RUTZ & SONS (ALTHEIM, DE): A Super Season crowned with two National Titles and an International Podium

RUTZ & Sons: A name that consistently asserts itself on the international pigeon racing scene, resonating every year from the last week of June to the first week of August. For three decades, their presence among the elite has no longer been a surprise, but rather a given. The current season once again fits seamlessly into an already established history of success.

The year 2024 had already left its mark. With 87 prizes from 133 pigeons entered across seven international competitions, a remarkable success rate of 65.41%, RUTZ & Sons achieved a season at the very highest level. Among the most notable performances were a 2nd national prize from Narbonne, an impressive 28/37 from Barcelona, 10/14 from Pau, and 14/16 from Marseille. These results led them to finish the season in 4th place in the national ARGE Euskirchen Championship, 2nd in the Mediterranean Cup, and 6th in the Heinz Seegmüller Cup.

And 2025? They reached a new level. With 70 prizes from 102 pigeons entered, an exceptional success rate of 68.63%, RUTZ & Sons not only confirmed their consistency but also raised their performance standard. This season crowned them German DBV Long-Distance Champions, National Champions of the ARGE Euskirchen, 2nd in the Seegmüller Cup, and 3rd in the EUROPAMARATHON. In addition, a special distinction: one pigeon was selected to represent Germany at the Dortmund Olympiad in February 2026.

As in 2024, the national victory was narrowly missed, with a 2nd national prize from Dax and a 3rd national prize from Pau. In summary, the 2025 season yielded 4 x TOP 10, 17 x TOP 50, and 26 x TOP 100 at the national level, figures that clearly illustrate the depth and consistency of the colony’s performance.
The main goal of their season remains Barcelona, the pinnacle of the international calendar, where RUTZ & Sons shine year after year. This consistency at the top is particularly evident in two national victories and extremely tight arrivals, which even the most experienced observers find impressive. Over the past ten years, the RUTZ family entered 315 pigeons in Barcelona, of which 198 were placed, a notably high success rate of 62.86%. Within these results, the quality of performance is equally remarkable: 8 pigeons in the national TOP 10, 17 in the TOP 20, 45 in the TOP 50, and 90 in the national TOP 100. The momentum has further strengthened in the last two editions: 63 pigeons entered, 45 prizes won, yielding an exceptional placement rate of 71.43%—truly dizzying figures!
To this impressive list of recent achievements are added six national victories, two international victories, one European Cup win, a triumph at the EUROPAMARATHON, as well as four German ARGE Euskirchen Championships and two national vice-championships. A record of rare density, enough to spark curiosity and invite a closer look at the RUTZ family to understand the foundations of a model of excellence that has brought them this success and, above all, allowed them to maintain it.
The RUTZ & Sons team consists of father Karl-Heinz RUTZ (76) and his twin sons Jens and Sven (42). For health reasons, the patriarch can no longer be physically active in the pigeon lofts, but his influence remains decisive: through his experience, strategic vision, and the value of his advice, he continues to consistently guide decisions in Blieskastel. Jens and Sven embody a generation of fanciers driven by an absolute demand for performance, with a clearly stated goal: victory. During my visit for this article, I asked Jens about his satisfaction at the end of the season. His answer was unequivocal: not 100% satisfied. The reason? The absence of a national victory, a constant pursuit of perfection that, in light of the results achieved, seems entirely justified.
The internal organization relies on a strict, methodical division of responsibilities. Jens supervises all adult racing pigeons, while Sven manages the breeding and young birds. A clear structure ensures coherence and continuity, supporting a sports project carried out with the utmost precision.
The fundamental strength of the RUTZ family lies undeniably in the quality and coherence of their breeding. At the foundation of their success are three major lines, carefully selected and maintained solely for performance. The cornerstone of this genetic foundation is ANGELINA, a female from the STICHELBAUT line, around which a large part of the colony is structured. This foundational line is supplemented by pigeons from Bernd MORSNOWSKI (origin Buffel x Dicky de DE WEERD) and the VAN WANROOY lines, introduced via Jan LIJNDERS. Over time, this base has been reinforced through the targeted addition of two KIPP & Sons males and select pigeons from breeders Jan DONS, Yvan MOUREAU, Jan VAN KEULEN, Wilfried STIEL, and Gerard VAN TUYL. 

