Is this how you'd like to see the Rottweiler in the future?

Should the U.S. Rottweiler Standard add a disqualification for dogs shown with a full tail?

ARC Board Letter to AKC Working Judges (4th Quarter 2001):

Dear Judges:

The American Rottweiler Club would like to thank you for the time, thoughtfulness and energy you bring to your judging of our breed.  We believe that your conscientious selections contribute greatly to the quality of the Rottweiler in this country.

At this time, we are writing to reaffirm our position supporting the American Kennel Club Rottweiler breed standard, which describes the Rottweiler as a docked breed.

"Tail docked short, close to body, leaving one to two tail vertebrae."

The Rottweiler is a large, strong, handsome, and easily recognized breed and one of its defining characteristics is the docked tail.  We appreciate your attention to this important attribute of breed type.

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ARC Tails Survey Results (3rd Quarter 2001):
Option 1
The American Rottweiler Club should advise AKC judges to judge the exhibit on its merits if a dog is presented to them with an undocked tail. Received 170 votes / 36%

Option 2
The American Rottweiler Club should advise AKC judges to make their own decision if a dog is presented to them with an undocked tail.  Received 65 votes / 14%

Option 3
The American Rottweiler Club should advise AKC judges to excuse any dog which is presented to them with an undocked tail. Received 184 votes / 38%

Option 4
The American Rottweiler Club should revise our current standard to include a description of a correct tail.
Received 33 votes / 7%

Option 5
The American Rottweiler Club should revise our current standard to include an undocked tail as a disqualifying fault.  (Please note:  this will affect all Mandatory Practices/Code of Ethic Clubs in regards to breeding a dog with a disqualifying fault.)
Received 26 votes / 5%

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ARC Board Statement (2nd Quarter 2001): The dilemma which has swept across Europe concerning the tail docking issue has now touched upon our our shores and has become an unavoidable issue, which requires our immediate attention.

We are cognizant of our constituents who spoke so passionately at the National meeting in May and understand that there are many sides to the tail docking issue.  Therefore, a survey has been developed which will allow you to voice you opinion regarding Rottweilers who are undocked and competing in an AKC conformation ring.

In a past ARK publication you read the recommendation from the Tail Docking Committee consisting of Cathy Thompson, Joe Hedl, Julie Dikeman and Peter Piusz.  We are including in our cover letter excerpts from letters written by a few of the committee members.  Please read these carefully, as we feel they are important.

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Mr. Joe Hedl:  "I have always believed that our dogs should not have a tail.  The Rottweiler is a very distinguished breed and one of the most distinguishing characteristics is the fact that Rottweilers do not have tails.  I personally like the look and presence of the Rottweiler without a tail.  After reviewing the points you have mentioned, I must say that I agree that we should not change the standard to a disqualifying fault if a dog has a tail.  We would certainly lose the gene pool of the foreign-bred dogs from countries no longer allowing tail docking.  I do believe that our standard should remain as is and that it be at the AKC judge's discretion as to how to judge a dog presented with a tail as stated in Option 2 of the Questionnaire."

Mr. Peter Piusz:  "Under AKC guidelines where there are different versions of the breed with and without tails, dew claws, or ears (cropped), the judge has the option of judging using their interpretation of the breed standard to place the dog based on overall quality in competition or to excuse the dogs as not in accordance with breed standard.  This is entirely the judge's choice and is outside the scope of authority of the American Rottweiler Club.  It may be easier if you understand that he view of the AKC and the Delegates and the all-breed clubs is that every breed is governed by the same show rules and there can be no exceptions.  AKC made the recommendation that it did to try to minimize the docking and cropping issue and its legal implications.  With regard to this, we can talk about judge's education, we3 can talk about petitioning the parent club committee for support to change the AKC guidelines, but we cannot talk about what judges will and will not do as there is no way to guarantee their actions."

Mrs. Cathy Thompson:  "As a judge my job is to find the BEST dog.  I am to find the dog with the MOST.  Therefore I am supposed to use a positive scale for judging.  Everyone hates fault judges.  It a tailed Rottweiler comes into my ring I want to be able to judge the dog's qualities against the competition's good qualities.  If the tailed dog has the best type and best movement I should be able to put it up -- if isn't the best then it does not go up."

