Interview with Yvonne for the Rottweiler Club
of Western Australia Newsletter in December/January edition 2000.
Jenny Griffiths, Perth WA.
First, before I let Yvonne introduce herself , I would like to
Thank Yvonne very much for taking the time in answering my questions
, Yvonne is a treasure of a lady, on both a personal and professional
level , and it is always my pleasure.........Thank you Yve' !!
Yvonne , how long have you been involved with Rottweilers?
Since 1975
And how did you get specifically involved with Rottweilers?
I was working for a transport company in Mildura , the owner had
one of Mr & Mrs Mummery's early dogs. I had to go to their home
to collect some bookwork and was greeted at the front gate by the
greatest monster of a dog and the rest as they say is history! In
hindsight he probably was not all that big , however on the day
he certainly was impressive.
You have owned and bred some great Rottweilers Yvonne , which
one is/was your favourite?
Aust. Ch. Vanglen Aspen was a very memorable dog, his gorgeous temperament
and his overall presence was just super. To describe a dog as a
perfect gentleman is so incorrect , however that best describes
this lovely boy. Tcharkuldu Clicquot certainly had the strongest
and most amazing temperament , she was extremely hard and a gentle
lamb and guardian to her Shar Pei charges. There are many others
that have been very precious to me.
You have had many great moments in Rottweilers with your own
dogs , what is the one great moment that stands out in your mind
Yvonne?
I had been training Allerhochst Wanita for Schutzhund. On the day
of the tracking leg being held at Woodside in the Adelaide Hills
, I was unable to do the track. She worked like a little trooper
for her handler , JB and got a high score of 99 for the track. We
were able to go to Victoria and do a FH track some months later
and again she did not let me down. The track was 3 hours old , a
fox was seen crossing the track and had urinated nearby , however
she just kept her nose to the ground and we obtained her FH. To
me these are truly great moments , the result of handler and dog
training , working and trialing together to achieve a goal as one
, to win was entirely up to my dog and I.
Could you please tell us something about yourself, as a judge,
a lover and breeder of Rottweilers.
Myself: I was raised on a sheep and cattle Station in Northern New
South Wales as an only child , so the sheep dogs became my companions
(no TV to baby sit the kids then!!) I am told that from a very early
age I was out mimicking my Father and working the dogs with sheep.
I was given a Welch Corgi to show and later a German Short Haired
Pointer. I enjoyed showing in Broken Hill and later in Mildura.
It was in Mildura that I saw my first Rottweiler and when I moved
to Adelaide I was able to purchase my first Rottweiler in 1975.
Judging: Judging was a natural Progression. I do hope that with
the number of years that I have been involved with the dog world
and the last 20 plus in Rottweilers , I can give something back
and help new breeders and exhibitors along the way.
As a breeder: I was only discussing this point with Casey Dahl this
morning and the hardest part we have with breeding our dogs is the
parting with our puppies. I have chosen not to have a litter of
Rottweilers for 6 years, however we have just had 3 Shar Pei babies
here and it just so heart wrenching letting them go.........they
are going to lovely homes ...but!
What is your personal opinion of what the direction of the
breed should be?
With so may changing dog legislations I believe that it is imperative
that the dogs that we are producing should be bomb proof. They must
come from a stable back ground, cared for correctly in those first
seven weeks that are so very important in their formation and sold
on only to responsible and caring people. I see the legislations
from Europe crossing onto our shores in the not so distant future
and if we are not careful and TOTALLY responsible with our breeding
programmes and our placement of animals then we are going to have
immense restrictions placed upon each end every one of us...Not
just the owners but the breeders too.
How does the state of the breed compare with what your understanding
of it was when you originally got involved in the breed some 20
plus years ago?
Sadly the popularity of the Rottweiler has risen to an all time
record and of course with such popularity there will be puppy mills
out there that are doing damage to the breed. The genuine and concerned
breeders that have put the breed above all else should be very proud
of the state of the Rottweiler today. There are many excellent specimens
in the show ring and there are a lot of very good dogs working in
Obedience, Agility and Schutzhund. With the genuine breeders , Rottweilers
in Australia are in very good hands , however they need to keep
in mind changing legislations and the temperaments of the Rottweilers.
Sadly the popularity of the Rottweiler has risen to an all time
record and of course with such popularity there will be puppy mills
out there that are doing damage to the breed.
