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Monday, 21 April 2014

A-Z Challenge 2014 - 'R'


R - Rottweiler, Retriever

Crufts, The greatest dog show in the world, has been on while I have drafted some posts for this year's Challenge. The Best in Breed for the Working Group turned out to be Barney, a Rottweiler. 

I don't have any photos of him but it just so happens that a five months-old puppy has recently come to live in my village.



Max - Rottweiler puppy
Max walks quite well on a lead even at this age and he is getting used to meeting people. Now that he recognises me he wants to play and not sit still to be photographed.

Max
Rottweilers are an ancient breed once used in wild-boar hunting and as a cattle dog. More recently they have been used for police work and as guard dogs.

I introduced you to the "Gang of Four" under 'L' for Labrador.Now it's the Retriever's turn in a second "Gang of Four," also owned by my daughter and her husband.


Black Lab Mutt (Gem), Retrievers - Cody, Scout and Lily
Cody and Scout were special mates since they came from the same breeder. Cody had been cared for there for a long time after his owner died. When Scout was a puppy and and the breeders had a licensing problem their dogs were being taken into care while the problem was sorted out. When the premises were being cleared Cody had hidden Scout in a cupboard and laid down in front of the door so that he would not be found.

They were both 'loaned' out with number of other dogs to stay with Gem and blind Sam (see 'L'). Cody and Scout proved inseparable and they stayed when the other dogs went back. After Sam passed on the new "Gang of Four" was formed when they were joined by Lily, a Golden Retriever puppy.

Cody being teased by Scout
Cody died last summer. He was a dog who had some favourite positions, usually spreadeagled on the floor.

With one eye on his tennis ball
They all like swimming in the lake, probably Scout most of all.

Scout coming back to land
Lily, looking angelic
But as befits the youngest she's the one always in trouble.

Anyone would think she had had a busy day



9 comments:

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Bob - love all the photos - and the memories they bring back for you ... my cousin in SA had Rottweilers and Ridgebacks ... but I'd rather have a retriever!

Lovely story about Cody and Scout .. and boy are they loved!

Wonderful .. cheers Hilary

Unknown said...

Cody looks in that picture like I feel much of the time. This post makes me want to move to the country, preferably near some mountains and a river, and adopt a bunch of dogs. By the way I'm also a Bob, and I too am participating in the A to Z challenge. Please read this: http://robertlampros.com/04/14/2014/lulu-the-dog/

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

For the record: Rotts rock

Julie Flanders said...

Aww, what a touching story about Cody and Scout. I'm glad they got to have a great life together with your daughter.

Bish Denham said...

I love Rotties! One of my cousins keeps Rotties and each of them has been a bundle of personality and very smart. Our own dog, Ursa, who died last year, was part Rottweiler,German Shepherd and Chow. It was like she got the best of all breeds. So very smart and sensitiveness.

Vidya Sury said...

Beautiful post, Bob!
Back in July last year, my friend in Canada rescued a Rottweiler mastiff puppy. She looks beautiful now.

The photos are lovely!

Thank you for visiting my blog, Bob!

Vidya Sury
http://vidyasury.com

Lisa said...

I love how you say there "just happens" to be a Rottweiler puppy in the village! That is too funny considering your village sounds like it has every bread imaginable! Rottweilers and Pit Bulls have a shaky rep over here, in that they are used so much for scaring people, not just being guard dogs but being trained to attack. I always think of the Hound of the Baskervilles when I see one!

Jo said...

Lovely doggie pix. The Gang of Four is certainly a great topic. I find it incredible that Cody hid Scout in a cupboard. Amazing animals.

Stephanie said...

I am personally a cat person but I do love Retrievers. Had one as a little girl. He was awesome.