I had the opportunity to photograph a couple of Breed Specialties on Friday including the Gulfstream Rottweiler Club of Miami and the Cocker Spaniel Club of Southeastern Florida. One of the joys of photographing "my own" breed, Rottweilers, is that I occasionally get the chance to photograph a dog I own or have bred. Such was the case on Friday where Brody (Ch Annihaus Idol Aiken Breakin' Heart) took an Award Of Merit in Best Of Breed competition. Here's his picture.



Just as a matter of comparison, here's a picture of Brody (on the right) with his sister, Bella, at 8 weeks of age.



Certainly, Brody has grown up to be a big, very pretty boy and we're proud of that. But his temperament is as beautiful as his conformation. He spent the entire time prior to Best Of Breed competition, sitting on either my lap or Linda's licking our faces and only wanting to be held. He's sweet, smart and very pretty. What more could a breeder ask for?

Jim

Awesome! I don't get the thrill of seeing puppies I've bred come around, but I imagine it's similar to when I get a client that I had previously met in a rescue for their "adopt me" photo.

Probably a little different though given that I had no hand in determining how well they came out temperament or health-wise.

Kudos to both of you. With picking the parents and raising the pups there is a lot of responsibilty to that job. And Jim, you are helping in a way that is so very important. That forever home is magical.

Jim, as you know, I'm very active in Rottweiler Rescue and the feeling is very similar. Once a year, the Gulfstream Rottweiler Club has a Parade of Rescue and all the dogs that were adopted throughout the years through our organization Gulfstream Guardian Angels Rottweiler Rescue get to "show off" in the ring with their owners. One year, Marion Louise went around the ring with Linda. I get the same lump in my throat seeing the dogs I personally evaluated and placed as I do watching my dogs/puppies show in the Conformation or Performance rings.

However, there is something about seeing a 26 inch, 140 lb. Rottie boy looking so gorgeous and remembering delivering him with your own two hands just 2 1/2 years ago. You feel as if you did something special.

Jim