American Kennel Club Champion and a Gold Grand Champion Otis the Gladstone Gentleman is shown by the Welcome to Gladstone sign during a visit to the area. His owner is Gladstone native Melissa Buehler. (Courtesy photo via the Escanaba Daily Press)

ESCANABA — Gladstone is the home of a champion. However, Otis the Gladstone Gentleman is not your average titleholder. With four legs and a wagging tail, this Rottweiler pup is an American Kennel Club Champion and a Gold Grand Champion all at the age of four.

“His ‘name’ is a nod to the best town in the U.P. — Gladstone,” Melissa Buehler, Otis’ owner and Gladstone native, said.

Otis’ full name is GCHG CH Brzustowicz’s Gladstone Gentleman CGC, TT, his title hosting several of his accolades, like “Grand Championship Gold” and “Canine Good Citizen.” Otis’ most impressive feat, however, is his current ranking as the #4 Rottweiler in the country, an improvement from his seventh place finish in 2021. Otis, who has been competing since he was sixth-months-old, is Buehler’s third showdog and sixth Rottweiler.

“Along with being ranked in the Top 10 Rottweilers, Otis has also achieved his Gold Grand Championship, Multi Group Placement awards, and has passed his temperament test,” Buehler said. “Passing a temperament test is very tough for a working breed to do.”

The types of competitions that Otis competes in are just like those seen on TV. Hosted by the American Kennel Club, dogs all throughout the country compete against each other by breed. If a dog performs successfully, they will score points which build towards earning championship accolades.

Otis has also competed at one of the most well-known and prestigous all-breed conformation shows, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Westminster is a benched dog show, meaning that dogs must remain in their “show benches,” or assigned locations, unless it is their time to be shown.

“Otis has competed at Westminster,” Buehler said. “Although he did not receive a ribbon last year, he made it through to the very last cuts of a highly competitive adn gorgeous group of Rottweilers.”

Born just outside Kalamazoo, MI, to a litter of thirteen, Otis would always carry a part of Michigan with him wherever he competed. The litter he was born into holds special ties to the state of Michigan, themed by breeders as the “Pure Michigan” litter. As Otis travels from New Lenox, IL to Grays Summit, MO, and various other locations across the country, he always takes his home with him.

Buehler does just the same.

“My mom and dad are both born and raised in Gladstone. I spent the better part of my childhood in Gladstone,” Buehler said. “I am very proud of my family and where they are from.”

Buehler reflects on her summers spent in the city by the bay fondly. From living at the Gladstone beach in the summer to indulging in hand-dipped cones from the Dairy Flo, Buehler has so many wonderful memories from the area.

“I would participate in the Gladstone 4th of July parade, get baked goods at the Swedish bakery or goodies from the local corner store Pat and Jim’s,” Buehler said. “[Gladstone] is everything to me. My parents are from there and most of my family is still there, and my family is everything to me.”

Despite now residing in Illinois, Buehler has made sure that Gladstone, and the experiences that the area entails, remain within her family.

“When I had children of my own we would vacation in Gladstone,” Buehler said. “They got to experience the same happy times I did. [Gladstone] is something that is passed on and very special to my family.”

Buehler returns to Gladstone a few times throughout the year, bringing along Otis ever since he was a puppy. As of late, Buehler has been participating in the MISH Events races that are held in June at the Terrace Bay Hotel.

Otis and Buehler currently reside in New Lenox, IL, with her husband Shawn and two additional Rottweilers and cats.

Most recently, Otis competed in the Nationals Competition in St. Louis, MO. This competition hosts the top dogs in the country and is specialty-based.

“[Otis] showed like a true champion,” Buehler said. “While he did not win any awards, he had a great time meeting new people. Dog compeitions are all about sport and meeting new people.”