Background We have some of the finest dogs in the U.S.A. from the World's top bloodlines. We have over 30 years combined experience in the Rottweiler breed. We compete on an International level, both in the Show ring and on the Schutzhund field. We produce the total Rottweiler in accordance with the FCI Breed Standard.	Jana vom Bülser Hof  &  Attila vom Drachenfels
We breed for excellent breed type, correct structure, super working ability, and stable, friendly temperament. Our dogs are good with children, yet protective of their home.

Working ability is paramount to us. We must have physically sound dogs that reliably perform the work. We only breed dogs from bloodlines that have at least 6 generations of certified hips.

Joeri is the co-breeder of 2 World Champions. He is a 6x World Team member in Schutzhund and a team captain of the 2001 IFR team.

Joeri is the owner/trainer/handler of Int'l/Bel/Lux CH., 3x National Club Sieger, Vice IFR World CH, Vice ADRK KJS, 22x Sieger, over 35x V1 rated Umbro van het Polderbos   IPO3, BH, BST, Belgian Selection.

Joeri won the 2002 & 2003 ARV Schutzhund Nationals with Attila vom Drachenfels. He is an ARV Working / Conformation Judge, a professional Schutzhund trainer / coach to national and international level competitors, and an importer of top quality European dogs.

Christina has been involved in Rottweilers since 1985. She founded the Bay Area Rottweiler Rescue and volunteered for 7 years doing rescue work.

Joeri and Christina are members of the United States Rottweiler Club (USRC), the American Rottweiler Verein (ARV), Algemeiner Deutscher Rottweiler Klub (ADRK), United Schutzhund Clubs of America (USA) and Deutscher Vervband der Gerbrauchshundsportvereine (DVG).
 

The Breed Standard

We breed according to the current FCI Breed Standard . This is the official standard that is recognized throughout the world. The U.S. is the ONLY major country that does not abide by the FCI Standard.

The current FCI standard mandates a natural tail. Since we show our dogs internationally, we must have natural tails in order to compete. Many U.S. breeders choose to leave natural tails in compliance with the FCI Standard.

Both the American Rottweiler Verein (ARV) and United States Rottweiler Club (USRC) allow American breeders to show their dogs with natural tails.

We have found that our puppies with natural tails begin walking sooner, open their eyes earlier and have much better balance than their docked counterparts. As trainers, it is easier to "read" a Rottweiler with a tail.
 

German versus American

"What is the difference between a German Rottweiler and an American Rottweiler?"

The most obvious difference is that the German dogs now have tails. German breeders must breed in strict compliance to the standard. Their dogs must pass a breed suitability test and have their hips certified before breeding.

American breeders are not required to test their dogs before they breed. American bloodline Rottweilers typically do not meet the breed standard. They do not have the structure or temperament of a correctly bred (German) Rottweiler.

A true Rottweiler exemplifies breed type, possesses a stable temperament and has strong working ability. The Rottweiler should be free from inheritable diseases such as hip dysplasia.

In Germany , both parents of a litter must be temperament tested (BH title), breed tested (Ztp) and have their hips certified. One parent must be Schutzhund titled. These stringent requirements eliminate lesser quality dogs from the gene pool.

ADRK breeders are required to use Dogbase before they can breed a litter. Of course, not every German dog is superior.

Many German dogs exported to the U.S. as adults are "rejects" and are not typical of the quality found in Germany. An experienced importer such as Redwood Krest Kennels should be consulted by people wishing to import a top quality German dog.

In the U.S., a litter of puppies may be registered without any fitness for breeding tests. The American Kennel Club registers pups from any Rottweiler combination (assuming both parents are AKC registered). The parents may have bad hips, missing teeth, yellow eyes, white spots, or weak temperament.

This is why the overall quality of American bloodline dogs is very poor. The majority of strictly American dogs are no longer true Rottweilers. These dogs do not meet the Breed Standard, despite having American Championship titles. Many are oversized with very light eyes, pink mouths, missing teeth, wrinkly heads, unstable temperaments and NO working ability!!

