Dear BRSDC Member As recently promised in the first British Rottweiler Sports Dog Club Newsletter, (December 2008) the BRSDC Committee in their efforts to fulfil their duty as acting Committee, are endeavouring to keep all the BRSDC Membership and friends updated with the running of the Club and notify you of events we have planned this coming year. As such we have put together a short, interim Newsletter to further update Members with the progression of the Club and to outline BRSDC plans for 2009. BRSDC Activities As many of you are aware, the Kennel Club recently reviewed its Breed Standards for all dog breeds due to the ensuing scandal that erupted following the BBC s pedigree dogs exposed documentary earlier last year. In reaction to subsequent accusations of unnecessary cruelty due to the unnatural selection of certain characteristics by some breeders, the KC have now announced their revised Breed Standards and have made efforts to answer their critics with the new Fit for Function: Fit For Life campaign. The press release announcing the launch of the campaign, stated that the results of the KC review of all breed standards is to ensure that all dogs are healthy, of good temperament and fit for their original function. Since we as members of the BRSDC already appreciate and acknowledge the importance of these qualities in our breed, it has come of no real surprise that there is to be no revision to the Rottweiler Breed Standard, (unlike other working breeds such as the German Shepherd, which have been subjected to minor changes). It can definitely be said that we as responsible Rottweiler owners know all too well that the good temperament and character of the Rottweiler remains fundamental to the future of the breed and so with this in mind, the BRSDC committee would like to further demonstrate that UK Rottweilers are capable of proving they are healthy, of good temperament i.e. fit for their original function. We aim to do this by actively encouraging owners of this exceptional breed to join us on our allocated training days and take part in basic temperament/character/sociability tests (pre-requisits for German working qualifications) that will confirm both the capabilities of our dogs and the commitment of their owners. We have therefore, planned a number of BRSDC training days in which we would like to assist anybody from whatever background, whether it be working trials, schutzhund sport, show ring or pet home who is interested in
improving the basic sociability and obedience of their dog and also gaining a UK and European recognised qualification. Since Committee Members have extensive knowledge and valuable experience in historically proven German temperament tests e.g. the BH test, we thought we would help to pass this onto our members in our 5 proposed BRSDC BH training days, the dates of which are shown below: At each of these training days/seminarswe hope to assist all participants (novice or experienced) in gaining, exceeding, or at least working towards a worthwhile recognised basic control and temperament test qualification. We initially plan to hold the first of the training days at Bolton Schutzhund Club in Warrington; although if sufficient interest is aroused from members further north or south of the Warrington area, we will travel to other venues in the UK. (For enquiries, please contact Club Secretary) For those who are not familiar with the test, a summary of the BH or Traffic Dog Test is provided below. The Begleithund (BH) or Traffic Dog Test The obedience part of the exercise begins with the dog starting in a basic sitting position on the left side of the handler. At the judges indication, the handler moves forward with the dog heeling next to the handler for approximately 40 paces going straight ahead without stopping. They then perform an about turn and after 10 to 15 paces, show both fast and then slow paces for a minimum of about 10 paces. At a normal pace, they are then to perform a minimum of a right, a left and an about turn. Throughout this, the dog must stay with its shoulder at knee level on the left side of the handler. The command "Heel" is permitted only when starting from the basic position and at the changes of pace. When the handler halts, the dog should sit quickly without help from the handler. NB: The minimum age for dogs at the time of the BH test is 15 months, however training for the test can begin from around 6-9 months.
