Von Wertz Rottweilers - Breeder of Working Champion Rottweilers

education...

Canine Legislation, Regulations & Restrictions

American Airlines Lifts Breed Ban (May, 2003)
Read about the Puppy Protection Act! (April, 2002)
Tips for Transporting Dogs Via Air
KOA Campgrounds No Longer Allow Rottweilers and... (09/2001)
Bavaria (Germany) proposes Rottweiler on breed specific ban (08/2001)
New dog registry: AKA? (07/2001)
Netherlands Breeding Regulations (07/2001)

American Airlines Lifts Breed Ban (May 5, 2003)

After months of negotiations, the American Kennel Club (AKC) has learned that American Airlines is reversing its ban on Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, and any mixed breeds containing one or more of those breeds. Effective May 17th, 2003, all dog breeds will once again be accepted for shipment, and new safe container requirements will be imposed uniformly for all animals traveling as cargo or excess baggage.

Acceptable kennels used to ship dogs will require releasable cable ties attached to each of the four corners of the kennel door. American Airlines will provide the releasable cable ties to the customer at no cost and the ties must be attached to the kennel by the shipper. Acceptable kennels must meet the requirements of the International Air Transport Association Live Animal Regulations and may be purchased from American Airlines.

American Airlines first implemented its breed ban in August, 2002, following an incident involving a "pit bull" puppy that escaped its crate and damaged the cargo hold of a plane. This was clearly a case of crate failure and was unrelated to the breed of the dog involved. The AKC immediately launched a nationwide letter-writing campaign to the airline, calling on fanciers to contact American Airlines and express their opposition. AKC Chairman of the Board Ron Menaker, Vice Chairman David Merriam, and President Al Cheauré personally contacted the carrier and offered the AKC as a resource to establish kennel regulations for safe shipment of all breeds of dogs.

In addition, AKC worked behind the scenes with representatives from American and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animal Board to focus on strengthening crate requirements to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. AKC federal government relations consultant James Holt negotiated proposed changes to the container regulations, including a strap proposal, with American Airlines last fall, shortly after the breed-specific embargo was put into place, and attended an IATA meeting in October to discuss uniform crate standards

The AKC consultant also worked out a strategy with then Director of Live Animal and Dangerous Goods Cargo Operations, Richard Powers, at American, who was very cooperative with AKC in trying to end the breed-specific embargo. It was tentatively agreed that American would adopt the strap proposal as a carrier-specific requirement, and then use that as the basis for dropping the breed-specific embargo. The plan was interrupted, but not derailed, by a major layoff at American in November, 2002.

Outraged purebred dog owners were quick to respond to AKC's call to action and over the past several months have flooded the airline with letters, faxes and e-mails. Many national breed clubs whose breeds were targeted by the ban organized additional grassroots efforts. All of these communications no doubt helped convince American Airlines to resolve this issue, thereby improving travel conditions for countless responsible dog owners and their well-mannered dogs.

Congratulations to all involved!

For updated information on airlines' policies for shipping dogs, click here.

Tips for Transporting Dogs Via Air

When shipping puppies, always ship "Counter-to-Counter". It is usually a set price of $170 or so. The nice thing about it is the puppy always catches the very next available flight. Rules are different for Counter-to-Counter and the dog doesn’t experience the layover time he might if shipped via cargo, where a dog may have to sit and wait it out for those required 2 and 3 hour layovers. You must have all your paperwork in order and the puppy must be 8-weeks old to ship. Work with major airports only, and always try to schedule for a non-stop flight if at all possible.

Also be aware that most airlines will not ship if the temperature either at departure point or any points in between are below 40 degrees or above 85 degrees. Always call and check with ALL the airlines before hand. As the weather changes, and depending on “who” is on duty at the time -- so do their requirements!

Another factor to consider is if the recipients of the puppy or yourself are agreeable to driving a little further to a larger airport. A two-plus hour drive to another airport, may be necessary to secure a non-stop flight, or simply knock off some air flight time for the puppy.

