8. Noble Th e word “noble” is not actually in the Standard, but many Rottweiler own- ers, breeders, and lovers will tell you that the overall impression of strength, power and agility in a calm, self-assured pack- age results in a dog that creates a “pres- ence”—one of nobility. Whether looking at the dog’s headpiece or the overall pic- ture of the dog in the way it interacts with others around them, you should have the feeling that there is something special about the Rottweiler, both in attitude and construction. In closing, I hope that as a judge or new owner you will take the time to look at these pictures again and remember there is more to this breed and celebrat- ing its many qualities than a piece of paper called Th e Breed Standard. While those elements are certainly important in creating the modern Rottweiler, the heart and soul of the breed are the tasks and services that it can and willingly will perform for us as loving owners and trainers. A strong, powerful, agile, calm, intelligent and self-assured dog in a black and tan package is surely one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves in life. Meet a Rottweiler, and celebrate these wonderful dogs today. BIO Jeff Shaver is the immediate past President for five (5) years of the American Rottweiler Club. He is the past President of the Rottweiler Res- cue Foundation and is currently on the Board of the Rottweiler Health Foun- dation. He and his wife, Lew Olson (an AKC Conformation Judge for the Working Group) have a combined 65 years experience in the breed, and using the “Blackwood” Kennel name have bred over 40 breed Champions, mul- tiple agility, obedience, tracking and working titled Rottweilers, as well as having owned and/or shown multiple Best-In-Show, Best-In-Specialty show and Top Ten Ranked Rottweilers. Jeff is currently an all-level AKC Tracking Judge. They live in Magnolia, Texas with their Rottweilers, Brussels Grif- fons, and horses.
and function through the ages, even before it gained its modern look, the Rottweiler’s heritage is one that would have required an intelligent dog to survive the rigors of cross-continent cattle driving, guard- ing and adapting to perform any tasks its owners asked. Even more so in the modern Rottweiler, I believe intelligence is a trait that breeders have done an exceptional job developing and presenting to you, the gen- eral public, and dog show judges. Whether it be tracking (see Figure 5), which requires the dog to think in conjunction with use of its exceptional olfactory senses, advanced obedience, or police/military function... smart dogs figure it out, and in the process make our lives better. 6. Agile Agility is something often over- looked in the breed. You cannot sacrifice agility solely to gain power and strength. A dog must be strong and powerful but at the same time agile and constructed in a manner to allow all these attributes to shine in performing what we ask of the Rottweiler in a modern society. Of course, what better way to demonstrate “agility” than in agility exercises? Make no sacri- fice when looking at the Rottweiler and asking yourself if the dog can per- form; an agile Rottweiler is essential to function. See Figure 6, does this dog look agile? (IÀFLHQF\(QGXUDQFH E ffi ciency in movement creates endur- ance in function. If the Rottweiler you are looking at is not e ffi cient when it moves (whether trotting, loping, or in a full sprint) the dog will break down and will not be able to function as intended and described in the Standard. An e ffi - cient mover creates the endurance that was necessary in the breeds’ ancestors for sustained work on the farm, driving cat- tle, or pulling carts, sometimes with very heavy loads. You can read the Standard on how the dog is to be built, but looking at pictures (see Figure 7) and understand- ing that the form requires this to result in e ffi cient movement that creates endur- ance is a di ff erent way of looking at the same Rottweiler.
Fig. 6: Agile
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Fig. 8: Noble
Author, Jeff Shaver
236 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , A UGUST 2014
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