Looking for a Rottweiler

[Mark Hodowanec]

I am beginning a search for a rottie.

First a little backgound:
I have four small children: 1, 4, 4, and 6 years old.
We currently have two dogs, both of which are dying. One is a female rottweiler, she is 10 1/2 years old and has recently been diagnosed with bone cancer. The other dog is a 9 yr. old large yellow lab (125 lbs., not overweight, just big) that is going thru liver failure. The rott we have had since she was a puppy, the yellow lab is a rescue dog that we got about 5 years ago.

I want a female, as they seem a little easier to handle. We plan on working her - obidience, agility, etc.

My wife is very much against a rescue dog. We already had the misfortune of putting down a rottweiler that had a temperment problem. If we didn't have four young children, she would consider a rescue, but not with our current situation.

I am looking for words of wisdom! How to locate a quality breeder, what to look in a breeder, what questions to ask, etc. Although we intend on working the dog, puppy quality is fine, as we do not intend on breeding, or worry about winning championships. Our current rott has a flaw - a large white mark on her chest, but otherwise has been perfect.

By far, the most important quality is that the dog have a good temperment (remember, 4 kids!). Secondarily, I would want a dog that is athletic, and do well in agility.

Any Advice??

[mmgy]

Often your local rescue will be able to direct you towards ethical breeders in your area, many of the best breeders are usually active in rescue.

Keep in mind also that mixed rotties can compete in obedience and agility also.

I'm so sorry to hear about your old dogs, many of us here are going through that along with you. We'll keep yours in our old dog prayers as well.

Good luck!!!

M2

[My3Rotties]

Hi, Mark...where do you live??? and the reason i'm asking is that i've been trying to place a pup i have..she's wonderful.

[RottiMomCT]

Originally posted by Mark Hodowanec
I am beginning a search for a rottie.

My wife is very much against a rescue dog. We already had the misfortune of putting down a rottweiler that had a temperment problem. If we didn't have four young children, she would consider a rescue, but not with our current situation.

Any Advice??

Don't discount rescue completely! ETHICAL rescues, like ethical breeders, temperament test rescue candidates - I know most evaluations are VERY intense...if the dog has issues that the rescue does not feel are workable, the dog will not be in rescue. Rescues look to place the BEST dogs out there...those that will make fabulous family members. I adopted a dog thru rescue at 10 months old. He's almost 4 now, he has his CGC, and he is a certified Therapy Dog.

Most rescue foster homes have other dogs, cats and/or children, and so the dogs available for adoption have been 'tested'. If you're looking for a dog good with kids...rescues often have fosters living with kids and can best match up your needs with a rescue candidate.

[Mark Hodowanec]

I live in Cincinnati, OH.

[spidey]

I agree with RottiMomCT - reputable rescues have thoroughly tested their dogs, so you can be reasonably certain that you're actually less likely to end up with a temperament problem from a rescue than from most other places. Buying a puppy from a good breeder is never a bad idea, but there's no guarantee that the puppy won't develop a problem as an adult. A dog who's already grown likely has a fairly established temperament, so you know what you're getting (within reason, of course, there are no hard and fast guarantees anywhere with dogs), including how the dog reacts to children, which is an important consideration for you. Just some food for thought - not all rescue dogs have baggage that gives them poor temperament, and few reputable rescues will even consider placing a dog which doesn't have a good, tested, temperament - there are too many dogs with nice temperaments who need homes to put energy into dogs who may not work out.

[My3Rotties]

Oh, a bit far. I have this 7 month old female that i'm trying to place with a good home...i've had people that want her..but, they all want her for the wrong reasons and most also want to keep her in the great outdoor's..chained up. So, in other words they don't want a family pet. She's a really great pup. i have 3 other's and it's plenty for me. the reason i got her was that a girl got her and then didn't want her and was going to place her in a shelter...so, i felt bad for her and took her. Sorry, to hear about your other dog's. I had to put my 8 yr. old female down in July due to bone cancer:(

[KateG]

I would agree with the others that there is a big difference between getting a rescue dog from a reputable rescue group and adopting your own rescue from the shelter.

My first Rottie was a male shelter adoption. He was a sweet and loving dog, but we had to work through a bunch of issues regarding dominance and food guarding. I was really glad to have the advice and support of a super trainer, particularly since my previous dog experience was as a child with a cocker-poodle mutt. Calvin was with me for 10 years and was my beloved shadow and guardian, but it took a lot of work to help him shine.

