Rottweiler Q & A
litter they produce. We are working to maintain breed type and working function with correct structure. Temperament is so much better now than in years past and we can be proud of the numerous therapy dogs from our breed that do so much for people. Those breeding with less than desired health certifications or no certifications at all, or breeding without consideration for tempera- ment or structure. In addition, those breeding for an extreme head which in all actuality limits the working and breathing ability of our breed. I feel breeders need to concentrate on always keeping our breed standard in mind when choosing breeding partners, striving to keep breed type and the proportions needed for form and function and working towards breeding dogs with strong character, intelligence, working attitude and ability and a profile that no one can challenge belongs to a Rottweiler. I actually feel that most of the new judges to our breed are really trying to judge it favorably and honestly. I believe they are keeping up to date with the standard and are looking to find a dog with correct breed type, balance, proportions and quality. The ones I have mentored and associated with at judges study groups are truly interested in knowing what to look for and how it all flows together to make the complete dog. Has the current wave of “dangerous dog” legislation affected me? Not me or my dogs directly, but I have friends who have been denied insurance or they have been refused entrance to public parks, etc., due to having our breed. We all need to actively work towards good PR for our breed. Does the docking and cropping ban in other parts of the world impact me? It does not impact me directly. I firmly believe the Rottweiler is a docked breed but I also understand that in many countries, docking and cropping have been banned. I cannot penal- ize a dog from those countries from having a tail and believe each judge should judge according to the standard of the country they are judging in. My favorite dog show memory? I have many, from being present when a dog we bred won his first Best In Show, when I personally handled a bitch to a BISS on her second birthday, winning over many top ranked dogs in the country to do so, when a bitch we bred was awarded the ARC Gold Production award from her one and only litter of seven puppies. There are so many great memories I have from being in this breed for almost 35 years. I am blessed that we have bred many great dogs whose owners have taken them to accomplishments we never thought would happen. I have found that most Rotties love having fun. Their intelli- gence can bring a sense of humor to many occasions which makes for a lot of laughable times with them. They can be and are, won- derful companions and the time or effort you put into them they give back in so many ways. They are capable of doing so much – obedience, tracking, therapy work, herding, agility, carting, barn hunt, rally, dock diving, conformation and so much more—they love working with their humans and their loyalty to their human family is unmatched—they will bring a smile to your face and a warm feeling of genuine love for our breed. JACKIE PAYNE I’m a native Floridian. I’m a practicing Dental Hygienest for 40 years, working now 1/2 day a week. I’m a full time Massage Thera- pist specializing in TMJ and facial disorders. I live with my four Rotti girls ,so needless to say, we always training for something. I’m also considered “Gma” by all my puppies and owners. And then there is always the beach. I live in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Outside of dogs I have an extremely busy Massage Therapy practice. I’ve owned Rottweilers about 30 years. I bought a bitch from a show breeder in 2005 as a pet and in only her third time showing
The dog that takes a few strides to get going are often the most correct. They are not necessarily showy or flashy, but our breed is not a circus pony. We are quiet, ground covering and efficient working dogs. The funniest thing: I was at a show, standing ringside in front of a “breeder” who was explaining to some folks that the reason her dogs had narrow heads was for better aerodynamics. True story! SHARON MARPLES I obtained my
first Rottweiler in 1985 as a gift from my husband who had been in the breed for many years. We joined the American Rottweiler Club in 1990, I served as a member of the Board of Directors from 2011-2015 and was the recipient of the club’s Bruce Billings Good Sportsman- ship Award in 2012. I am a member of
several other Rottweiler and working dog clubs as well. Having obtained full status as a Rottweiler judge in 2014, I added Bernese Mountain Dogs, Newfoundlands and Samoyeds in 2017 and am working towards adding several additional working breeds in 2019. Over the last couple of years I have judged at multiple all-breed shows and many Rottweiler specialties including the Gulfstream Rottweiler Club 31st Independent Specialty, the Rottweiler Club of New Mexico Independent Specialty, the ARC Region IV Spe- cialty, the Colonial Rottweiler Club Specialty in May of 2018 and the highlight of them all, the American Rottweiler Club National Specialty in May of 2019 where I judged Intersex, the bitch classes, stud dog and broodbitch classes and the 4-6 puppy competition. My husband and I, with the kennel name of Von Marc Rott- weilers, have bred multiple Best In Show dogs, numerous Top Ten and High In Trial dogs in breed, obedience, agility and rally, a Top Twenty Competition winner, multiple American Rottweiler Club Versatility and Versatility Excellent dogs and many Production Award winners. I have enjoyed being a Breeder/Owner/Handler for 30 + years, having personally finished over 23 Champions. I live in the Coeur d’Alene area of North Idaho. Outside of spending special time with my husband, I still work and will be celebrating my 28th anniversary this year at a wonderful company. I also volunteer to our local 4-H association and work with the up and coming handlers they have in their organization. My husband bought me my very first Rottweiler in 1985. We produced our first litter in 1988 and that started my handling career. I have been a judge since 2014; have several of the working group that I judge and am working towards adding more. The secret to a successful breeding program is being able to get past being “kennel blind,” understanding the good and bad attri- butes of the individuals you have produced and trying to correct and better each litter that you plan. Work to produce breed type and for the structure that allows your dog to do what the breed has been doing for hundreds of years. The condition of the Rottweiler breed today? I believe that we are in very good shape; I feel that most of the ethical breeders of today (those that do and disclose all health testing and breed to our standard) are trying their best to produce a great dog with each
250 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , J UNE 2019
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