St. Catharines Rottweiler heading to prestigious Westminster dog show

Esmonds Canadian Shield (his registered name) is part of the working group at the 148th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City, which runs May 11, 13 and 14 and features more than 3,000 dogs.

“I just want it to be a fun experience,” said Shield’s owner, Kim Oatway, who noted it was his handler, Bonnie Fisher from New Brunswick, who suggested she apply to have her dog participate at Westminster.

Oatway said when Fisher asked if she’d ever considered Westminster, she told her “never in a million years.” Eventually, Fisher convinced her the experience would be a worthwhile one. 

“If he wins anything it will be a bonus,” she said.

Oatway said she applied to Westminster Kennel Club online in February and was told by email and letter in March that Shield had been accepted.

“I was like, wow,” Oatway said. “It never occurred to me to think about it.”

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• Dec 31, 1969
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• Dec 31, 1969
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She has paid the $100 (U.S.) entry fee and provided all necessary paperwork.

Shield is to be in the ring at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens (a borough of New York City) at 9 a.m. on May 14.

Dog show officials confirm Shield is one of 24 Rottweilers entered in the show.

Oatway said the big crowd won’t distract him.

“He just likes being in the ring,” Oatway said. “He seems a natural at it.”

Oatway said Shield is an “all together package,” which she hopes will appeal to judges.

“He’s got a lovely head,” she said. “He just floats in the ring.”

Oatway said Shield is her fourth Rottweiler since 1999.

“I just like them,” said Oatway, adding Rottweilers are “big and lovable dogs.”

Shield was nicknamed Squishy as a puppy because “he was just a marshmallow,” Oatway said. “He’s a good ambassador for the breed.”

Oatway has been taking Shield to Jane Book’s Dog School in Beamsville for obedience, socialization and other training for the past three-plus years.

Dog school owner Jane Book said Shield is her first furry pupil to compete at Westminster.

“It’s pretty darned cool,” Book said. “It’s another notch in our school I guess.”

Book said Shield excelled at his social skills early on, and he received a tracking title from Canadian Kennel Club at 16 months.

Book said everyone at the school will be watching him perform in New York.

“I think we’re going to have a party at the school with the big TV on,” Book said. “We’re very proud of him.”

Book said the key to training Rottweilers is not to rush them along.

“I think you’ve got to let them learn at their own speed,” Book said.

Oatway said a good showing at Westminster will boost Shield’s value as a stud dog, although that’s not her primary purpose for competing.

“I would like to breed him just because I want a puppy out of him,” Oatway said.

Sheild comes from breeder Ann Jackman and Esmond Rottweilers in Little Britain (part of the City of Kawartha Lakes).

“As breeders, we’re extremely proud of the success that Kim and Shield have had across multiple venues,” Jackman said. “They are wonderful ambassadors for our breed and we are excited to show him off to a broader audience at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.”