conformation". I think most people on this board who show in conformation participate in AT LEAST one other activity with their dog. And second, don't exclude people who don't do Sch. training as not owning "true rottweilers." That's all. Hopefully we can come together in this country for the betterment of our breed.

[Maggie]

To Hackel,firstly I would like you to re-read my original post again as I dont see where Ive mentioned US breeeders, I gave my personal opinion on how I see the Rottweiler and when agreeing with Belgium RE people working together, I meant that to all Rottweiler owners wherever you may live,its not just a problem in the US you know. As for watching our comments as we dont live in the US,I think thats uncalled for. If you have read many of my posts you will see that my interpretation of the breed has always been the same,regardless of what you do with your dogs,and yes first and foremost they are a working dog,but it dosent make it any less of a dog if is only shown,to do both is the ultimate but its everyones personal choice at the end of the day.

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Maggie Murray
Rottweiler Specialist Judge
New Zealand

[antonschinkel]

It becomes a little scary to give my oppinion, cause all of the senior members here.
Add to that i surely will be mistaken because of my bad english so it seems my time in this group is almost done.
But, since German has made such a noble point, i would like to give my oppinion or actually it is more a question.

Since we all know the Rotties are becoming more and more popular. We get to the point that i see more and more Rottie owners, that don't attend one off the things named above.
They own a Rottweiler cause they want to make an impression and don't understand anything about the breed. They hardly take their dog s for a walk anymore. They can't even spell the breeds name right.

Maybe i'm thinking on another level here, but shouldn't we worry about these owners, instead of what experienced Rottweiler owners already know ?

Anton

[German Vanegas]

Belgium,
I agree with you that a breeder should strive for the desired conformation, temperament and working drives on the Rottweiler. Sure! That it's the whole idea in the first place. The big problem is, that here in the USA there is NOT breeding suitability and temperament testing implemented by the major dog registry: the AKC. Only the USRC is trying to do something about it. So, as Hackel well stated it, we have way TOO MANY Rottweilers in the USA that do not measure-up to the true sandards of the Rottweiler. US pro-breeders do their best to bred to standards but, unfortunately, they are OUTNUMBERED by legions of wannabe-breeders that are doing nothing but ruining the conformation and reputation of our beloved Rottweiler. That it's a major blow that we, Rottie fanciers, have to deal with here in America every day.

Michelle,
I'm sure you do your best for your Rotties. I have no doubt about that. In person, probably we could exchange ideas without misunderstandings and second guessing real personal intentions. You're cool.

[This message has been edited by German Vanegas (edited March 26, 1999).]

[Maggie]

German I understand exactly where your coming from and feel the frustration,but it is not only a US problem,ITS A WORLDWIDE PROBLEM. I used to get so angry to the point I wouldnt sleep at night worrying about the breed and what was happening and no one else seemed to care,they just kept breeding inferior dogs,in particular BAD NERVES,now to me there is nothing worse than seeing a Rott with shot nerves. Anton mentioned that we should maybe be concentrating on the un-informed,which was a good point,but it still comes back to the breeders in the end. I decided to change my way of thinking(as the worrying way made me very sick)and if I can educate one person a week about the CORRECT ROTTWEILER,then Im happy. We have one club here in New Zealand that has just recently started temperament testing,all my dogs are temperament tested before breeding(through the dog sport club)but we have only a very few breeders who will do this,as at the end of the day,should their dog fail then they have to ask themselves SHOULD I BREED MY DOG,and we all know the answer to that. We are also very lucky in this country as Ive said before, where we can endorse the pedigree NOT TO BE BRED FROM,it then becomes a legal document,this gives me as the breeder alot of control. I know Ive gone off track here(sorry) but it does all comes back to the breeders and being responsible. Maybe you should all start putting proposals to your governing body,so you do have more control and campaining the CORRECT ROTTWEILER,I know it seems an impossible feat,but I now have people waiting for puppies(and beleive me they have to wait awhile) who want dogs with correct temperaments and who have been tested by the qualified authorities,and they wont settle for anything less. I know to the person who is truly passionate and dedicated and who truly understands the correct temperament and character,it becomes very disheartening,but we cant give up,its our job to try hard to keep the breed as it was intended and to educate as many as possible.
Regards Maggie

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Maggie Murray
Rottweiler Specialist Judge
New Zealand