rottweIler hIstory todAy In the MAkIng While on countless fronts the world has become a battle for “mindshare” (a corporate term referring to the use of every available avenue for obtaining a space in one’s mind) the dog world has moved accordingly, rendering with this age a tug of war between those who as true guardians strive to respect and protect the Rottweiler heritage given to us by the ADRK in the 1920s (and preceding generations)—and those who demand “choice” as it relates to conventional or convenient standard modifications and not so differently as that accomplished in the indulgent spirit of self as demonstrated by the Athenian general in the ancient Greek story. It is a battle between “rights” and “responsi- bilities,” with internet and online chats having “gone live” with Rottweiler history in the making as commentary, debate, and reflection salt and divide the once unified spirit of the Rottweiler fancy. Dedicated breeders and exhibi- tors have raised thousands to protect and defend the standard in face of efforts by a small few in political seats who seek to revoke the Rottweiler’s status as a docked breed. The major- ity continue to lovingly showcase the breed not only in conformation, but in performance and working events, parades, therapy, and carting, among others, while simultaneously push- ing back against detractors and oppo- nents who seek to target the Rottweiler and undermine the heritage through regulatory, anti-dog, and breed spe- cific legislation. It is a significant and challenging period in the history of the Rottweiler. In their co-authored work, Joan Klem and Susan Rademacher cite the historical essence of the Rottweiler spirit as described by Hans Korn (1939 Rottweiler Expert and author of Der Rottweiler ): “a dog with unfailing good humor... with willingness to forget unpleasant events”—or, alternatively, in the words of Herr Pienkoss (former ADRK President and Founder of the IFR, International Foundation of Rott- weilerfriends) as he notes the breed’s “refinement”: “Refinement implies in the dog, descent from forbearers which rose above the average in form and working performance. A dog with refinement is also one which is beauti- ful, noble and proud looking. Size is not
the main feature of the refined dog, but beautiful, clear outlines and a harmoni- ously proportioned body. Refinement does not express itself only in the form, but also in posture and character. Tem- perament without pushiness, courage without wildness, friendliness with a touch of reserve.” Heritage boasts an intrinsic value based on a promise and a tradition transferred across successive genera- tions. It does not automatically confer value, but it creates the necessary foun- dations to do so. One can not adopt a shortsighted perspective on the Rott- weiler’s history. His heritage is not only what sets him apart from others; it is his essence and his splendor, fitting for this generation and the next—to be guarded by those who appreciate the breed’s proud lineage. ABout the Authors Suzan Guynn, Cammcastle Rottweilers Suzan Guynn,
Rodsden “A” litter, out of Astrid of Rodsden, a gift from her brother Pat on her graduation from Northwestern University School of Speech. She per- sonally trained and competed in con- formation, obedience and tracking with her dogs. She shared the love of the Rottweiler with her husband, Dick Klem, who served as Medallion Rott- weiler Club (MRC) President in 1962. Their three sons were raised with Rott- weilers, and her granddaughter Chan- dra earned MRC Best Junior Handler, followed by her great granddaughter Brianna winning BJH in 2008, and her granddaughter, Jacalyn Joan win- ning BJH in 2011! She co-owned the registered ken- nel name “Rodsden” with her brother Pat (MRC President 1961) and does so currently with his daughter, AKC Judge Susan Rademacher. She has co-authored five books on the breed with Pat and Susan; the first in 1964, “How to Raise and Train a Rottwei- ler” and the last, “The Rottweiler Handbook” in 2001. She has written, produced and narrated two videos on the breed. “Let’s Talk about Rott- weilers” won the 1990 Dog Writers Association of America Prize for the Best Video, Education/Entertainment as presented to her at Westminster KC show. As an AKC/lnternational Judge, she has judged the Rottweiler in 16 countries. A Charter Member of the MRC, she served as President for 12 years, Trea- surer and Director; Public Education Coordinator, Judges Education Chair and President of the MRC Schutzhund Verein for five years. She served as Spe- cialty Chair for the first Independent and the “Rottweiler Super Bowl” Spe- cialty and many in between. She was the fourth President of the IFR and Coordinator of the 1997 Conference held in Wheaton, IL sponsored by the ARC and MRC, and she was a Charter Member of ARC, MRC’s founding del- egate to ARC, first Treasurer, Director, ARC Education Coordinator and Head Presenter and ARC nominee for AKC Lifetime Achievement Award. She was chosen to judge Best in Specialty Show at the 50th Anniversary of the Medal- lion Rottweiler Club. She indicates that there has hardly been a day in the last fifty years that she and her family have not thought about the breed and the MRC.
operating under the AKC regis- tered kennel name Cammcastle, has been breeding and exhibiting Rottwei-
lers for over 25 years. Cammcastle has bred and/or owned over 75 AKC Rott- weiler champions including multiple top ten dogs and bitches, multiple Best in Show winners, multiple Best in Spe- cialty Show winners, three American Rottweiler Club Top Twenty winners, and a nationally ranked #2 Work- ing Group Rottweiler. Suzan credits her dogs’ successes to the diverse and exceptional people owned by these dogs, people who routinely dedicate themselves to their dogs’ health, train- ing and general well-being—and who enthusiastically participate in oppor- tunities to showcase the results. More- over, she credits her husband Doug for his patience with and support of this ever demanding avocation—and her children, for not only the walks, baths and mock Rottweiler shows they con- duct with their friends, but the many positive baseball and soccer sideline encounters they have facilitated for Cammcastle puppies. Joan Klem, Rodsden Rottweilers Joan Klem registered her first lit- ter of Rottweilers in 1949 from the
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