Be prepared with the following (but always the ask the particular carrier what their own requirements are):

Airline-approved crate with simple bedding, such as a folded towel or blanket
Recent health certificate
Water dish which will attach inside the crate. Don't forget a water jug to fill it with while waiting with the puppy
Collar for puppy; and some airlines require a leash be taped to the outside of the crate
Fluorescent orange tape to stick on crate for easy identification and security, as well as a 'LIVE ANIMAL' sticker.
Reservations are required and payment must either be made at the airline office at the time of shipment, or the puppy can be shipped COD, whereby the recipient will be required to pay the balance before the animal can be released.
Be sure to have all necessary information with you when you depart for the airport: flight no. with departure and arrival times, recipient's full name (who will be showing ID to pick up the animal), address and current phone number.
Any paperwork you choose to send with the animal should be affixed in a plastic bag or envelope to the top of the crate.

Other transportation methods
Many different dog rescue organizations transport rescue dogs back and forth across the country and someone may be able to help you in moving a dog for all or part of his journey.

If you're trying to get a pup to a buyer and you're not crossing water, another option is horse transports. Many are reasonably priced and most are comfortable for the dog, and are flexible regarding pick-up and delivery locations.

For more pet shipping information, including airlines that ship pets, click here.

KOA Campgrounds No Longer Allow Rottweilers and Other Breeds
from Marylou Stott (email: mlstott@juno.com)

I am a member of the Dog Federation of Wisconsin. We have just been told that the KOA camp grounds have all been instructed NOT to allow Rottweilers, Doberman's, German Shepherds or Pit Bulls on their grounds.

There is an address you may contact with any letters of concern:
Kampgrounds of America, Inc.
P.O. Box 30558
Billings, MT 59114

Bavaria (Germany) Proposes Rottweiler on Breed Specific Ban
the following was taken from a forwarded email

Dear all,

With a press release at end of June the Bavarian State Secretary, Günter Beckstein, announced that on August 1, more dog breeds - within them the Rottweiler - will be put onto the Bavarian ban list. Everybody who wants to keep his Rottweiler has to pass a specific and expensive examination together with his dog. Already done BH and/or SchH trial results will not been accepted.

ADRK members and other Rottweiler owners from Bavaria and total Germany have started an immediate letter-campaign writing personal letters to our Prime Minister, the state secretary and the secretary for consumers protection (the decision makers = state vet´s are in his office) with the first positive results: the final decision has been postponed to end of September earliest, after new investigations will have done.

They also promised a meeting between the state vet´s and ADRK-Bavaria members, mainly Anton Spindler/ADRK Judge, Dieter Haspel/ADRK Judge, Hansjörg H.Teichmann/public affairs Bavaria-south and myself/public affairs Bavaria-north.

On Saturday last weekend we had an Info-center built up directly in front of the city-hall of Munich, the capital of the state of Bavaria with a very good response of the visitors. Not one of our dogs was even barking the whole day!

We now do feel that it is the time to show our main politicians in Bavaria, that the Rottweiler is not only popular in Germany, the Rottweiler has his friends all over the world.

We ask you for your help by sending some emails to our leading politicians, expressing:

Your concerns with the planned legal situation for Rottweilers - one of the oldest German working dog breeds - in Bavaria.
That you are a responsible Rottweiler-owner, living in (please mention your country and city) and that you are carefully watching what is going up with Rottweilers in their country of origin.
That the official German Rottweiler club, the ADRK, has a very good reputation in your country concerning breeding an education of Rottweilers.

These emails should be sent to the following addresses:

State secretary Dr.Guenther Beckstein
email: poststelle@stmi.bayern.de

Secretary for consumers protection, Mr. Sinner
email: poststelle@stmgev.bayern.de

and for our prime minister, Dr. Edmund Stoiber, the following link will lead directly to a special email form which can be filled in:
http://www.bayern.de/Service/brief....isterpraesident

Explanation of the German terms in this form:

Absender: please fill in your Name here
Strasse: your street
PLZ: your post zip code
Ort: your cities name
Tel.Nr. your phone number
Betreff: the concern of the mail message
Text: fill in your text

With the send button you can send the message to our Prime minister. most astonishing he will read his mails, some us have received answers already!

It is our experience, that polite and individual written letters and mails will be read and do have a positive influence in the clarification process at the involved offices.

Please help us showing our politicians, that the Rottweilers is a well-known breed all over the world and that he is a positive image-maker for Germany.