His successor is a 18 mo old Rottie girl we adopted through rescue. I spoke for a least an hour with her foster mom (thanks Dale) and we were able to discuss our needs and concerns and Abby's characteristics in great detail before we even met her. She had been under observation in her foster home for over a month, long enough to come out of her shell and let her real character shine through. As a result, we knew exactly what we were getting and have been delighted with her. She is gentle, loving, biddable, and athletic. We're currently doing our ground work in Obedience (Level 2 starts tonight), and plan to go on to Agility and Therapy.

Good luck with your search.
Kate G

[sparklemom]

My girl came straight from the pound. I had heard horror stories about the ill-adjusted dogs in public shelters. Nothing could be further from the truth about my Rottie. She is perfectly trained, well-behaved and just plain great. When I went to the shelter I had plenty of time to get to know her and see her temperament. And there were a lot of crazy dogs in there. But you can easily pick out the "good" ones. I would recommend it to anyone. You just have to take the time to get to know the dogs personally. I tell anyone who's looking for a dog to go to the pound. Those poor dogs only have two weeks, then it's the gas chamber....

[RottiMomCT]

sparklemom - a home having 4 kids under age 6, sometimes a shelter dog isn't an option - certainly NOT a reason to rule it out, but some shelter dogs are not dogs for home with small kids. Not all shelters are kill shelters...and most shelter workers don't take the time (or have the time) to fully evaluate a dog for best placement options or even to see if adoptable. Most shelters are beyond full and the folks working/volunteering there don't know what they're doing (not the norm, but certainly DOES happen!)...they're looking to get the 'adoptables' out of there...oftentimes, rotties are not on the list of 'adoptables'...:( :(

My3Rotties - have you contacted NERR or The Rottweiler Connection in regard to placing the puppy?

[Carina43]

Mark, first, I am sorry about your two old dogs. :( I have one that is now measuring her life day by day...we are sort of in hospice mode with her. Like M2, I'll add yours to my old dog prayers.

Anyhow, going through a good rescue group is definitely an option you should consider, as already pointed out. I used to do all-breed fostering, and the dogs were generally in my home for weeks, if not months, before being placed. I imagine many rescue groups work like that - someone who is somewhat knowlegable has observed the dog and can give a fair assessment...for liability reasons most would be pretty careful about placing an untested/unstable dog with small children! Plus it would be challenging to go through all the wild puppy stuff with your four kids...We can't post breeder info here, but if there's a local Rottweiler club, you could get referrals.

I'm in SE Michigan, here's the link to my Rottweiler club - I'm sure there are organizations close to you also, but I know we're overwhelmed with nice Rotties in need of homes here....!
http://www.geocities.com/glrottweiler/membership.html

And like sparklemom said...there are many wonderful, stable dogs in shelters...but honestly if I had littl'uns at home, I don't know if I would take the chance either.

[My3Rotties]

Yes, i've talked to them..and actually a lady was supposed to call me back like 2 weeks ago and hasn't. I've been trying myself to place her. if it comes down to it..i'll just keep her. she's a wonderful pup and i just don't want her to go to a bad home or end up in a shelter or the streets.

[RottiMomCT]

Originally posted by My3Rotties
Yes, i've talked to them..and actually a lady was supposed to call me back like 2 weeks ago and hasn't.

You've talked to whom? NERR or Rottweiler Connection?

I volunteer for NERR - if you'd like, send me a private message or check my profile for my e-mail address and drop me a line. Thanks!

[Jaegergirl]

hi mark,

when i was looking for a rottie, i was leary about getting a rescue since i have 2 children (9 and 19 months). that was before i found this forum and learned how dogs were screened, tested, etc. anyway, i found a local breed club on the american rottweiler club website...http://www.amrottclub.org/rottweilers.htm#clubs.. i got an excellent 15 week old pup from her recommendation. she also recommended a training facility.. and i'm extremely happy with that as well!! i see there is a greater cincinnati club listed on that site so maybe you'll have some luck if you call them.

btw, now that i've learned more about rescue organizations, i've decided that my next rottie will be a rescue for sure. :)

[LavenderRott]

I got my girl from the local shelter when I was 3 months pregnant with my son.

She has been the best dog from day one.

You might not want to discount rescue quite so fast. A good dog that is a couple of years old may fit into your family faster then a pup. No housebreaking. With an infant in your house, you need all the sleep you can get.

A good rescue group would match a dog with your family situation. Calmer dog with young children etc.