Getting a second Rotti

[cartuin]

Hi there,

My husband and I adopted a female Rottweiler last July and are really happy with her. She is about 2 1/2 right now, hard to tell with no records. She is a real sweetie who just graduated from advanced obedience class.

We have a good size backyard and we make sure she gets at least an hour of good exercise a day. There are three off leash dog parks not too far from here. This is a great way to socialize her. She is good with other dogs, doesn't get overfriendly, a sniff or two and than catches up with me.

Her only downfall is the large amount of shedding she somehow manages to produce even with brushings.


The question I have is we have heard about a second Rotti which is available for adoption, a neutered male about the same age.


Would this be a good thing or would it be better to introduce a different breed as the second dog?

[spidey]

Congratulations on doing so well with your girl! You sound like a very good owner. :)

Do you have the time to devote to another dog who'll need just as much one-on-one attention and training WITHOUT also neglecting the one you have now? Remember that you'll need to spend one-on-one time every day with BOTH of them, training is a lifetime commitment, regardless of the breed you choose. An opposite-sex dog is the right choice, I just wonder if it wouldn't be a better idea to wait a year or two to let the first dog become fully established in house rules and that sort of thing before introducing a new dog of any breed. An older, well-trained and fully domesticated (meaning well aware of how to behave in the house) dog can be a boon with any newcoming dogs, since they'll often join in the training, but two inexperienced youngsters can often lead each other down the path to no-good, if you know what I mean. If it were me, I'd probably wait. Good luck with whatever you choose to do. :)

[Carina43]

I've had multiple dog household for many years, and I love how the dogs develop relationships and play & interact. I've found that as long as you spend "quality time" with each dog, they have fun together and still regard you as Supreme Being. :)

And Rottweilers play very well together because they have the same style of playing, and are evenly matched in speed and size. I enjoy watching mine wrassle together and rip outside. We call them the Thundering Herd. :D

I say go for it, you sound like you'd provide a great home! And let us know how it goes too.

[legalbeagle]

Yes, I second Carina43.

I have two now; a spayed female first, who's now 2-1/4 yrs and a male I recently acquired from a private owner who purchased him as a show prospect but dire circumstances forced his being rehomed. He's 16 months now and intact as I can't decide yet if he's worth my time finishing. I'm going to an AKC all breed conformation and obedience show this weekend coming to find out if he's up to snuff with the competition. If not, then he's going to be snipped ASAP. Anyway, our girl has been great with showing this guy the ropes around here. She's been more obedient since he arrived, because she's showing off. She's definitely the boss too. They play like buffalos charging across the open plains. It's very entertaining. Both of them are calmer since they're worn out from all the playing, running and tugging they do each day. I'd definitely recommend this idea if you have the time and committment to keeping them in training and exercised.

Cathi M.

[TrishB]

2 1/2 is a nice age. They'd be so much fun! :D

If you feel that your girl is well behaved enough (since she just finished advanced obedience, I think it's safe to say that she is), go for it! You've had her for 9 months, which is long enough that she's established in your home.

I'd probably have more reservations if they were:

- the same sex
- not fixed
- under 2 years old
- your first dog hadn't been in your home for 6 months yet
- your first dog wasn't behaved / trained

But since none of those are issues - I'd say go for it! Thank you so much for rescuing. We need more homes like yours! :D

[cartuin]

Thanks for the great advice.

When we were first thinking of getting a Rotti we found this site and read it alot. Somehow over time though we forgot about it and now I have been busy the last two days catching up on different threads.

Our dog is basically a very well behaved dog. We do have the one issue with clipping nails but I have been touching and playing with her paws for 2 weeks now and she is more comfortable with it now.

My hubby and I have done alot of thinking over this and we were thinking that we would introduce the two dogs and see what happens. Nothing wrong with making a new friend.

We went through the SPCA to get our first dog and was very impressed with how they handled the adoption.

The only down side we have noticed with owning a Rotti is how the public reacts. All I can do is shake my head when a women throws herself in front of her baby carriage or as a dog owner rushes to pick their dog up when we walk by. I had to give up one of the off leash parks yesterday for awhile. Some idiot brought his Rotti there and he mauled a little dog. While the boy was bringing the dying dog home the Rotti and owner took off. I am not welcomed with open arms right now :(

[Carina43]

That's awful about the little dog...I'd be uncomfortable walking a Rottweiler around too if that just happened around here.

This might sound silly, but I think it works with public perception: Put a bandana on your dog! I honestly think it makes a difference. And on long walks or if we're at an event or something, Cooper (my main dog :) ) has a little doggie backpack he wears. We get lots of smiles and positive comments.

I hope the introduction goes well!

[LE Wilson]

If you have the means, time and dedication, then I think you should go for it. Since rescuing Teddy and subsequently falling in love with the breed, I would have another one [or two] if I could.

Carina, I'm jealous. I wish I could enjoy 3 large goofballs playing at one time. Blondie plays with Teddy for about 5 minutes and she's finished. Jane is just too old. Teddy's biggest playmate is my neighbor's 8 pound Rat Terrier, who thinks he's a Rott. Now, that's a sight!

[Maddiesgirl]

My rotten girl Madison loves to play with my mother's hyper lab Murphy. They are both 2.5 years old.

But recently she met another very sweet rott girl (1yr.) and they have started to play. It is amazing how differently two rotts play! Mad always just blasted her weight around while the lab jumped alot, spun and rolled. Playing with the new rott friend, I see she plays the SAME WAY. There is alot of herding each other, and powerful looking crashes, kind of a black and tan sumo wrestling.

Brought home a foster rott boy this weekend who turns out to be 6 (:D not 8 like the shelter thought!:D ) and they also play the SAME WAY! I don't know if it's any better, but is funny to watch. Also, get out of the way, unlike alot of other dogs, they don't go around you while playing...they just go through you!