Newsletter

LES PRICE

It is with great sadness that I report the Tragic Death of Les Price; shortly after the sudden death of his partner Lyn Rock he found the loss of his soul mate too much to bear. All his family and friends will sadly miss him and our sincere condolences go to everyone concerned.

Les spent a lifetime in dogs and livestock showing ponies as well as dogs.
Served on the Committee of the MRC, and National Working Breeds. Chairman of SWRC. Championship Show Judge both here and abroad. Les was also features editor of Rottweiler Quarterly and Breed correspondent for Our Dogs. He was also instrumental in the production of the first issue of the black book ‘The Rottweiler in Great Britain.

I first met Les when I joined the MRC in 1978 when he and his ex wife Pat were both on the committee. Both were founder members of the club, Pat Cup Steward and Les was responsible for the training classes. At that time together with his two daughters Nicky and Shelley lived in Bewdley. Their Jagen Kennel at that time where known as the Top Breeders in the West Midlands. During this time under the Jagen affix won major awards in the show ring and also in obedience. Produced twenty dogs, which became champions in nine different countries. Which is a record that still stands to day. The Jagen influence will remain for many years to come.
Les was the first Championship Show judge to have qualified a dog in the Schutzhund Working Test. He was also the first British breed specialist to judge the breed at the Stockholm International Dog Show, the premier Scandinavian Dog Show.
They next moved to Great Whitley just outside Stour port upon Severn where they ran a successful boarding kennels.
It was in 1987 when we moved from Quinton to Cannock Chase that they had my dogs for three weeks while we moved and got kennels built before the dogs came to their present home.
Some time after his marriage break up with Pat resulted in the selling of the kennels and they each went their separate ways.
The last few years with his partner Lyn Rock (Otherton Dobermann) in Stafford where he ran his successful Dog School.

He will always be remembered in my heart as Charlie Chaplin or Mr Bean which I used to call him affectionately.

RIP Jane Heath

I first met les in 1983 when I bought a Rottweiler bitch Sired by Corky, - my first Rotty and a year later another bitch Jagen Blue Harvest Moon. I became great friends with Pat & Les and was entrusted with looking after his two daughters and the kennels, when he had holidays or was judging overseas. We had many a laugh over the years at dog shows, in the ring and in the bar. We went judging together on holidays abroad together, Les was a great character and a good friend, and in my opinion one of the Great Rottweiler Breeders of all time. We helped each other through our bad times and more recently Tina and myself became good friends of Les and Lynn, ironically I had sold them both Akitas separately, many years before they got together as a couple. I watched him build a new life for himself with Lynn, a happy life together with dogs. Lynns recent death devastated us both, one minute she appeared OK, 8 days later she passed away. Les appeared strong, but had the ability to hide his grief and weaknesses from everyone, with tragic results. Les was my mentor in Rottweilers, one of my oldest friends in dogs – he was a brother I never had. When Lynn was ill in hospital, the day before she died, Tina and Myself visited her. At one stage she looked at us put her hand on my arm and said “ Look after Les for me” well Les, in the short time you were in our care we hope we didn’t let you down.

God Bless
Chris & Tina

LES PRICE

It is with great regret I have to be sitting at my computer writing my memoirs of Les. I knew Les for many years being one of the first people I met when I was first introduced to Rottweilers. Although sometimes quite a controversial character, I can only speak from my perspective of Les as a friend.

He helped me very much in my career in dogs and would always be there for me if I had any queries about the history of our breed or any training advice I may have needed. He was also instrumental in getting me my first breed club show to judge and other judging appointments to help me on my road to eventually being able to judge at championship level, for this I will always be grateful.

Les had really found his soul mate when some ten years ago he met Lynne Rock of Otherton Dobermanns. Lynne’s death on December 18th 2008 left Les with a broken heart he felt could not be mended. At Lynne’s funeral he stood up in front of a church full of people and told everyone there how much he was hurting at losing the woman he loved so very much.

The Rottweiler world has lost another of the stalwarts of our breed and he will be sorely missed by me and many other people. My condolences must go out to his two daughters Shelley and Nicky and sadly to the new little grandson who could have learnt so much from his granddad.

R I P Les x

Wendy Steel