Best Rotti-Regards,
Thomas Peuschel
ADRK Public Affairs, Bavaria-North

PS: If possible mail a copy to my attention: peuschel@zant-rottweiler.de

New Dog Registry: AKA?
(the following was taken from a forwarded email from Pam Grant)

Folks,

There is a "farming organizer" establishing in Alaska, that is a group of puppy brokers. They are affiliated with the AKA, which is the alternative dog registry that was established to oppose the AKC's DNA testing policy. This is basically utilized by the pet industry for puppy mills.

One name that this group is operating under is: Great Mills or Great Mills Co-op. (Strange that they used the words "mill" in their name, because this is exactly what they are doing, establishing puppy "Mills"). They are claiming that this is one way of "secure farming" with minimal losses as opposed to plant crops and cattle raising which is subject to diseases like mad cow etc.

Their claim is, they provide a consistent number of "buyers" for this crop, and a consistent demand from brokers. The risk and cost is (according to them..."MINIMAL" buy good breeding stock, looking for stock with a number of AKC Champions to "look good on a pedigree."

They also organize "Stock shows", which is touted as being like the AKC dog shows with Championships provided to AKA registered dogs. The "brokers" and foundation partners are the "judges". I have yet to see one of these advertised, so perhaps this "show schedule" only goes out to registered dog owners, and not to the general public. God knows WHERE these "shows" are held?

These "Broker Co-ops are sprouting up wherever there has been a farming hardship like flooding and droughts that destroy farm growing crops. It is a "very appealing package", and it is even presented in large "seminar" formats in hotels etc... at Farming co-op conferences etc... as well as at agricultural affairs. I know a subversive friend that is attending some of these and gathering information about their tactics. I will write more as I get information from him. He is ALSO getting some names of attendees for me in certain areas. (He is in "insurance" so he can pose as an interested party interested in providing "insurance for farm crops, etc... which makes these people much more willing to talk with him and volunteer information on their location and intentions, etc.

Great Mills has done a "Pet Buyers Trend" survey throughout the US and Canada. They are providing this information (for a package price), to assist prospective "farmers" in choosing the most "profitable breeds". The top breeds right now seem to be cockers; both English and American, poodles, both toys and minis, Jack Russells, (Wishbone and Eddie have made their mark on TV now) Labradors, Collies, Beagles, Westies, Scotties and Goldens (surprised to see them so far down this list) Irish Setters, Chow Chows, Kerry Blue Terriers, Lhasa, Shih Tzu, Shelties, Border Collies, Aussies, Bassets, Toy Fox Terriers, Min Pins, Dobermans, German Shepherds, and Rotties are next.

I think the large breeds are further down the list because of the "space needed and the amount of food needed" to maintain breeding stock opposed to the smaller breeds that are cheaper to maintain, so they have a higher profit ratio. The more the maintenance costs the lower the profit margin. Also they have a breakdown of litter sizes average. The smaller breeds that have only a few pups are considered a low profit, those that often require C-sect. (Bulldogs, Boston's, Mastiffs etc... are low profit.)

This is scary, because there is so much research in profits and maintenance costs provided, it sounds like they are making it too easy. I will post more info on this organization as I get it. IF anyone learns about other organizations like this please post that information. (If you get a chance to go to one of these seminars, do so, get the info to help us all protect our dogs from this terrible industry. Help us provide info that may dissuade people from trying this route to "fast money".

Bev & Dave Burkholder, Tucson, AZ
KRR, AZBHR, CUR # 220, Hero's Waggin' Train
Mail to:keshond@qwest.net
http://www.azcr.org

Netherlands Breeding Regulations
the following was taken from a forwarded email

I think it is time you all will receive an update of all the activities who has happened over here in the Netherlands the last few months. Some of you do already know, as they often have contact with Tony Huijskens or with me. Others might not know so therefore some news.

Per July 1st, 2001 it is not allowed anymore to breed Rottweilers in the Netherlands who does not fulfill the demands of the Dutch Rottweiler Club and the Raad van Beheer op Kynologisch Gebied in the Netherlands.

Per July 1st, 2001 pups who are born out of a combination who is not bred according to these new rules, do not get a pedigree anymore. If the parents fulfill only a few parts of the new rules, the pups will receive then a piece of paper of the kennel club who does mention the parents but it is not the official pedigree. So before you breed to a dog over here check that out very well!