If you had the power to change breeders attitudes , what changes
would you make?
This is like the question about the Lawyer and the Accountant!!
We are never going to get everyone to see eye to eye on every aspect
of the breed , but so long as they keep abreast of changes happening
in Germany and keep the character and temperament at the forefront
of their breeding programmes then I guess we can live with differing
opinions. One thing that is certain is that the Show Ring and the
Working ring will sort the Forest from the Trees and those that
are not keeping abreast will have to re think their situation and
make the necessary changes.
What about your own personal experience over the passing years
since your involvement.....has there been any changes worth noting
in the breed , for better or worse?
Certainly the dogs that I saw in Sydney last year were very impressive
, their strength , their beauty and the nature of the animals were
a credit to their owners and breeders. I am concerned though that
some the Rottweilers are becoming too tall , sure they are impressive
, but I feel that if a number of them were to go under a measuring
stick they would be right at the top of the standard if not a tad
above.
Yvonne...I think anyone that has been around for some years
would agree with this , I can only speak over the past 12 years.............12
years ago there was the "show" dog and on the other side
was the "working Rottweiler" , over the past years we
have all seen the transition of the two combining , how do you perceive
the combination of the two combining in both references to the working
and conformation side of the Rottweiler?
The majority of quality Rottweilers can go out and do a good performance
on the working field , however when you are talking of real competition
then certainly one has to look at the animals used in the breeding
programme. More and more conformation people are now talking about
working lines and certainly we are seeing dogs of beauty with impressive
working pedigrees behind them.
As a judge.....what are the most frequently seen handler errors
that you see?
Lack of training for events by both handler and their dog. , spend
the time and effort when the dog is young , get him to work with
you , beside you , run with you and you will be greatly rewarded.
The more time you spend with your dog on a one to one basis the
more it shows in the ring , but having said that without fitness
for both the handler and the dog you are not in the race when it
comes to specialty shows.
How do you view the sport of Schutzhund and how it benefits
the breed?
I personally love the sport of Schutzhund , however sadly in this
country the sport has not gone in a positive direction. There are
too many individuals that believe that the sport creates a dangerous
dog and along with that there are a hand-full in the Sport that
are spoiling it for the handlers that are dedicated and playing
by the rules. Schutzhund is so mentally stimulating for the dogs.
Dogs with good steady, calm temperaments can and do well in this
sport. A dog does not have to be an over the top lunatic to win!!
The best dogs that I have seen performing here in Australia are
all gentle and well mannered animals in their own home environment.
How do you feel character testing benefits the breed?
Character testing can tell us a lot about our animals , however
again you must have experienced testers. I would like to see a system
put into place where the testers are put through an apprentice system.
I believe a lot can be learned from the Doberman people and there
are some very experienced WAC testers amongst their ranks. If we
were to use them and have further tutoring from our Judges visiting
from Europe two or three times per year , then we would be far better
off.
Would you classify temperament being an inherited trait ,
or the result of environment?
Temperament is certainly an inherited trait, however having said
that , immeasurable damage can be done with the wrong environment.
The first 8 weeks in a puppy's life are very important , but so
too are the following 10 months in my opinion.
If I was to give you an open free hand , what words would
you like to share with us Yvonne?
Jenny , I think it has all been said above, I guess that you can
see that right now I am concerned for the future of this wonderful
breed that we have nurtured to where it is today. It is more important
now than ever before to be extremely careful with our animals ,
especially when dealing with the public, in view of the changes
that are happening in Europe and the changes that we are seeing
with our Councils here in Australia. There are legislations that
only allow one dog per household , legislation to allow NO dogs
at all in suburbs and again another suburb that will not allow dogs
or cats. Beware of what is around the corner with your local council.
I also suggest that you ask to be informed of any changes with the
Animal Act in your area and also keep your local Canine Association
informed of your findings.
Please read your breed standard again and underline the paragraph:
TEMPERAMENT Behaviour and Character. Being good natured, placid
and fond of Children in basic disposition , he is very devoted ,
obedient, biddable and eager to work. His appearance is natural
and rustic, his behaviour self assured, steady and fearless. He
reacts to his surroundings with great alertness....This describes
the majority of our dogs, please, lets keep it at that!!
Thank you jenny for your interview , I have enjoyed answering your
questions and I look forward to seeing the dogs in Perth and spending
time talking with your club members , hopefully some time in the
near future.
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