What Is A
Title? by Sandy Mowery
Not just a brag, not just a stepping
stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive
scores. A Title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way
to honor that dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in the
record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world
can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard, and
though the dog himself doesn't know or care that his achievements
have been noted, a Title says many things in the world of humans,
where such things count.
A Title says your dog was
intelligent, and adaptable, and good natured. It says that your dog
loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy
they may have sometimes seemed. And a Title says that you
loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with him because he was
a good dog, and that you believed in him enough to give him yet
another chance when he failed, and that in the end your faith was
justified.
A Title proves that your dog inspired
you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few, that in the
world of disposable creatures, this dog with a Title was greatly
loved, and loved greatly in return. And when that dear short life is
over, the Title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best
you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small
set of initials before or after the name.
A Title is nothing less than love and
respect, given and received permanently.
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Permanent
Identification Of Your Dog(s)
If
your dog is lost or stolen, what identification does the dog carry
to improve your chances of getting him back?
For
years, breeders and dog owners have had their dogs tattooed, often
on the inner thigh area. More
recently though microchips (the size of a grain of rice) have been
used for permanent identification of a dog.
The microchip can be inserted into the dog by most
veterinarians and when scanned by the appropriate electronic reader,
will display a number which is kept on file at a large pet
identification organization database.
Some
breeders still choose the old-fashioned way, by tattooing the
dog’s AKC number on their inner thigh, which can be done as early
as four months of age. They feel the microchip can be erased, can
migrate, and requires the correct reader for the chip to be readable
– posing too many possible errors.
As one breeder stated: “Lay
any of my dogs down and read that nice big tattoo on its right inner
thigh: ‘AKC DLXXXXXX
XX!’ AKC will notify
the last recorded owner if a dog has such a tattoo.
Over the years I have been able to identify strays thanks to
the tattoo, and more than a few dogs that I have tattooed (of other
breeds) that were stolen have been returned once the tattoo was
noticed by the thief.”
In
Europe, most dog registries require a tattoo be placed on the inner
ear of the dog at a very young age.
This tattoo is listed on the dog’s formal registry papers.
Some individuals warn against relying on an ear tattoo, as
they can become unreadable with age, and determined thieves will
even opt to cut the ear off to remove any identification!
Dog
thieves’ aim may be to sell to labs but it is just as likely that
thefts are done in order to supply a puppy mill. They will use some
other dog's papers, which is a common practice in the major puppy
mill States. Labs and licensed puppy mills are listed with the USDA.
The labs though are under Federal restrictions using dogs
with identification, but puppy mills don’t care. One can get the
list and go the labs in the area to look if your dog is stolen. Be
aware though you’ll probably have to go "under cover" as
a prospective ‘miller’ in order to visit and see what dogs are
on the private property. If
the stolen dog is carrying permanent ID and is seen at either place,
the owner must go to the authorities and claim the dog as stolen
property valued at whatever dollar figure would make the theft a
felony in that State and County.
The
law on dog identification can be different in various states. In California for example, the law has not been updated and
it only talks about a tattoo in terms of identifying a dog.
A dog with a tattoo is considered "identifiable
property" in a theft. If a person is caught with stolen
property (identified as stolen by a serial number or in this case a
tattoo number) he can be arrested for a felony.
To play it safe though, some breeders insist on having both a
tattoo and a microchip placed with each of their dogs.
The
National Dog Registry
will register any dogs owned by each member for a lifetime
membership fee of $38. There
are other microchip registries, such as AVID
(American Veterinary Identification Devices), whose charges average
$15 per pet or $40 for multiple pets.
Read more about the AVID benefits here,
as well as overview of the more registries and their websites here.
Front
Dewclaws
– Keep Them or Remove Them?
Usually
each puppy is born with a set of front dewclaws, and then some
with rear dewclaws as well. Some
breeders prefer to have their veterinarian remove the dewclaws because they like the clean
appearance of no nail sticking out from the front legs.
Others have commented on painful injuries their dogs have
experienced due to catching the nail on something while moving.
The
American Rottweiler standard allows for a dog to be exhibited with
front dewclaws or without. As
witnessed by any import though, the front dewclaws (oftentimes
referred to as the dog’s ‘thumb’) are retained.
In years past, many AKC judges would identify imported dogs
by the retained front dewclaws.
In
recent years though, more Rottweiler breeders have opted to keep
the front dewclaws on their litter puppies, instead of having them
surgically removed by their veterinarian.
This surgical procedure is done at the same time as the
tail docking procedure, normally done when the pups are 3 days of
age. Once the dewclaw
is removed, the puppy is left with what is often termed a 'bony
nub', leaving a slight bump.
Possibly
some breeders keep the front dew claws in an effort to cut
veterinarian costs.
Others opt to leave the dewclaw on because they feel this
fifth digit is a natural, useful part of the dog’s leg and helps
them in their daily activities, as well being used to grip bones,
toys, etc.
