Rottweilers?

[Tippsy'smom]

Does anyone know anything about rotties? I know the general stuff from my limited exposure to them, but I'm not sure I know enough to own one...? My dad has decided to purchase a rottie pup from a co-worker's brother who breeds them, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to be the one who ends up training and caring for her.

Anything is appreciated. Thanks!

[Fozzbear]

Another dog???? Wow - that is a lot of animals at your place.

[Tippsy'smom]

Yeah... We lost Snooki a month and a half ago, and now my dad is definitely getting this puppy...

So that'll make 6 dogs, 8 cats (1 of which is a stray that has adopted us), a parakeet, a hamster, and a mouse.

[Victory]

Rotties are great dogs, but like chows they need training, lots of training. They are guard and attack dogs, it's what they were bred for. They are extremely loyal and protective. They are strong, intelligent, somewhat independent. They sort of chose the people they like and respect and will place that person under their protection, even if they don't live with the person. A neighbor of mine had two. Connan was a treasure, about 95lbs of muscle. When I first met him he alwasy did this growly kind of noise and so I would just be respectful and never try to touch him, until one day he was doing it, then he turned around, sat on my feet and looked up at me backwards with his big brown eyes, and I got it, he was purring, (some Rotties do) and wanted to be petted, from then on we were good friends. I posted about the last time I saw him, I was in a coffee shop with a pair of friends, I didn't even know Connan was there, until he walked over to me, I almost didn't recognize him, he had terminal cancer and was losing weight, but he sat beside me for over an hour just being petted. His companion on the other hand, with the same owner, was a bit more hyper, (different blood lines) but even he liked me and would attempt to walk through my legs, at 115lbs this was sometimes not the best thing. I was one of two black people he responded to that way, all others he'd growl at, (not purr a real growl) He also didn't like the drunk/druggie who was always teasing him and getting in his face. Connan ignored the guy unless he felt he was trying to hurt someone, Damion took no prisoners and asked questions later.

As with any independent, powerful breed checking out the parents is really important, if this is a show breeder you'll have better luck, because the show dogs are bred to be more tolerant of things. but watch for health issues, Rotties have a shorter life expectancy 5-7 years. Connan was an exception to that at nearly 12. So you want to ask about that, (cancer is their biggest issue) If the breeder is breeding guard and attack dogs there could be temperment issues.

[Rory's Dad]

I will agree with Victory on a couple of points, and on others, i have no experience...

Research the breeder. Find out about not only the pups parents, but other dogs they use for breed stock. What is there mission statement. 1st and foremost should be about breeding for temperment. Rotties are very big, powerful animals whose natural instince is guarding (similar to chows), but have also been bred to have an attack mentality.

The only Rotties i know personally are through my show handler. They are exceptionally well behaved and beautiful dogs. She currently has 3, a full grown female and 2 pups. They have all gone through extensive socialization and training regimens and have been around the show circuit since whelping. I mention this due to the number of other dogs at your household. You are introducing another breed that strives for dominance. Not really convinced that a Chow and a Rottie will co-habitate real well once they are both adults.

[Piff Poff]

I used to work in a pub where the owners had a rottie, they had brought her up well and she was the most beautiful dog - as long as a. You didnt go where you weren't supposed to or b. She knew you. Jess I am sure with your experience you will be able to teach the new pup how to be a lovely dog.

[Tippsy'smom]

Thank y'all. I was told by a rottie owner that I met at Petsmart yesterday, that with my experience with chows, I shouldn't have any issues raising and training a rottie.

Rory's Dad; I wouldn't even know how to research this breeder... And I tried to talk to my dad to get information about the breeder, the parents and the puppies, but he started an argument with me and said it's "none of my business". He's set in his ways and doesn't care to be educated. So, I've decided that I'm just gonna let him do what he's gonna do, and do the best with what I end up with. I do know that my dad's co-worker owns an older brother from a previous litter, and he says he's "fantastic".


My dad did forward this pic of the puppy to me though.

[chowpups]

Jess like chows you have to socialize them too. My nephew and his best friend John and my brother inlaw all got pups from the same litter, the 2 teens had wonderful socialized Rotties. My brother inlaw raised his as a watch dog and it did the job. They have some critical mass behind them so you better start early training them. My nephew had two other dogs and they all got along but the rottie came last as a pup so learned from the other two..who was boss( and that was a female sheltie collie with a bark that didnt give up)
Good luck sounds like you will be in charge!

