Maybe something chewed up the roots? Others might know what critters chew up rose roots.

pelicanhead, was it a new plant or established? I will be interested to hear what people say. I had this happen one year with established minis. I didn't really investigate it. (circumstances...) But one I did check out and the soil was waterlogged in the pot. Never dried out between waterings was my guess. Soil to dense for potting, so it was the roots.

You might also want to post this one the miniature board.

Allison

Check the roots. Gopher? Fertilizer OD? What kind of fertilizer did it get? Is there a clump right there at the roots? Large male dog that aims only at that particular plant?

Unusual for this neck of the woods, if it was getting enough water. Two drippers per plant always better than one, in case one clogs.

Gophers will eat the roots; it's happened to me several times. I don't know if that's your problem but usually if the whole plant turns brown you can literally lift up the plant because it's been detached from the roots.

Ingrid

I went out and pulled the plant out. The roots looked fine. No gopher holes, That was my first thought. I use fish emulsion on my roses. I have been adding 1 tablespoon urea every other week through July according to Dick Streeper's schedule I'm on. No dogs, It was weird. The leaves all turned brown at the same time, then the cane. I'm thinking maybe it was the urea, I forgot about that. Maybe too much for it.

Urea is very strong. That might have done it if you didn't water heavily afterwards and the root system was small.

If the roots still have some life in them, the rose might come back from the roots...