Living with the RottweiLeR By Pamela Marsh Gamegards Rottweilers
A fter 30-plus years of sharing my home and heart with this magnif- icent breed, it seemed I could barely remember a time of NOT “Living with the Rottweiler”! As I pondered over how to approach this article, it came to me that the only way I can present this is from experience—from the heart—for the Rottweiler has most certainly become the heart of me. What stands out about this magnificent breed is their versatility, combined with their intelligence. Th ey will do just about anything you ask them to do. From herd- ing, carting, obedience, agility, tracking, conformation, search and rescue or service/ assistance dogs—including therapy work, from reading programs with children to
visiting nursing homes and hospitals. Ask them! Th ey will do it! Be it at home, work or at show; in the water, snow or air—ask them! Th ey will do it! No matter what their role in your life, you will most likely find they give 100%. Th e Rottweiler is a loyal, loving dog— devoted, dependable and smart. I can’t say that enough.. smart! When working with various people who are having “problems” with their dog, my first statement is, “You have to be smarter than the dog!” Oh, how true that is! A perfect example takes me back several years ago to one of our Spe- cialty shows. I remember watching the Breed, and one of the top bitches caught my eye... not so much for her beauty at the time, but her antics! She was having a great time; however, the handler was not! Th e handler was insistent on doing things
the same way repeatedly; the bitch was not. It was clear to me how bored she was. She was trying to entertain herself, and I might add, being quite cute about it—she had a twinkle in her eye and that darling smile on her face! She locked eyes with me several times and, no doubt in my mind, knew she was entertaining me. Th ey are so smart! Th at ring time could have been turned into a positive situation, instead of a battle. She was doing everything she needed to do, but she was just doing it her own way. Rottweilers need something to do, because they are not good when left to their own devices. Even if it is something as sim- ple as teaching them tricks, they love it! You can just see them smile. Th ey have a wonder- ful willingness to please and a great sense of humor. How they love to make you laugh!
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