Starkehre

Chris and Tony are dear friends of ours. Our hearts are bleeding for them. I have spent the last few days feeling gutted. The empathy I am feeling for these wonderful, caring people is overwhelming. Knowing them so well, I know what they are going through must be almost unbearable for them. One would be hard pressed to find more dedicated, passionate, involved dog people. Their lives are based almost entirely around the love, training and competing with their dogs. Their Rottweilers are always magnificent ambassadors for our breed. They are dog and people friendly, affectionate and always so much fun to be around. Their dogs are always the sort of Rottweilers that us breed enthusiasts need out and about in our community, showing the public what a fantastic breed they are. Dharma's gaining of two ANKC recognised herding titles since her leg was amputated in april this year is an amazing task in itself. She had more spunk than any 10yo Rotti I have ever seen. Her zest for life was inspiring. Trekkie... what can I say. My favourite of all Whitey's kids. Such a hunk of gorgeous boy. Trekkie being 7, was promised by Whitey to become top dog one day... always happy to play second fiddle to Whitey's right hand man Polo (Poo) 13yo. 7 was young for Whiteys' dogs. Trekkie and Doobie, rest in peace and know how much your mum and dad love you dearly.

Heart breaking news Sway. Damn bloody shame. So sorry for your loss.

I'm entering her at Cranbourne, whether we actually come or not will depend on the weather so we may meet sooner rather then later. :D Fern is being a bit of a princess but she'll get over it! Poor blossom , yeh, I am sure she will be bright tomorrow. She might as well milk it for all she can at the moment :D Hope you can make it to Cranbourne Reb. I don't normally show over Summer... bit hot for me, but gotta enter these neuter shows when they are on offer as they are so far and few between.

Reb, I hope Fern is coping OK tonight. I recall having several GH desexed and recovery was always pretty stressful. Hugs to you both. I am sure Fern will be up and about real soon and ready to strut herself in the Open Neuter Bitch class I look forward to seeing her at Ovens Valley in April. Remember I was telling you how I was in 2 minds about fitting both OV and the Rottweiler specialty in NSW in that weekend... well, I am super excited to report that RCNSW are offering neuter classes at this upcoming specialty. We will do Myrtleford on the sat and zoom up to Bargo for our normal class plus the neuter one on the Sunday. Am really looking forward to it. I will put in neuter entries for both days at your show Reb, even though I can only make it to one of them. Tollersowned, we will be at Cranbourne and Gippsland. Hope you can make it.

This is so awful Sway. I can barely imagine how the owners and yourself ar feeling. I hope Willow is found safe and well very soon.

Arjay this is normal and not necessarily anything to do with puberty, except now is the time he would be starting to do it. If left entire, many male entires, if they have been clever enough to work out how to relieve themselves in this way, will do so right throughout their lives. Some boys use the air, ground, bedding, a toy, their legs and their mouths. All perfectly normal and something as an owner of an entire dog you will have to learn to live with. I certainly would not be reprimanding him for it provided he is doing it at home and not bothering any other dogs or people. Better than him becoming sexually frustrated.

Puppies are just beautiful Stolz.... I nearly hid Miss Brown in my bag today when I left from my visit :D Just stunning. CJ is a superb mum and all the babies are so outgoing with solid temperaments.

