Tarheel Rottweilers - Owners Comments about their Tarheel pups

Peggy,
I guess I should have seen this coming, but it's still quite the surprise! The dog world, and more specifically the Rottweiler world, will be the lesser when you retire. Hildy has been just a wonderful addition to our family. She is just about to turn one and she is everything one would want in a Rottweiler. She has a "brother", Gus, a Cavalier King Charles whom we obtained shortly after Hildy joined our family. Gus is 3 months older than Hildy and they have grown up together. Hildy is starting to become a Rottie and Gus is helping her. He is fearless and she is learning to be discriminating in her evaluation of people. She is unbelievably friendly, loving, misses her people when we go to work (granny still stays with them during the day), loves to play, adores obedience classes and her trainer, looks forward to her nightly walk (about 40 minutes every night) and is healthy and happy. We love them both and they are best friends. Hildy has been the perfect addition to our family of Rottweilers that came before her. We couldn't be happier. The dogs have helped us, too. Since we started walking, I have lost 40 lbs (much needed) and my doctor is ecstatic. My vitals are great and I feel so much better. I am sorry that you are going into the sunset, but you provided all of us a wonderful service with the tremendous dogs you have bred. I will miss you, but I hope you keep in touch and keep us on your mailing list. Our friends from whom we obtained our previous Rottweilers have met Hildy and they adored her. They were breeders for more than 20 years before they retired. They couldn't get over how physically beautiful and well behaved she is. They have fallen in love with her also. I hope you have a great retirement and I look forward to hearing from you in the future.

Thanks for everything,
Steve and Mary M. Destin, Fla.

Peggy
We're sorry to see you "retire". Our boy is out of Lee and Rosie. He's about a year and a half now and is probably the best Rottweiler I've ever owned. I've owned them since 1984. He is our best buddy. He sleeps in our bedroom, sometimes on the bed with us. He rides in my Jeep with me, we go for walks every day, we do training every day, he love's people, he seem's to understand every word we say. That head will cock sideway's whenever I speak to him as if he is trying so hard to understand. I love dog's, but Rottweiler's are my favorite. They really are family orientated and our's have changed our neighbor's mind's about Rottweilers. Thanks for breeding so well. This will probably be our last, as we are getting older too, but you and God have given us a wonderful gift. We met Lee while we were down there picking up our pup and fell in love with him and his attitude. I would love to have him as part of our family. I probably couldn't afford him though! I want to wish you all the best of God's blessings. I hope you find wonderful homes for all your Rottweiler's.
Hope you don't mind but we wanted to add a pic of Tarheels Ty when he was little..
Good luck. (Call us if you think you have a dog we could add to our family)
Barry and Kathy V
Vinton, Va

Peggy,
Thanks for letting me know. Schonie, now 2, is the love of my life and gets walked and run and hugged and loved on every day and is in the best health that my vet has ever seen. On the days that I work, I come home for lunch to be with her. She's an incredibly beautiful and well marked animal, and receives nothing but compliments. She is being raised and fed exactly as you told me how to. I wish you nothing but the best and I know what a huge emotional impact it will be for you to give up somthing you've invested so much of your heart and soul into. But the rewards of being the best at what you do have been worth everything that a person could ask for in life.

Very best regards and God Bless, Reg

Peggy-
With a heavy heart I read your latest posting on your website. I can certainly understand your decision, but know that a panic went through me (and probably others) when I realized my source, of Rottie puppies, was going to be no more. You have devoted your heart and soul to this breed. There are so few, and I mean so few, that keep the standard in mind when breeding. You're puppies have nothing to do with the latest "trends" but with the very thing that made this breed the great breed that it is. I am so sorry to hear of your decision to retire but I do understand. When you have a litter, it isn't about whom can afford your pups but who can raise them and keep them to a standard to which the dogs deserve. It is a very demanding concept than unfortunately most breeders don't recognize. It is never easy to do the right thing, much less when your heart has been stolen from you. My husband is not only my spouse but he is my best friend. We do laugh together, we do argue together, we do love together, but the most important thing is we do it together. If I lost him, I would lose a big part of my life. This world was not made to conquer alone.
I write these things because they come from my heart. I would love to reserve a puppy from Lee and Debby or Utz and Yuma!. In fact, I would be very open to taking a puppy from either of these last two litters, because I know where they come from and to me, this is very important. Thank you for fighting the fight, you will always be in my prayers.

