Posted: 10/9/2006 6:17:21 PM EDT
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I currently don't own a dog. I have been wanting to get one for some time for reasons that I won't go into now. The wife and I have an opportunity to pick up a Rottie pup, AKC registered and a pick of male or female. I have read that these dogs need alot of attention and training when they are young to make for a good dog as they age. I have a 9 year old daughter to consider. I work long hours and would only be able to give a pup a couple of hours of my time a day for the next year or so. My wife could spend twice or three times that amount of time with the animal. The dog would be an "inside dog" during the night and most of the times during the day. The animal would have a chance to go the the Western NC mountains at least once a month for extended weekend "runs". (I live in Charlotte). Is this a breed I should consider, or should I look at other options (Labrador or German Shepard are those options). Thanks- SM |
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Great dogs. If you have a kid I would say get a female. They have a strong paternal instinct and are VERY protective of children. Rotties are very loving dogs. They are always wanting to touch you, or lean agaist you or sit at your feet. Their loyalty and affection is incredible. |
Just be careful with smaller children. Not that the dog will hurt them but that the dog weighs more (sometimes a lot more) and may knock them on their butt a few times just playing around, lol. |
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Check the temperment of the parents of the pup. See if they have been around kids and if they did well. If they have a good temper and a good blood line then go for it. I would get a female. Make sure your 9 y.o helps with the training from the very start. Have her actively train the dog. So the dog knows where she is in the pack. And make sure the 9 y.o gets to spend lots of time with the pup and gets to love on her. You want them to bond. I would not let the pup sleep in the bed, I would crate train her. Let the pup sleep in her crate. You can house train them that way too. |
| I second the female..I have both and while both are loyal and smart most male rotts Ive met are a bit clumbsy. When my younger brother (14) stays over I always have to check that the male (150lbs) isnt trying to sleep across his legs. Id hate to have him lose them in the morning because of no circulation. They love to train and learn, but it takes patience and time for sure. |
Sums it up perfectly, IMO. I had to put my female Rottie down one week ago today............... 
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Sorry to hear that Bob. My neighbor had to put down his choclate lab who was 12 years old last spring. "Moby" was a great dog and always hung around at my home. Such a personable fellow. He was the dog that I didn't have and it pained me greatly to see him go. SM |
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Make sure the dog gets socialized, around people in a good setting, and around other animals...and I don't mean people as in family. My mom got a rottie, she's a sweetheart...to family. As I don't live there anymore I can't correct the dog, and I'm not exactily about to bark at my mom for how the dog acts around strangers, but...yes, female rotties are very protective. Take her to training, take her to classes, walk her around parks and such, and let her get used to people, especially random walkups, pets, hellos, etc. This assumes you get a female rottie. I don't know from males, but I would imagine the same training/familiarization principals apply. Also...they ARE working dogs. Give 'em something to do..be it pull a cart, walk you daughter to school (with you, of course), etc.... Basically..yes, they do need a lot of training and socialization as a pup, growing up, even into a year or two into them, if you want a dog that won't freak out at a neighbor, neighbor's dog, or others. But, the payout is worth it. A fantastic dog, loyal to the extreme, who will let in strangers without a fuss when they're welcome...and gnaw on their femur, when they're not. |
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There is a lot of good advice on Rotts on this thread. My family has had several, and consider them superior in loyaly and closeness to family. There is one major benefit is, they are not hyperactive, " in home " dogs... they dont chew on the furniture, or dig holes in the carpet like a Lab would. They do well in confined areas. They do learn quickly if you treat them like you would other family members... ( never hit or spank one)... a 20 second ass chewing is all it takes. You will see it in their eyes when they get the picture. My rotts seemed overly sensitve to strangers, and especially other dogs. So you may need to go out of your way and introduce a young pup to other animals and kids frequently.... for the first year or two. They are extremely strong, and they do get hot... I use to watch the length of their panting toungs as an indicator for over heating. They do not live that long... only about 9 years. ETA: ... like all working dogs, they do shed. |
www.cluebus.com/holly/gsdfaq.html |
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I rescued a Rotti lady from the local shelter- and have never regretted it. Please visit a few rescue organizations before buying from a breeder. An older dog is already broken in and socialised, doesn't destroy things, has basic obedience, has the critical (= establishing dominance) puberity phase behind it and the rescue workers can tell you exactly about its character. |
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We have friends in Pearland that had one--a female--and she was a great dog until she turned on the youngest son with no provocation. He's 15 and she just went bonkers, although he escaped without getting severely hurt. His dad is a Sergeant with Harris County SD and they got rid of her so fast you couldn't blink. She was about 3 years old and she was gone pronto. FWIW HH |
