Don't boycott the people who wage our fight ... support them !!!

• 2018.04.07

We learn that there is some animosity on social media about the fact that the IFR World Show 2019 will be organized by the Chinese Rottweiler Club, a  decision that was taken unanimously by the Meeting of Delegates dd. 2017.

Like all dog lovers, we are aware of the gruesomeness of the photo’s and video’s that flood our western social media, showing dogs being horribly abused.  They show a reality that is so horrible that it overshadows all considerations of accepting this as a mere cultural fact.   

However, this cannot and may not motivate a call for a boycott of the IFR-show in China !   Those that do call for a boycott of the show, will in fact obtain the opposite result.

Facta non verba ... the IFR is livelier than ever ... .

Dear Rottweiler Friends,

Our Federation is livelier than ever before.  We receive many responses and all are strongly positive.

Judges ... please be aware of the dangers of social media !

Dear Rottweiler Friends,

On the evening before the IFR World Championship IPO 2018,  so on the eve before we will celebrate the breed as a healthy utility breed, I was contacted by several Rottweiler lovers concerning photo’s that were recently published on social media.  

Some of these again show dogs with such extreme features that they can honestly no longer be judged under the FCI-standard.  There was even a video of a pup whose physical and genetic health may be questioned at first sight !   

A laymans walk through basic canine genetics

The IFR booklet "A layman's walk through basic canine genetics.  Genetic diseases and the correlation with a reduced genetic diversity of the breed" is an edition by the IFR and meant for all amateurs, especially all breeders.  

It explains basic genetics in an easy to understand manner, goes into some of the genetic diseases that exist in the Rottweiler-breed and explains how the prevalency rate of these diseases is influenced by in- and linebreeding.   The booklet holds a strong warning against the ever more reduced genetic diversity of our breed. 

The booklet is available in PDF-format in English and in Spanish.       A printed version is available in English.    

The following link leads to the text in an online magazine format : http://www.genetics.rottweilerclub.be

Report on the IFR Meeting Wohlen 07 - 08 july 2018

We look back on a very important and constructive meeting.   Discussions ranged from the definition of the breed to the regulations and breed suitability tests that are meant and are even essential to worldwide preserve the breed's physical and mental traits and its  physical and genetic health.     I cannot imagine a more important agenda for the Rottweiler !!!        

I sincerely thank all persons who were present at the Meeting, proving their concern and passion for the breed and its future.   You've shown a high unanimity and a firm and determined will to bring the IFR - in the interest of us all - to full emancipation and to ensure the breed's future.   Participating member clubs were : Belgium, China, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the Netherlands (the Italian club gave a proxy to vote) and the following clubs attended although  not a member of the IFR : RKNA, NBRC, Croatia.   

I must underline that the conclusions of the meeting are not just a result of a free discussion, they are both the interpretation and completion by the IFR-Member clubs who were present at the meeting of the constitutional conditions for Membership or in other words, the conditions that all Member clubs must respect and carry into effect so to achieve the IFR’s goals.   This is the context and meaning of the meeting as was announced since 2017 and a draft of regulations, based on the results of the meeting, will be presented to the Meeting of Delegates in 2019 for confirmation and application. 

I've said it before : facta ... non verba !        Click HERE for the REPORT on the meeting.

On behalf of the Board,

D. Vandecasteele

IFR-President.