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ARC SURVEY (shortened version) (click here for entire version)

• You must be an ARC current member and  in good standing.  If you're not a member of ARC and wish to join, click here.
• You must circle only one option.
• You must return the questionnaire by August 30, 2001.
• You must sign your name in the space provided.

Option 1
The American Rottweiler Club should advise AKC judges to judge the exhibit on its merits if a dog is presented to them with an undocked tail.

Option 2
The American Rottweiler Club should advise AKC judges to make their own decision if a dog is presented to them with an undocked tail.

Option 3
The American Rottweiler Club should advise AKC judges to excuse any dog which is presented to them with an undocked tail.

Option 4
The American Rottweiler Club should revise our current standard to include a description of a correct tail.

Option 5
The American Rottweiler Club should revise our current standard to include an undocked tail as a disqualifying fault.  (Please note:  this will affect all Mandatory Practices/Code of Ethic Clubs in regards to breeding a dog with a disqualifying fault.)

ARC Board Statement (1st Quarter 2001): Our decision on tails was to leave the standard as is.  While our standard does call for a docked tail, there is no disqualification or even serious fault listed for having a tail.  The Board decided that we would have the ARC Tail Docking Committee and the Judges Education Committee work together to draft a letter to the AKC judges.  This letter would request that if a Rottweiler should come into their ring with a tail, that they judge the dog as if there were no tail.  The Board will need to approve the letter and we have every intention of publishing it for all ARC members to read.  There is none of us on the Board who would like to see tails become part of the American Standard.  We all want to see the Rottweiler remain as it, with a docked tail, and we do not intend to blindly follow the ADRK or any other country's registry.  That said, what other countries do, does affect us to some extent.

Von Wertz Rottweiler Poll Question:
Should the U.S. Rottweiler Standard add a disqualification for dogs shown with a full tail?
Poll ended 07/28/01.
Here is the breakdown of 100 votes received:

• Comments offered:

• Docked tails only for the Rottweiler!
• I have a 1yr. old and a 6 mo old and the 6mo old is just as beautiful as the 1yr old.
• I prefer docked tails, and would never buy a Rottweiler with a tail.
• Rottweilers are well known for the docked tails. They are beautiful animals without it.
• Rottweilers just look better with docked tails.
• Germany rules when it comes to Rottweilers, so get ready!
• I have 2 neutered males both with docked tails and I love that, however I am not going to tell someone else that they should or should not dock or for that matter ear crop on some breeds as well. I will always buy my Rotties with docked tails because that is my preference. In all honesty we should not focus so much attention on to dock or not but on protecting the breed from breed bans, bad publicity. I am more for protecting the breeds personality, temperament, and yes the looks from people wanting to terminate them or from the back yard breeders than whether we dock or not. Don't get me wrong I will fight to keep tails docked but that doesn't mean that everyone has to agree with me.
• Let Germany have their tails. Leave America alone, the Rottweiler in the U.S. has always had their tails docked. Get real, it looks better!
• Since when does Germany have to rule in the USA! Our Rotties equal theirs and then some. As Americans, we can stand up on our own. The docked tails should stay in America. I also think that we as breeders of such a wonderful breed as the Rottweiler, should be aware that just having a docked tail is not all. We should also strive for stable personalities and clear minds, especially in the field of SchH. We have alot of dogs in that area that are not truly stable. I've seen them and I would not like to have one like that. We need to breed for the whole Rottweiler, which includes , color, clear markings, dark eyes, dark mouths, great temperaments and stable and clear minds in whatever area you choose to work your Rottweiler in. Plus they need to be socialized and have good manners, by doing CGC's and TT's. Rotties typically own you. So give them the best of everything in learning experiences and lots and lots of love. They'll repay you ten-fold.
• Just because Germany bowed down to politics, doesn't mean we in the USA have to adopt the no tail docking rule! Germany clearly went over board in the unsound temperaments they were producing in not just the Rottweiler, but many of there working breeds. In order to continue to own and breed Rottweilers, they felt my softening the dogs looks, "tail wagging" they allowed this stupid ruling on tails, !! I don't think we in the USA should be forced to follow this change)) we are the ARC, AKC, not ADRK!!! I think this is just beginning, soon you will see more Rotts in Germany with CD's, etc, and less SCH titles, etc, if they are to be allowed to continue to own-breed Rottweilers by there government. Unfortunately many of the Rotts that cant pass a simple BH in Germany due to unsound temperaments, will find there way in to USA!