Would you get a Rottweiler?

[Wheresmywoolyjumpers]

Have been looking for a dog and have been told about some Rottweiler puppies from the grand daughter of a friend of my parents. So I know they are legit, no puppy farmers, that the dog parents are family pets and I will be able to meet both of them. I have always wanted a Rottie but never had one - have lots of experience with terriers. Does anyone here have experience with this breed? Can you give me some tips, or pros and cons? I have another dog at the moment, who is very relaxed with puppies and other dogs. Two cats, ditto. I read that rotties can be bad with cats, but surely if they are raised around them they would be ok?

I have a Rottweiler, I've had them all my life. They are the most loyal, loving dogs you could ever own. However I would never recommend them to a novice as they have strong guarding instincts, can be very stubborn, and are incredibly strong. In the wrong hands they can easily become a liability, but bought up correctly they are amazing. Mine is fantastic with my four young children, he loves the cat, he is great with strangers, dogs, horses, chickens etc. I also have a border collie, and my Rottweiler is so chilled out in comparison. He also needs much less exercise, he would be happy with a couple of long walks a week with a few shorter ones here and there.

He is very intelligent however, and he can do lots of tricks which people are always surprised to see.

I don't think I could ever have any other breed of dog!

Here's a photo of my big fella 😊

Grew up with Rottweilers! The only real trouble was trying to get them to understand that once they grow to full weight they can't really sit on your lap anymore. Big babies who want cuddled all the time.

Do all your research before. They are really beautiful, fun dogs. Dunno if it's how they are bread these days but they tend to look more like labs!

They can be absolute shits as pups though.

Yes. I've never met an unpleasant Rottweiler. They're generally friendly, intelligent and great with people.

My neighbours have two. I cannot go out in my back garden without being barked, growled and snarled at - and the sound of very big dogs charging at the fence.

They are poorly trained and looked after the last one was a Christmas present for a child.

People keep smaller dogs on leads despite the area being semi-rural and cats are kept indoors.

I can't wait for them to move out.

Beautiful breed, I'd have one. We had a lovely older rottie as a foster. He was like a big Teddy bear and so clever.

I love big dogs, but I wouldn’t get a rottie my SIL has one it’s lovely with adults but hates children and tries to climb fences and get through doors at my children, we won’t visit her as it’s too dangerous. It’s prey drive is in overload around squealing children. It’s put me right off.

We have a rottie cross - she's a delight but that's after lots of hard work. She was a 12 month old untrained rescue when we got her and looking back the first 6 months was tough.
She lives with cats and apart from wanting them to play and being disappointed when they ignore her bowing to them and bouncing she's fine with them.
She's very cuddly and loves her family - needs careful introductions to new people but once that's done she's fine

I've had rescue rottie cross had passed his cat test but would want to chase outdoors. Most of the rotties I've met have been big softies but imagine those are mainly bred for show/pet than protective work.
I think do need owner experienced with training/behaviour to nip inappropriatiate guarding traits in the bud early, but same can be said with spaniels resource guarding.

The breeds health issues would put me off having one and consequently they are expensive to insure. Breeder selection would therefore be very important that are doing as much a possible for lines health, good temperaments and the early raising/socialisation are spot on so that are producing well adjusted puppies. A lot of the cockerpoos and other designer mixs my dog walker has are anxious natured dogs and however much work you put in its hard to override that.

My rule is never have a dog in the house stronger than the weakest human. I've seen it go wrong too often.

I would have no issue with getting a Rottweiler if I wanted a big dog however if I wanted one I would get one from a properly researched breeder not from a friend of a friend who was using their family pet to make some cash .

We rehomed a gorgeous 11pm that old boy rottie and it was the best decision we ever made. He is wonderful, had him 3 years now, great with 4 kids and 2 cats such a gentle giant and a goofball - we adore him x

We had a gorgeous boy! A right soppy thing.

two walks 30-40 mins walks a day and more at the weekend but he was a bit lazy. Loved a nap.

He also loved sitting on laps, dozing on the sofa (which he shouldn’t have!) and more than once I found him asleep on my bed.

he did have a lot of training and socialisation but he was the most gentle loving dog.

great with children and cats.

I miss him!

Yes yes yes I miss my rottie he was a gentle giant. Never had any issues with him and the cats he used to let them share his food and sleep in his bed.

Lovely dogs in the right and experienced hands. Very large breed though that will prove expensive - every vet visit will be in the hundreds due to size. And if he does his cruciate ligament (which happens frequently) the costs are about 6k per knee. Get some estimates on pet insurance, add the food, the normal vacc, flea tx etc, talk to a vet and then decide. With the cost of living these days, I would personally think twice before getting a large breed. But if you do, good luck! hope you get a lovely one.

I think this would be beyond foolish.

Rotties are the gentliest of giants! There bark is scary but they are daft as brushes. Known many. Like staffs they get a bad name. They are great dogs amd make great family pets

However, I'd feel a bit sorry for the cats though

I'd never get one for the simple reason that they would be way too strong for me to control. I'd never have an animal that could over power me

@Sunshineona Endangering the cats? Don’t be ridiculous! They don’t have a strong prey drive at all. In fact terriers have a much much stronger prey drive! My Rottie (sadly died this year) adored my cats and was a gentle giant even with tiny kittens.

However I would never get a Rottie pup from breeders that haven’t tested the parents hips and elbows before breeding. And that means proper health tests with proven scores, not a quick vet check that says they are fine for now. You are asking for huge vet bills otherwise. They are prone to hip and elbow problems as a breed and an elbow replacement can cost upwards of £10,000. Definitely not worth the risk of buying a badly bred version!

They're lovely dogs. Need to be trained well, socialised well and kept busy because they are a working breed.