your purebred puppy

[bratdogmom]

I know alot of what the following says is true but at the same time she seems as though she is discouraging ownership:(

this was found at

http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/rev...ttweilers.html

Looking for opinions:)

Caution!
Rottweilers are a fad breed right now, exploited by unknowledgeable breeders who have flooded the gene pool with aggressive, unpredictable temperaments.

The Rottweiler is "too much dog" for the normal household. This is a serious working dog with strong protective instincts toward strangers, strong territorial instincts toward other dogs and a strong prey drive toward smaller animals.

If anything goes wrong in the breeding, socializing, training, handling, or management of this breed, it is capable of seriously injuring or killing another animal or person.

Because of its history as a guard dog, because of its massive jaws and tremendous power and determination, and because it has been bred so badly by so many irresponsible breeders, the Rottweiler should be considered potentially dangerous.

Rottweilers are one of the breeds targeted for "banning" in certain areas. Homeowners' insurance policies may be refused or revoked if you are discovered to own a Rottweiler. Your friends and neighbors may be uncomfortable around this breed.

Do a great deal of research, honestly evaluate your abilities to handle such a dog, and seriously consider the legal liabilities. Very few people really have the knowledge, facilities, or education necessary to manage this breed.

Finally, Rottweilers are in serious trouble, health-wise. An alarming number of Rottweilers are crippled by serious joint diseases or dying of heart disease and cancer at an early age. I wouldn't trust my own ability to find a Rottweiler who would remain healthy for a normal lifespan.

To make matters worse, 99% of the Rottweilers offered in newspaper ads and pet shops have not had any official screening done on their parents for hereditary health problems. Heed the warnings on my Rottweiler Health Page.

[Jamie & Odin]

It seems a little on the harsh side. Most of what is stated is true, the rott isn't for everyone, and you had better be a serious dog owner to own one. But the same could be said for many, many breeds. Including my little maltese, who has been more than a handful and 10 times more difficult to train and teach manners to than my rott.

Now, my own experience is with one rott. I was not a "serious" dog owner when I adopted him, but became one fast. I had never owned a large dog, in fact the only dog I've owned as an adult before my rott was my maltese. And my boy came with fear issues that escalated to some fear aggressiveness as he matured. We pretty much have a handle on that, through a combination of realistic management and rehab. Chalk this "personality" flaw up to the irresponsible breeding mentioned in the article. Had he gone to a home less willing than mine to learn, manage and work him, I'd hate to think what may have happened. Had he remained in the abusive home he was in, I have no doubt he would have been totally destroyed, and someone would have likely been bitten.

My dog is a perfect example of what has befallen this breed; poor breeding to make a buck, poor ownership that can result in disaster. He's been a great dog for my family, I've learned so much from him and I wouldn't hesitate to own any strong, working breed because of him.

Kind of rambling on, but what I feel is that from knowing, loving and working with MY dog, and knowing what he SHOULD be as a rottweiler and is not, makes me incredibly incensed at what is happening with this breed. I wouldn't mind one bit if the rott went back to where it was 20+ years ago; obsure, owned by "real" dog people, and NOT advertised for sale in the newspaper. So, I guess if the article turns away a few people who aren't really prepared, all the better.

[angrygenius]

Seems a little bleak to me,too, but basically true. I have a "backyard bred" male that would have probably ended badly if I had not taken him from the guy that had him. He had been locked in a 5' X 10' chain link run for the first 7 months of his life, with no training, and he was/ is a handful to handle and train. I try to discourage some people from owning Rotts as well, because I've seen to many dogs, not just Rotts, treated the same as my male.
To do anything else is to do the breed a disservice, and add to the numbers of stories that create the kind of mindset that we fight right now. I also have a very good intact male that I got as a pup. while he is'nt near as difficult to handle as Brutus, he still would test the will and ability of any average dog owner, and he would probably have problems because of it. Owning a Rottweiler is a responsibility that a person should'nt take lightly, and too many people "just like them", with no notion of what they're getting into when they get one.

[frontierrots]

The tone and the words are harsh but the basic facts are true. People tell me my website is a bit negative too:)

Personally if by reading negative info people are turned off and decide against this breed then good riddence, we do not need any more owners unwilling to invest massive amounts of time into training and socializing a puppy let alone researching a breeder. AND if it turns people off from breeding Rotts so much the better because we sure don't need any more uncommitted people breeding!

[Sharon Marples]

Well said, Diane. People need to know that there ARE different sides to this breed. Many of the factors that this person states ARE true, especially so with so many irresponsible people calling themselves "breeders."

Sharon

[RottiMomCT]

Hmmm...amazing that the website states that no part may be used without authorization of the author - HOW CAN WE CONTACT said author?? No way to do so! I have a few things i'd like to say to her from a standpoint of someone who adopted from a rescue

If anyone knows how to contact this 'person', please PM me.

Thanks.

[Jamie & Odin]

I checked out a number of other breed writeups on that page. All of the working/guardian breeds have similar "caution" statements.

Sighthounds have "caution" statements about their need to run and be socialized to build confidence.

Goldens and Labs also have "caution" statements about being a fad breed, poor temperments and health problems as a result and their need for serious physical and mental stimulation.

Owner of the sight recommends natural diet, premium kibble as a second choice, serious advice about finding a breeder, the importance of responsible ownership and proper training etc.

Seems pretty honest to me.

[TracyS]

Reading that web sight was kind of amusing actually. Is she a dog lover or a wanna be? Makes me think!

ANYWAY...I found an email address on that page to contact the "author" it is as follows:

author@yourpurebredpuppy.com

Would love to see the comments and or replys sent and returned from this!

:p :D

[DailyDouble]

Would someone please direct me to the part of what she wrote that is not true?

I must be missing it because I agree with what she wrote.

Most people are not suited for the breed. Poor breeding has produced dogs with poor temperaments and health. If left to his own devices, a Rottweiler is more than capable of killing a human being or animal with little trouble. I do not see many newspaper ads boasting OFA sire/dam. Indepth research is necessary when deciding to purchase a dog or Rescue one of the breed.

Where is there anything untrue there??????? If everyone was suited to own the breed then why do Rescue organizations screen people?????????

I would just like someone to point out what is misleading, unfair or a blatant untruth in what she wrote.

[Sansano]

I also agree with 99% of what she said. I wish more prospective Rottweiler owners knew what they were getting into. The only thing I disagress with is this comment : "I wouldn't trust my own ability to find a Rottweiler who would remain healthy for a normal lifespan."

I feel that there are many fantastic ethical breeders out there who I would definately trust to find a healthy Rottweiler with a normal lifespan. It may take some time and patience finding those types of breeders who produce sound dogs but I KNOW they are out there.

Besides that, great article.
:)

[whitney greenway]

fronteirrotts,

I don't think your website is harsh at all. I think it is 100% on the money.

I printed out your lists on how to raise your Rottweiler.

[poohbearsmom]

I find nothing untrue here either. It's probably one of the most down to earth, realistic views I've seen yet.

Elisabeth