Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Pets

Join our community on the Pet forum to discuss anything related to pets.

Rottweilers!

40 replies

thesunshinesbrightly · 18/07/2010 16:30

In the next 6 month's me and my OH are thinking of looking at some rottie puppies.

Does anyone have one if so do you have dc's? what ages are they?
Do you have other pet's too?

Any infomation and experience you have with the breed, would be brilliant.

Thank you.

OP posts:
WhereTheWildThingsWere · 18/07/2010 16:42

My best friend keeps Rottweilers, she has had them since pre-dc's, so they have always been around her children who are currently 8,6 and 10mo.

She also keeps chickens and rabbits and has a cat.

The dogs are wonderful with all the children and all the animals, one bitch though is terrible with other dogs and cannot be let off the lead near them.

Having said that they are fine with kids they do need constant supervision, more for their feet than their mouths, they are massive, very strong dogs and can easily knock a child flying in play, and a clout with a foot, esp. when they roll on their backs can really hurt.

They are also very intellegent and need something to do, hers do agility and are also PAT dogs. As a breed they need upward of a couple of hours exercise a day and plenty of problem solving exercise and stimulation. They need a firm but fair hand when being trained.

In the right hands they are wonderful, devoted, loving gentle giants but I would say they are not a breed for a first time dog owner.

thesunshinesbrightly · 18/07/2010 16:54

I would take him/her to training classes also agility would be great,hardly be left alone and could have hours walk in the morning,afternoon,night plus obviously weekends would be more,country walks,bike rides etc...

My DC's are 14,8 and 12.

I have owned dogs before but not the size or strength of a rottie.

Also would they favour one of us over the other or are they real family dogs?

Thank you for your reply.

OP posts:
Vallhala · 18/07/2010 17:01

"In the right hands they are wonderful, devoted, loving gentle giants but I would say they are not a breed for a first time dog owner."

Spot on, imho, WhereTheWildThingsWere.

My experience of the breed is largely with the 2 deal with in rescue. Both have health conditions - one is the most amiable dog you could wish for despite it all, the other you have to be careful of as she can nip without warning.

It's the same old story - one person's experience, one particular dog, is going to be completely different than anothers. ANY dog can be perfect and any dog can be unpredictable. The issue isn't with the breed but with the dog's personality, care, training and upbringing.

thesunshinesbrightly · 18/07/2010 17:03

I love the breed but how can i be sure that would be the right owner's?

OP posts:
Vallhala · 18/07/2010 17:04

Oh, sorry Sun, didn't spot that you were the OP!

They do, ime, tend to favour and can build the most remarkable bond with the person they have chosen as their friend. That doesn;t mean that they will turn against the rest of the family but that you will be the centre of their world.

This is only going on the 2 in rescue and the 2 which my childless cousin and her DH have.

Jazzicatz · 18/07/2010 17:06

I have just spent the last week treating my dog who was attacked savagely by a rottweiler. Now I know you can't blame the entire breed for the behaviour of one dog, but the way it attacked my dog I would NEVER let one near my children!

thesunshinesbrightly · 18/07/2010 17:13

Hi Vallhala, wondered when you would spot me.

Suppose their isn't a magic wand that can tell me if i would be any good for such a wonderful dog.

Vallhala - you have GSD's don't you? also a wonderful dog, do you think it would be worth while considering this breed to?

OP posts:
thesunshinesbrightly · 18/07/2010 17:14

Jazzicatz - sorry to hear about your dog. Hope she/he will be ok.

OP posts:
Jazzicatz · 18/07/2010 17:20

He is on the mend but it was terrifying how this dog just opened his jaw and grabbed my dogs head. It took ages for it to release.

WhereTheWildThingsWere · 18/07/2010 17:21

My friends dogs are attached to the entire family rather than just her, they also happily greet visitors with no suspicion, they really are the most lovable, soppy, dogs, though the do seem to have no comprehension of their size and wonder why on earth you don't want them sitting on your knee.

