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THE CURRENT ROTTWEILER

By Oliver Neubrand (Vom Hause Neubrand, Germany)

Interview and Article by Tina Finn, Finland, year 2006

Adapted by Jaime Amigo (CHILE), http://www.vhamigo.cl

Translated to the english by Marta Elena "PRAO LA SALVE KENNEL" (SPAIN), http://www.rottweilers.es

Wherever you Rottweilers enthusiasts know, no matter where you are, the conversation is

quickly led to the state of our breed today. Is still the Rottweiler a working dog? How has

change the breed in recent years and what the future holds for today's Rottweiler? I told Oliver

Neubrand, from the prestigious kennel vom Hause Neubrand, to share with us their Rottweiler

thoughts about today. Oliver is a coach, helper and handler recognized competitor worldwide.

In recent years he has taught numerous training seminars around the world therefore can offer

a broad perspective on the topic. But let us tell the story Oliver ...

It has been 30 years since my family started

Rottweilers breeding under the kennel "vom Hause Neubrand" in 1976.

Find information about the breeding of

dogs was not Easy to mid 70's as it is now.

There was no internet ,not many books to

learn, so learning is obtained "doing." This

was the case with my parents. Our first

litter was born in facilities that were in fact

used to raise pigs. In those days there

were no laws animal protection or

restrictions on the handling and pet care,

there was not much knowledge on the

subject. The mentality in the rearing of

litters was based almost natural selection

"eat or die", it sounds brutal today. The puppies were not socialized as we now know they

need, in fact, many farmers thought that the more aggressive was the best dog was. Many

people who wanted to buy a Rottweiler, they wanted a guard dog not a dog for show or work,

less family pet. The breeding of those days did not need license and the selection of sires was

not based on the driving and less on his fitness for the female to breeding. The dogs even with

HD + were used for breeding and were not required hip imaging studies. We're not in those

days.

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Things have really changed since those days. Currently, the national associations of breeding

and local breeding clubs set the standard for breeding through certain restrictions and

requirements licensing breeding litters checks, tests of breeding, testing results in work , etc..

There are laws to protect dogs, which define the size of Kennels and housing conditions. There

limitations on the use of stud dogs and the number of litters a bitch can occur during her life

and so on To be successful today, a breeder really have to care for their dogs! The Puppy

buyers today know the pedigrees and what they want and require guarantees to the breeders

regarding health, results of HD / ED, eyes and teeth, some even want to guarantee that the

puppy are buying will be a great show dog or the next working invincible evidence. People do

not want just any Rottweiler dog, want a big, black mouth, dark eyes, strong bones, large head,

social character, high drive, drive a lot of consistency and energy.

In Germany, there are some problematic issues concerning the upbringing of the Rottweiler

today. With a limited number of approved breeding males available and the growing demand

for overseas German Rottweilers our genetic stack keeps getting smaller every day. For us the

use of a breeding male after he has served overseas, is not an option. As the quality of a

breeding male can only be seen through his product, leave us with much conjecture, with

regard to most of the male sold even before seeing the actual product.

Modern techniques such as DNA or semen shipment are currently banned in Germany, and the

use of foreign lines. In today's world of breeding dogs, breeding dogs are valuable animals

which breeders are careful to ensure their welfare, this includes the use of premium food, the

best veterinary care available and the total of dogs. In the "old days", for example, would have

sacrificed a dog with one torn ligament, it is now natural to fix it!

CONFORMATION AND SHOWS

As for the conformation, I think the shows have really evolved since the first Klubsieger in 1971

to Klubsieger 2006. While in 1971 we only had about 10 foreign exhibitors, in 2006 the German

exhibitors were a minority, 30% of total inscriptions. The total number of entries has also

increased 4 times the amount of the first show, making the event Klubsieger Rottweilers in the

most important and prestigious of the year.

The requirements of a Show Rottweiler

also have changed slightly over time,

while the color of eyes and pigmentation

were accustomed to play an important

role in the past and was unthinkable to

present a show dog with pink paint in

corners of the mouth, judges today could

be considered purely cosmetic, was more

weight in a correct structure, good top

line and movement. Interestingly, that

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temperament was not used to be a problem and aggressiveness was no reason why we had to

disqualify the dog, as is currently Today, the emphasis is on style, look powerful, large size,

excellent condition and excellent presentation.