Katie K

Hi Peggy,
I realize it has been quite a while since I last updated you on Coco. She's now 3 1/2 years old. Can you believe it? I really can't. Her health has been excellent. She has not had a single sick day. She is currently about 105lbs and would gladly be 125 if I would let her. She does enjoy her food. She is really a beautiful dog. Other dog owners at her vet's office will often ask what I feed her because she has the most beautiful, glossy coat. Her Vet always interrupts to respond, "that coat is not the result of food choice but rather an example of fine breeding".

As you may or may not remember, I have had at least one Rottweiler since I was in high school. Let me say that Coco is, without a doubt, the best dog I have ever owned. Everyone in my family loves her, not to mention the neighbors, her vets, the groomers and any child who has ever met her. She is very popular around here. I have had several of my daughter's friends ask to borrow Coco for pet day at school. Everyone who meets her has such confidence in her. She is routinely invited to visit classes at my daughters' school and this is a school that ordinarily doesn't allow dogs. She wins over everyone. She is smart, stable, happy and very funny. I honestly have never laughed as much with any dog. She is a joy.

Probably the most exceptional feature of her personality is her complete devotion to my two girls, who are now 6 and 9 yrs. old. Coco has always been exceptionally fond of my youngest, Spencer. They are inseparable. Coco simply will not allow Spencer to go outside without her. She will open any door in the house to reach her and she is a very talented escape artist. Fortunately, she never tries to actually leave the property. She just uses her skills to get to the kids or to let our Daschund in the house. Coco plays with the girls constantly and can actually tell the difference between a Polly Pocket and a Barbie doll. The girls' friends are very impressed with her doll retrieval skills. Coco is basically the third sister in this house. If they are at home, she is close by. All my dogs have been good with children but I have never had a dog that just loves children like she does.

Well, I could go on and on. There are so many "Coco Stories" to tell. We really can't thank you enough for her. Rest assured, she is spoiled and loved by all of us. Thanks again and I'll send you some pictures of her soon.

Marisa V,
Monterey, California

Peggy,

Just back from our 3rd training class, and apparently, Uma is teaching me well. She was a standout tonight, and the 2 women teaching the course said they'd love to get her in the competitive ring. I may be doing some extra work. It’s like no work at all. And always, happy, happy, happy. They love her face. And they'd love to put her in a conformation competition except for the tail. Ask me if I care! With the tail, there’s never dust on my shoes. A good tradeoff. And overall, a very nice evening. She’s training with a Great Pyrenees, 2 Cockers, a black lab, a Staffordshire, and a dog of mixed tricks. Great fun. Stay tuned.

Greg VD, Marietta Ga.

JUST A FAST STORY .. I WAS TAKING BRUTUS FOR A WALK AND A WOMAN STOPPED HER CAR AND ASKED IF HE WAS FRIENDLY. I SAID YES, SO SHE STARTED PETTING AND TOUCHING HIM A LOT . THEN SHE INFORMED ME THAT SHE WAS [YEARS AGO ] A JUDGE. SHE SAID BRUTUS WAS BEAUTIFUL .SHE NOTED HE WAS LARGE BUT ALL MUSCLE. I TOLD HER HE GET AT LEAST 3 MILES IN EVERYDAY . SHE SAID "I'M OLD BUT KNOW DOGS" and ANY TIME I SEE A REAL " GEM" I ALWAYS TELL THE OWNER. WE SPOKE FOR A WHILE , VERY INTERESTING LADY . I TOLD HER I WAS STILL IN TOUCH WITH YOU , SHE SAID TO PLEASE TELL YOU " BRAVO ! " GEE I WAS SOOOO PROUD OF BRUTUS . THANKS PEGGY

RONNIE D. New York

We have two of Peggy Garner's wonderful Tarheel Rottweilers! I love them so much I would be lost without them.

