rotweiller

[wonky]

my husband and i are looking to buy a rotweiller neither of us have had a dog before and just wanted to ask if anyone had any tips for us!! i really want to try and keep my home and garden neat and tidy we will be walking her 2-3 times a day do you think this will be enough? we have read up on them but you cant beat direct advise and opinions......

Thank you in advance x x

[andy hughes]

I am curious as to why you would wish to won this particular breed of dog. All dogs are pack and territorial animals - this can occasionally lead to spats with other dogs when yours is on a lead. For most breeds, this is not an issue, but rotweillers are a particularly strong and fierce breed. When they bite, their jaws interlock, and can only be released when the dog chooses to let go, or is rendered unconcious / dead. I'm sorry t sound so dramatic, but might i suggest that as new owners, you try a more docile breed to start with, and get some experience. I know you will find people who will say "My rotweiller is a pussy cat, loves children blah blah" which may well be true, but let's face it, anyone's dog lonly savages a child / kills another car or dog / turns on itsowner once - then it's hisroty. You have to ask if this is the breed you want if she turns nasty, and she might, how ever well you raise and treat her. Think about it, before you commit yourselves.

[woofgang]

sadly, I am with Andy on this one. The lady who bred our dog (weimaraner) says that 20 years ago, she would suggest a rotweiller to anyone who she thought could not handle the behaviour and exercise needs of a weimaraner. She says that she has seen a good breed ruined and now would not suggest them to anyone. This is not to say that there are not still good conscientious breeders out there....but they are in a minority, at least in the UK. If you have never had a dog before, could you help out at a local animal shelter to get some experience? I wouldn't be without a dog, but they are hard work and a huge responsibility....also, IMHO, bid farewell to a tidy home and garden!!

[Corkyb]

I agree with you Andy. Rottweilers are very strong animals and are also very protective, which can cause problems if they become over protective. If you have or perhaps hope to have children, personally I'd choose a dog with a gentler nature.

Check out these links- the first 3 are about choosing a dog and the others are Rottweiler specific. All may help you decide which is best for you.

http://www.ourdogs.chilly-hippo.co.uk/choosingdog.htm

http://www.dogtraining.co.uk/choosdog.htm

http://www.darwinvets.plus.com/dogs/chose.htm

http://www.inkabijou.co.uk/wannarot.htm

http://www.inkabijou.co.uk/rottie2.htm

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/rottweil.html

 

Good Luck

[Hessler]

My son and daughter in law have a rotweiller they rescued from the animal shelter(about 1yr. at the time).

As a puppy,   there was nothing she wouldn't chew up(if left alone for too long at a time).    She chewed everything from pool chemicals,  to a dog house.   Dog beds,   chair pads,  or anything she could find,  was destroyed.   

She's a sweet lovable dog with family members and various friends of the family(acts like a big baby),  but..,  not everyone is welcomed by her.   There are certain people (that come around on a reg. basis),  that she refuses to make up to,  and of coarse,  strangers(repairmen especially),  should be very aware of her presence.  

She has never been known to attack other dogs,  although,  that's not to say she wouldn't.   Her and my sons older German Shephard(now passed away),  did get lose on one occasion.   The German Shephard was confronted by 2 or 3 other dogs,   and she immediately went to his rescue,  but caused no serious injuries to the other dogs.   That's the only time she's been known to go after another dog. 

The bottom line is,  they're very lovable, devoted pets,  but,   require a great deal of attention,  and proper handling.  It's not a breed I'd recommend either,   to a first time owner. 

 

[D.G.W.T.H.]

A Rottweiller is a very big dog.  They can be aggressive if they don't get their own way.  All I can say is..... if it tries to hump your leg,  let it!!!!

[Goofy]

if you want a biggish, pedigree, dog try a labrador. Excellent temprament.
I agree with all of the above: Rotweillers are not for the inexperienced.

[littleoldme]

I would absolutely agree with going for a labrador - lovely breed. I speak from experience. I don't know if wonky and her husband have any children or are planning any, but labradors are especially good with kids (and rottweilers often are not).

The only thing that counts against labradors in wonky's case is that she says she wants to keep her home neat and tidy. Oh well... :O)

[wonky]

Thank you everyone for you answers, we r not happy with the response's becuase we are dissapointed but it has helped us make our decision we are now going to look for a different breed, we will def consider a labrador and yes we are and have been for the last 3 yrs hoping for children.

