AKC Standards Card :D

[patton_jr]

Just something I was considering. My wife and I were out looking around at dog foods again, since we will be picking up my baby this coming Saturday, the 21st!

Anyway, we stopped in at a local PetLand. They had a rottie pup there. Oh was he cute! He look fairly big for a pup. I asked what his weight was and how old he was. The girl tells me that he is 35lbs, and 13 weeks old??? Didn't strike my as being that young. Maybe more like 23. As she was talking about the little guy a guy and his girlfriend come up and start to listen in. So I then tell this girl that works there that I am actually picking up my rottie this coming Saturday. One quick note, they have little tags in the window with the breed standards. So, then the guy makes the most silly statement. Keep in mind tags in the window!
"You do know that they get to be about this high, (Placing his hand at about 4') and weigh close to 200 lbs. I also heard they can't be trusted. BLA BLA BLA. My buddy has a rott that weighs about 180! He has to keep him tied up and outside all year round cause he is so mean."
I just laughed and chuckled. Boy he sounds like a really big dog. What a moron! I think I am going to make little cards with the AKC standards on it, and the phrase, "If you don't know SHUT UP!"
I hate when people go on and on and they really have no freaking clue! I think he just like to hear himself sound "cool" in front of his girlfriend. I just wanted to vent a bit. I'm sure this is going to become even more frequent when I am walking my girl. So, I am starting to put the cards together now to hand out to the goofs that "think" they know what they are talking about. Then when they are rambling like they know what they are talking about, I can pull out the card, read it to them, then give it to them for future reference. ;)

[rottnkidd]

Originally posted by patton_jr

Anyway, we stopped in at a local PetLand. They had a rottie pup there. As she was talking about the little guy a guy and his girlfriend come up and start to listen in. So, then the guy makes the most silly statement.
" I also heard they can't be trusted. BLA BLA BLA. My buddy has a rott that weighs about 180! He has to keep him tied up and outside all year round cause he is so mean."

patton_jr- This 'guy' you overheard has to be the town clown or the village idiot! His buddy's "180lb" Rottweiler might not be "so mean" if he wasn't "tied up and outside all year round". Aaarggh!
I feel better now, thank you! ;)
kathy

[Carina43]

I love the idea of handing out cards! Just yesterday we met a guy at a tractor store who told us all about the mean 187lb Rottweiler he used to have as protection for his store...I swear I hear this stuff on practically a daily basis. I've gotten to where I just ignore it, or say something like "oh that's a shame, poor dog" when someone gives me one of those cock and bull stories about some gigantic, mythical Rottweiler.

I may make up my own cards, and I'm going to include this part from the German standard: "...he is descended from friendly and peacable stock and by nature loves children, is affectionate, obedient, trainable and enjoys working..."

Great idea. You could print them on pieces of 2x4 to smack people over the head with! :D

[RottiMomCT]

Originally posted by Carina43
II may make up my own cards, and I'm going to include this part from the German standard: "...he is descended from friendly and peacable stock and by nature loves children, is affectionate, obedient, trainable and enjoys working..."

Great idea. You could print them on pieces of 2x4 to smack people over the head with! :D

NAH - go to a marine suply shop and buy actual PADDLES 0 smack 'em on the head with that....tee hee hee

If ya put it on pieces of 2x4 you'd have to write REALLY SMALL :D :D

[TrinityRun]

I think doing a simple brochure highlighting common misconception and facts, search links is a good idea. Quick and simple to do on your computer. Go to Staples or Office Max and run off a bunch. Keep them in your car for easy access or in your purse. :D

Educating the public is limited only to your imagination.

Oh, and remember....anytime someone tells you about their 200lb collosal Rott.....screw your face up into the most pitiful ball and say, "Oh. I'm SO sorry to hear that! How long did he live before his body gave out from that massive size?" Then hand him a brochure.

:D

[JoJo]

I say just smack them over the head period! Can't help anyone with air between the ears.

JoJo

[hundlover]

Yes i hear the same thing all the time too! I always tell them the breed-standard for height and weight. Also make the statement that NO ROTTWEILER should weigh that much!! Its amazing how many people we have to educate on the breed!