Leema, I do not believe you are being anal at all. I have been in the same boat as you for a while. I was really happy with the vet we used (large and small animals) years ago, but the vets that worked there moved on and it was just never the same. That was about 8 years ago. I have been looking for a vet that I was happy with ever since. I have moved from one vet to another, looking for that special relationship. And in one way or another, they have all disappointed me (except both AECs and the referal centre in Glenwaverley). The last straw with my most recent X vet was also over vaccinations. A couple of months ago when I had decided I was so furious with the last vet, I went on one of my searches and decided to make some inquiries with a new and local vet in my area. I rang and had a chat with one of the vet nurses (always a brilliant source of information regarding their surgeries policies, attitudes and staff etc) and I was really happy with what she had to say. We chatted about the main vet whom owns the practice along with one of the other nurses. The vet has owned my breed, so that was a big plus for me. I decided to go down there and have a meet and greet with them. As it turns out, I actually know the other vet nurse (co-owner), which was entirely coincidental. They showed me through the whole building, which I must say was extremely impressive, purpose designed (by themselves) and built, and they spent quality time chatting with me about any queries or concerns I had. They show me the respect I want from my vet, whilst also offering suggestions etc without pushing their ideas down my throat. They listen to me and are very open to what my needs are for my dogs. They do not talk down to me, like some vets try to. Since then I have had my male castrated there, my young bitch hip/elbow xrays done and I am taking my older bitch in in a couple of weeks for bloods and an overall check up. I am absolutely thrilled with my new vet. And even though I am still a new client of theirs, I feel really comfortable with them and enjoy our visits. I have not found them to be a budget vet, but I don't care. I am not looking for a cheap vet. I am looking for a thorough vet that has good diagnostic skills and is open to alternative remedies. I like my vet to understand my breed and have a good way with my dogs. I want my vet to appreciate that we may not agree on all fronts and that is OK. They provide me all this. This new vet of mine is Beleura Veterinary Hospital in Mornington.

If I remember rightly, a DOLer once lost her dog when its collar got caught in a hanging pot plant I know of dogs that have been stuck with the tag on their collar slipped and twisted in between the deck slats. Might not be fatal, but if it is hot and sunny, it could be an issue. Ours are naked. That feels right for me, but each to their own

Thanks guys. I have finally got it now

That's what I spotted at a previous show too EF. Yes, the Neuters are all catalogued after the entires, sort of like a separate breed, and run that way too. Not male neuters after entire males and neuter bitches after entire bitches. You are correct that they are judged like a seperate breed, this has been the case since the neuter classes were first allowed back in January 2000. SECTION 3 Neuter Classes 3.3 Classes 15,16,17 & 18 shall be judged at breed level after Best of Breed and any Class elimination judging. 3.4 Classes 15,16,17 & 18 shall be judged at both Group and Show level immediately after Class 11. These regualtions were wriitten this way to ensure there was no confusion about which exhibits were eligible to go into the "Challenge" line up. By having the entire classes completely finished before the neuter classes commence, there is no way a neuter can "slip" into the challenge line up. Terrific, that is what I thought. It was just what Megz wrote previously that threw me... "no such thing as Neuter In Group". I thought there was. I get that points aren't awarded for same, but it does not mean there is no such thing? ... not picking, just trying to understand Perhaps Megz was referring to the points system and I just misinterpreted :D There is no such thing as Neuter in Group. It has to be Open Neuter in Group or whichever classes are offered. It is only when only Open neuter is offered that each of the best neuter of breed would always go against each other. For example: There are 4 Neutered dogs entered in a particular breed .15 Puppy Neuter - 1 .16 Junior Neuter - 2 .17 Intermediate Neuter - 3 .18 Open Neuter - 4 Then a spattering of other neuters throughout the group. 1 would go against all other Puppy N's 2 against all other Junior N's etc etc If number 3 took out best neuter of that breed from the intermediate class and all other breed were won by the Open Neuter then the BOB that 3 won would never compete for a "Best in Group" against the other BOB's there is no provision for this to happen. Thanks Megz, that is what I thought you meant the first time. But if that is how it is run, in other words there is no run off in each breed for that particular breed in Group, if multiple neuter classes are offered and entered, there will be multiple Neuter class in group sashes require, yes? Also, if the above is correct, I thought that the wording in the statement "to be judged at breed level" meant that it would be judged in the same fashion as the entires are being judged, which would mean there would be a NIG run off, not just separate classes? Is anyone else having trouble with this, or is it just me

Dyzney and I will be there Capanash I am looking forward to it also. Should be fun. I love twilight shows. Haven't done for a while

