Metropolitan News-Enterprise

 

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

 

Page 3

 

Dog Bred by Judge Mitchell Advances at Westminster

 

By a MetNews Staff Writer

 

A dog bred by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Daviann Mitchell yesterday was named the top Rottweiler in the country at the Westminster Dog Show.

Nighthawk’s Born for Highwood, known as Ozz, won the Best in Breed category, and competes tonight at New York’s Madison Square Garden against various other breeds for the Best in Group title for working dogs.

He is one of several dogs produced by Mitchell’s breeding business, Nighthawk Rottweilers, which she established in 1982. “I’m very proud of the owners, the handlers and my breeding program,” Mitchell said of Ozz’s victory.

His mother, Sierragold Call Girl V Nighthawk CD, known as Trix, and father, Crusade Encore Van Sahne, known as Baxter, were both champion show dogs as well. Trix is due to give birth to another litter of puppies next week.

Ozz was the number one Rottweiler in the country for 2008, and also won the Best in Breed title at the American Kennel Club’s national championship in December, Mitchell said.

In addition, Ozz has won multiple Best in Show titles, the highest award given at a show open to all breeds of dog, and Best in Specialty Show, the highest award given at a show open to only specific breeds of dog, Mitchell said, adding:

“He’s a hottie.”

She said that Ozz is “a friendly, loving dog,” and “a good representation of the breed,” which is often stereotyped negatively due to its size and strength.

“He’s just a goof ball, he’s very silly,” Mitchell says of the pooch, who turns 3 on Saturday.

Ozz is known for jumping from the podium during the award ceremony at shows in order to pursue a toy, Mitchell said. “He’s super playful.”

The dog is owned by Alexandra Vorbeck and was escorted in the ring by Perry Payson, a professional dog handler.

Mitchell has worked as a professional show handler herself, and handled dogs at the Westminster show before. She has also handled Eli, a champion Rottweiler co-owned by Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Lori-Ann Jones and Deputy District Attorney Greta Walker.

 

Copyright 2009, Metropolitan News Company