A lot of questions, not too many answers

[maya's dad]

Hello out there.

I have a lot of questions, and am unable in spite of reading so many threads to find suitable answers.

We bought a really lovely female puppy late last year as a "show" puppy. Let me hasten to add that we have had , shown, and titled quite a few Dobermans, so are not just starting out in the dog world. We are however new to Rottweilers. We live in South Florida, Ft. Lauderdale, Maya is now 8 months old, attending obedience school etc. However we would like to have some unbiased expert Rottweiler person appraise her to see whether she is indeed a "show quality puppy" or not. Either result is 100% fine with us as first and foremost she is a member of the family. However we would like to also start looking for a handler etc if she is. So that is question number one.

Secondly, as I have said we are used to Dobermans. We simply cannot get Maya REMOTELY interested in chasing a tennis ball, she has no interest in running around the garden, LOVES her long daily walks and really perks up for those. However in 8 months we have NEVER seen her run at full speed. She goes for regular vet check ups, blood tests etc, everything is fine. We live on three acres, we have a pool, no interest, our own little lake, no interest. However show her her walk lead and she is a black ball of energy. How do we get her to play in her own yard? Let me add that all her other activites are full Rottweiler/puppy. She plays with us, she runs around the house, chews on everything, and is just great in every way. Except she does not like to play outside.

That's it for now. Thanks

[AngelBunny]

Welcome to RDN!

I don't conformation show, but I do compete in obed and plan to do obed, rally, drafting, herding, and tracking with my next dog. Thus, it'll be critical for the breeder of my next dog to know my plans.

I would think if you got your girl from a COE, bona fide breeder who knew you're interested in conformation showing, he or she would have sold you a puppy showing promise for your expectations. Why don't you start showing her? What does your breeder say about her looks?

None of my Rotties were or are much interested in exercising themselves, so the fact Maya doesn't seem interested in running around your yard doesn't suprise me.

None of my Rotties were water rats, either, tho I've had fosters who adored swimming in our beaver pond.

[tla0126]

Yeah, if my Beau is outside, he is either pooping, peeing, or jumping at the back door to come back in....

I have also found that we have had to try many many different toys before he found any he actually cared for. I have given him tennis balls, he tears them up. I gave him this little fluff filled fabric ball that is really soft that I got in a kids meal, he LOVES it. Will not tear it up for the world. He also loves anything he can fling around. He has a destuffed stuffed reindeer and moose that have managed to survive. The big red reindeer nose is hanging by a string, but still intact! Good luck with your search for the perfect toys!

[Cdn1050]

I know with my girl, if it's just a plain ball she's not too interested in it. Give her a Cuz ball as it has a squeeky sound or even a Jolly teaser ball, and she's a having a good ol' time. With the Cuz ball, mine seems to prefer her orange one over the green one. Not sure why, she just does.

[brunie's mom]

I'm also curious to know why your breeder is not helping you decide if she is showable? If she was sold on a show prospect contract...most breeders would be more than happy to be giving you advice as well as contacts in the show world.

Have you got her in conformation classes?

As far as activity,etc....there is a BIG difference between Rottweilers and Dobs. Dobs are much more high strung, active and hyper. I know very few Rottweilers that will retrieve tennis balls. Most will go after and chase anything that they can shake...such as a a Kong on a Rope, or a Jolly Ball on a Rope, or a rope toy. They will not do it for hours either.

Rottweilers also don't take the heat well..so it's probably best to exercise and play with her in the cooler hours of the day.

You will be happy to know that Rottweilers are alot more relaxed and layed back then Dobies...don't need hours of exercise...and bark much less too.

Gina

[maya's dad]

Thank you to all that have replied. The breeder lives in TN, thus is not on hand to advise regarding her "show career" per se. Furthermore , I believe that in spite of everything she is no longer considered one of the COE breeders.

Re her excercise. Thank you. I am off to walk her now! Whilst the tennis balls lie dorman in the yard!!

[Luvtails]

You could try taking her to a show and ask a handler that you would be interested in using to evaluate her. Or.. just enter her and see what a judge thinks. I had a puppy that I fell in love with her personality and thought she was ok looking until I showed her and the judge told me she was not show quality and not to show her. This was the only time a judge actually said something like this to me and I was so upset at the time but he was right. I kept her till 1 year old and she looked like a rott/dobe cross. She came from a COE breeder and was out of a champ sire and dam.

