THE owner of a Rottweiler near Buntingford hopes to change public opinion about the breed after her pet won an award for good behaviour. Trudi Weber s one-year-old Rottweiler called Scrumpy won the best rescue category at the Companion Dog Club at Earls

THE owner of a Rottweiler near Buntingford hopes to change public opinion about the breed after her pet won an award for good behaviour.

Trudi Weber's one-year-old Rottweiler called Scrumpy won the best rescue category at the Companion Dog Club at Earls Court.

Judges recognised Scrumpy's good relationship with her owner, her general behaviour, and condition.

Mrs Weber of Bulls Farm, Little Hormead, has been training dogs for the past five years.

She said: "I was surprised as this was the first time she had taken part in a show of this size.

"But she really seemed to enjoy herself. She's a really big show-off."

Kennel Club secretary Caroline Kisko said: "It was a fantastic competition with some really tough decisions for the judges."

Mrs Weber, who trains dogs for competition obedience and breed shows, admits that when she first got Scrumpy at six months old, she was not so well behaved.

So she decided to train her through the Kennel Club's Good Citizenship Scheme which brings together simple elements of dog training, such as diet, healthcare and exercise.

Rottweilers have a reputation for being aggressive dogs and have been in the news on numerous occasions following attacks on people but Mrs Weber says it all depends on how the dog is brought up.

"It's the owners - not the dogs," she said.

"A long time ago I was frightened because I was bitten by a Rottweiler, but I'm now a qualified dog trainer and people come to my classes with Rottweilers which have lovely temperaments.

Scrumpy, for one, is exuberant and fun-loving."

For more information about joining the Companion Dog Club, visit www.thekennelclub.org.uk/cdc or call 0870 606 6750.