This entire genetic foundation, whose origins largely date back to the late 20th and early 21st centuries, has been rigorously developed for competition performance.
Today, the RUTZ & Sons loft includes six pigeons with five prizes from five Barcelona entries, two national top female As pigeons, one national top male As pigeon, one Olympic male, three national top female As pigeons in three Barcelonas, and two national top male As pigeons in three Barcelonas. All descend from the STICHELBAUT x MORSNOWSKI x LIJNDERS base, cultivated and consolidated consistently for over thirty years. To preserve genetic vitality and avoid inbreeding, the RUTZ family also follows a carefully planned policy for introducing new top pigeons. In this context, the 2nd National Narbonne by Klaus PAULUS (origin Leo KOUTERS), the “Rhône Man” by Jos THONE (2nd National Belgian As pigeon on the Rhône route), and most recently the 1st National Brive (750 km) by the PLUM family have been integrated. Other crosses proved equally successful, such as the introduction of a son of the 1st National Barcelona by Vincent THELLIER. Current experiments involve pigeons from VAN DER WEGEN, Jelle JELLEMA, and Cor DE HEIJDE, acquired from their Romanian friends HUZU father and son.
At RUTZ & Sons, pigeon preparation begins at the squab stage. Young birds are trained repeatedly by Jens and Sven and entered as frequently as possible to gain optimal practical experience. This year, the young pigeons completed eight transport flights up to 240 kilometers. According to the brothers, it is not the distance that matters most, but the repetition and regularity of flights, which develop solid reflexes and early independence.
Adult pigeons follow a personalized program based on three local associations. The goal is not to systematically seek distance but to fly the pigeons weekly, occasionally exposing them to more demanding conditions to develop autonomy. This year, no pigeon was entered over 430 km before the first international race. Yearlings generally participate in an international race, some in Dax, others in Agen or Perpignan, with the majority in Narbonne. Adult pigeons are usually entered twice per season, rarely three times. Participation in Barcelona depends on maturity and preparation: some start at two years, others at three, ensuring that each bird competes under optimal conditions.
Health management is a top priority. Young pigeons are vaccinated twice a year against PMV, adults only against paramyxovirus. Salmonella vaccination is not systematic; if not administered, pigeons receive appropriate treatment. For other ailments, the RUTZ brothers prefer a minimal-medication approach, guided by their veterinarian’s advice.
Preventive measures are also applied to promote natural health. In winter, they regularly use a herbal and spice powder to dry moistened feed, adding oregano or garlic-ginger oils. During the season, to minimize respiratory issues, the eucalyptus-based product ATEMFRISCH from Uwe Wollitzer is applied weekly. Pigeons never receive peas during the season. Feed comes from Paloma and Vanrobaeys. The daily ration is relatively light, except for the last three days before an international race, when higher-energy mixes are given to optimize reserves. To ensure adequate protein, Jens regularly adds a powder containing 80% protein, also from Uwe Wollitzer. Supplementary products include Aminovit (amino acids) from HERBOTS, B vitamins, and iodine. There is no fixed feeding plan; it is adapted based on past performance and future goals. According to Jens, the key to racing performance is regular, intensive training: daily high-intensity loft flights, accompanied by training races every weekend, to develop endurance and musculature for international competitions.
In summary, RUTZ & Sons consistently exemplify excellence in international pigeon racing. For decades, their success has relied on a unique combination of discipline, family expertise, and controlled genetic selection, supported by methodical preparation, strict health management, and performance-oriented nutrition. They do not settle for remarkable results alone but continually strive for perfection, combining tradition and innovation to not only achieve top results year after year but also ensure the long-term future of their loft.

Yannick UNGERER, 03/01/2026

Familie Rutz has bred and selected  - especially for online auction Pigeon Bids - a magnificent group of 2025 pigeons

This auction ends Monday, February 16th at 2:00 PM.