A dog that cannot pass a breed test, temperament test or obtain a Schutzhund title should NOT be bred. The Rottweiler is a working breed. The Rottweiler is always ready to work and will protect his family without being unpredictable and dangerous. The Rottweiler is a loyal friend and eager to please. 

We maintain these traits in our kennel by breeding only from the finest German bloodline dogs.

Dogbase

The ADRK uses a computer database program called 'Dogbase'. Since July 1, 1999, ADRK breeders are required to use Dogbase as a tool for selecting the most suitable breeding partners. Dogbase is updated quarterly and is available on CD.

This database provides a numerical score in 5 categories: HD, ED, Head, Cheekbone, Bone strength . For every trait, "100" is neutral (average). A number higher than 100 means that a dog is more likely to exhibit that trait, a number lower than 100 decreases the likelihood of that trait. The first two categories (HD, ED) are the most important, they must not exceed 110 (if they are higher then the scheduled breeding is not allowed). The last three categories are "recommended". Optimally, for the first 2 categories the lower the number, the better. This means the dog is less likely to throw these traits. An example of a "good" HD number is around 95, a great one is around 85-90. It is not hard to find hips under 100, but good elbows (since they have only recently been examined) are more difficult to find. As a result, "100" is almost a good number for elbows, less than 100 is great and less than 90 is outstanding. For the last three categories, (Head, Cheekbone, Bonestrength), a higher number is better. Good bone strength is 110 and greater, with some numbers as high as 125. Head and cheekbone ratings are similar, anything over 110 is very good.

The numbers are dynamic, as the dog get its HD/ED ratings, its numbers will change and affect its parent's numbers (and further back), as well as its siblings. The numbers on a prospective (or already born) litter are simply the average of both parents until the offspring themselves get HD/ED ratings, Ztp / Koerung reports and show critiques.

Dogbase is a very interesting tool. It is no substitute for good research, but it is a huge step in the right direction. German bloodline dogs are superior because, in Germany, they take dog breeding seriously.
 

Breeding Goals

A QUALITY bitch is the single most important factor in a good breeding program. Too many people expect the stud dog to be a miracle worker and improve all of the bitch's faults. This rarely happens and the stud dog always gets blamed.

A good bitch is V-rated in conformation and proven on the working field. She has a friendly, stable temperament, sound structure and has passed a breed test or at the very least, a temperament test. She must come from bloodlines that have reproduced these traits for several generations.

We know breeders that are always looking for a "bargain" bitch. They do not want to make the investment in a top quality female. They are willing to settle for something mediocre just to produce puppies. This philosophy never succeeds in the long run.

We have personally viewed most of the popular stud dogs in Europe. We have firsthand knowledge of their strengths and weaknesses. We breed with the specific goal of producing a dog that exemplifies breed type, is sound in structure and temperament, and possesses strong working drives. The stud dog must also be friendly and approachable.

We do not use stud dogs with poor character. With all of the bad publicity the Rottweiler breed has gotten in recent years, breeders must make responsible decisions. There is absolutely no excuse for breeding a dog with a questionable temperament. We do not care how beautiful a dog is, how wonderful his pedigree may be, or how many titles he has, if his character is weak.

We research the offspring a stud male has produced with a variety of different females. This shows which dominant traits he produces. We also rely on Dogbase as a tool in our selection process. The Germans have been breeding great dogs for a long time. We take advantage of their research whenever possible.

Once we select a stud dog, we make sure our female is in top breeding condition. The bitch must be healthy, wormed and current on vaccinations. The bitch must lead a stress free life during her pregnancy with the best possible nutrition (what we feed our dogs).  

Studies have found that a female's physical and mental well being during pregnancy is very important to puppy development. Puppies born from a stressful pregnancy show a greater sensitivity to socialization as well as a reduction in learning.

Only caring, experienced breeders can provide truly outstanding Rottweilers for work, show and companionship.

Please read Raising a Puppy to find out how we socialize and care for our puppies.