I Have also visited Rottie breeders several times with my friend and had very similar experiences with their dogs (and one breeder had seven, all house dogs, all slept in her bedroom!) always very welcoming, very affectionate, desperate for a fuss.

If you have had dogs in the past and feel up to the challenge then I see no reason why you wouldn't be a wonderful owner.

Vallhala · 18/07/2010 17:53

Sun, I do indeed have GSDs.

I could waffle on about them all night... they are wonderful!

Again, it's all down to the individual dog but my own and those I've met and dealt with in rescue are in the majority - ie lovely, friendly, affectionate dogs with a great sense of loyalty and very intelligent.

My 3 yo black and tan boy is a nutter, VERY quick to learn and very clever, as affectionate as they come and a real wuss Mummy's boy! My foster boy, the long haired champagne fella on my profile, is also exceptionally affectionate and more laid back but can be very nervous. He sticks to my side like glue now I've gained his trust but doesn't take to everyone, never aggressive though, he just pegs it out of sight!

I can't. can't, can't praise the breed highly enough though like any other, there ARE the odd bad apples out there.

Jazzicatz, I'm so sorry to hear of the attack on your boy. I really feel morally obliged to say though that as a rescuer who handles all manner of breeds I can't condone your comment that you would never let a Rott near your children.

It's attitudes like this that cause perfectly friendly dogs to be abandoned to die in the pound.

Let me put it this way... Ian Huntley is a man. After seeing what he did, should you never let your children near a man again? Should you refuse to let your DC go to a school with a male caretaker or be served in a shop by a male assistant? Let them go to Scouts with a man in charge? Or should you judge on the individual and not on sex or breed?

Vallhala · 18/07/2010 18:07

PS Sun, pics of both my GSDs and of my ex foster staffie on my profile now. (Just wanted to show you all how vicious these Staffies are, y'know!).

2old4thislark · 18/07/2010 19:23

My JRT pup was chased into the middle of the River Thames my four Rottweilers - thought I was going to lose her - she was only 3 months old and tiny. They chased her like she was prey. As did another Rottie with my other JRT. Both are terrified of big dogs now. I have met one lovely gentle giant Rottie but I do get very worried by their aggression and size.

I know any dog can be dangerous in the wrong hands but if it all goes wrong and you get a situation they are SO strong. Wouldn't risk it myself.

Love GSD's though

Marne · 18/07/2010 19:32

vallhala- your staff is lovely (as are your other dogs), i have a white staff (see profile), i would love a rottie if i had the space. My friend has 2 rotties and 2 young children, they have never had any problems.

thesunshinesbrightly · 18/07/2010 22:09

Vallhala - they are gorgeous and your staffie look's shattered bless her,lovely dog's.

As always i totally agree you as usual about the attack.

I'm in two mind's about the two breed's they are both adorable.

Thankyou Vallhalla for your time and replies.

Thank you all for your replies and time too.

OP posts:
lazydog · 19/07/2010 00:15

I know it's wrong to generalise but I will never be a Rottie fan. I worked for a lady who had two when I was a student - one was nice and soppy, the other was very highly strung and unpredictable. Their sheer size and the power of them makes any potential for aggression much more of a concern, in my mind, than with other, more easily restrainable breeds.

And to add to my bias against them, my JRT's father has just been literally torn to pieces by a Rottweiler Both dogs were owned by the same family (they breed JRT's and Rottweilers...or at least they did, but obviously have now lost their JRT stud ) They still have the Rottie male. Let's just say that I will never allow my kids round to play with their school friend (their daughter) as long as that Rottweiler is there...

minimu1 · 19/07/2010 08:17

Can I just ask why you specially want a rottie? They are great dogs but and there are buts to keep them in a stiuation when although willing you may not be able to provide them with all the time and training they need.

Rottweilers are very loyal, devoted, warm and intelligent creatures.

They are dogs that do not bark unnecessarily and they are proven to be good watch dogs and warn when something isn?t right.

When a Rottweiler is matured, fit and healthy, it is a very calm dog that will love nothing more than to sleep or chew on a bone.

However, there is a downside to Rottweilers. The life expectancy of a Rottweiler is 8-10 years and they do not mature until the age of 2 years old.