[patton_jr]

During the BS session he also says that they get to big for him and his girlfriend anyway. So guess what he then asks female employee to bring out so they can look at...a Neapolitan Mastiff! LMAO *SIGH* The only other bad thing about these types of experiences are the fact that I always have to go through the conversation piece by piece AGAIN! That's right, I have to walk through it with wife wife asking all types of questions about what these people say. She has never had any kind of pet before, and a dog is going to be something new for her. So she always asks me questions, which I like. (Keeps me reading so I can give the correct answers!) So it never fails, after these kinds of run in's she will say - "I thought you said she would only weigh up to 100lbs.", or "You told me she would only be this high, not how high he said!" and the one that always makes me want to go find the people again!!! "I don't want her if she is going to be mean! He said they are hard to train and can't be trusted." *WHEW* That's ok though, cause I always get her back on track, and even take out the books to show her that what I am saying is correct and the moron was just rambling! 5 more days and I get my gril, then she'll get to see first hand what a treasure we have!

[Carina43]

I will just add here that I will not even go INTO a store that sells puppies, much less spend any money in one.

Are you serious - a pet store selling Neos? Those dogs are a nightmare of congenital health problems...I can't imagine what a mess of a Neo one would buy at a pet store.

[TrishB]

Originally posted by patton_jr
..."I don't want her if she is going to be mean! He said they are hard to train and can't be trusted."

I can only tell you and your wife about my experiences. Parker is my first Rottweiler. Although I've loved the breed for years and couldn't wait for this opportunity.

Parker has been, by far, the easiest to train puppy I've ever come into contact with (and that's saying quite a bit considering I spent 14 years in the Pet Industry, 9 of those in vet clinics). He's been nothing but a joy to have around. He picks up tricks in minutes and is actually fun to train. I know I'm a proud Mom, but it's the honest truth. :)

I can also tell you that he's never given me a moment of concern about temperament. He plays wonderfully with other dogs and children. In fact, babies are his favourite to lick and nuzzle. :D He's 5 1/2 months old now and I can tell you that he was worth the 16 year wait.

This guy at the pet store was a moron. If he thinks a Rottie is too big, then why is he looking at a Neo?!?! It's obvious that he's out to lunch.

Tell your wife that Rotties are like putty - just waiting to be molded and trained. They'll never cease to amaze you and will never stop trying to please you. If great behaviour is what makes you happy, than that's what they'll strive for. ;)

[Rottnlove]

I agree with all the above posters.

I can't believe how many people out there believe such crap about our breed.

I wonder if going to Petsmart and Petco is a very positive thing for Xena and I. We run into a lot of horrible mean dogs and they almost scare the life out of my pup. :( I hope poor Xena won't be afraid of dogs because of some of the dogs that were less than friendly. She's an angel with dogs, doesn't bark or growl. She just stands back and looks at them, like "what's your problem?" And of course, she loves the friendly ones.

My advice to you is get ready for all the stupid comments and things people actually believe. Oh, and I always run into back yard breeders when I shop at those stores! What can you say to them? Last night I ran into some "breeders" of Labs. The man said that the "black labs are the smartest and easiest to train." I am NOT buying that. WHATEVER!!!! I don't think so!!!! Of course I didn't really say anything to him. I feel like I'd be wasting my time and my breath with someone like that. I know that the color of the dog doesn't effect the brain! It depends on the dog!!!! Can you believe some of the things these people say?

I'm with you on the cards. Great idea. I posted just last week about printing up some flyers about the differences in German and American Rotties and passing them out to those that ask if she's German or American. Everyone seems to think there are differences. A general flyer with lots of information and links to some great web sites is an excellent idea as Lauren mentioned. I may have to do this.

I'll say that I think Rotties pick up on things very fast. Another thing I see is that they're stubborn, lol. I also see that they can get distracted easily and not obey basic commands. But, it's all in the training and a lot of it is the age and amount of training they have. All in all, I believe rotties are very intelligent and they pick up on things very easily. (That can be good and that can be bad, lol!!!)

Good luck to you!!! :)

[MrsBoats]

You can hand out those little cards and say like that comedian says "Here's your sign..."

(I am so lucky, I haven't had to encounter many of the stories of the mega rotties thank god. Everyone just tells me my dog is tall. **shrug**)