Are there any rottie owners out there?

[loulabelle]

I would like to get a rottie so that i feel a little safer in the dark evenings at our yard on my own. They would also be a much loved family pet. I have read up on the breed but just wanted peoples personal opinions of the breed? I would like it to come out on rides with us and also we have a 18 month old son who is very affectionate towards all animals. Do you think a rottie would be a good idea? I like big dogs and as I mentioned would also like the knowlege that I have something looking after me (not to be vicious but for my own peice of mind)

 

[LynneB]

I have two a 2 year old male and a 6 year old female. If you are serious about getting one I really recommend you read up on the breed. They are a breed apart when it comes to discipline and training - all having to be done firmly but without physical chastisement. If you are a first time owner I hugely recommend you only consider a female from a reputable breeder so you have them from a puppy.

Males are enormously different and difficult for a first time owner. That said, Rottweilers are wonderful, loving, caring and loyal dogs in the right hands. Catembi has just rescued a male rottie, so I am sure can give you lots of advice from her experience and also Cala who has a few

 

[caramac1988]

what about a boxer i have two and they are very affectionate smart and will look after you plus there great with the horses
and kids x

 

[BigRed]

I think you need to think VERY carefully before you take any large guarding breed into your house with a small child. I do not think all Rotties are killers, but they are very big, strong and strong willed dogs. Unless you have a lot of experience with that type of dog, then choose something else.

My neighbour has/had 3. He just got rid of the puppy because it attacked someone's dog. The parents are so strong that his wife cannot walk either of them, so the husband has to do it. He can only walk them with electric collars because he cannot hold them either !!

Rotties are natural guard dogs and don't need to be taught to guard their loved one's, but they are also very strong willed, you need to really be on top of one, to have a happy life with them.

I have had Doberman's, I think they are better that Rotties, but they are also very physically strong and very strong willed, they also need a lot of exercise.

 

[Nettle123]

We took on a rescue male rottie he was about 18 mths when he came to us and had been neutered.

I can honestly say he was the most gentle biddable dog that we have had. Saying that I do not think I would have one with a child under 10.

Sam was a model dog to walk and only took offence to my Mums springer when he kept swinging from his ears, even then he only barked at him but it was loud !.

We have several labradors now but at some stage will have another rottie as we really miss our big bear.

 

[loulabelle]

I'm not a first time dog owner but for the reasons mentioned little worried about getting a rottie. I do know they get a bad press but do not know anyone who has one to ask their opinion.
I prefer the bigger breeds although the biggest was a GSD.
I like boxers but OH isn't so keen. I would like to feel safe aswell as it being able to handle my son who can be 'over friendly' at times

 

[LynneB]

the rotties who get a bad press are generally maltreated and owned by ignorant people who abuse them and their trust. I know many rottie owners (who own quite a few relatives of my own dogs) and they do obedience tests, showing and flyball with their dogs as well as them being real family pets. I have never known a family dog attack its own family, or harm the children within it.

I did suggest a female as a first timer with a rottie as they tend to be calmer and less of a problem at adolescence. Once the males get through that period of their lives though, they really do calm down and are just lovely. A female will guard you as fiercely as any male. That said, I agree with the other posters and other dogs mentioned. My labradors have also been very protective and a good deterrant to those with bad intentions.

 

[CAYLA]

Lol, how people views differ

I would not own a boxer or Doberman, if my life depended on it

Rotti's are indeed as suggested a natural guarding breed, they will defend their own to the death, if socialised and trained from a young age or u can manage to get your hands on a well mannered rescue,or willing to put the work into a rescue, like myself and Catembi, they are fab large

breed as family pets, second to a Gsd only IMO

I love my rotti to death, and she returns that love ten fold, they are pretty bidable compared to some breeds IMO, and the bitches are a must as a first timer, dogs are alot more dominant and strong willed than the bitches.
I trust my rotti around kids, dogs, cats, dogs and humans...100%, in my supervision, because I have instilled manners into her, she was not like this when I took her on, but she was easy to train.

The problem with these breeds, is that owners don't do their home work or put the time in, if u teach a dog boundary's and manners u will get the end product you seek, if u allow the dog to take control....it will.... simple as that, if u have owned large breed dogs before and are sensible and have to time and confidence to handle a large breed, and instill the manners and behaviour you want, then I would reccomend a rotti bitch, they are fab around other dogs and children, and livestock, if u teach them to be, we get alot of rottis through our rescue, and I myself kept one, and so has my mam, I surprised myself, as I have always been a Gsd lover, rottis are no where near as bright, but, they are eager to please and by far the most affectionate breed, I have ever come across, and I have come across alot

My rotti, helping herself to mty horses food, they are second only to labs, in the greedy stakes

A few we have had in our rescue, we encourage them to socialise and interact with other dogs, as soon as they come in

My girl again, waiting to tea to cook

She lives in hope

Again, if u are sensible and willing to put the work in, they make fab family pets.

