Breed Survey

Breed Survey Information

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To promote and offer guidance for the development of the Rottweiler so as to achieve uniform compliance to the F.C.I breed standard as well as the continued education of owners, breeders and the general public.

This should be done in a way that achieves a balance between this primary aim and the participation by as many breeders and owners as possible, with the long-term goal being that all Rottweilers should be surveyed before being bred with.

ELIGIBILITY

The dog shall at the date of the survey, have attained the age of no less than eighteen (18) months and be no older than eight (8) years.

The dog must be registered with the ANKC and be issued with main register paperwork.

The dog must be identifiable by either a tattoo or microchip.

The dog is to be sound and in a healthy physical state and be of good temperament.

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

1.) Original registration certificate, which is to be varified against the entry details.

2.) Original HD/ED result which must bear the required identification.

3.) Original Eye and Dental certificates which must bear the required identification.

4.) Original certificates detailing conformation or working titles.

5.) Original document signed by a Veterinarian confirming accidental damage to the dog. Loss of teeth through accident or mechanical means, provided that it is attested to by the NRCA Breed Survey Registrar, shall be counted as if they are present.

6.) Copies of documentation are to be attested as true and correct by a Justice of the Peace.

NUMBER OF DOGS & JUDGING ORDER

The maximum number of dogs to be surveyed by one surveyor in one day is 20.

The order of surveying will be males followed by females.

Bitches in oestrus may participate, but only after all other dogs have been surveyed.

Breed Survey Program

1. CLASSIFICATIONS

PASS - Suitable for breeding
Allocated to all dogs that pass all areas of the breed survey.

FAIL - Not suitable for breeding
Allocated to dogs that possess a breed fault or are assessed as having an unacceptable temperament.

RE-PRESENT - Dogs may re-present on 2 more occasions
Allocated to thoses dogs assessed as worthy of reconsideration after further development.

2. ANATOMICAL CONSTRUCTION

a) Each dog is to be presented individually and positively identified.

b) The dog will then be weighed, measured, eye color assessed, teeth and bite examined. The results are to be immediately transcribed onto the survey form by the officiating surveyor.

c) The officiating surveyor will then complete a written critique on the general appearance, attitude, constitution, conformation, movement, and fitness levels of the dog.

d) Double handling will be permitted; however, the surveyor may stop the practice if in their opinion, the practice is hazardous or unruly.

3. CHARACTER & TERMPERAMENT ASSESSMENT

a) The Gun Test (reaction to loud and sudden noise)

Each dog is to be brought into the assessment area individually wherein the handler will be asked to heel their dog on a loose lead towards a crowd of 6 people. As the dog and handler approach the crowd, the surveyor/steward will fire two (2) shots in succession at a distance of not less than ten (10) meters from the dog.

The dog is allowed to be startled by the noise but must quickly recover and must continue heeling with the handler.

The dog is not allowed to show signs of fear or nervousness. The surveyor may if deemed necessary, request that more shots be fired.

The dog's reaction to the sudden noise is to be documented on the survey form by the surveyor.

b) The Crowd Test

The dog and handler are to proceed through the crowd which is milling about and then both the handler and dog are to stop in the middle of the crowd at which time the dog is instructed to sit.

The crowd will then move in on the handler and the dog and completely surround them.

Upon instruction from the surveyor, the crowd will move away from the dog and handler.

A further request will be made by the surveyor for the crowd to move in and surround both the dog and handler a second time.

Finally, the surveyor will instruct the crowd to move away from the dog and handler who will the heel away from the crowd.The surveyor will document the dog's reaction to this pressure situation on the survey form.

c) Character & Temperament Assessment

At the completion of the crowd exercise, the handler will walk with his dog to a pre-determined spot approx twenty (20) meters from a hiding place. The handler will be required to remain stationary and allow the dog freedom of movement to the extent of the lead.

On the surveyors signal, a helper will emerge and challenge the handler. After allowing reaction time for the dog, the helper will run diagonally across and stop in a position approx. fifteen (15) meters away and challenge the handler a second time.

From this position the helper will run diagonally and stop approx ten (10) meters away and challenge again.

The helper will then continue directly toward the handler and dog in a threatening manner to a distance of a minimum three to five (3-5) meters, or until the surveyor instructs the helper to stop the threat.

As the focus is on the reaction of untrained dogs to this assessment, the dog must not attempt to flee or show signs of fear, nervousness or aggression. A lack of reaction is also considered undesirable.

The dog’s reaction to this situation/exercise is to be recorded on the survey form by the surveyor.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------