ROTT N CHATTER, January 1993, Volume 1 Number 6

 

                             THE CHATTER BOX

 

   Angie Birdsong of Pineville, Missouri shares how she is attempting to

change some people's attitudes.

   "I do believe "our Dogs" (Rotties) are extremely flexible and feel that

we enhance our breed's acceptance and approval by broadening their horizons.

We have had a lot of BAD press in our area in the past year due to an

incident involving a Rottie and 2 Pit Bulls.  An elderly woman was walking

her usual route when the 3 dogs attacked her.  They mauled this woman and

dragged her body down the road.  She remained in Intensive Care for several

weeks.  The next weekend as I was at the Veterinarian's having my first

Rottie (a severely dysplastic bitch) put to rest, my male Rottie, while

confined in our front yard, was shot. This was the most gentle, quiet dog

that ever walked.  He was shot simply because of his breed.  Fortunately,

he did survive.  These incidents have given me my mission, which is to work

my dogs to each one's fullest potential, be it Obedience, Schutzhund,

Confirmation, tracking, carting, therapy or any combination of the above.

I want dogs out in the public to get the GOOD PRESSES ROLLING!  I take my

dogs to the Elementary Schools and give Obedience demonstrations.  I teach

the children how to groom, care for and show a dog affection.  If I happen

to have a litter, I take a couple of pups along and show them the proper

way to hold a puppy and how to gently handle and love one.  We also talk

about proper Veterinarian care and training etc.

   I am most anxious to try carting as this will be one more avenue to show

the versatility and the gentle working nature of of my dogs!  There are

several small towns just a few miles apart here with a couple of parades

each year.  I'm hoping for some good exposure and public acceptance of

Rottweilers.

   My rescue dog has a nose and quite a bit of ball drive, so we may start

her in Search work or perhaps Drug work, we are still researching those

avenues. Where ever her apptitude lies, we will find it!

            WE LOVE OUR ROTTIES AND WE WILL ALWAYS OWN ONE!"