This is all part of the plan which has been developed by the Dutch Rottweiler Club and the Raad van Beheer. It is also the plan who saved our breed from being banned by the Minister in December, 2000. Mr Frans Schaaf did a tremendous good job by explaining our plans we were working on (the board of the Dutch Rottweiler Club, NRC, worked already for more than 3 years at these plans when the Government started to make trouble about our breed) to the minister on December 5, 2000.

Again last week at the annual meeting of the Raad van Beheer were all selected board members of all the breeds in the Netherlands were joining this meeting. He explained the whole plan to the people and convinced them that it has to change over here if they want to continue with dogs, dog shows, breeding, sport etc.

This Pilot Plan, as we call it, is also joined by six other breeds, including the German Shepherd club in the Netherlands who has approximately 8000 members. Per July 1st. the dogs has to do the MAG test. (Maatschappelijk Aanvaardbaar Gedrag) Socially accepted behavior.

Our own breed test which we had over the last 35 years is not accepted by the Dutch Kennel Club and we had to accept the MAG test. Yesterday at Amsterdam the last breed suitable test of the Dutch Rottweiler Club took place.

Simply, the new rules mean that breeders, who never wanted to be a member of the Dutch Rottweiler Club for several reasons, breeding program, HD results etc, are now treated the same way as the breeders who do join the Dutch Rottweiler Club, their dogs have to be X-rayed, have to do the mental test, etc. or they do not get a pedigree anymore.

In the past breeders who were not a member of the NRC could breed the way they wanted and with stock who had nobody ever seen. This is over now. Breeders are not allowed to breed more than 2 (two) litters a year. A stud dog is allowed to have 25 litters born in the Netherlands in his entire life and he is allowed for 5 breedings (in the Netherlands) per year. A bitch is allowed to have 3 litters in her entire life.

A breeding can be repeated but only a maximum of two times. It is too much to mention this all to you. The pilot program and our breeding program, code of ethics, takes 5 pages of the size of A-4 paper. So it is too much to write this all down for you.

I want to add a personal note to this all. For me and the other members of the Dutch Rottweiler board, for the ones of you who do not know I am a member of the board of the Dutch Rottweiler Club during the last 11 years, all these plans being developed and trying to save our breed did cost the board a tremendous amount of free time during the last few years. Many meetings in the evenings. This year, till now June 30th, we had 10 board meetings, two meetings with the members and two meetings with the judges of the mental tests and several meetings with the Dutch kennel Club, the committee of the former Hirschfeld foundation, now called department of Health, Behaviour and well taking care of, also a part of the Dutch Kennel Club.

This is not written to complain, but just to explain to all of you that we worked tremendously hard during the last few years to save our breed and just for one reason: WE LOVE THE ROTTWEILER!!!!

Of course these new restrictions are not nice but we have to realize that the time is gone, long gone, in our modern world that you can do what ever you want to do when you are breeding dogs. The government does not accept this anymore and dog owners and breeders have to realize that it makes no difference for politicians if there are 500 breeds in a country or 100 breeds.

Further, as the Dutch Rottweiler Club is promoting this since the time it exists, we will start programs for training dogs and owners to avoid incidents.

Since the last 15 years (approximately) several years the Dutch Rottweiler Club is registering all the incidents who are happening with our breed, also the ones, and those are the most, with dogs who are not bred according to our code of ethics. Just by registering we are trying to convince the politicians that they have to take action against the puppy mills and illegal breeders.

On June 24th, Ter Waele Margje was entered at the Dutch mental test, which exists of three pieces:

a= confirmation, by a judge who is a specialist for our breed
b= social part, dogs has many situations and subjects offered to him and is watched by the judges how he or she deals with these sometimes totally unexpected situations
c= independence (dog is alone for approximately 10 minutes and is approached by friendly people, later they leave and the dog is approached by a friendly aggressor, (outfit of an aggressor of the Dutch Police Force and that is totally different than the outfit of a Schutzdiensthelper). And the third time the aggressor will come running towards the dog (distance of approximately 40 meters and will attack the dog). The dog does not have to bite but is not allowed to show fear or go too much backwards. During the attack of the dog, the dog is allowed to bite the aggressor. After the attack the aggressor comes back and tries to touch the dog during this friendly situation, then the aggressor leaves and the friendly people try again to approach and touch the dog.

Wolfgang (Weissmann)