 

[CAYLA]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm not a first time dog owner but for the reasons mentioned little worried about getting a rottie. I do know they get a bad press but do not know anyone who has one to ask their opinion.
I prefer the bigger breeds although the biggest was a GSD.
I like boxers but OH isn't so keen. I would like to feel safe aswell as it being able to handle my son who can be 'over friendly' at times

[/ QUOTE ]

As any breed, you would have to teach your son to respect the dog, and in return the dog to behave the way u have taught it to act around your child, you must give a dog the freedom to escape a situation it does not feel comfortable with, you need to create a medium.
Alot of situations that occur with dogs, are ones which the dogs could not get away or was not supervised.

 

[catembi]

I have had a rescue rottie for just over 3 weeks. He is rising 3.

I am completely new to dog ownership. After a few settling issues in the first week, Kane has been great & gets on fine with the other pets here - 2 horses, indoor cat, outdoor cat & indoor & outdoor cockatiels.

We went out for an 8 mile ride on Sat with me riding & o/h on his mountain bike & the dog trotted along nicely off the lead, not running off or lagging behind. So far he has been very friendly to everyone he's met & is fine with other dogs.

If he hears a noise in the night, or an unexpected noise in the day, he will get up & investigate, but he doesn't bark at nothing.

I have started training him using a book & he's getting on very well with that. We're starting obedience lessons next Sunday.

I work from home & feel safer with him here (we got him because we had prowlers at night taking photos over the gate of our property). I also like having company when I'm doing stuff around the yard. He is absolutely no trouble at all. I don't have children so can't comment on that. Also this is my first ever dog & he came from a rescue home, so it may be that I've had the most extraordinary beginner's luck with him...

 

[foxviewstud]

i also have a rescue entire male rottie, my son was three months old when we got him(i have always worked with dogs and grew up with the breed)we were told he was 2yrs when we got him but i think he was younger, he has also been knocked about in the past but he is so good with children, other dogs people. i would recommend a bitch as said above as they are easier and i find more loyal than dogs. i would also recommend getting a rescue with a good temperment, there are always loads looking for new loving homes and its so rewarding, if you treat them right and train them properly you will have a dog who you can be proud of.

 

[Bossdog]

I love rotties, they are just fab looking dogs, and I can see why so many people keep them!! However, I personally am a GSD devotee, my boy is a suberb watch dog, my husband works away during the week so I am on my own from mon-fri and I always feel extremly safe with Boss in the house. He only woofs at strange people and will leave them on command, he can look scary but if I give them permission to come in he is straight on his back for a tickle, he's a complete tart! He is also superb with my 3yo son but that comes from effort on my part, they have to have respect for each other, it's your responsibility to teach them. But whatever breed you go, good luck and let us know what you get (I find the prospect of someone else getting a new dog as exciting as if it was me!!)

Jules x

 

[Cazzah]

I have a rottie and he's fab. We've had him from 6 weeks old and he was almost forced on me (I had reservations but couldn't resist when I saw him!!). He is now almost two and is kept with our 9 year old collie. They are the two softest dogs you could ever wish to meet - however, I do think its how you bring them up.

We made sure that Freddie knew who was in control and when he'd done something wrong and he is now incredibly obedient and wants to please all the time. He is big and can be a bit clumsy - something to watch with kids, but he'd never intentionally hurt them. He's very territorial around the house and barks like mad when anyone comes down the drive - as soon as I let them in the house he makes a real fuss. We've never encouraged him to bark but I guess it just comes naturally - and it does make me feel safe when I'm in on my own.

I know that they occasionally get a bad press but my experience has been nothing but positive.

Good luck with whatever you decide!!

 

[tillythefilly]

We have a ten yr old male from 6 months old. He is fine with other dogs, and with my 6yo step son, and other kids etc. He thinks he is a jack russell and loves ratting, and is very vocal when anyone pulls on drive.

Thats just my experience, I agree with what most people have said about training etc and teaching children respect. At the end of the day,I never leave any dog with any kids in my care unattended, just to be safe.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

[ QUOTE ]
Lol, how people views differ

I would not own a boxer or Doberman, if my life depended on it

[/ QUOTE ]

Heh heh! As the owner of a rescue Dobie I would way way trust a Dobie over most other breeds of dog of any type.
Our vet muzzles our Border Terrier to do horrid things to her but never even considers having to with the Dobie.

I think most Dobies, most Rotties, most Staffies are great dogs. So please dont pick on other breeds

, if do so then you then should look at the volume of attacks by Rotties on people as against the negligible figures for Dobes. Speaks for itself