That's what I spotted at a previous show too EF. Yes, the Neuters are all catalogued after the entires, sort of like a separate breed, and run that way too. Not male neuters after entire males and neuter bitches after entire bitches. You are correct that they are judged like a seperate breed, this has been the case since the neuter classes were first allowed back in January 2000. SECTION 3 Neuter Classes 3.3 Classes 15,16,17 & 18 shall be judged at breed level after Best of Breed and any Class elimination judging. 3.4 Classes 15,16,17 & 18 shall be judged at both Group and Show level immediately after Class 11. These regualtions were wriitten this way to ensure there was no confusion about which exhibits were eligible to go into the "Challenge" line up. By having the entire classes completely finished before the neuter classes commence, there is no way a neuter can "slip" into the challenge line up. Terrific, that is what I thought. It was just what Megz wrote previously that threw me... "no such thing as Neuter In Group". I thought there was. I get that points aren't awarded for same, but it does not mean there is no such thing? ... not picking, just trying to understand Perhaps Megz was referring to the points system and I just misinterpreted :D

That's what I spotted at a previous show too EF. Yes, the Neuters are all catalogued after the entires, sort of like a separate breed, and run that way too. Not male neuters after entire males and neuter bitches after entire bitches. I do sympathise with you and other cataloguers, must be frustrating. And curious, how did you catalogue that Junior Neuter? did you slot that after the entire Juniors or at the end of the bitches/dogs (whichever gender it is)?... if you don't mind me asking. I am just now getting a bit mind blown about pondering what actually does run off against what if there are multiple Neuter classes and entries, as up until now, the shows I have attended have only offered 18 and 18A. I assume they run challenge dog and bitch, same as entires, and then run those off against one another to get their BNOB. But then we seem to have confusion as to whether these BNOB run off against one another in a Best Neuter In Group line up or are they only going to be running off the indivudual classes in Neuter Group Surely they have to be otherwise why is this call for us to be sponsoring NIG sashes, of which there is supposedly one per group, not one for each Neuter Class per group. And then..... in show??? I had to stop pondering this yesterday as it was doing my head in.

This problem was brought to my attention in Brisbane over the week end, I will get a guide together as soon as possible (next couple of weeks)and get it out the the member bodies for their affiliates. Graham That would be brilliant Graham. May we have a copy posted here please?

I think there is still quite a bit of confusion among some of the affiliates on exactly how these classes are supposed to be run. Now, looking at how it may work with multiple classes in each breed offered and entered instead of just Open (18 + 18A) I am even having my doubts now as to what should occur. Does anyone has a copy of an instruction or running sheet of hoe the neuter classes should proceed when run with multiple classes in each breed please? I would like to read this. I have seen catalogues with Neuter classes incorrectly written up (out of order) and run this way also. I gently and nicely raised this at the time, just as a way of informing and it was not received well. You have to wonder if some of these clubs are reluctant to offer the Neuter classes could it be because they are unsure of exactly how to run them and do not wish to ask or be advised or feel they have the time to learn it or advise to stewards etc? Just a thought.

Hi all, we will be at KCC Park this weekend - Saturday 22nd Oct from approx 3pm and Sunday 23rd Oct from approx 9am, if anyone wishes to collect their Black Hawk food from us. We will have limited space on board so prefer to bring along orders only. We will not be set up as a vendor. Please pm me with your order and which day is best for you, we can exchange mobile numbers and hook up there. Cheers, Meg

Like a couple of others here I am a big fan of my Falcon wagon. Love it. I know it is getting a bit long in the tooth, but it is so perfect for the dogs. We have just had Puppy Bars fitted to the back. We easily fit our 3 Rotts inside (one on the back seat) and could get an extra if we needed to. We will be looking at upgrading in the next year ot so and OH wants me to get something else, but I just want a newer Falcon wagon, so that is probably what I will get. It has heaps of grunt, economical on fuel, great visibility and plenty of room for the dogs. The only downside for me is that I wish it had aircond in the back. We look into the rear of a lot of 4WD and SUVs and it seems that none of them have as much room as the good old Falcon wagon. :D So, whilst we are still pondering on what to do, we just hang onto my car. It is one of those discussions that always ends up in the "too hard basket"

Good on you BB, have a great time. I would have liked to go too. I considered doing Friday and Sat Neuter classes at Mt. Gambier and get back to Melb for the sat pm at KCC Park, but logistically and sadly it was unrealistic. Other option was just going there for just the Friday Neuter class and getting back for the 2 at KCC, but in all reality, Mt. Gambier is such a long way for 1 Neuter class. Not that I mind a drive, I love driving, but 10 or more hrs for one class and rushing back for another 2 just seemed a bit over the top. Like I say I am keen to get this title on Dyz, but I have to draw the line somewhere.