Tarheels' Sable Jewel: Was a special anniversary gift for my dear late husband Martin, He'd fallen in love with the breed, thru Jazmine, a long term house guest.

I searched for one of our own for him. This lively personality, had such an attitude. The "enforcer", we called her. Gentle but persistent. We showed her for a time as she turned out nice enough to do so. It was great fun!

Tarheels' Sable Jewel showed her true colors, when my husband became ill. She was beside herself, carrying his pillow with her wherever she went. An occasional sad face and a whimper escaped. The pillow became hers and she slept with it. She'd stopped her daily "happy back dance" rolling about, grunting with ecstasy. For 6 weeks she carried on. Nothing would console her, not even taking her to the hospital parking lot and letting her hear his voice from the window. Then he came home. He died 9 months later. But, by then she "knew" he would.

Tarheels' Raven: Was my dog and 3 years younger. When she began vaulting my couches, we chose agility. Tho, she would do excellent in the show ring as well.

Brains and beauty, all in one... that's our Rave! She is brilliant, driven, confident and calm. Her body may be active but her mind is sensitive and smart! One snowy icy day, I took her for a walk. Our side street is level for a time, but the last half of the block drops off out of sight of my neighbors who were chatting as they shoveled. I slipped landing flat on my back and hitting my head. I thought I'd managed to keep hold of the leash, but, no. My sensible Raven went back to the neighbors, and led them to me.

Both are capable of thinking for themselves. I've never been disappointed in the ability of either. Sable, having heard kids outside breaking into cars, came to wake me. I was impressed by the fact she did that first. After giving a muffled bark to encourage my sleepy self into the bathroom, she promptly frightened them away! They must have thought the dog would rip the window out! The police were called. She sat, proudly accepting every bit of praise the policeman had for her, as we related the story.

Another one of the girl's antics One rainy day, about a week ago, the girls were looking for activity. I'd brought some agility equipment in and we played.

Later, they, again wanted something to do, and brought me their nubbly balls to throw. These are very hard, teeth cleaning chew toys. I'd never dream of throwing those! They'd break all the glass in the house!

I looked at both, standing expectantly, with the balls in their mouths, and said, "Oh, not those, please. Go get your snakies!" With that, they both turned immediately and each returned with their own bungee snake! Funny... and SMART!

After Martin's death, my girls, Rave and Sable, were there for me. I love them both more than words can say

Lucy Mc.
Binghamton, NY

To anyone who might be looking for a beautiful, nice, big, sound Rottweiler:
I just want to say, that when you acquire a puppy from Peggy Garner, Tarheel Rottweilers, you don't just bring home a puppy that has been bred and raised to be the consummate example of a Rottweiler, you also gain a friend for life. If you choose to, Peggy will become a lifelong friend and mentor. I brought home my first Tarheel pup over seven years ago. "Raleigh" is a prime example of what a Rottweiler should look and act like. (He is on your website as a pup coming back to NY on the back seat of my truck w/one of his brothers that we were transporting for another one of your owners, and then as a gorgeous adult!) From day one, "Raleigh" has made himself a complete member of our family. I simply can not express how happy we are with our "Tarheel Rottweiler." ---Notice we named him "Raleigh":) Brian & Lorene W.
Otego, New York

Sergeant/Station Commander
Brian D. W.
NYSP Oneonta

Ms. Garner,

I wanted to tell you that the last time I went to the Vet, one of the girls that helps the Vet came in and was so excited to see Razor. She said out of all the Rottweilers they saw that he was the absolute sweetest and most handsome. She asked where I got him and wanted your information. Everyone there just is amazed at how well behaved and sweet he is. We had him neutered. He did great. He is just so wonderful. He seems so happy. I can not thank you enough for him. He is priceless. He is truly part of our family. He loves my girls and all their friends. He loves everyone. I hope you are well. Thank you again.

