The BRSDC would like to thank the IFR President Mr. Dirk Vandecasteele for his opinion on the BRSDC Working Test. I hope like we did, you find the interview insightful, encouraging, informative & inspiring
I was asked for my thoughts about the BRSDC introducing working tests. Those who know me, will state that my answer was predictable.
First of all, I refuse to talk about or even consider the existence of so called show- and working Rottweilers : there is only one Rottweiler and very simply put : a dog is a Rottweiler or he is not a Rottweiler and to belong to the breed, he needs to be “complete”.
The FCI recognizes more than 300 breeds and all of them were created and defined in function of their original utility. Cfr. also the demand to judge all breeds on the basis of their fitness for the original utility of the breed (www.fci.be : “Basic Statement for Show Judges. Dogs fit for their original function”.).
The whole body of the Rottweiler, in every detail, has to be understood in this context and must be judged on the qualities that enable the Rottweiler to do the work he was originally meant for: driving cattle while walking or trotting. These are after all the traits that were searched for and were consolidated while creating the breed. They are the core, the very reason of existence and therefore the definition of the breed: a strong frame, a deep and wide roomy chest that allows heart, liver and lungs to function, a substance that delivers physical strength and commands respect but that still allows for agility, the bone strong and muscular enough to carry this substance enduringly over difficult terrain but not a goal on itself and without exaggeration. Angulations (defined by length of the bones and angle of shoulder blade and pelvis) and musculature that are conceived for a slow enduring trot and not the speed of the flock-circling sheep shepherd. A straight strong top line with a short deep loin to efficiently transfer the drive from hindquarters to the front, the upper-arm long and strong enough to absorb the shocks under the body’s weight, etc. …
But of course, to be able work – and to answer to the definition of the breed – physical traits do not suffice and a breed specific nature is needed.
I agree that the concept of a “working-dog” can cover many things and this is especially true for the Rottweiler who has proven to be a very versatile breed. I am therefore not claiming exclusivity for IPO work.
Supported by the historical summary that preludes the FCI Rottweiler standard, I will always defend the perception that although the Rottweiler is an all-round working dog that can be put to a truly extremely versatile use, his physical characteristics, including his gait, are those of the cattle-drover.
Still, let there be no mistake about the fact that this demands for a strong dog, a dog with a high physical and mental endurance, hard (meaning able to overcome hardship and/or unpleasant experiences without being damaged but learning from them), intelligent and with a will to work and obey but strong and dominant enough to control cattle during independent work, attentive, always determined and difficult to unbalance, … . This is a strong dog, not a dog for just anyone !
A dog with the exterior of a Rottweiler but lacking its breed specific nature, does not answer to the definition of the breed as I understand it ! The Rottweiler is and must remain a dog with a strong dominant character, a self-assured nature, a well-balanced nervous condition, but also with a sufficiently high stimulus threshold.
It is my firm belief that we will only preserve these characteristics if we put emphasis on them in our breeding-programs, and thus in judging and breed-suitability tests. What we do not know, we cannot emphasize in breeding and to know, we must test !
The keywords in this are :
• manageability under all circumstances
• taxability – hardness - preydrive
• self-assuredness and alertness
• soundness of the dog’s reactions on all external stimuli
• social behaviour.
I think that the IPO and the ZtP programs, although not without alternatives, offer a perfect instrument for this. IPO is a sport that allows us to approach the original general traits of the breed´s character as close as possible without trespassing what is socially acceptable. The program allows to test the dog on its aptitude of the complete working dog: overall high in confidence, his manageability and apparent will to please are tested during obedience phase, his high drive, temperament, taxability and endurance to overcome a difficult track without support or interference of the handler proven in tracking. And in protection, the dog has to show a strong dominant reaction to menace but always with the self-control and balance needed for an immediate change of drives as soon as the menace stops, thus proving that these drives do not affect the ability of the working dog to function in a socially acceptable manner.
This is the reason why I find it so important that all IFR-Member Clubs support the Rottweiler as a sporting dog and this is also the reason why the IFR has decided that all its Member Clubs must mandatory organize breed suitability tests that include testing the breeding dogs on the presence of these traits. What we do not emphasize in breeding, will be lost. … and to emphasize characteristics, we need to know them … and for that we need to test for their presence and quality. If not, these traits will go lost and the breed will be lost.