[Sasha's Mom]

I don't know much about showing, so I can't answer you there.

As far as exercise.... I agree with the others. Rottweilers are not retrievers per say, but they do love to chase stuff. I usually run around with a twig and my pup will chase it, and then I'll throw it away and she'll run after it. I'd say she'll bring it back 50 % of the time... she does chase balls if the mood strikes, but she won't bring them back. She just turned 1 year, and has become much more laid back.... not very interested in playing inside the house anymore. She loves tug, but not if she's tired.. She loves her daily walks, and we rotate on where we go. If I take her to the lake, she'll get MAJOR zoomies because she loves to run by the water and on the sand. Whenever she's on sand, she turns in to a fireball.... she also loves to jump over logs and obstacles, so we're going to have her enrolled in agility classes this year.
But after an hour or two of play/exercise....she gets tired, and needs a long nap.
But overall, I wouldn't say Rotties are very HIGH energy, though - of course, it varies within breeds too. It sounds like you have a mellow and a sweet, laid back girl. Enjoy her.

[moz205]

Although Buddy will chase almost any ball and do the fetch thing his favorite is a big, orange, hard plastic ball. This ball gets kicked and belted around the yard constantly. He never tires of it. He does have access to other balls but he'll look for his orange ball and wouldn't touch another if that one is around. Maybe your dog will find a favorite also.

[GypsysMom]

I cant answer the show question either, Gypsy will chase any kind of ball, tennis, soceer, jollyball, frisbees anything, but she gets tired after about 15 minutes and is finished.. Cash on the other hand doesnt do any of that, he isnt interested in playing fetch either he is 8 months old as well, Gypsy at that age was ball crazy, he would rather walk around the yard with me.. he is a very calm puppy.. Maybe he will get into fetch as he ages I dont know.. and neither of them like water too much

[lostsouls59]

Mine loves to dig in water but ball. eh he take them or leave them. He loves his pink and yellow buckets though.

[CleasMommy]

Nice to know my girl isn't out of the norm! She has never played fetch, I'd throw a ball and she'd look at me like "well what did you do that for, YOU go get it". lol. And she never liked her bones (she'd always bury them). But she is ALWAYS up for a good walk!

[poohbearsmom]

Maya, I *think* you and I have a mutual friend located in Jupiter. ?? If I am correct in my thinking, (sometimes I'm not!), she or her handler should be able to evaluate your girl's conformation for you.

Regarding your girl's disdain for play. Some dogs have it and some dogs don't. A correct rottweiler should be able to turn on and off. If she has no desire to play at all, this to me is a big fault in temperament. There are ways to bring out a dog's drive, but the dog has to have some inherent desire in the first place.

Looks are nice, but temperament should come first. Total package is a good thing. These are some things for you to think about.

[GypsysMom]

I noticed especially yesterday, Cash seems to be attached to me and Gypsy wasnt like that at that age, he follows me everywhere, he does not bolt out the door if left open he just looks for me, we were on the deck and he stays right with me if he walks away he makes sure he can still see me kind of close, I tried to play a little ball with him, he will run after it, sometimes he picked it up, but most the time he ran just to sniff it.. then back to my side.. The only time I have ever seen him really interested is if Gypsy is playing ball he will try and take it from her

[Urika]

I diagnosed Diesel with obsessive compulsive disorder when her was around six months old. I introduced him to a tennis ball, and a neighbor advised me to purchase a chuck-it. Well, he and tennis balls have been inseparable ever since. When you see Diesel, you either see a tennis ball in his mouth or close by. I'm glad I found something that he likes because during the winter he's able to get a good amount of exercise. He also likes to swim, its not quite warm enough for the pool but he's been trying to get in there.

I agree with the others regarding Rottweilers not wanting to exercise themselves. I think there's something out there that will spark her interest. My mother thought since Diesel liked balls that he would also like frisbees. So, she mailed him one. I threw it a couple of times, he was only interested in it while it was in mid-air. I gave it a couple of tries. He didn't like it.

While in class with Diesel, I'd noticed occassionally that a trainer or handler would ask others in class or suggest in class that they show their dog. Has anyone at your classes suggested or inquired about showing?