Thanks again x x

[bmac65]

First of all,  I would like to state that I am not a professional or novice breeder.  These comments are my opinion and I have no professional credentials to support my opinion.  The only authority I speak from,  is that of being a proud owner of a Rott for the past 6 years.  I would like to start out by saying that I have had 12 dogs in my life.  Ranging from St. Bernard�s to a Siberian Huskies.  At one time we had 4 dogs living in our house; Chow, German Shepherd mix, Besingi and a Rott.  I can tell you, with the greatest of confidence, the Rottweiller has been the best dog I have ever had the pleasure to share my life with!  All of these readers have some good points, but come short of the reality as it relates to the Rottweiller breed. Rotts are a very affectionate dog with one of the highest levels of intelligence.  They are extremely loyal / protective, but that�s not necessarily a bad thing.  Dogs which are very loyal to their masters / owners tend to be protective.  The Rotweiller isn�t known for attaching unless they are trained to do so. More likely they will corner an intruder, or stand between you and the intruder prepared to protect you to their death.  This is their nature, to be protective of the family and the dwelling area.

[bmac65]

First of all,  I would like to state that I am not a professional or novice breeder.  These comments are my opinion and I have no professional credentials to support my opinion.  The only authority I speak from,  is that of being a proud owner of a Rott for the past 6 years.  I would like to start out by saying that I have had 12 dogs in my life.  Ranging from St. Bernard�s to a Siberian Huskies.  At one time we had 4 dogs living in our house; Chow, German Shepherd mix, Besingi and a Rott.  I can tell you, with the greatest of confidence, the Rottweiller has been the best dog I have ever had the pleasure to share my life with!  All of these readers have some good points, but come short of the reality as it relates to the Rottweiller breed. Rotts are a very affectionate dog with one of the highest levels of intelligence.  They are extremely loyal / protective, but that�s not necessarily a bad thing.  Dogs which are very loyal to their masters / owners tend to be protective.  The Rotweiller isn�t known for attaching unless they are trained to do so. More likely they will corner an intruder, or stand between you and the intruder prepared to protect you to their death.  This is their nature, to be protective of the family and the dwelling area.

[bmac65]

If people knew the truth about this Dog, many more would be owners of this great breed.  You do need to be strong willed in order to maintain a healthy relationship with the Rot.  They do tend to be very stubborn and you need to be prepared to stand firm when they try to test you.  Mine would climb up in the bed with me when I would fall asleep, even though he knew that he wasn�t suppose to.They enjoy exercise and require it daily.  The lady�s comment about them destroying property is true if they don�t get adequate exercise and attention.  I walk / jog mine twice daily.  When he is properly exercised he is very well behaved and often lethargic.  I also have mine crate Trained, this is a must especially for the first year to protect themselves and the contents in your house.  Because these dogs tend to be very smart, potty training only took me about 2 weeks.  Now he rings bells on the door when ready to go out.  As far as trashing your house, the Rott has actually been the best behaved out of all the dogs I�ve had.  It�s more a function of the dog getting attention and exercise then the destructive nature of the breed.  My Rot is mischievous, ranging from taking my hand tools and placing them in his water bowl to bumping me on the bum with his head when I�m bent over.  Sure, when he was a pup, under a year old, he would chew things, but ALL DOGS DO THAT, that�s why you crate train dogs: however, once he was a year old, and as long as he has a chew toy such as a bone, he never destroys things.

[bmac65]

One person on this forum mentioned poor breeders.  This is unfortunately true.  ESP in the USA. In the late 70s this breed was almost ruined by uneducated / unethical breeders, as a result there are many poor lines of the Rot.  I was fortunate that I lived in the same state as my breeder.  Be very cautious of those who are breeding these dogs purely for profit.  Usually uneducated people think they can make a fast dollar by breeding their Rott with the neighbors and come up with a poor quality dog, not taking the time or adequately research the breeding in an effort to produce a better dog.  Important things can be overlooked if the person isn�t trained / schooled in the breed and the way to breed out the genetic defects associated with this breed.  My breeder and her husband are booth trial lawyers.  They breed Rotts because they love the breed, not because they are trying to make money.  Buyer beware�.you get what you pay for�garbage in = garbage out.  If you�re getting the dog for fewer than 1,000 it�s probably not a well bread Rot.    Also�don�t purchase the dog from a pet store, or an anonymous.  More often then not�they have received this dog from bad breeder