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Misty was my first rottweiler. I got her from a hobby(a step or two above byb) breeder in 1995. She had a very correct temperament. Her bad elbows slowed her down some, but she was a dog that needed to work. I got a lot of flack for continuing to compete with her in obedience, trained her for utility when she had cancer. She needed her brain worked. She had a strong work ethic and energy.
Duncan was my second dog. He was a good looking dog, but he really, truely, isn't a rottweiler in many ways. He is independant, he is intelligant. He is a love. I don't regret ever owning him. He taught me a lot. But I would not want another one of him.
When I got Fizbin, I heard the whispers that I was going to be disappointed because he wasn't like Duncan. It would make me smile. I didn't want a dog like Duncan. I know that if I ever wanted to give him up, there will be a line wrapped around the block wanting to get him. But I wanted another dog like Misty. I wanted a rottweiler and all that means. I wanted a dog with biddability, work ethic, correct temperament, the energy and health to go the distance. I got that in Fizbin. It does look like I got the same with Cipher.
Great post Gretchen. I know of a few people that I will be sending it to. It really summarizes what a rottweiler is and what it takes to own one. My husband often asks what our expectations would if we got Fizbin first, vs Duncan. I tell him that we did get Fizbin first, her name was Misty. But if we had gotten Duncan first, we would not have been prepared for what followed, that is for sure. Misty is the reason why we continue to have rottweilers.