Rottweiler in an appartment

Hello, I will be moving into a mid sized appartment soon. I was wondering how possible it would be to bring in a 10 week old rotty. I've read that they can get pretty destructive if left in an appartment due to not being able to let out all their puppy energy.

The thing is, I jog every morning and I go to the beach about twice a week. If this isn't enough exercise for the dog I don't know what is.

A rotty seems like the perfect breed for my situation, aside from the appartment issue considering they love water and I spend every free moment taking my boat to Floirda islands (there's never anyone at these islands so I don't have to worry about rotty agression).

Is the appartment issue going to be a big deal?

I'm a firm believer that any breed can live in an apartment as long as the owner is willing to put the time into properly excersizing the dog and such. My dogs certainly don't use the space of our house to run around, and rarely do they even run around the yard.

However, you shouldn't jog with a Rottie (or any large breed) until they're at least a year old, preferably 18 months. That's what I've always been told, anyway. Great breed choice, by the way! Rottweilers are wonderful dogs (in the right home, of course). I've lived with them my entire life.

I have two Doberman Pinschers and a Welsh Corgi... and I live in an apartment. Granted, it's a large apartment that was specially designed for pet owners, but it's still an apartment...

... and they're fine. I have to be sure they get mental and physical stimulation, as it keeps them calm and quiet when at home.

Heck, just In the apartment they get exercise - they get exercise by wrestling, running around (it also greatly improves their agility, these dogs can turn on a dime - they have to in an apartment!), fetch and retrieve games, crawling games, as well as problem solving games - such as Find the Treat. I'll hie 1-4 treats in the house in various areas (under a couch cushion, under my computer desk, up on a window ledge, in a crate, behind the toilet, etc.) and the dogs get to go look for the treats.

Playing in the apartment:






And what they do most of the time in the apartment, due to the amount of physical and mental activity they get *outside* the apartment:

^^ EXACTLY
Now Orson (dobe) did use the house and stairway as his personal race track for awhile when he was younger, (puppy under a year old) but the older he gets the less he races around the house. Oh he still does once in a blue moon........but that is usually on days when he hasn't gotten a walk or outside time due to weather.

I agree any breed can do well in a apartment raised my first dog (a boxer ) in apartments and she was fine.I also raised a GSD in one for the first year until we moved to a house.Now I only have Teddy my Pomeranian and we are in my parents house but I am planning to get my own place soon and it will be a apt.

Rottweilers do FINE in appartments or small houses, provided you give them enough exercise/walks. They are fairly inactive indoors, so no matter how much room you have in your home, they are ok. I also totally agree, no jogging or strenuous physical activity till at least a year of age. Long walks are fine, jogging is fine to, in small amounts though. It takes a while for large breeds to fully form, and you could cause serious strain on the joints. This can lead to a lot of physical problems for your dog, including increased risk in hip and elbow dysplasia.

As for the destruction. Well I HIGHLY suggest crate training. Rottweilers are EXTREMELY destructive when young. My female was like this till around a year of age, my male didn't cut out these antics till he was around 15 months. So if you want to protect your dog from possibly harming itself, ingesting something that could cause serious health issues, and want to protect your home and belongings, get a crate! It's inevitable if you leave your pup left out unattended, you won't be pleased with how much they can destroy in very little time.

I disagree with any breed living in an apt. For some dogs long walks just don't cut it.

So no breed should live in an apartment? No Yorkies, Maltese, Chihuahuas, MinPins?

Blanket statements such as the above are generally untrue. This one CERTAINLY is untrue.

To the OP:

Things to consider would be:

Territorial defense drive. This is inherent in the Rottweiler breed. It can translate to too much barking in some apartment situations. This can partly be controlled with socialization, but most Rottweilers are still going to alert to unusual noises and passers by.

Heat. Rottweilers do not tolerate heat well, even moderate heat. Boat trips in full sun are out of the question.

Destructive traits. This can vary from puppy to puppy, but most Rotties MUST be crate trained to save your sanity and your household articles, and for the safety of the puppy.

Exercise. Someone else mentioned this, but I will repeat. Large breed dogs such as Rottweilers MUST NOT have enforced exercise or conditioning such as jogging until after the growth plates close around 18 mos.

The Future. Renting with a Rottweiler can be a difficult prospect. Breed bias is common. Insurance companies don't like to insure parties who have or allow Rottweilers. If you find one apartment that allows your puppy, you may still have issues if/when you need to move later.

Other things to ponder when considering a Rottweiler is the need for early, consistent, and continuing obedience training (not optional, formal training for this breed should continue on a regular basis until age 2 at a minimum), Health issues in the breed (buy ONLY from a breeder who is screening hips, elbows, hearts and eyes, accept nothing less, plan to pay around 1K for a good quality companion animal from a quality breeder) include hip and elbow dysplasia, inherited eye and heart disease, and temperament issues. If you would prefer to save a dog who is in desperate need of a home, Rescues are always packed full of dogs who are in need. Search Rottweiler Rescue to find someone in your area, or contact Grace Acosta, [email protected], or search Acosta Rottweilers.

If you have other questions feel free to ask, or PM me.

Most breeds can live in an apartment (there are some, artic and livestock protection come to mind, that prefer to spend much of their time outdoors which usually isn't possible in an apartment situation). If you're worried about a puppy becoming destructive (which they will . . . 99% of puppies are destructive) CRATE TRAIN!!!!!! I have one dog who I can't crate, and one who I can. Any dog I have in the future will be fully crate trained. It makes like WAY easier.