It is quite simple really: we all admire the quality of the German Rottweiler and we all agree that the German Rottweiler is bred on the criteria that define and preserve the breed. Well then, we must do the same. We must realize that German breeding is based on a long-term and strict control of all stud dogs and brood bitches on their physical and genetic health and their physical and mental compliance with the breed’s definition, including the drives of the working dog. If we want to achieve the same conformity, if we want to have a world-wide homogeneous Rottweiler population, and if we want to make it possible that the German population can be bred to foreign dogs, then we must all do exactly the same what the breeders in Germany do. We need a strict testing for the same criteria:
• Health (for example: HD/ED/JLPP)
• Compliance with the standard: physical + character
• Particular attention to social behaviour
To be put to work touches the very core of the dog’s being, his reason of existence and his well-being.
Working with a dog, especially a dog with a strong personality, is a pleasure, extremely satisfying for both the handler and his/her dog and it quickly becomes a way of life.
This does not mean that a Rottweiler cannot be kept as a pet. He can, but he should not be bred to be no more than a pet, because even as a mere housedog, he must have the nature and underlying potential to work. If not, I dare to question of the dog answers to the breed’s definition and dare state that using the dog in breeding programs is harmful for the breed’s future.
Now coming back to the working tests of the BRSDC, I see them as a first step forwards. A first step, because unless I did not read their routines correctly, it seems that the tests especially hold obedience exercises, meaning that they will test for manageability, willingness to work, social behaviour but not for all the criteria I mentioned.
This does not mean that these tests are meaningless !
To the contrary, participating these tests is feasible for all, there is no high threshold to overcome before participating nor do these tests have a high degree of difficulty. In fact, for many people they may be a perfect introduction to working with their dogs and this in a pleasant manner, not demanding and with quick rewarding and satisfying results.
I am also very sure that all people that will prepare to participate these BRSDC-working tests, will very quickly enormously enjoy working their dog, especially as they will witness their Rottweilers blossom, become much more complete than he was as a mere pet and will seem him emancipate into a confident active dog that enjoys life where he is at his best : the sporting field. I’ve said this so often : the most beautiful moment is when you take the dog’s leash and chain and see his reaction at the idea of going out and be active on the field. It would be a shame to take this away from him/her. So don’t hesitate : enter your dogs and enjoy !!
I was asked for my thoughts about the BRSDC introducing working tests. Those who know me, will state that my answer was predictable.
First of all, I refuse to talk about or even consider the existence of so called show- and working Rottweilers : there is only one Rottweiler and very simply put : a dog is a Rottweiler or he is not a Rottweiler and to belong to the breed, he needs to be “complete”.
The FCI recognizes more than 300 breeds and all of them were created and defined in function of their original utility. Cfr. also the demand to judge all breeds on the basis of their fitness for the original utility of the breed (www.fci.be : “Basic Statement for Show Judges. Dogs fit for their original function”.).
The whole body of the Rottweiler, in every detail, has to be understood in this context and must be judged on the qualities that enable the Rottweiler to do the work he was originally meant for: driving cattle while walking or trotting. These are after all the traits that were searched for and were consolidated while creating the breed. They are the core, the very reason of existence and therefore the definition of the breed: a strong frame, a deep and wide roomy chest that allows heart, liver and lungs to function, a substance that delivers physical strength and commands respect but that still allows for agility, the bone strong and muscular enough to carry this substance enduringly over difficult terrain but not a goal on itself and without exaggeration. Angulations (defined by length of the bones and angle of shoulder blade and pelvis) and musculature that are conceived for a slow enduring trot and not the speed of the flock-circling sheep shepherd. A straight strong top line with a short deep loin to efficiently transfer the drive from hindquarters to the front, the upper-arm long and strong enough to absorb the shocks under the body’s weight, etc. …
But of course, to be able work – and to answer to the definition of the breed – physical traits do not suffice and a breed specific nature is needed.
I agree that the concept of a “working-dog” can cover many things and this is especially true for the Rottweiler who has proven to be a very versatile breed. I am therefore not claiming exclusivity for IPO work.
Supported by the historical summary that preludes the FCI Rottweiler standard, I will always defend the perception that although the Rottweiler is an all-round working dog that can be put to a truly extremely versatile use, his physical characteristics, including his gait, are those of the cattle-drover.
