I'm looking for a sport for my Rottweiler to get involved in. Why is it that you dont see Rottweilers in top level weight pulling competitions? It seems like they'd do really well in that considering their build.

Is obedience where Rottweilers really shine? I know they "can" do any sport, but which do they do the best in?

Agility is to Border Collies
as
<BLANK> is to Rottweilers?

Also, weight pulling might be something I want to get into even if Rottweilers aren't in the top level competition. I've looked for a club near me but can't find anything.. any suggestions on where to look, or does anyone know of one near me? I'm in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago.

Thanks!

Hey Ryan.
There is an Iron Dog Triathlon/Pentathlon club up in Chicago Land. I will see if I can find the info. We used to hang out with them about 7, or 8 years ago.

Iron Dog Tri/Pen does hardest hitting dog, distance run 12 miles in some cases, Sprinting, hang time and a pull.

http://www.irondog.biz/rules.html

Activities - not sports per se, but...

carting
bikejoring
skijoring in the winter
just biking (attachment on bike)
roller blading
scooter or a big board

lots of things to keep you and pup tired and out of trouble.

Ryan,

 Quote: ryan rubel

Is obedience where Rottweilers really shine? I know they "can" do any sport, but which do they do the best in?

Laying in the a/c?
I've seen them participate here and there and in this and that.

I haven't really followed the weight pulling with dogs too much. I have a friend that is really into it, he's got bulls though. I'll see what I can find out. I heard there is an event in New Lenox in 2 wks. Here's a link I found...

http://www.adbadog.com/p_pdetails.asp?fsid=6

Fox Valley APBTC
Saturday, August 14, 2010 - Sunday, August 15, 2010
Location: Francis Field Fair 4-H Grounds

The Fox Valley APBTC (IL) will host 1 conformation show and 1 weight pull on Saturday and 1 conformation show and 1 weight pull on Sundy at the Francis Field Fair 4-H Grounds in New Lenox, IL. For more information call Julia & George 708-599-0546 or Frank 815-370-0035

Thanks! I'll look into this.

Any ideas on why Rottweilers are never near the top? It seems like they would do well in weight pulling?

I have had quite a few Rotties in my time (used to breed them) and they love having any job and being with their owners in any way. If weight pulling is something you're interested in then do it by all means, your dog will have fun whether he/she is pulling or just playing fetch.

They are super smart and obedience is great for them. It gives them the mental stimulation they need.

Rotts are a good adaptable,versatile breed. For most sports or things, theres probably a breed that is better at that specific venue.

 Quote: ryan rubel

Thanks! I'll look into this.

Any ideas on why Rottweilers are never near the top? It seems like they would do well in weight pulling?

I think there are a few reasons.

Rotties went thru a lot of bad breeding, as did the gsd, dobes, labs, ect ect when they came over here and started being shown in the USA.
A lot of the dogs working foundation was bred out of them, or bred bad. The dogs along the way got a bad rap and was added to the "dangerous dog" list.

People stopped working with them because it was hard to find a good worker. People were finding unstable ones, or duds. There were not a lot of people in the states breeding solid working lines. Along the way they just got looked over in peoples choices for a working dog.

There are some people out there that are breeding really solid Rotties in the USA and Germany. I have not been to a show that has had a Rottie in it for quit some time. But, they are out there and doing a great job. I would like to see them make more of a come back.

You will see a lot of Bully breeds in things like weight pulling and hang time and distance running like the Tri/Pen sports. I think this is largely impart to the fact that you can get bully type dogs in so many shapes and sizes. 30 pounds to 130. On an average they seem to have good endurance and drives. Their power to weight ratio in a lot cases is much higher then that of a GSD, or Dobe.

In sports like this, its just hard to beat what a solid 80 pound ABD, or 50 pound APBT brings to the table.
As a package GSD, Dobes, Rotties, Mals... Just dont have the endurance, hang time, agility, power and bite force a ABD, or APBT has.

 Quote: aimee pochron

Laying in the a/c?

That hurts. Low blow, low blow.... Just joking.

I think everyone else has said all else I wanted to say. Honestly, it is actually funny seeing the responses you got here rather than the other place you listed this same question. Personally, the answers here are much more about the breed compared to the other site where it was more my dog or this dog. Good times.

Personally, I agree with a comment I saw on the other thread where the poster said most dogs who do weight pull do it because they love it and Rottweilers need a reason to do it. I don't find many dogs who want to work or have the build to do it. Most people pack on the pounds but with barely any muscle. It makes for a huge dog but nothing underneath that big yet weak frame.

Rottweilers are very versatile, if you ask me, the most, but with that comes limitations where we can't truly excel at one thing but be above average in everything. To me that is the true definition of an athlete.

- Lamarr

There is a new sport that seems to be growing called K9 Nose Work. The premise is that it's detection work, but for odors such as birch, anise, clove, etc So no need to deal with the legalities of having normal odors to train on. And it's a sport, so they have competitions, titles, etc. I have a number of pup people who are training their dogs in this and love it, if your dog has hunt drive, this might be a venue for you to look into. I just posted a vide of a dog training for it in the general videos forum.