Tammy and Blake L. Clayton, NC

Dear Peggy,

I should have given you an update before now. We came to you to purchase a puppy after learning that our beloved Asia had bone cancer. Asia lost her battle on July 12, 2007. If not for our Piper, I don’t know how I would have survived the loss.

Piper is such a wonderful addition to our family. She was very attached to Asia and they had literally become inseparable. Piper was with her to the end and grieved as much as we did at the loss.

Now Piper is my 14 month old grandson’s best friend. They play constantly and when they get worn out, they lie down and take a nap together. My grandson’s first word was Momma and believe it or not his second word was Piper! If she is not with him, he will go through the house calling for her. When he finds her, she gets a great big kiss from him and she in turn gives him a juicy lick!!

Piper is spoiled rotten as someone is with her almost all of the time. She has stepped into Asia’s paw prints and really become a cherished member of the family. She starts her obedience training in September which will end up with her being a Canine Good Citizen. She will have no problem as she already knows all of her basic commands and is very good at them! She is an extraordinarily intelligent fur child!

Every evening when the weather cools a bit we go for a long walk, Grandson and all. We have a very large field across from our house and Piper loves to get out there and stretch her legs. I have never seen a Rotti move so fast and yet the first call and she returns right to our side! She has her off leash manners down pat! I am constantly amazed at her intelligence.

Again, I never would have survived the loss of Asia without Piper by my side. She is all that I could have wanted and more. It truly shows how well a top quality, well bred Rottweiler can be. I have never regretted it for a second. Her house manners are impeccable. At her young age I am constantly amazed at just how intelligent she is. She takes every new challenge in stride. I have no doubt that she will excel in obedience as well.

We are looking forward to having Piper around for a very long time to come. Thank you for all of the care you put into breeding your Rottweilers. I t certainly shows. There are not enough words to express how happy we are with Piper. .She is my constant companion and I wouldn’t trade her for a million dollars! Thank you for all you do to promote this wonderful breed of ours!

Diane R.

Hi Peggy,

Mollie is about 5 years old now, believe it or not! She is such a loving and special companion to me and my wife and children. She is full of life and energy, and has become quite well known on my block. Most of the kids up and down the court where we live, know Mollie and often come over to play with her. She really loves them--- and it shows in her enthusiastic playfulness whenever they come around to throw a ball for her to fetch. And Mollie always loves the attention and gives lots of kisses back to the kids. She is so well behaved and gentle, it is truly amazing. One of her best friends is a Yorkie Terrier that comes over to play in our yard when we are outside. This 5 pound dog and my 85 pound Rottie just romp around the yard all day. It is a wonder to see how careful she is not to overwhelm her friend and often allows him to get the best of her when wrestling around and chasing each other. We are so grateful to have this wonderful girl in our lives. She is priceless.

Thank you for the advice and assistance with Mollie over the years. I certainly haven't needed much since Mollie is a so intelligent and is a special family companion. I appreciate the way you care for your Rottweilers. It shows in all the effort you put into finding the proper owners/homes for your pups. Thanks again for our friend Mollie.

John and Loretta B. Lafayette, Indiana

Peggy,
We purchased a Tarheel Rottweiler pup from you in March 2007 (out of your Titled German Import Utz) and she has been a wonderful addition to our family. "Hildy" is our 5th Rottie over the last 25 years and she is by far the sweetest and gentlest spirit we have had. She is playful, friendly, exuberant, loving, etc. I could go on for hours. Her conformation is constantly being discussed by people wherever we go. She is just a beautiful and loving dog. We treasure her. She has a Cavalier King Charles as a playmate and she is very loving toward him despite being so much larger. Thanks so much for what you do for Rottweilers and the world of dogs.