[Sirchow]

Very much like chows in that socialise, socialis, socialis but also training. Reward based training is best always. Co-operation not domination. On the health fron rotties are also prone to cruciate injuries with that weight they are best kept lean.
Puppy pic is very very cute but that the trouble with dogs they dont stay puppies and then someone has to pic up the pieces if they have been allowed to go untrained. Iknow you know all this but I wonder how committed to training your dad is!

[Tippsy'smom]

Thank you Nancy and Siriol.

Quite honestly Siriol, my dad is hardly ever here. During the week, he's here at night from typically between 9 PM and 7 AM. Same for Saturdays. Sunday is really the only day he's home. So, my mom and I will be the primary care givers of this pup, just like the rest. And I'm going to make it very clear on what we'll allow and what we won't allow from day 1. I've already told them (just like I did when Jazz and Dixie were little) that you don't let them do anything you don't want them doing when they're huge. So, hopefully, they'll REALLY back me on this.

[Cam Atis]

Agree with what Victory has said. All of it. They are bred to guard and well, attack if they must.
Rotts are forceful and strong, you'll flex all your muscle to pull back. I only know a rott from a distance coz I dont want to get close - just like Victory - she is Owned by a friend's friend. That one is soo well socialized and have daily dog walks and very friendly. But she is not without an edge so to speak. She ran after a bystander who ran away from her, gave chase and she was able to pull the man down after a short chase and bit the butt of the man badly which is the end of her walks ever! Good thing she did not went after the neck! The owner's parents were dragged in the hospital and pay the damages. Then words spread about the vicious rott this family is owning and how it mauled down a man. Tsk tsk. She is big though and I wouldnt want to have one bec I am small in frame.

[Tippsy'smom]

Actually, rotties were originally bred as herding and carting dogs. Later they started being trained as guard dogs.

And I don't feed into or listen to the stereotypes of ANY breed. Am I careful approaching a a large dog? Yes. But I approach any dog carefully. I've never had a bad encounter with a medium/large/giant dog. I've only ever been attacked by small dogs. And this is a puppy that we're getting. She's going to be raised IN our home and know nothing but love. Yes, she will be taught right and wrong. Yes, she'll get the exercise she requires (I already walk 2 miles everyday, more will be good for me).

As I said before, she'll get the same raising and training as Jasper and Dixie. And also, as I said, from what my dad has been told, the parents AND an older brother are very sweet, well-rounded dogs and don't have any health problems. So, fingers and toes crossed for our girl.

[bellachow]

I'm a little late jumping I but I would have to say like chows rotties need lots of socialization. And unfortunately sometimes lots of training. My sister had a rottie that was likely from a backyard breeder who was never trained or socialized but was wonderful nonetheless & extremely protective of my sisters son. I have a friend who paid an insane amount to get one with a German championship bloodline who is the same about his daughter but needed that training due to alpha tendencies. I'm sure your dads will be wonderful!

[Tippsy'smom]

I'm a little late jumping I but I would have to say like chows rotties need lots of socialization. And unfortunately sometimes lots of training. My sister had a rottie that was likely from a backyard breeder who was never trained or socialized but was wonderful nonetheless & extremely protective of my sisters son. I have a friend who paid an insane amount to get one with a German championship bloodline who is the same about his daughter but needed that training due to alpha tendencies. I'm sure your dads will be wonderful!

Thank you.

We decided on a name for our little girl tonight. This is Nikki.

[chowpups]

Jess:
what a Perfect choice of name!!!! LOL. Best of luck with her..

[Tippsy'smom]

Jess:
what a Perfect choice of name!!!! LOL. Best of luck with her..

Thank you Nancy. I actually offered up the name to my mom; remembering your Nikki. She liked it but never mentioned it to my dad. Last night, we were watching Free Willy on Nick@Nite and my dad tossed Nikki up. So we all agreed.

I'm excited to get her. My dad says we're getting her at the end of the week. I just wish I knew exactly how old the puppies are so I could determine wether that's good or bad...

[Tippsy'smom]

Nikki came home on Friday and goodness is she a little pistol! I forgot how much work a puppy is. Lol We're all so in love with her (including the other dogs). She's so sweet and SO SMART! She's already figured out to sit at the front door a whine to go out a potty! AND we left her for a couple hours yesterday to run some errands and I expected to find an accident in her kennel, but there was none. I took her right outside and she did a whole bunch of potting'. Lol

But anyways, here's a pic that I took of her the day we brought her home in the collar my dad got for her for when she's an adult.lol

[Cocoa]

Too cute Jess, she's going to have to do a lot of growing before she fits that collar.