In
addition to making for a stronger pastern assembly, another
benefit of retaining the front dewclaws is that it is a crucial
acupuncture point.
Whether
you have a litter or an adult dog with front dewclaws, the nail of
the dewclaw can be treated like any other nail and be clipped
routinely, to minimize injury by keeping them short..
Note
regarding pups born with REAR dewclaws: These must be
removed by the vet, as they are now allowed in the show
ring. Additionally, often puppies born with rear dewclaws,
tend to exhibit bad rear movement, to the extent that most
reputable breeders would classify them as pet/companion quality.
Type and Performance in the Rottweiler
by Adolf Piencloss (translated from the German by
J.H. MacPhail)
*This article is copyrighted and reprinted here with permission from
the Rottweiler Club of Great Britain
Rottweiler breeding aims at a vigorous dog which, though powerful in general
appearance, is not lacking in refinement and is particularly suitable as a
companion, guard and utility dog...
...it is above middle size, sturdy, slightly elongated, stocky and powerfully
built. The body length should exceed the height at the withers by 15% at most.
That corresponds to a ratio of 10:9.1 and 10:8.7. In the case of a dog 65cm high
at the withers that represents a length of 71.5 to 74.5 cm.
The Rottweiler is a trotter. In motion the back remains firm and relatively
still. The course of motion is harmonious, secure, powerful and unchecked with a
good length of stride.
The body of the dog is adapted in its construction to forward motion, for
which reason the center of gravity of the whole body lies in the front half of
the trunk. Trotting is the kind of gait in which the center of gravity of the
body is supported exclusively by diagonal pairs of limbs and these always move
synchronously, ie. are approximately in the same phase at each moment in the
course of motion. In trotting the trunk is propelled forward by powerful
muscular contraction, whereby motion experiences considerable acceleration. In
this the musculature of the trunk, and especially of the back and neck, play an
essential part by tightening the spinal column, which is flexible in the dog,
and taking part in the synchronous interaction of the diagonal limits. As the
latter throws the center of gravity constantly forward in a straight line,
sideways swinging movements of the trunk are absent in trotting, while the back
remains relatively still.
Faults of appearance can blur and distort the image typical of the breed.
Such faults include a general appearance which is light and lacking in
substance, and a body which too long, too short or too narrow. There should not
be a lack of refinement. Refinement implies in the dog, descent from forebears
which rose above the average in form and working performance. A dog with
refinement is also one which is beautiful, noble and proud looking. Size is not
the main feature of the refined dog, but beautiful clear outlines and a
harmoniously proportioned body. Refinement does not express itself only in the
form, but also in posture and character. Temperament without pushiness, courage
without wildness, friendliness with a touch of reserve.
The results of breeding are presented at shows, and taken together, they
reflect the status of the breed. Here we find that within the range of
variations among the top animals, the type leans more towards the upper limit so
far as substance is concerned. It is often massiveness that strikes one. Body
weight approaches the limit where pleasure in work, agility, endurance and
finally health as well as character attributes are unfavorably affected.
Fig. 1: Shows a dog that lies at the upper limit of his substance. Excessive
weight of the bones and the associated heavy bundles of muscles with fat are a
burden which not only limits mobility and endurance but also the internal
organs, particularly the heart and lungs can hardly cater for this mass in
necessary way.
Fig. 2: Against the dog that is too heavy we have the type that is too light.
Because of the insufficient body weight this is often lacking in assertiveness.
The necessary depth of chest and muscle power are often absent. Such dogs are
mostly temperamental and uncontrolled.
Fig. 3: For the Rottweiler the golden mean should be aimed at this.
This dog corresponds most closely to the requirements of the standard. In
this desirable working type there is a good relationship between the weight and
the strength of the bones. The appearance conveys an impression of proportion,
size, substance and strength. A powerful deep chest, not flat-ribbed, a well
arched thorax provides a good base for the front limbs and sufficient room for
the internal organs to carry out their vital function.
For persistent running at the trot the build of a trotter is needed. Here the
relationship of power and substance is significant for the desired bouncing and
striding motion. The most important thing is a solid structural skeleton which
gives support to the body. 
Fig. 4: To the structural skeleton belong:
7 neck vertebrae (A)
13 sternal vertebrae (B) with thorax,
7 lumbar vertebrae (C)
3 back vertebrae (D)
and a varying number of tail vertebrae (E)
In the rear part the structures with the backbone, consisting of three
ossified back vertebrae, is firmly linked with the pelvic girdle and is
supported by the hind extremities.
While the base (lumbar vertebrae, backbone, pelvis) represents an unshakeable
combination, the structure is only supported by muscles between the two shoulder
blades.
(The next paragraph, comparing the role of the front and rear extremities,
(G) & (F), has not been translated as it contains a number of anatomical
terms which are not in the ordinary dictionaries)
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