Bad Rap for Rotties

[Elijah's Mom]

I was just enjoying my morning coffee and reading the Sunday paper when I came across a "Letter to the Editor" that really upset me.

I don't know how to do links, so:

www.thetimesonline.com
click on Opinion
click on Letters to Editor

The title of the letter is "Rottweiler doesn't belong at cross country competitions"

If indeed this particular Rottie was barking and jumping at runners as they passed, then he obviously was not well trained and a poor representative of our breed.

What angers me is the author of this letter stating that the blue cloth leash did not look adequate to hold back a 200 pound dog....a chain would be safer. A chain? Also this person just had to include the recent "mauling incidents" in Chicago.

People who do not know good Rotties will just see this letter as good reason to restrict or ban the breed. I am sending my email to the paper with my opinion on this letter. I also will invite this person to meet Elijah. Sure would love it if some more of you would read this "Letter to the Editor" and send the paper an email! Thanks!

[lblax]

Rottweiler doesn't belong at cross country competitions

Letter to the Editor


The Lake Central spectator who took her rottweiler to the Gavit Invitational on Aug. 25 was wrong to do so. While I understand that we all adore our family pets and think everyone will love them also, I felt unsafe with the dog at this cross country event.

That person's position on the field was just a few feet from the athletes' path. Each time a runner passed, the huge dog barked incessantly and jumped up and down. An entanglement could have occurred easily with the dog and the passing athlete. In addition, I don't believe a blue cloth leash is adequate to hold back a 200-pound dog. A chain would be safer.

The news has recently been broadcasting mauling incidents with animals such as that one. While I am certain the owner believes the dog would never hurt anyone, anything is possible. I'd rather not be a part of that risk.

For the safety and enjoyment of everyone, leave the dog at home from now on.

Lori A. Alicea Valparaiso

I posted the story for you!! this is how our dogs get bad reps. if the dog was barking and jumping at every runner then his owner should have removed him from the area. and if nearby i'm not sure if i would have felt safe either

[Elijah's Mom]

Thanks for posting the story, Iblax!

[moondog]

After reading the story, I completely agree with the letter. The only thing I would change is the addressee.......it should be sent to the owner of the dog.

As Rottie owners, we all must recognize the threat, real or imagined, that they evoke in many people. I don't think the potential danger in this situation was imagined. If I was a runner and came across a lunging, barking Rottweiler, I would immediately STOP RUNNING. If I was running because I was in a cross-country race I can't help but agree that the dog should not be there.

If indeed the dog was 200 lbs (unlikely), I can understand how the person could think that the leash was not strong enough. Even if the leash WAS strong enough and the dog was 130 lbs, a Rottweiler without manners could easily get away from the handler. They are strong dogs. I don't doubt that it looked like the dog needed a chain to this person. That just shows their ignorance of the breed - I would have written that the dog needed to be attached to an immovable object!

It's unfortunate that this happened and even more unfortunate that it was a Rottweiler. Luckily noone was physically injured, but it sure did hurt the reputation of the breed. :(

[Elijah's Mom]

I don't blame the author of the letter for being upset at the way this Rottie acted or for asking the owner not to bring it to an event again. This dog is obviously not well trained and certainly not socialized.

I do feel that it is important to try to get a positive letter about Rotties put into the paper to counteract this negative publicity. I emailed the paper but it came back permanent fatal error, so if it does not go through later I will write the letter and send it in.

Basically what I said in my response was that Iwould like for Lisa to meet my Rottie, Elijah. We have met many people who disliked Rotties and they have fallen in love with him. I listed his accomplishments in school and Canine Good Citizen twice. I also made a point of stating that there are many Rottie owners that train and socialize their dogs and they are a joy to behold.

A friend that came for the Labor Day weekend had heard we had a Rottie. When he first greeted her she was petrified....by the time she left after two days she said she wanted to get a Rottie! Made me proud! You only know what you experience.

:)

[Elijah's Mom]

Well, I mailed my letter to the editor today. I told him I doubted it would be published because a newspaper rarely prints any good news about a Rottie, but we'll see what happens.

[BJROTTN]

NEW 2 COMPUTERS...JUST GUIDE ME ON HOW 2 FIND IT AFTER I CLICK ON AND THEY WILL GET MY 2 CENTS WORTH. MY MAIN GOAL PERTAINING 2 ROTTIES IS 2 MAKE SURE THAT THE BREED IS NOT MISUNDERSTOOD AND WILL FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL 4 THE BREED. CHECK OUT UNDER ROTTWEILER AND THEN KEEP GOING UNTIL U FIND THE SITE PANTHEON OF HEROIC ROTTWEILERS. IT WILL BE AFTER 191-205 AND CLICK MORE AND YOU WILL SEE WONDERFUL HEROIC STORIES ABOUT ROTTIES RESCUING PEOPLE OR THE EMAIL ADDRESS IS NOGOODKRIS@AOL.COM. LOVE THIS WEBSITE AND SINCE I HAVE BEEN ON THE FORUM I JUST HAVE NOT HAD THE TIME 2 CHECK IT OUT LATELY, BUT I THINK THIS IS RIGHT UP YOUR ALLEY.

[Elijah's Mom]

I just tried to find it and was not successful. It would be in the archives under "opinion" as it was a letter to the editor on Sept. 9th. As far as I know, my response was not published...newspapers don't print a whole lot of good Rottie stories. I will definately look up the site you recommended-thanks!

[Elijah's Mom]

The paper published my letter today!:D Go to www.thetimesonline.com (keyword:Rottweiler):D

[CajunsMom]

Congrats! Elijah's Mom. I'm sad cuz I can't get the web site to come up so I can read it. I'll keep trying.

Sandy

[RSQRottweiler]

Great letter, Elijah's Mom! :)

[moondog]

Good for you, Elijah's Mom! I couldn't get to the timesonline either :( ( I think Afghanistan might be reading the paper this morning) :)

[rottmommie]

i CANT read it either.....if there is someone who can read it could you please cut, paste and put on the forum so we can all enjoy it???
SIGH!!

[Elijah's Mom]

Geez....first time in my life I ever got a letter published and the site is having technical difficulties!!!! :( Hopefully you can get it later today!

[Burnsway]

Finally got in...Good job Elijahs Mom


A well trained rottweiler is a joy to behold, even at meets

Letter to the Editor

Posted Friday, September 21, 2001

I have just finished reading the letter from Lori in Valparaiso entitled "Rottweiler doesn't belong at cross country competitions."

I did not attend the event that Lori refers to, so I can only go by the information stated in her letter. If indeed this dog barked and jumped at the runners as they passed, he is not a well trained rottweiler and was disruptive.

I invite Lori to meet my rottweiler. Elijah is 21 months old and approximately 97 pounds. Elijah and I have graduated basic obedience, advanced obedience, received the AKC canine good citizen certificate two years in a row, completed beginning and advanced agility, and we are continuing agility classes at a very reputable training facility in Indiana.

There are many responsible rottweiler owners such as myself. We love our breed and we raise our rotties in a positive environment with good socialization and training. The result is a wonderful dog. Unfortunately, our dogs do not get on the 6 o'clock news. Nobody is interested in hearing good news.

I can take Elijah to any event and be assured that he will make me proud of him. I have met many people who were afraid of rottweilers, and Elijah opened their eyes and showed them that a well trained rottie is a joy to behold.

Nancy C. Sherman

Crete