Okay so now I want a Rottweiler...

[Squishy22]

Rotties are great dogs. The ones I've met liked people and have a love for water. I had a rottie who was obsessed about water. The difference between my APBT and rottie was that the rottie was WAY more independent. Also, the rottie would rather play with other dogs than with a ball. My APBT would play fetch for hours and then some without even noticing whats going on around him. Both are high energy though, but then again I've seen couch potatoes in both breeds, lol.

My fiance likes dobermans, and I'm more of a rottie person. After APBTs that is. The bull mastiff is way up there also.

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

You experiences differ from mine. I have had one male dog I would call independent, but he is the only one of many over 20 years. Most have been highly intelligent, very trainable, biddable, with good work ethic and strong retrieving drive.

They are also typically dog aggressive and highly territorial on their turf to strangers.

Puppies not properly socialized and trained early can also present dominance issues to their owners.

A Rottweiler is an upstanding dog, and a correct one does not back down from a threat. If you understand what you are getting, they are marvelous dogs. If you don't, they can be a real problem.

 

[Mcpie]

I had a Rottie and he was fantastic, but depending on where you live, they can be very difficult to own. Basically, a lot of people view them as dangerous killer dogs and give them 0 leeway. This is particularly true in large cities.

To give an example of how defensive Rottweiler owners can be, I was at the beach with one of my dogs and the other person's Rottweiler got a bit too close to his ball and my dog, who was being leashed snapped a bit at him. The Rottweiler came back making a horrendous amount of noise but clearly just telling my dog to go.. how do I put this nicely, fly a kite.

The owner was so apologetic and I kept trying to explain to her that it was my dog that had started the fuss and that there was nothing to be sorry about. This sort of thing happens all the time but when a Rottweiler does it, many people get scared and instantly justify their fears of the breed.

Another individual I know, who has two Rottweilers, literally had a jogger stop her running and yell "Hey <bleep> your dogs are too <bleeping> big. Something tells me she was looking at their breed more than their size.

To put it bluntly, they are fantastic dogs, but you need to make sure that your dog is a model of discipline and rarely missteps, because there are a lot of people who are terrified of Rottweilers and will make your life a living hell if your dog isn't perfect.

 

[borzoimom]

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To put it bluntly, they are fantastic dogs, but you need to make sure that your dog is a model of discipline and rarely missteps, because there are a lot of people who are terrified of Rottweilers and will make your life a living hell if your dog isn't perfect.

My point as well. .. I spent most of my adult life with shepherds, but I know what they need to be happy, and physically- I am not able to do so anymore..
It does not mean I do admire the breed- just aware what I can do now at my age and physical situations. I believe to keep the dog as happy as the breed so now borzois fit my life style.. While when I was like 20 something the shepherd did..

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

Having quite a few years of experience with the Breed, I don't find people have made my life a living hell in any way.

In fact, most people want to visit with my dogs when I have them out in public. Yes, there are a few people who will step to the side, or even cross the street when I am out with my dogs.

And there are some people who want to agitate the dogs. For example, a short time back I had the van loaded with 4 dogs. We stopped to pick up a few things. While I went inside, my husband stayed outside to have a smoke. It was hot, so the van was running with the AC going. A carload of young men pulled up on the other side of the van. As they disembarked from their vehicle, the dogs began to bark, (from inside, with windows all closed).

One of the young men "woofed" at the dogs, and banged the side of the van. My husband had much the same reaction as I would have. He stepped out from the side of the van and said: "Do that one more time, and I will open the doors and make it a fair fight"

They scattered. I've said the same thing more than once to people who thought it was amusing to harass my dogs by cat calling, barking, and etc.

Haven't had a single taker yet.

ALL Rottweilers deserve the respect to be well trained and socialized early so they can be good friendly canine citizens when out on leash with their responsible owners. Altho they are a working breed and can be quite athletic, they also do well in a home situation with regular walks and a good yard to exercise in.

 

[Mcpie]

Having quite a few years of experience with the Breed, I don't find people have made my life a living hell in any way.

Well, you sound like you've been vigilant with them, but aside from that, do you mind if I ask where you live? I've noticed a distinct shift in attitude towards dogs in Toronto as the city has grown. 10-15 years ago, dogs could get away with a ton, these days, we have limited places we can walk them, extremely stiff fines for off-leash dogs, individuals who will pass judgment on a big breed/literally yell at you for having a "dangerous dog", etc.

I love Rottweilers-- I'm just saying that at least where I am you need to be extra careful with them as they can't get away with ANYTHING. In other words, if a Golden Retriever barks at a kid, someone might not be pleased but that will probably be the end of it-- if a Rottweiler does it, you've got some explaining to do.

Double standards.

 

[Squishy22]

You experiences differ from mine. I have had one male dog I would call independent, but he is the only one of many over 20 years. Most have been highly intelligent, very trainable, biddable, with good work ethic and strong retrieving drive.

They are also typically dog aggressive and highly territorial on their turf to strangers.

Puppies not properly socialized and trained early can also present dominance issues to their owners.

A Rottweiler is an upstanding dog, and a correct one does not back down from a threat. If you understand what you are getting, they are marvelous dogs. If you don't, they can be a real problem.

I must have had an odd one out then. She absolutely loved playing and running with all the dogs at the local park. One down side is that she had a tendency to play very rough. I had to let her know when to ease off, because she would accidentally hurt the other dog. I've had owners tell me that she is being aggressive when she was only playing. Owners that obviously don't know what "aggressive" means .

Another thing is that she was the most confident dog I've ever had. She wasn't scared of anything. If a dog threatened her, she stood her ground, although she never been in a fight. I was always amazed at how confident she was. No dog intimidated her and no person intimidated her either. Very stable temperament.

 

[Laurelin]

Thanks for all the information guys. It's a loooooong way in the future, but I'm really interested in the breed and reading up.

Actually, I've never seen a rottie here, come to think of it. Everyone has labs. Then again we also have no pit bulls I know of or doberman. Everyone has a gundog.

 

[PWCorgi]

One of the young men "woofed" at the dogs, and banged the side of the van. My husband had much the same reaction as I would have. He stepped out from the side of the van and said: "Do that one more time, and I will open the doors and make it a fair fight"

Somehow I'm thinking that wouldn't work when people taunt my corgis. lol
I HATE it when people try and get them going, because Frodo will start to bark/growl/raise hackles and they think it's funny.