Group The dog and handler are required to walk in a figure of 8 around a group of minimum 4 people. At the direction of the judge, the handler and dog go through the group and the handler must halt at least once in the group. Heeling through the group is to be shown both on and off lead. Sit Out of Motion Exercise From the basic position and with the dog heeling off lead, the handler walks straight ahead. After a minimum of 10 paces and on the command "Sit" the dog must quickly sit, without the handler pausing or looking back. After 30 or so paces, the handler stops and turns towards the dog. At the direction of the judge, the handler returns to the dog and takes the basic position on the right side of the dog. Down Out of Motion with Recall As with the sit exercise, after a minimum of 10 paces and on the command "Down" the dog must quickly lie down. The handler walks straight ahead for another 30 paces, turns towards the dog and stops. At the direction of the judge, the handler calls the dog. The dog runs to the handler and sits in front. At the command, Heel' the dog sits next to the handler. Down Under Distraction At the beginning of the obedience performance of another dog, the handler downs his/her dog at a place designated by the judge. The handler stands away from the dog. During the Down, the dog must remain lying calmly. At the direction of the judge, the handler goes to the right side of the dog and at another judge direction, brings the dog into the basic position with the command "Sit". Following the obedience part of the test, there is a traffic steady section in which the dog must demonstrate that they are non aggressive and calm towards passing traffic, a jogger, a group of people, another dog (when tied and out of sight of the handler) and when someone passes on a bicycle. Each section of the test is awarded points, added at the end to give an overall score. The test is designed not to fail the dog but to encourage a happy, willing and in control performance from the dog. Other BRSDC Events The BRSDC are pleased to announce that following on from the success of the two day training seminar held in August last year, with internationally recognised Helper and Trainer Jorg Bungarten, as promised Jorg is returning in June (see dates below) to again demonstrate his original
and challenging training methods which are to be coupled with a Helper training/seminar. (Anyone wishing to take part in the training weekend as handler and or apprentice helper, please contact the Secretary for availability of places). Breed Suitability Test In compliance with the fundamental principles of the BRSDC, to promote in every way the general improvement of the breed with regard to both temperament and type we, together with our members have always advocated the importance of having a responsible breeding program. We are therefore further pleased to announce that towards the end of the year, there are plans to hold a Breed Suitability Test, or Ztp which will continue to contribute to the betterment of the Rottweiler in the UK and also support the new found aims of the KC, who have recently committed to extending and improving their Accredited Breeder Scheme by asking the government for statutory powers to make the scheme s requirements compulsory across the country. This will mean that those who have not signed up to the standards will not be able to breed within the law. In accordance with the KC aims, the BRSDC committee would like to take the opportunity to expand on these principles and hold a Ztp with appointment of an ADRK breed judge. The Zuchttauglichkeitsprufung or (Ztp) evaluates the dog's conformation and character to determine if the dog is a suitable candidate in a breeding program in both type and temperament. In Germany, a litter may not be registered unless both the dam and the sire have passed the Ztp! In the US the test is called the BST. There are several pre-requisites for the ZTP and these are; that the dog must have passed the BH test and that it must be tattooed or microchip registered. It must also not have any disqualifying faults according to the FCI standard and must have a passing hip and elbow evaluation from either a BVA or ADRK registered vet. All going well, the Judge, and venue for the Ztp will be announced later in the year. BRSDC New Training Group In keeping with the intention of the BRSDC, to promote the Rottweiler in all its training activities, we would like to support the venture of opening the first area group of the BRSDC in the North West in Warrington. The acceptance of the new training group, proposed to be called BRSDC AG Warrington will be discussed at the next committee
meeting in quarter 2 this year. Under rule 27 of the Constitution, the training group must meet with the conditions laid down by the Constitution. BRSDC Admin Through recent contact with the KC, we have been informed that the application for the Club to attain Registered Society Status is currently under review by the various committees and sub-committees within the organisation. As such processes take sometime, we anticipate from our communications that the decision will be made sometime in quarter 3 of this year. In addition to the training dates we have arranged below, the members of Bolton Schutzhund Club have given their approval for the go-ahead this year of some joint ventures/trials with the BRSDC. This is so that members of the BRSDC if they so wish, can participate in organised events with recognised German Rottweiler ADRK judges at a small expense to the club and also in a recognised location. The first of the planned collaborative events is a Schutzhund trial, scheduled for the Easter bank holiday weekend, 10 th -11 th April. The judge for this event will be Prof. Dr. Peter Friedrich, recently appointed President of the German Kennel Club, the VDH. Anyone wishing to take part in this event, open for stakes of BH, IPOI, II and III, please contact Bolton Schutzhund Club Chairman Kurt Schwenteck at http://vpg-uk.tripod.com/. The next planned BRSDC/Bolton Schutzhund Club events are: Date: 4-5th July 09 Judge: Heinrich Wömpner (ADRK) Date: 26-27 September 09 Judge: Walter Schier (ADRK) Dates for your Diary, so far: BH Training Days: (Sundays) 26 th April, 14 th June, 19 th July, 9 th August, 6 th September 2009. Jorg Bungarden Helper Course and Dog Training Seminar: 6-7 th June 2009 Ztp October-December 2009 Kindest Regards, BRSDC Committee: Dr. Diane Brady (Chairperson), Kurt Schwenteck (National Breed Coordinator), Sebastian Schwenteck (Club Secretary), Lee Cleaver (Treasurer), Jean Schwenteck (Committee Member).