No dog can win in the ring unless it is well presented,good color and fur often overshadow

other more important factors as a free and powerful movement.

As breeder and trainer, I would love to extend a wish for any judge to judge a Rottweiler in the

show ring and has to be a difference between strong and mighty Rottweiler and a Rottweiler

like a mastiff or a St. Bernard! We have a breed standard very precise we should not get away

extreme in any direction.

A Rottweiler should be neither too heavy nor too big nor too thin and insubstantial.

When we consider the whole world of Rottweiler breeders believe that Germans are having a

hard time trying to stay ahead of many of their international counterparts in terms of

conformation and that the standards imposed by the ADRK, are possibly the most stringent the

world. These rules are made not only to ensure the raising of a handsome Rottweiler but to

preserve the complete Rottweiler, who has the look for shows and work ability. In some

countries there is not even X-ray studies requirements for discard of HD, leaving only the

results of work. All these requirements ensure the special German Rottweiler. It is my opinion

that the German Rottweilers, dominate the show ring In the future as they are presented as

working dogs complete with breeders who point to the balance between temperament and

beauty. Achieving this balance should be the goal of raising the Rottweiler Anywhere.

The ban on tail docking has changed a little the appearance of our Rottweiler, because of

course the tail affects the top line.

In fact it is the rump of the dogs is a little different than it was, the reason for what happened

that is that if the dogs still had a narrow group, the tail is inserted incorrectly and the carrying

of the tail would not be in the way that we would like.The current trend in the back line, leans

toward a slightly sloping croup which allows the tail dock correctly without roll over the back

of the dog.

I personally prefer a Rottweiler with a tail. In fact, I love a Rottweiler with a tail and I would not

return to the days when queues were amputated.

I also think there are so many positive things that come with the tail: people can "read" better

to dogs including those who are "people dogs" and the dog gets especially look more friendly.

In addition, all dogs move with a better balance with a tail, are more flexible and rapid corners

and, therefore, better for the job.

Shows the competition now is much tougher now than 30 years ago. It is a challenge for the

judges to be able to pass a trial of the dog without letting your own feelings interfere with it.

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However, it is essential that any of those feelings are put aside when you are judging a dog in

the ring.

HEALTH AND CHARACTER

Perhaps the problem about which there has been talk over the Rottweiler or any other big

breed is the issue of HD / ED. find it incredible that there are still countries that do not require

HD plates / ED for material offspring!

The hip dysplasia problems often can

arise from poor care, poor nutrition

and wrong level of exercise (or too

little or too much) in puppies. Since I

can not speak for the results of any

other country apart from Germany, I

can say our statistics in terms of HD

are really good. This is due to the

work he has done in terms ADRK

promoting this issue through the

years.

A few years ago, also started to radiographed the elbows our dogs.

This is a process learning as we try to specify potential risks of certain lines. However, I think

that the are not a big problem in our breed as it does not happen real dysplasia. In my opinion

dogs should be X-rayed before the training seriously, as the stress of training, whether at work,

playing ball, jumping and the like, take their toll on the physical side of the dog. As health

requirements about breeding material, I find enough for two dogs with acceptable levels of HD

/ ED.

Another major health problems of the Rottweiler that has emerged in recent years is the

problem of the ligaments. However, there is not a real way to solve this problem only with the

selection of breeding, the only way to resolve and possibly eliminate this problem is to be

honest and open when making the selection for breeding.

Sometimes you listen to the old owners of Rottweilers to say, the Rottweiler is not what it was.

I think that this complaint does not really have much substance, and that what really changed

was the way to care for and train our dogs.

The puppies are socialized and familiar with handling a very early age and training methods

have been developed much. Along with the training methods and information now available,

handlers, coaches and helpers have improved their work. We have realized that the old method

"to shock" simply does not work and do not gives us the desired results.The public focus on

certain breeds as "dangerous" and problematic dogs that have made headlines have

emphasized the need for socialization and proper training. Personally I find that today's

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Rottweiler has improved in temperament, when you think, should not be bad for our dogs to

work in high levels of IPO and at the same time, be social and friendly.

In the past there were many dogs that bite immediately if a person was close to them or if they

were very close to a person regardless of whether they were elderly, children or another dog.