Still, let there be no mistake about the fact that this demands for a strong dog, a dog with a high physical and mental endurance, hard (meaning able to overcome hardship and/or unpleasant experiences without being damaged but learning from them), intelligent and with a will to work and obey but strong and dominant enough to control cattle during independent work, attentive, always determined and difficult to unbalance, … . This is a strong dog, not a dog for just anyone !
A dog with the exterior of a Rottweiler but lacking its breed specific nature, does not answer to the definition of the breed as I understand it ! The Rottweiler is and must remain a dog with a strong dominant character, a self-assured nature, a well-balanced nervous condition, but also with a sufficiently high stimulus threshold.
It is my firm belief that we will only preserve these characteristics if we put emphasis on them in our breeding-programs, and thus in judging and breed-suitability tests. What we do not know, we cannot emphasize in breeding and to know, we must test !
The keywords in this are :
• manageability under all circumstances
• taxability – hardness - preydrive
• self-assuredness and alertness
• soundness of the dog’s reactions on all external stimuli
• social behaviour.
I think that the IPO and the ZtP programs, although not without alternatives, offer a perfect instrument for this. IPO is a sport that allows us to approach the original general traits of the breed´s character as close as possible without trespassing what is socially acceptable. The program allows to test the dog on its aptitude of the complete working dog: overall high in confidence, his manageability and apparent will to please are tested during obedience phase, his high drive, temperament, taxability and endurance to overcome a difficult track without support or interference of the handler proven in tracking. And in protection, the dog has to show a strong dominant reaction to menace but always with the self-control and balance needed for an immediate change of drives as soon as the menace stops, thus proving that these drives do not affect the ability of the working dog to function in a socially acceptable manner.
This is the reason why I find it so important that all IFR-Member Clubs support the Rottweiler as a sporting dog and this is also the reason why the IFR has decided that all its Member Clubs must mandatory organize breed suitability tests that include testing the breeding dogs on the presence of these traits. What we do not emphasize in breeding, will be lost. … and to emphasize characteristics, we need to know them … and for that we need to test for their presence and quality. If not, these traits will go lost and the breed will be lost.
It is quite simple really: we all admire the quality of the German Rottweiler and we all agree that the German Rottweiler is bred on the criteria that define and preserve the breed. Well then, we must do the same. We must realize that German breeding is based on a long-term and strict control of all stud dogs and brood bitches on their physical and genetic health and their physical and mental compliance with the breed’s definition, including the drives of the working dog. If we want to achieve the same conformity, if we want to have a world-wide homogeneous Rottweiler population, and if we want to make it possible that the German population can be bred to foreign dogs, then we must all do exactly the same what the breeders in Germany do. We need a strict testing for the same criteria:
• Health (for example: HD/ED/JLPP)
• Compliance with the standard: physical + character
• Particular attention to social behaviour
To be put to work touches the very core of the dog’s being, his reason of existence and his well-being.
Working with a dog, especially a dog with a strong personality, is a pleasure, extremely satisfying for both the handler and his/her dog and it quickly becomes a way of life.
This does not mean that a Rottweiler cannot be kept as a pet. He can, but he should not be bred to be no more than a pet, because even as a mere housedog, he must have the nature and underlying potential to work. If not, I dare to question of the dog answers to the breed’s definition and dare state that using the dog in breeding programs is harmful for the breed’s future.
Now coming back to the working tests of the BRSDC, I see them as a first step forwards. A first step, because unless I did not read their routines correctly, it seems that the tests especially hold obedience exercises, meaning that they will test for manageability, willingness to work, social behaviour but not for all the criteria I mentioned.
This does not mean that these tests are meaningless !
To the contrary, participating these tests is feasible for all, there is no high threshold to overcome before participating nor do these tests have a high degree of difficulty. In fact, for many people they may be a perfect introduction to working with their dogs and this in a pleasant manner, not demanding and with quick rewarding and satisfying results.
I am also very sure that all people that will prepare to participate these BRSDC-working tests, will very quickly enormously enjoy working their dog, especially as they will witness their Rottweilers blossom, become much more complete than he was as a mere pet and will seem him emancipate into a confident active dog that enjoys life where he is at his best : the sporting field. I’ve said this so often : the most beautiful moment is when you take the dog’s leash and chain and see his reaction at the idea of going out and be active on the field. It would be a shame to take this away from him/her. So don’t hesitate : enter your dogs and enjoy !!