Sincerely,
Steve and Mary, Destin, FL

Peggy,

   Six years ago I made one of the best decisions I have ever made, and that was to get my Rottweiler, Otter, from you. I looked literally everywhere in the US and found the perfect breeder in you, all the way out in North Carolina. I couldn't have chosen a spot farther from my location here in California, but I am so glad I did.
   Otter (on your website w/Hana trying to get her cookie back;) has been my best companion for six years now and he still has the energy and enthusiasm as he did the day he came into my life. I was looking for a beautiful, intelligent dog with an ideal temperament, and found all of that and so much more in Otter. He is the most outgoing and friendly dog I know, and he loves everyone. Every once in a while he goes to a Senior Center with me and he brings nothing but happiness to those he encounters (and lots of licks). I have very young children at home who absolutely love him, and vice versa. He is extremely tolerant of their "childish" behavior and he loves them as much as he does his food and daily exercise!
   Whether hiking in the mountains for miles, running off leash in our neighborhood parks, swimming in the local lakes, or just laying at my feet as he's doing now, Otter is so unbelievably happy just being a part of our family. I couldn't have asked for a better companion and he truly is one of my best friends. I'm so glad I made the decision to become guardian to one of your perfect dogs. I can't tell others how highly I recommend you. Thank you for my best friend.

Sincerely,
Brian L. (Orinda, CA)

Hi Peggy

I don't know if your webmaster has enough space to let everyone how wonderful our dog is. Well let me change that---- our daughter. The one thing I will have to tell is about my husband and I coming to visit you and your dogs wanting to purchase a male Rottweiler. When we arrived we walked through to look at your dogs and the prospected mothers to be. We then noticed the four female puppies. We looked and played with them as you patiently waited as my husband and I kept insisting that we wanted a male. You sat patiently as I produced albums with pictures of Justice, our previous Rottweiler who passed away at age 10. We left in hopes being put on the list for the next pups to be born. However we did not make it halfway home before we returned wanting one of the females. You were concerned about our determination to have a male that you hesitated on letting us have her for fear that we would always want a male and we would be comparing her. Well I promised with all my heart to love her the same and we left that night with a female we named Jade. Well needless to say, almost six years later we love her more than ever. Jade goes with us almost everywhere. The only place really she can't go is to work. She is well known is our home town almost as a comedian. Petsmart here calls her their store mascot. We have participated in several events for the Humane Society, placing number one in the Dog Jog (pic is on your website:). I have had so many comments as to how beautiful and how sweet she is. Jade has changed the minds of numerous people who have only heard the bad rap Rottweilers get. I can't tell you how many people have said they would never have though they would be petting a Rottweiler. Well I could go on and on about the great dog we have but I will stop. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to brag on my Jade. Keep up the good breeding so more people will get to experience the love of one of your dogs.

K-9 Officer Kim and Earl J.- Mocksville, NC

Peggy,
This concerns our pup named TARHEEL'S ONYX - BORN June 9, 2003 to Titled German Import, Lee, SchH3 and Tarheels' Diva - from a litter of 10 puppies that we purchased from you:)

MISS ONYX, as she has come to be known by all who know and love her, is a 110 lb. beautiful female Rottweiler - inside and out.

We make our home in a rural county of Virginia, in the shadow of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, on four wooded acres. Since my husband and I are both SENIOR Seniors, Onyx has been raised primarily as a house dog, companion, protector. While she can be rowdy at times outdoors, she is, for the most part, a quiet, sweet natured member of our family. My husband claims that Onyx is my shadow, that I am her "job". She knows always where I am and why.

She has completed two obedience courses at our local SPCA, and is currently enrolled in an AKC Good Citizen class, soon to be completed. Our goal is for her to become part of a Therapy Dog program offered through a training facility in Chatham, VA. Onyx enjoys the interaction with the other dogs and people at the classes, and we are slowly educating people we come in contact with, to the fact that the Rottweilers temperament is the result of good breeding, care, training and being the part of a loving family.

We met her parents at Tarheel Rottweilers, that was spotless, the dogs were quiet yet interested in our visit. It was obvious that Peggy Garner knows and loves her dogs as individuals, and they respond in kind. Onyx's mom, Diva, visited with us out on the lawn where we sat with Onyx before we left to bring her home. And while she was interested in her puppy, she was well mannered and obedient, a great representative of her breed and Peggy's kennel facility and training.

