By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
A HEALESVILLE breeder has taken out first prize in the prestigious Royal Melbourne Show Rottweiler Minor Puppy competition.
Michael Campbell, a registered breeder who has kept rottweilers for the past 40 years, enters his dogs in many Victorian and interstate shows and was delighted to find out his puppies Maximus and Toka had won first place.
Dog competitions are popular at the Royal Melbourne show with breeders coming from all over Australia to show their dogs. Dogs are judged on their presentation as well as their ability to follow commands from their owners.
Michael says that this is the second year he has entered his dogs into the show. He breeds rottweilers because they are smart, loving and playful dogs.
“With a Rottweiler it’s a bit like having a human brain inside a dog’s head.
“They’re used in search and rescue and they do have an involvement with the police force so they’re very capable.”
In the past, he has bred dogs for people all over Australia and even sent his Rottweilers to Hong Kong. He says the secret to successfully raising rottweilers lies in the training.
“They’re exceptionally smart but you do need to put in the time from when they’re really young.
“There’s a lot of work involved.”