Great idea oakway. And another thought along a similar line, how about our state CCs offering free transfer from Mains Register to Mains Neuter Register for a period of time also.. I can't remember, but am pretty sure there is a cost involved in this?

Great idea Showpony. Some of us are already doing this, including myself and quite a few others here on DOL. I am not having much success trying to get clubs to run Neuter classes, but others may be. I enter every Neuter class within 4.5 hrs drive that I do not have a specialty on the same day as. I may even skip one or two specialties next year to get to the show running Neuter classes, not sure yet, but will probably put in an entry anyway to support the club that is offering the classes. I am unsure of what else I can do.

Yes, that is correct IR. I find the easiest way to remember the whole Neuter thing is to pretend in your head that your Neuter class is like a whole separate breed of dog. For instance if it was a ACD neuter, then any ACD neuters entered on the day do not start until all the ACD entires are finished ie BOB and run offs. At no time once the neuters of that breed start, do the ACD entires come back in, unless they are going in for a group line up. So, neuters are sort of treated like a whole separate breed format wise, as at no time are they run against the entires of the same breed or of any of breed. They are given points up to BNOF as if they were a completely separate breed, but after that, neuters are run off as any normal class and not awarded extra points. The next breed does not commence until that particular neuter breed has finished their BNOB and run offs as with any other breed.

I did wonder why Southern Cross was running Junior Neuter classes along with Open. It would mean if there were Minors and Puppys they would have to enter in Open Neuter and yet the juniors could be in Junior. Seems odd to me, but that's just my opinion. 10 Open Neuters is very disappointing. That is such a shame. Seems so far IME the rural shows have more Neuter entries than the city shows. Can't see why. I am really looking forward to this show experiencedfun Nice and local to me and a twilight to boot. can't wait.

I hear you, disappoints me too... however, I get why they do it this way. Neuter is run off with the class run offs as the last one and is sort of just like Veterans or Aus Bred if you like. Do we really think each breed should have 2 possible BOBs at each show and 4 challenges dogs or bitches? I would happily accept extra points for NIG and/or NIS. These run offs are done after Open In Group and Open In show (if these run offs are not knocked out) as it is seen as another class. So basically it is run an awarded the same, but as a class, not as a breed, if that makes sense. Now we have come this far, I would really love to put this title on my bitch, it is certainly not the be all, but it would be nice. However, I am unsure if she will make it for lack of shows and lack of competition within our own breed, even though she can take out In Group and In Show wins. At 6 points per show, not many show offering these classes within a 4 hr radius, and the clock ticking for my sweetheart Dyz, she may end up not getting it. We are having a lot of fun along the way, so what will be will be

Great pics Laneka. Go Nev!! As with any breed, and particularly one you wished to work, purchase only from a reputable breeder that screens parents for HD/ED. State Rottweiler club members must adhere to COE which governs individual and combined sire/dam hip scoring. I cannot emphasise "breeder, breeder, breeder" enough. If you decide to get a Rott, take your time, do your homework and make sure you are on the same page as your breeder regarding ethics. I have been very lucky. All my dogs' breeders have been ethical, reputable people that are supportive and passionate about the breed. There are a lot of wonderful Rottweiler breeders around. Pop into our thread if you wish to chat to any. As we all know none of this guarantees any dog will not have any issues, but it is an excellent start. I have owned 4 Rottweilers, 3 of them from totally different lines and not one of them has had any ED or HD issues. I work them all. To help prevent HD/ED issues pups must be raised right, so diet, activity and weight all play a contributing factor. I would also encourage you to have your own dog HD/ED xrays done 12-18 months, prior to hard work so that gives you an idea of the makeup of your own dog and also a bench mark should any injuries occur down the track, though radiographers can typically tell the difference between genetic and injury arthritic changes on xrays