Buying a Rotty

[rockybullwinkle]

Hello,

I'm interested in buying another rottweiler. I had one before but he was extremely hyper and I had to give him up. I bought him from a non-reputable breeder which was a mistake. However this time around i'm doing my homework and trying to find a breeder that can provide good size, dependability, and an all around good bloodline Rottweiler. I know from past experience it's hard to tell the size of the dog at the puppy stage so I am looking for something more specific than I was the last time considering my dog lacked in size and temperment.

I just want to have a good idea on the size and temperment of the dog before I buy one. At what age/stage can I know this? I just don't know, maybe someone can help.

Thank you

[emillinium]

had to give him up? If you wouldn't put in the effort and time needed for your last dog what makes you think you'll do any better this time?

[emillinium]

you didn't say that you acted like you just got rid of him because he didn't turn out,just how you wanted

[rockybullwinkle]

hey relax there! Since when did you come to decide what is best for me who are you Dr. Phil? Listen, if you have nothing nice to say don't say anything at all. How do you know I didn't put any effort? I had my dog for 3 years and I brought him to four different trainers and they all said he was hyper and needed extensive training, which would have potentially made him violent in the end. A dog is a dog...sometimes you can train them and sometimes you cannot, there are somethings called fear factors and a trained dog can end up lashing out violently, their bloodlines have alot to do with their temperment which differentiates some dogs from others. Had you offered my dog a cookie, it would have been that cookie and your fingers, So If you don't know the dog or the owner keep your opinion to yourself.

[ladycricket]

Had you offered my dog a cookie, it would have been that cookie and your fingers

So did you have him PTS or give him away? A reputable breeder for the type of dog you are looking for will ask these questions. I know sometimes you just get a dog thats not wired right, how you handle it shows responsibility.
Size of the dog is ussually predictable by the size of the parents, you don't get a 180 lb rott from conformation standard lineage.

[lblax]

Originally Posted by rockybullwinkle

So If you don't know the dog or the owner keep your opinion to yourself.

so dont ask for opinions if youve come here to hear only what you want to that wont happenyou very well know that coming here and posting you gave your last rott up because it was hyper and now you want a replacemant would yank everyones chain

[rockybullwinkle]

No actually not keeping him was the right thing to do.

[RottiMomCT]

Originally Posted by rockybullwinkle

I had my dog for 3 years and I brought him to four different trainers and they all said he was hyper and needed extensive training, which would have potentially made him violent in the end. A dog is a dog...sometimes you can train them and sometimes you cannot, there are somethings called fear factors and a trained dog can end up lashing out violently, their bloodlines have alot to do with their temperment which differentiates some dogs from others. Had you offered my dog a cookie, it would have been that cookie and your fingers, So If you don't know the dog or the owner keep your opinion to yourself.

Extensive training in what regard would have made him violent?? If you use violent training methods then you probably will get violent results.

ALL dogs can be trained...ALL DOGS...

If I offered your dog a cookie and I got bit, you'd have had more than a hyper dog onyour hands...

I'm sorry, to me, you seem to have given up on the 3 yr old simply because he was an active dog - he should have been trained to USE that drive. Rottweilers are, after all, WORKING DOGS...they NEED a job to do and CONSTANT training. Most people would LOVE a dog with drive like that.

My recommendation - adopt and OLDER dog that is less likely to be too hyper for you. You'll be hard pressed to find a reputable breeder who is breeding low key laid back rotties...maybe a rottie rescue could help you find what you are looking for?

[kittycat]

Maybe you should consider a labrador..they're very calm pups.





Or better yet do more research on how to find a good breeder, what to look for in a breeder. A good breeder should be able to tell you about each puppy...about each of their characters..which one is hyper, which one is calm, which one is dominant/bully, which one is the most submissive one. Make sure you dont get a puppy before the puppy is 8 weeks of age and any breeder who offers to sell you a pup before isnt a responsible one.
Here are some sites that might help you:

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_adoptio...d_dog_breeder/

http://members.tripod.com/antique_fc....html#backyarf

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/findingbreeder.htm <- really good one.

You should always be able to see the parents..its a good indication of what your puppies will look like. I got to see the parents in person, and pictures of the grandparents.

[spidey]

Maybe you should consider a labrador..they're very calm pups.

Um...no they aren't. The fact that so many people think Labs are suitable for everyone is the reason there are so many in shelters and rescues. Labs are bred to work hard all day in terrible weather, they need a TON of exercise (more than a Rottweiler) and Lab puppies are rarely "calm" (Labs are extremely commonly described as "hyper", mainly because they are often extremely underexercised).

[kittycat]

Originally Posted by spidey

Um...no they aren't. The fact that so many people think Labs are suitable for everyone is the reason there are so many in shelters and rescues. Labs are bred to work hard all day in terrible weather, they need a TON of exercise (more than a Rottweiler) and Lab puppies are rarely "calm" (Labs are extremely commonly described as "hyper", mainly because they are often extremely underexercised).

mmm i was actually being sarcastic.
But on the subject ive actually read that Labs (most of them) tend to be of a calm temperment, which is why families with small children get them (they're not bouncy and DONT tend to be aggressive), also why they're used as guide dogs for the blind(alot more then other breeds) Sure they need exercise but what dog doesnt?

