And so began our relationship...  :)

Aiko truly believed that he was the EPITOME of a male Rottweiler, if a dog could swagger, Aiko did!  He was notorious for a parting of the seas if you will, at dog shows, Aiko had such extreme arrogance about him, that people and handlers at dog shows would literally CLEAR A PATH for him, leaving a wide berth for Aiko to saunter through.

Aiko also had a bit of problem with dog-to-dog aggression...ONLY with other male Rottweilers, and a certain dislike for German Shepherd Dogs.  Not a big deal, that could be worked through. 

So, I made a bed for Aiko beside my bed, and promised him that he would never be a kennel dog again.  Aiko's bed remained until his death, just short of his 11th Birthday.

I took Aiko everywhere with me, to the post office, for car rides (which he particularly enjoyed) to long walks in the nearby forests...unfortunately, he was extremely protective, and on one occasion...pushed out the van window, whil barking at someone, while I was in a store...I ran out, to see Aiko sitting happily on the car seat, AWAY from the glass.  So, he was now crated when we went for rides.   ;)

Although Aiko would NOT tolerate rough play from strangers, Aiko was excellent with kids of all ages. 

My memories of Aiko, are his proud nature, his ROTTWEILER temperament, playing hide-and-seek with him, piloting Aiko at the Rottweiler Club of Canada National specialty to an award of Merit win...on a a thin show lead in late '96, to his numerous V-1 ratings.  I always regretted not titling him in obedience.  Aiko would follow me around, if I was sitting..his head would be on my lap, while making his raw food, he would drool sooo much, that I would end up slipping on the floor (eewww).  Aiko became so well-behaved around the other Rottweilers, that he could be walked with the old patriarch, SLY, and his young son, DRAGON.  Aiko always tolerated SLY, but as DRAGON grew into a teen, Aiko would increasingly become incensed.

I showed Aiko at the '97 IFR Rottweiler show (his 2nd IFR show, on 2 continents) in Chicago, USA...he was entered in a very large Veterans class, and we ended up in 4th place.  I was so proud of him. 

Aiko died in Spring 1998, he told me it was time to go...and I just knew.  It was a Saturday, and he had followed me around all day, like he usually did...but this time, it was with urgency.  I just knew Aiko well enough...to know. He was such a proud dog, that I owed it to him, not to suffer.

So, this is Aiko's tribute page, a tribute to a WONDERFUL dog, his wins, and his legacy...

Big, strong and powerful. Harmonious. Attentive, friendly. Strong, well formed and clean head. Small well carried ears. Very good outline. Overall correct. 1A eye (very dark). Mouth pigment black. Flews are a little loose. Coat is strong and coarse. Neck is a little long. Correct deep brown markings. Very good width and depth of chest. Shoulders are correct. Fore and hind quarters angulations are correct. Very strong neck and topline. Muscular and powerful.

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Rottweiler Schutzhund Club of Buffalo
DATE: August 9, 1994
JUDGE: Josef Hover
CLASS: Sieger Class
RATING: Select Male V1
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6 ½ year old male.  Very large.  A lot of substance.  Correct bone strength. 
Good head type.  Small, well correct ears, should be carried equally. 
Excellent formed eye and good color.  Complete scissors bite. 
Excellent mouth pigmentation.  Excellent depth and width of chest. 
Correct angulation.  Correct feet.  Correct top and bottom line. 
Correct set neck.  Well developed forechest.  Excellent coat condition. 
Markings of correct size and color.  Fluid movement with sufficient rear drive.

9 ½ year old male in excellent condition; large with strong bone; strong head; left ear carried folded at times; dark brown eyes; dark mouth pigmentation; strong neck; very well developed chest; straight front; straight topline; strong rear; correctly angulated; far reaching gait; strong coat; mahogany markings; scissors bite.

4th Place Veterans Class
IFR (Wheaton, Illinois) October 1997

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IFR Critique ~ ARC Independent Regional Specialty
DATE: October 4, 1997
JUDGE: Anton Spindler
CLASS: Veteran Dogs
RATING: 4th Place
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Large dog; deep, dark eyes; mouth dark; strong bones; back a little weak; angulation good; well-muscled in rear; scissors bite.

Aiko  V2 Sieger Class @ the Toronto Sieger Show
10 years old.  Judge:  Alice Zänsch

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Sovereign Rottweiler Club - Toronto Sieger Show
DATE: May 23, 1998
JUDGE: Alice Zänsch - ADRK Körmeister
CLASS: Sieger Class
RATING: V 2
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Very large male. Strong bones. Alert and friendly. Typey head. Very good stop. Small irregular carried ears. Dark brown eyes. Mouth pigmentation with pink spots. Slightly pinkish flews. Muscular neck. Broad wide chest. Very pronounced forechest. Front and rear correct. Strong tight back. Topcoat clean. Clean defined markings. Trots fluidly. Scissors bite.

• Braxenburg's 'B' Litter

Dragon is a dog, that I am so very proud of.  Although not bred by me, his breeder (Nancy West) had used Aiko, on her Oliver daughter, Molly.  Although Molly had never been shown, she was such a typey,  beautiful bitch!  When we arrived to see the puppies, it was a sea of massive heads...and Dragon left with us.

Dragon went to live with RiverRun Rottweilers in the fall of 2000, and has settled into a very successful career, as a show dog, and stud dog.

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