As long as the dog can get exercise (walking, playing ball in a fenced in ball field, even playing tug in the house or going to daycare) then it doesn't matter where you live. I live in a house with a backyard but my own dogs can't play in it because it isn't fenced in. They still get plenty of exercise and aren't over-crazy in the house. You just have to find a balance.

I raised my first two Rotties of my own in an apartment. IMO having so many people around at all times really helped with socialization. I still have my female and she absolutely LOVES people. I think that is in part due to the fact that she was constantly around all types of people and different situations.

I also second the opinions on jogging with a Rott pup. Not a good idea at all. But a few good walks per day, and plenty of play sessions should be plenty. All my dogs are couch potatoes when in the house as long as they have plenty of mind stimulation and exercise. Pretty much the same as with and breed.

I do want to second what a previous poster said about renting in the future. Before I bought my house it really was a struggle finding a place that would accept my dogs. I always had to go through private party rentals as no property management company I ever found would allow them.

Troller MC RR RR, I used the word "any" as a direct quote. Sorry for no quotations.

RR, my opinion isn't "blanketed". It's the truth. Your broadcasting of quality working lines and "any" dog living in an apt's is ridiculousy "blanketed" in my opinion. Sorry.

Also, the "any" dog able to live in apt's is the reason why unstable temperments is a problem in city shelters. Again just my opinion.

What does walking/exercising your dog have to do with the size of the home? People can still walk, run, physically and mentally meet their dogs' needs outdoors. The size of the home doesn't mean those requirements can't be met. I own a small home in the city, with a medium sized back yard, and I still take my dogs out on walks, running off leash in select areas (some of which I have to drive to), and take them swimming at the lake and hiking.

Now if someone with a dog that needs a lot of exercise is living in an apartment, and just doesn't bother to put in the effort to make sure that dog's requirements are met, then they should look more into a breed that doesn't need what the owner isn't willing to give (one more suited to their lifestlye), or should just not own a dog.

I agree. But, people DO put dogs in apt's like you just mentioned ... so "any" dog able to live in apt's is simply not true.

Yes, but potentially, any breed could do well in an apartment, that's what I'm getting at. It all depends on the owner. Some dogs don't do well regardless, doesn't have to be strictly apartments, even if the owner has a huge house on 10 acre fenced farm. The owner has to realize and do what is required for the specific dog.

It's all very well saying you'll do what it takes, following through with it is a different matter in some cases.

Also, I'd like to mention ... if people would be educating NOT to promote certain breeds IE; cattle dogs in an apt for instance in a city. It would be helping this great breed. To keep Sara my cattle dog in a city appt all her life with a crate and a few long walks a day and 2 cups of food ... I'd be killing the Cattle Dog's whole idea of being a "free roam beast herder". Even those words should scare off any apt loving owner who dares be neglectful. It's an accident waiting to happen ... whose child will it be... who will be liable? Shame RR ... for you to insult my intellligentz once again.


Ohhh wait ... I forgot I'm Sioux ... so I'm on the dogs side. After all the Dingo was a mighty fellow.

Someone in our development (with a fenced yard) has a Rottweiler. It sits in the yard all day and all night. Whenever we walk by, it runs from one end to the other barking like crazy throwing itself against the fence.

Just because they have a home with land and a fenced yard doesn't make them ideal owners. Give me a break, if people are devoted enough, just about any dog can do well in an apartment.

I have a collie in the city. So I'm ruinging it? This dog gets more excersise and mental stimulation then 5 city dogs put together. He is at the dog park atleast 3 hous a day playing with dogs and hiking (This is a 1000+ acre park, 3 towns own it as it rolls in to all of them) in the woods. He goes outside and plays ball/catch with me. Or back yadr is maybe 20x20 feet, a small town house. So really not much different then living ina apartment. So I have ruined him?

Exactly.
Just as it is possible to be able to properly exercise a dog when living in an apartment, it is also possible to neglect a dog when living in a house. It's all about the amount of effort you're willing to put into your dog, no matter the living situation. I live in a small studio room in a house with a backyard but no fence. There is enough room for my bed, my couch, and a desk. Not big at all. YET I can successfully live with two large dogs, one being a puppy, without a problem. Physical and mental stimulation are key.

Exactly. Your one of five and I'd bet even 1/20 with your 3 hours everyday for a city dog.

What is like mentioned here on other threads "first time owners" and "any".. "in an apt".

This is the reason for all the dogs put to sleep who have "bad temperments" or who have mortally done a deed to a human.

This is my last post on this one ... I disagree that "any" breed can live in an apt. opcorn:

It would help if you understood how to use the English language. A BLANKET STATEMENT (not "blanketed") is a statement intended to:
1 : cover all members of a group or class <a blanket wage increase>, or
2 : is effective or applicable in all instances

Such as your statement that For those of us who understand and are fluent in English, your statement above indicates that you believe that no dog should live in an apartment.


Can you explain what this jumble of words means?
What on EARTH is this above statement supposed to mean?

MelissaCato, I never said long walks. I said any breed can be an apartment dog as long as the owner gives them their proper exercise requirements. Whatever that may be for the breed/dog. I also said my dogs (and most other dogs I know) don't use the house or the yard for exercising. They get it elsewhere in various ways. I don't walk my dogs for physical exercise, I walk them because I feel like it, I know it does nothing for them really. Therefore, I wouldn't say that all the dog needs is a walk. Perhaps you just didn't understand completely what I was trying to say.