Our own product Brando, was so. The owners used to be very proud of their powerful dogs

dangerous, an attitude that is hardly acceptable or even possible in today's world. There is a

history of one of the first breeding tests in which a handler was so badly bitten by his own dog

was to be taken immediately to hospital, was not a reason for disqualification, however,As a

friend came to the rescue and drove the dog to be measured (which is now wearing a muzzle),

had to put a dumbbell

in your mouth, for someone to check their teeth and bite. Protection in those days maybe was

stronger than now, due to the use of the stick and helpers without training, moreover, was not

required the "out. "

I like to tell the story of my own dog SchH 3, which has traveled with me several times at

seminars and competitions in different corners of the globe. Airport has walked with me and

has stayed in hotels. Last year there was a situation where just finishing the protection in the

IFR, WC in Florida and a family approached me asking if they could pet the dog, I said yes and

then the children came to this big Rottweiler and stroked and this was right after winning the

highest score in the protection of that particular test.

The Rottweiler is changing in character over time as we are. Modern society sets its standards

and requirements for bringing new challenges and opportunities. It's an evolution that the

Rottweiler lives through us, and that's how it should be.

THE WORKING ROTTWEILER

Demands of the working rottweiler today, are many should be faster, more accurate and must

seem more energetic when working, should have more sense courage. Often judge, against the

qualities of our race, and not apreciate

what the Rottweiler has to offer on a

sporting level. Then, what are the

qualities that make a Rottweiler can

compete in sports against their

opponents dogs lighter and faster? I

would say above all, his nerves. The

Rottweiler dog is by nature a super stable

and secure himself with a strong mind,

calm appearance and generally a good

drive for food. Once the handler finds a

way to put these qualities in its favor, the

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Rottweiler will triumph! He will exact exercises in obedience and strong guard, bite hard and

full, dominant work in protection, and an intense calm in tracking.

On the other hand our problem is obvious, the speed is not made for their size. When you think

about it, a 50-kg Rottweiler should be in top physical condition to withstand the heat and

pressure of a test in mid-summer heat with a black coat. No matter how good a Rottweiler will

never be faster than a German Shepherd or Malinois. In today's tests where speed seems to be

the most desirable quality, the Rottweiler has no chance even giving everything he have. For

the sake of the sport of Schutzhund, and of course, the Rottweiler, the jury must take into

account the difference between the races. In many test For all breeds, the helper's work has

changed from what it should be (within the rules) to a consistent style for the modern working

breeds such as Malinois. With the difference of breeds and the opposite are Rottweiler and a

Malinois, is obvious that Rottweiler will suffer at the hands of a helper of this type.

The Rottweiler is a serious dog that needs serious helper and of course, that you run it at full

capacity, the threat and pressure must be real for a Rottweiler to respond. When a helper

moves sideways instead of directly

above the dog in a re-attack, the

Rottweiler might not take it seriously

and as a result lose points on the test.

Take your dog in a way that the

Rottweiler can not use all his body to

fight against pressure the dog earn

points as another race could do only

by adhering to the sleeve with a full

bite while running next to the helper

You can see many other examples

that occur in tests for all breeds. We

will have to find a way to train our Rotts to keep pace with these changes or, as has happened

in many cases, changing to a different breed in order to succeed in dog sports. We have lost

many talented helpers with other breeds and it's a shame because I am convinced that the

working qualities of a Rottweiler still exist!.

Meanwhile, there have been a great couple of working Rottweilers deserve mention here: Ken

vom Sternbogen and Torro vom Zimmerplatz, both were very impressive in the work and spent

his super temperament to his offspring. It is still seen this kind of character in this stable line of

working dogs who now have Ken or Torro in the 4th or 5th generation. It's really funny that

these dogs are considered the basis of some "lines of work" as the two also were famous for

their conformation.

However, these dogs were great because of its special quality coupled with very good

handlers, helpers and successful training. This is the package needed to succeed in the sport of

dogs.

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A good dog alone will not win trophies, nor will do a good handler. Schutzhund has always

been and will be a team sport where all parts must be in place.

