Not forgetting Rochindan Bergamot (Arnie), our first Rottweiler.

2nd in Limit Dog at Crufts 1999 to the Best of Breed winner, always does us proud by getting in that line up

The first time that I saw a Rottweiler up close, I found it intimidating and a bit scary. Little did I know just how soft they really are, Arnie is the softest. We bought Arnie from a small kennel near Portsmouth, the breeder, a Mrs Jenkins, obviously saw something in us as owners, as I'm not sure if I would have sold us a puppy back then (I'm so glad that she did!).

I truly belive that the temprement of the dog is decided by the first few weeks with the breeder and continued the first few weeks the puppy arives in its new home. So we socialised him with puppies and children, we attended training classes and started to do a bit of obedience, along with some agility (is there no end to this dogs talents!). Then whilst attending an Obedience Competition we entered Arnie into a fun Exemption Show and he won Best In Show first time out. Although a late starter in the beauty stakes (he was 18 months old) he proved to be a worthy competitor, and as always, provided us lots of fun.

That was the start of our Rottweiler Career, we were totally smitten.. Arnie did well and won a few classes at Championship Shows and even attained a Stud book number which means that he is qualified for Crufts for life. In 1999 he came 2nd in Limit Dog at Crufts to the Best of Breed winner.

Now in his twelth year, he is a true ambassador of the breed, and never fails to impress everyone that he meets, he is a true gentle giant.