[Silvermarten]

Originally Posted by RottiMomCT

Extensive training in what regard would have made him violent?? If you use violent training methods then you probably will get violent results.

ALL dogs can be trained...ALL DOGS...

If I offered your dog a cookie and I got bit, you'd have had more than a hyper dog onyour hands...

I'm sorry, to me, you seem to have given up on the 3 yr old simply because he was an active dog - he should have been trained to USE that drive. Rottweilers are, after all, WORKING DOGS...they NEED a job to do and CONSTANT training. Most people would LOVE a dog with drive like that.

My recommendation - adopt and OLDER dog that is less likely to be too hyper for you. You'll be hard pressed to find a reputable breeder who is breeding low key laid back rotties...maybe a rottie rescue could help you find what you are looking for?

rockybullwinkle Welcome to the boards
I too am curious about how extensive training would have made him violent ????
I'm not being critical just curious as I have a dog that sounds like yours . Could you explain what was told to you ?

I've a high prey drive hyperactive rotti boy . Many people that have met him think he has ADD .
My youngster is the ultimate HYPERWEILER , he too was from a byb and has fear based issues . We've been in classes for the two years that I've owned him and will continue to do so for several more years . He also is a 'small' one 75lbs is a little male rottie .
I've been to that ultimate frustration point with him . Place him in a new home ? No way . He spent two weeks just staying home while I talked nonstop to trainers and owners of hyper high prey drive dogs . Since then we've been on a whole new training regime with some excellent trainers and finally we are learning to work together . Now I'm loving that " intense spark " that is his personality .

Originally Posted by RottiMomCT

ALL dogs can be trained...ALL DOGS...

This is true other than dogs that are 'wired' wrong ( which should be humanely helped out of this world ) .

Originally Posted by RottiMomCT

My recommendation - adopt and OLDER dog that is less likely to be too hyper for you. You'll be hard pressed to find a reputable breeder who is breeding low key laid back rotties...maybe a rottie rescue could help you find what you are looking for?

I agree . There are some awesome young adults in rescue . Don't forget about the seniors too . I adopted a senior though a rescue in 2002 and he's amazing . Easy to train , 115lbs , blocky and mellow .

[SOX_H8r]

Mentally, rotties develop slowly. During the three years you owned your previous dog, it probably went through quite a few personality changes, both good and bad. You should be aware of that, if you decide to get another rottweiler.

I had a rottie for 12 years and he could be hyper at any time, if I let him. My new 10 month old, out of excellent bloodlines, is hyper most of the time! We're dealing with it by lots of exercise (low impact), and by attending obedience classes with him (private now, group later).

I'm sure no one ment any disrespect, but it's just that dogs are a disposable commodity in today's society.

[BostonRott]

As a breeder, I would certainly want to know exactly what became of the other dog. I'm not sure how giving away a 3yr old dog who has already had training and is not improving shows responsibility. No one said owning dogs is easy, and quite frankly, when it's time to suck it up....you gotta do just that. The dog should have been put to sleep. Giving it away is just irresponsibly passing along your problems to someone else.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by BostonRott

As a breeder, I would certainly want to know exactly what became of the other dog. I'm not sure how giving away a 3yr old dog who has already had training and is not improving shows responsibility. No one said owning dogs is easy, and quite frankly, when it's time to suck it up....you gotta do just that. The dog should have been put to sleep. Giving it away is just irresponsibly passing along your problems to someone else.

As a breeder, I agree.

Originally Posted by rockybullwinkle

I had my dog for 3 years and I brought him to four different trainers and they all said he was hyper and needed extensive training, which would have potentially made him violent in the end. A dog is a dog...sometimes you can train them and sometimes you cannot, there are somethings called fear factors and a trained dog can end up lashing out violently, their bloodlines have alot to do with their temperment which differentiates some dogs from others. Had you offered my dog a cookie, it would have been that cookie and your fingers, So If you don't know the dog or the owner keep your opinion to yourself.

This makes no sense whatsoever. Training does not a violent dog make, unless the training is violent, in which case, the dog is likely defending himself, as any self respecting dog should.

Grabbing at fingers as well as a cookie is a training issue. i.e. not enough training.

Something's askew in your understanding and knowledge of canine temperament. As a breeder, you would be a very big red flag, and I fear, not a good candidate for a puppy of mine, given your current level of understanding of this issue (and I'm sure quite a few other issues). Am I being mean? No. I'm protecting what I have the responsibility to protect each and every time I put puppies on the ground - the puppies.

Any dog can be trained. Any human? Well, that's another topic.

Whether or not this dog really had a screw loose? That's debatable as well..... because your basic understanding of the temperament is not complete.