Onyx has followed in her Dam's footsteps, and has become a smart, loving, indispensable member of our household. Spoiled perhaps, but in return we have the loyalty, affection and protection of a this most beautiful ROTTWEILLER.

Hope all is well with you Peggy! I am constantly communicating the beauty of this greatly misunderstood and misrepresented breed, and many people have come to reconsider their opinion of Rottweilers after meeting and interacting with Onyx.
God Bless and keep up the good work!

Helen and Rev. Ed R, Virginia

Our first Rottweiler puppy, Ringo, was a Peggy Garner Tarheel Rottweiler. We were quite impressed with Peggy's careful screening process for potential owners and even more impressed with her patient guidance with all of our first-time-puppy-owner questions after we took him home. Peggy is much more than just our breeder-she has become our friend.

Currently, we own 2 more Tarheel Rottweilers, Otto and Georgia. Our vets, neighbors, friends, and even total strangers comment on the high quality of our Rottweilers. If you want a beautiful, intelligent, loving Rottweiler, don't settle for less than a Peggy Garner Tarheel Rottweiler!

Mark and Donna R.
Wilson, NC

Peggy,
As you know, Josie is our 3rd Rottie. Our first, was a fantastic dog and really brought about our great appreciation of the breed. However, we had a temperament problem with our second (from a "back yard" breeder). After the loss of our second Rottie, we decided to look at other breeds for a pet but found that we could not find a breed that could compare to the Rottweiler. So, we began our search for a reputable breeder.

We have 7 grandchildren, so temperament was #1 on our priority list. Your website emphasized Tarheel's temperament so we flew to NC to visit your kennel and meet with you and Richard. We were extremely impressed with your kennel, its cleanliness, the beauty and quality of your dogs and your and Richard's obvious devotion to the Rottweiler breed. Your interview with us showed that you do not breed dogs to sell to just anyone, rather you sincerely care about the home your puppies will become part of.

In the five years we've had Josie, she's been a loving companion to us, Donna's mother (especially when she's having toast) and our grandchildren. The kids range from 1 to 10 years old and Josie's gentle with the little ones and as rambunctious with the older ones as they care to be. Our neighborhood children all know Josie from our walks and gravitate to her even ignoring their own dogs. Some of the parents were initially wary of "a Rottweiler in the neighborhood" but, are now fans and don't worry when their children run down to the street to greet Josie. She of course, adores the attention.

We've been extremely impressed with your continuing support over the years when we had any questions regarding Josie's health or care. Your recommendation of NuVet and NuJoint has been much appreciated. When that awful time comes that we lose Josephine, we'll return to your kennel for our fourth Rottie. Once people experience the personality, devotion and companionship of a well-bred Rottweiler, another breed is "just a dog".

We highly recommend a "Tarheel" Rottweiler to anyone lucky enough share their home and life with one of these majestic animals.

Kindest regards,
Rex & Donna B. spring, Texas

So you want to know who has the best Rottweilers? Take it from someone who has owned them, loved them, trained and worked with them for over 30 years. It is Tarheel Rottweilers, period, end of question!!

Tarheel Rottweilers has always had a solid reputation and when the sad time came and we needed/wanted another Rottweiler, (yes needed another Rottweiler) we contacted Peggy Garner, Tarheel Rottweilers in Raleigh, NC. First let me say Peggy is in a league of her own. She is a very intelligent lady who has dedicated her life to the betterment of the breed. Once you get through her gauntlet you have a friend that is willing to guide and help you through any Rottie situation that might arise.

What is there to say about a Rottweiler puppy from Peggy Garner, Tarheel Rottweilers? It is 100% what she says it will be! I wanted a buddy and I got one! At times I know he is smarter than I am:) He is show quality, loves to work, very intelligent, healthy and most important has an outgoing stable disposition. All we had to supply is love and time---- the rewards can’t be described. I don’t think I ever said this, but it is overdue…….Thank you Peggy.

Jerry P. and Drago (German Int. Ch.Mambo V. Crossner Ranch x Tarheels' Yuma) - Standish, Maine