Awesome advice, and awesome dogs (even in mix form). Check out Southern States Rottweiler Rescue www.ssrr.org,a quality organization. With any dog, if you have kids, you should slowly gauge temperament. When my son was less than a year old, he actually bit my Rottie's ear once or twice, and she just yelped and moved away. I'm not sure that most dogs, even labs, etc., would take things quite as well. (Now she is a bit wary, but likes him a lot. At about a year and a half, he goes around hugging and kissing her and the other dogs.) There is a LOT of variability within any breed, so it all boils down to the individual dog. |
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I have an eighteen month old GSD and she needs a lot of exercise. Don't get something like this unless you are prepared to spend at least an hour per day walking. Dennis Jenkins
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Have had Rotties since my High School Days... since they were pups... The temperment of the new family member is based on how you treat them... as for your little girl... she would be fine... IMHO, Rotties are the one of the best breads out there.. PS. be careful of that the champion and the bitch do not have any history of Hip Dysplasia Again, good luck on your choice 
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If your wife is not into training, forget about it. A Rot is not a "pet". This is a working breed that is aggressive and can get out of control quickly. You'll need to train the dog min. 1-2 hours a day for 8 months. Do not teat him like a "puppy" at any time, otherwise you'll have a 100lb dog jumping on you and everywhere else. Never allow the pup to touch you with his teeth, ever (unless you like getting bit in the face down the road). Pick up "Dog Talk", read it. Think about the time investment for awhile. The dog should be fine when raised with kids. I have raised Dobies for 20 years. My best friend raised several Rots. The last one turned out bad. The dog began to kill small animals on sight, and started attacking people. He left most of the training with his new wife. She didn't know what she was doing. Dog was put down by the city. |
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My parents have had 2 rotties. Both males and both well tempered with kids. Just watch the tiny kids, the dog weighs much more than the little kid and sometimes they like to play a little rough. It's all about training. If you train him to play rough, he will do so. I've always heard the females are much more docile. See how mom and dad act with the puppies and with you, that will give you a lot of insight. Rotties are very protective of their family. |
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I love Rotties, and it's probably all I'll ever have from now on. My last 2 dogs have been Rotties. Overall, they are about the most perfect dogs possible, IMO. However, I'll also say that they are not the easiest dogs to handle and train, and you do have to spend alot of time on that. Rotties are puppies until they are 2 years old, and they act like it. They can be a handful. And proper discipline is very important. They are sensitive, so you don't have to hit them, and I wouldn't recommend hitting them. A well-bred Rottie will defend himself if he thinks he's under attack, and you don't want that. Also, their aggression drive will escalate to equal yours, so if you start getting hysterically angry at them, they are going to respond in-kind. You don't want that, either. They will respond very well to a quiet and firm command, if you train them to. An even-tempered and fair owner who respects the dog, trains it properly and well, and gives it love and attention, will be a good Rottie owner. It's not like owning other dogs. It's another family member who has a psychology and personality, and will defend your family to the death, and who wants to be loved and cared for. Very much like a person. Rotties should not be brutalized, like some dog owners seem to mistake for discipline. A Rottie is a breed for the advanced dog owner who wants a majestic and strong breed. They are strong willed, stubborn, intelligent, and have their own mind, which is very common among herding dogs. They can be quite big, although it is not unusual to see some Rotties under 90 pounds. Their strength is beyond what you think it will be. Very very strong. There is alot of cart-pulling history in the breed, and they will pull you around by the leash if you let them. Teach them to "heel" if you don't want to get pulled around. They naturally express themselves with their mouth, and mine commonly gently chews on my arm as an affectionate expression. That is not necessarily an agression thing, and I know of one couple who got rid of their Rottie for doing that, and he was only giving them a "Rottie hug" with his mouth. I felt bad for the dog, because he was expressing his affection for them. Basically, you must integrate this dog into your entire family structure, and treat him as part of the family. He will demand that kind of attention. Leaving a Rottie unattended for long time periods on a chain in the backyard is a recipe for disaster. This breed will accurately reflect how well you have done with your ownership. If you are a great owner, you'll have a great dog. If not, well then you don't really want to go there. |
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I usually stay out of the dog breed threads but I will chime in here with my .02. My experience with Rotts are that if you get a good bloodline puppy and SPEND THE TIME with it you will have one of the most loyal and affectionate dogs around. I know you know this already but Rotts are not "chain dogs". Best bet is to make it a house dog or if you have to keep it outside make sure it has a very large enclosure and that you take him/her out twice daily for extended interaction and exercise. In my experience Rotts that are well-cared for and that get a lot of human interaction aren't aggressive. It is when they are isolated and chained that their energy and intelligence turns to aggression. Good luck with your choice. |