Personally speaking, based on my experience as a coach, I can say that the material for a good

working Rottweiler is still there. From Finland to USA, from France to South America, there is

enough material. The question is how to get them all since first, in many places the problem lies

in the helpers, trainers and handlers

who have no experience working at

Rottweiler by own choice or prefer to

work other breeds. The Rottweiler is

a dog mature slowly and, therefore,

must be trained patience, consistency

and taking it step by step. He needs

to be trained with a strong hand, fair

and know how to keep your focus

and motivation while required to be

accurate, precise and correct. In

obedience to the quandary is

whether the dog is trained only through game whereby will never develop strength to

withstand serious test or if the dog is trained so badly the dog stops working altogether.

In training, the motivation must be maintained to some degree with elements of surprise, as

the Rottweiler with his great intelligence, early decode routine and will be discouraged just do

the same thing over and over again. Is very sad to see in competitions and testing a Rottweiler

is poorly presented like a dog loose, weak and without drive, and definitely not the case.

It is important to our working breed the qualities of work are respected and maintained in the

breeding. We should not try to breed Rottweilers with Malinois temperament, should not be

permitted to turn them into Labrador Retrievers. The characteristics we need to seek to

ensure that the Rottweiler continues to be a working breed are:

- High prey drive with steady nerves.

- Self-confidence without much dominance.

- Firmness without being unmanageable.

- Balance in areas of drive (between prey and defense).

- Health and strength.

- Willingness to work.

Having emphasized the need to preserve the working qualities, we must also ensure that the

Rottweiler will always look like a Rottweiler in the future. When you see a dog on the street

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and wonder if it will be a Rottweiler or a Doberman, you know something has gone wrong. A

Rottweiler should look like a Rottweiler even when used for the job.

Owning a big dog comes with a responsibility, we must remember that the Rottweiler not is a

dog yet for all the world and can cause problems when in the wrong hands. A negative news is

one more for our breed that in some countries, is within the potentially dangerous breeds.

Socialization and dog training and education buyers of puppies and the owners are the key to

break prejudice on the Rottweiler and prevent the negative image that lies on them in some

places.

National and local organizations should work to eliminate uncontrolled breeding and the use

of dogs that do not meet the standard requirements for breeding. It can be concluded that

the Rottweiler should be raised, managed and trained keeping in mind the demands of modern

society, this is the only way we can continue to enjoy this wonderful breed.

The Rottweiler can have a great future as the breed is popular around the world, but what we,

owners, trainers, helpers and breeders must ensure is that the popularity is for good.

Should be the interest of everyone to have more cooperation in the world of Rottweilers,

cooperation between different national clubs and organizations, and between coaches, helpers

and handlers who work their Rottweilers in the fields of training every day.

International seminars and training camps are a great way of cooperation. I also see with

great joy that the IFR (International Friends of the Rottweiler) plays an important role in

improving the breed in all aspects including shows, working trials, breeding and education. The

more people join our strongest breed will be and the greater the benefit for the race.

While I see the future of the Rottweiler, I see a growing interest in the development and how

the breeding process in some countries is concentrated only show material. At the same time,

there are many new breeders that one could not have imagined that have many Rottweiler

were reproducing for themselves. The market for high quality dogs is growing and people are

willing to invest in a dog that has capacity for work and the look needed to show. With the big

shows held every year around the world, competition remains strong. In most countries you

can get a Rottweiler who can win in any show, any day with little trifles that make the

difference. This is what we have achieved with globalization.

However, it is a shame that people still working Rottweiler a minority in the world of

Rottweiler and within their respective countries. I am very aware that there is much interest in

some countries to work to the Rottweiler for the sport of Schutzhund, and is a misfortune that

this interest is often affected by the near impossibility of finding helpers and qualified coaches

who understand and appreciate qualities of our breed. However, those handlers that are

serious about training are willing to travel long distances to train, learn and educate themselves

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The organization of national and international seminars taught by talented coaches is a great

way to multiply the awareness and knowledge, to exchange thoughts to the Rottweiler and

have some good training, all in one place.

Only there are a few countries have rules and regulations imposed by national breeding

associations to help achieve and maintain complete Rottweiler. Preserving the total Rottweiler

should be the common goal Rott community worldwide.

Oliver Neubrand & Jaime Amigo. Santiago de Chile, 2004.

Visit to Chile and Training Seminar and Monograph trial Rottweilers organized by the ex ADRC.

Oliver Neubrand & Marta Elena Asturias, Spain, January 2011.

Visit to Asturias and Training Seminar.