Varenka Rottweilers are proudly owned by Irene & Gordon Rattray. We live in Ayrshire, Scotland, and we would like to tell you a little bit about ourselves and of our passion for our chosen breed.
Varenka was founded in 1978 and we continue to exhibit and breed Rottweilers as a hobby. However, Irene and myself are very competitive and dedicated individuals and our high standards, commitment and in-depth knowledge of this wonderful breed of dog has gained us success at the highest level.
Coupled with careful selection of breeding stock; hard work and expert rearing of our pups; Varenka after over 30 years still maintains its respected reputation up amongst the top 10 UK breeders. Indeed, as Kennel Club records will show, every major award that can be won in the breed show ring has been achieved by a Varenka bred or owned Rottweiler. This includes Crufts Best of Breed , UK Top Breeder etc, Varenka Rottweilers have won Top UK Rottweiler Breeders 2008 & 2009 and are currently breed leaders 2010.
Success however is not always about winning, for we are equally proud of those Rottweilers bred by us who do not compete but live as part of a family and give their owners companionship, devotion and affection. By far the majority of our pups live as companions, and Irene and myself have always recognised a loving family home is of prime importance.
Many, if not all, of our potential new puppy owners recognise that competing is possibly not what interests them, but thankfully they have the good sense to realise that if however you were initially attracted by the Rottweiler s looks, character and temperament, it is of great importance that the breeder only breeds from stock with high standards. We believe in the true saying, you only get out what you put in .
Keen for knowledge, we started from the bottom up. We are both founder members of the Scottish Rottweiler Club - the first and only breed club in Scotland. Gordon was chairman for six years and Irene served as a committee member for the same period. During our office, and alongside a great committee and band of loyal members, we took the club to Kennel Club championship status and put the club on the UK map.
We learned vast experience as stewards; show management; and from breed seminars. Along with close friends, we set up the first specialist ringcraft training classes for Rottweilers. The R& K training - open to all Rottweilers - ran for 10 years. We, and many others, gained great experience. Sadly, however, some Rottweilers who attended were examples of how poor breeding can affect the breed and caused grief and sadness to some owners.
As judges we went through the ranks and different levels, and are proud that over 25 years ago both of us were passed as approved Kennel Club championship breed specialist judges. Over the years we have officiated at most of the UK breed clubs and many of the general Championship shows.
Irene was delighted to have the great honour of judgeing Rottweilers at Crufts on March 2009 & Gordon has been invited in 2013
Over the years Varenka Rottweilers have gave Irene and myself many memorable and proud moments to treasure. We acknowledge that we owe a lot to our foundation stock of Nygra and Frybergs. These gave us a great start and showed us what true Rottweilers were like. Kye and Gina, who were brought up and lived in the family home alongside our young daughter and two sons, will always have a special place in our hearts but then so do many others.
We hope you enjoy our site,
Irene & Gordon Rattray
