Very important news came from the Meeting of the Delegates (Congress) of the IFR that met in Moscow in May 2011. 

Indeed, while in the past the agenda of the Meeting was limited to mostly administrative issues, it is clear that a new wind is blowing through the Rottweiler-world and that it is supported by all IFR member clubs. 

The very ideas that founded the IFR in 1969 have clearly never lost their importance nor actuality.

These same ideas were now put on the agenda, only not as a silent sterile background of discussions but as actual issues to finally be brought to reality or at the very least actively strived for. The congress laid emphasis on the true meaning and actuality of the goals of the international cooperation and the responsibility of all breed clubs toward the breed and thus the need and obligation to assure that worldwide breeding of Rottweiler respects the breed as in all aspects.

Strictly in accordance with the IFR-convention, after an open presentation and discussion, it was unanimously decided that in the future, besides the obligation to organize tests of social behavior, all member clubs must have minimal breeding regulations.

These regulations must include health issues and at the least an HD-assessment of all dogs before being bred. At the moment, this is not yet an obligation in all countries or clubs.

Certainly not less important is that these breeding regulations must in the future include a breed suitability test ! Breeding the Rottweiler cannot and may not be without responsibility ! The constitution of the IFR, supported by all its members, indeed considers it of the highest importance to introduce, continue or intensify efforts, in order to breed exclusively with dogs with a self-assured nature, a well-balance nervous condition and sufficiently high stimulus threshold.

Such efforts can only be understood as the obligatory organization of breed suitability tests. Selecting wanted and averting unwanted characteristics, needs knowing and recognizing them in the breeding animals, which is only possible by actively testing them on the presence or absence of these traits.

The form and content of the test is to be decided upon by the clubs themselves but the test should aim at the preservation of the original traits of character of the Rottweiler, meaning a high confidence of character, sociable behavior in the family and society while still showing the aptitude as a working dog.

All member clubs have already been contacted and asked for information on existing breeding regulations and tests. This info will be summarized, appreciated, bundled and laid before the next Meeting of the Delegates in Denmark to allow a discussion towards more homogeneity and worldwide high conformation and health.

It goes of course without saying that for the fore mentioned appreciation, the cooperation of the German Rottweilerclub, the keeper of the FCI-breedstandard and thus the organization that defines the breed, will be sought for.

I’m convinced that these decisions taken by the congress in may 2011, will in the future, if all clubs and associated breeders take their tasks and responsibilities towards the breed seriously, prove to be of the utmost importance.

Dirk Vandecasteele
Vice-President IFR-board.