[rottiluver]

Originally Posted by Judi W

Unless you want another dog, and a Rottweiler, one should never acquire a dog for a child. To give him a goal for life, he should know that when he grows up and is able to have his own home and support a dog for the rest of its life, he will then be in a position to have one.

Regardless of the love or even responsibility shown, a youngster grows up, goes away to school, or goes to live in an apartment or with roommates or travels to another community to find work. They are not in a position to make a 10 year committment.

I did a very successful adult placement with an autistic child, but the mother wanted the dog and I matched the right dog for that family and for the child. So, although the right dog can do very well with a handicapped child, it is the parent who must want the dog. Those decisions are too monumental to be put in the hands of children

I agree, by my own personal experience of course. I got my rottie because I always wanted one and thought it would be no problem. I got him when I was coming out of highschool and starting college, he was my full responsibilty from day one. I ended up having to drop out of a university and move back home and go to a local college because Rottweilers aren't permitted in apartments or at least none that I could find. Now I'm living at home with him, I mean I love him to death and I stuck to my word about caring for the little guy but point being I wouldn't be living at home if it wasn't for my dog. And at the age of 12 you cannot stick to that promise, unless you are willing to take that on yourself when the boy leaves home in a few years. I think you should wait on the decision, Rottweilers are more care than you can imagine, once he gets older and more mature and doesn't change his mind about the whole rottie thing, then decide upon getting one.