[Dieselpup]

Hi and Welcome to this forum.

I happen to own one male Rottweiler and two white German Shepherd bitches. The short answer is, much depends upon the individual dog.

My Rott's two years old and an absolute love bug. I hug him, kiss him, rub his belly straddle him and hold onto his ears and say "Gee UP" likes he's a horse (I've been doing this to my dogs since I was a small kid). He loves when kids give him a belly rub and cuddle him. I don't allow them to hug him, though, and certainly not straddle him.

He's being clicker trained by me and he's doing his beginner's obedience trial tomorrow.

I found him a "hard" puppy to raise. Adolescence nearly killed us all. He NQ'd in his Novice ob. class at 10 months. He was thick headed, turned deaf, and thought I was a green alien with an arm growing out of her forehead whose hair was always on fire.

He's gotten MUCH better, but sometimes refuses to do some of his exercises--like sitting with his butt flat on the ground (prefers to squat at times like he's got hemoroids). Sometimes chooses to run off during a recall.

Now for the shepherds. My oldest bitch is a velcro dog. She will not leave my side. At one year, 5 months, I can take her off leash in public and she'll stay at my side (wouldn't dare do this with Rott). She seems more willing to please and really tries in obedience. She's willing to continue working amid exhaustion and heat (but, then she's a white dog, weighs less than the rott, and has a longer snout). Adolescence was a breeze with her. But I can do the same things with her (and her sister the younger bitch) that i do wth the rott.

Older bitch and rott are entered in ob. competition tomorrow.

At the end of the day, they all sleep in my room surrounding my bed (the younger shepherd sleeps under my bed).

This is my unique experience. I have only one Rott whom I love dearly; however, I don't think I'd get another one right now because raising him was so hard and he was my first dog.

If this will be your first dog and first Rott, you must be aware that these dogs can really test your patience. I did a great deal of research on the breed before purchasing my dog, but you've gotta experience what it's like before you can appreciate the issues.

It might be better if you could adopt a stable adult rott from a rescue, if you do indeed to get a rott.

Let us know what you decide.