On long coated dogs and recessive genes.
Every time I'm in public with this dog, I am just inundated with questions about him - sometimes I am tempted to hang a sign on him - FAQ!
Mostly people want to know what he's mixed with; the Rottweiler part is obvious but the long coat isn't. He has an absolutely classic, beautiful male Rottie head, great colour and heavy bone and almost perfect proportions (almost square, straight back, etc.)
The long coat is rare and comes from a recessive gene. Meaning, both parents carried the genetic DNA for long coats, although neither had the trait. He had one litter-sister with a long coat, though hers isn't nearly as heavy.
Currently there is no way to ifdentify the gene, so no way to know if a dog is a carrier. Cooper had contributed DNA (cheek swab) to a veterinary researcher at MSU vet school, who is studying this.
So, even in the most careful of breedings with health-tested, sound dogs, this can happen - as can elbow and hip dysplasia!
Both his parents are champions, both working and conformation. His sire is Evrmor's U R The One. He is a gold sire, meaning he's produced many champions, and the kennel name is quite well known - Rottweilers of that line show up at Westminster just about every year.
He is AKC registered but has a "limited" registration. This means he can compete in any AKC venue except conformation (long coat is a disqualifying fault) and no offspring would be eligible for registration. I had a contract with his breeder that he must be neutered by 24 months, though she wanted me to wait until he was at least a year old.
I didn't wait the full 24 months (wish I had) because he was developing terrible dominant aggression towards other dogs and was a complete butthead! Still is, actually. Don't let that fluffy face fool you.
He was born in New Mexico, and I got him in Denver (at 8 weeks old.) So I call him the Rocky Mountain Fleece Edition Rottweiler.
I just noticed - you really see how his front feet turn out in this photograph.
posted by Carina at 6:46 PM
9 Comments:
Butthead or not, he is magnificent.
OK, now I see he looks like a Rottweiler in this photo but the one below he almost looks like a Nuf. Very handsome doggie, he is!!
He is quite the dog, I always enjoy pics of him :-)
Ain't he a beauty! I'm not much for bloodlines, I just love 'em for their own doggy selves.
He looks like a butthead, but a really sweet butthead. I love that look he is giving the camera. "Are we going or AREN'T we?"
Handsome boy! Thanks for your comment on the Turkish dogs. There is a lot of stuff going on for getting Turkish breeds officially recognized in their country. I'm hoping for whatever will be the best for the dogs, however it's already creating a glut of sweet puppies for the 'national breed' demand. :( Pups are abandoned when the owner realizes they are over-dogged. They just don't have the same degree of dog training culture there.
I also agree on late neutering being best. I dislike the fact that more knee-jerk lumping is done by way of putting all owners into the irresponsible category and attempting for regionwide neutering of all young puppies!
I think breeders should not just be screening the breeding stock but also all pups in the litter for hip/elbow and other breed issues. This will help more rapidly to pinpoint problem areas in different bloodlines. The scattershot approach is not working all that well. :(
Cooper is a handsome guy!
Thanks for that explanation. I wondered about his origins. He is a lovely boy. 3Collie
im crazy about buttheaded dogs...i have had a few...nate was a 110 lb pit bull and thought he was a 8lb peke...would insist on sitting on your lap...with paws around my neck...
love the face on him...
Cooper is a gorgeous dog! I love the long coat!
Speaking of dogs, and dog food, Yal might not have calcium in it, but the Anatolian Shepherd dogs at our farm and in Turkey probably get their calcium from the egg shells of fresh raw eggs, as well as from the weekly bones in their raw meat.
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