Rottweiler health is a concern as they do have a poor immune system, more so as puppies. They are also at risk of hip dysplasia, tearing cruciate ligaments and heart problems as well as cancer.

It is so important to give them lots of proper training and socialising when they are puppies. If you fail to do this they can become unconsciously dangerous as adult dogs.

They play hard and can easily injure someone inadvertently. They also herd young children and other animals, bump, or nip them while doing so without meaning harm.

Rottweiler puppies are generally mouthy and you must teach them that this is wrong ? more so as then tend to have temper tantrums.

Ensure that your Rottweiler is exercised frequently and will need some form of work (obedience, agility, herding, etc). If they become bored or improperly housed they can be destructive.

Reading your op I do not think having achildren is a reason to not getting a rottie but you wil have your hands full with training a young dog that will need full on training and having children - you will lose aany small me time you may have had!

But good luck with your decision it sound like you are thinking through all the options

thesunshinesbrightly · 19/07/2010 09:32

minimu1 - Rottie's are my favorite breed such handsome dog's.
I can say that their strength and size and their abilty to intimidate is not the reason i want one. He/she would be as a pet only.

Like most breed's their is a risk of hips,cancer etc... My pup would be insured.

Nipping - most dog's do that.

I am not going into this blinded, i am doing research before i jump into anything.

The reason i wanted to know about the children was for the size of a rottie really not for being paranoid that she/he was going to be aggressive.

OP posts:
thesunshinesbrightly · 19/07/2010 09:39

Lazydog -I'm sorry. Any dog has it in them to attack another dog, i find jrt's very highly strung,nippy and aggresive.

But i can't say i'm not a fan all dog's are lovely i think it's due to lack of training etc... when the aggression occurs.

Some dog's just don't like other dog's it has nothing to do with the breed.

OP posts:
Vallhala · 19/07/2010 16:09

Hey, Sun, you wanna positive Rottie story? I'll show ya one!

s10.zetaboards.com/biggsd/topic/7135299/1/

thesunshinesbrightly · 19/07/2010 16:13

Thankyou Vallhala will have a read now.

OP posts:
SpawnChorus · 19/07/2010 16:18

You might also want to consider your social life. I have a friend who I rarely visit as she has two enormous Rottweilers. They are supposedly well behaved, but they are massive and I have three small DCs and can't relax when I'm round there. I know that a couple of our mutual friends feel the same way.

thesunshinesbrightly · 19/07/2010 16:21

Wow!!

That is lovely.

Danny is a gorgeous dog and huge don't fancy him sitting on my lap.

My mind is virtually made up, i think i would be privledged to own a rottie.

OP posts:
thesunshinesbrightly · 19/07/2010 16:32

SpawnChorus - Thank you.I have had negative comments off my family to but that is totally up to the person, i can't put this on the back burner because of other's.
I have a loving home my children, OH and everything i need.
He will be trained, exercised have a loving home and everything he needs and we are planning to do agilty with him.
I don't think any dog is aggressive without reason and i can't think of a single one why mine would turn into a monster.

OP posts:
Vallhala · 19/07/2010 16:33

"You might also want to consider your social life."

Sun, if you're too polite, I'll respond for you...!!!

Choice... dog or the "friend" who "can't" relax.... oooh, that's a tough one!

And yes, Danny is a bloody great lump when he stands on your toe or tries to sit on you!

I was staying at the rescue over the week that he collapsed and was rushed to the vet. Dave, the rescue owner and friend of mine, returned back several hours later, alone and simply white faced, in shock. We really thought we were going to lose Danny that night and we all cried buckets.

But as you can see, he made it through and it was worth every second of the carrying him around and constructing a suitable kennel at 10pm.

The last time I saw him was 2 weeks ago, when he came out of the rescue's house, saw me and literally bounded down the paddock to greet me.

Never, ever have I been so overjoyed to see a dog run. It wasn't the first time I'd seen him racing along since his recovery, but each time prickles the back of my eyes.

Swipe left for the next trending thread